Bob and Noreen called us last night to announce… wait for it, Bob’s retirement. After way too many years of paying into my social security, Bob has decided to punchout. He joins a long line of other recent retirements, including Jay and cousin Anne. This leaves my social security trust fund much weakened and a wee bit depleted. I hope that it holds up, but fear not, Bob is lining up a side gig as a consultant. Wait, 1099s don’t pay into my social security!

For all of us 2025 was a bit wonky. Bob was traveling furiously right up to the end. He even visited us while we were in Monterey, where we tried to educate him on the wisdom of one of our founding fathers, Ben Franklin. We swapped tales of all of our travels last year, plus grandchildren stories and future plans.

About future plans, Bob is not one to be take what may. He has always been a go-getter. Always looking, never hiding. When the next day dawns, he is ready for action. Hopefully, he still remembers when to roll his sixes and ones, but such games are mere child’s play to Bob. He needs a real challenge, one that really challenges him else he slides quickly into dotage. Folks, I give to you Campaign for North Africa. This 1978 Godzilla of the monster wargames of that era has always been Bob’s and my dream. Even forty years ago, when we were both changing diapers and trying to slip one more turn of an Avalon Hill game, in-between naps. Currently, both of our systems of computer resources are in revamp mode. Once this reboot is complete, we should be ready to go. If we do this right, I could clobber him, or him me, all the while both of us sitting on some distant beaches. Letting our AI minions handle the rest. What do you say Bob, can I serve you up some nice fresh pasta, al dente?