This week is a big one is our household because my wife’s last day of work is Thursday. Yep, after 31 years with a major company that is well-known around the world, she’s retiring. To say she’s looking forward to retirement would be an understatement. She worked hard to be a highly valued employee, but she’s ready to move on to the next phase of her life.
Although the week will end with our wedding anniversary, this post is a salute to her retirement – which also means I’m preparing another salute to a different number.
Life will be an adjustment for both of us, but we’ve been a team for a long time – so the new available time should be fun. A tip of the hat to my partner in life – the one I’ve loved for a long time.
In Language
31 – Tridhjetenjë (Albanian), Třicet jedna (Czech), Enogtredive (Danish), Kolmkümmend üks (Estonian), 30 En (Swedish), Tiga puluh (Indonesian), and XXXI (Roman numerals). Do you have others?
In Mathematics
31 – a natural number, an odd integer that is only divisible by 1 and itself
31 – a third Mersenne prime, the fourth primorial prime, the twin prime of 29. The fourth lucky prime, the 11th supersingular prime, a centered triangular number, a centered decagonal number, the lowest prime centered pentagonal number, the lowest possible Steiner topology for Steiner trees with 4 terminals, a repdigit in base 2 and base 5
In Chemistry
The atomic number of gallium – so a single neutrally charged atom of gallium has 31 protons and 31 electrons
In Biology
31 – the number of pairs of spinal nerves in humans
31 – the number of pairs of chromosomes in donkeys, gypsy moths, and giraffes
In Astronomy
Messier object M31 is in the constellation Andromeda and is readily visible to the naked eye in a modestly dark sky.
The New General Catalogue object NGC 31, a spiral galaxy in the constellation Phoenix
31 Orionis is a star in the constellation Orion – 31 Leonis is a star in the constellation Leo – and many more 31s throughout the galaxy
In Geography
31st parallel north crosses land of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, China, Japan, Mexico, and the United States
31st parallel south crosses land of South Africa, Australia, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil,
31st meridian east crosses land of Norway, Russia, Finland, Belarus, Ukraine, Turkey, Egypt, Sudan, Uganda, Congo, Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, and Swaziland
31st meridian west only crosses land in Greenland
31st Street in New York City begins at the West Side Yard, and ends at Second Avenue at Kips Bay Towers and NYU Medical Center
Chicago as a 31st Street Beach
Virginia Beach’s 31st Street Park has an outdoor stage for movies, concerts, and shows
In History
Papyrus 31, an early copy of the New Testament in Greek, dates back to 7th century
31st US President was Herbert Hoover
31st Congress met 1849-1851 during presidential terms of Zachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore
Federalist No. 31, an essay by Alexander Hamilton (pseudonym Publius), is the second of seven essays on taxation
Year 31 CE
A common year starting on Monday
Berber calendar year 981, Assyrian calendar year 4781, Coptic calendar year −253 – −252
A possible year for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ
Year 31 BC
Either a common year starting on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday or a leap year starting on Tuesday or Wednesday
Gaius Julius Caesar Octavian becomes Roman Consul for the third time
Roman Civil War: Battle of Actium: Off the western coast of Greece, Octavian Caesar defeats the naval forces under Mark Antony and Cleopatra VII
The fortress Masada completed in the Judean Desert
By some scholars, the Hellenistic period ends
In Sports
In Super Bowl XXXI, the Green Bay Packers defeated the New England Patriots 35-21 on January 26, 1997 at the Superdome in New Orleans, and Desmond Howard won the MVP
31 – a common number worn by Ice hockey goalies
Retired #31 jerseys
- (MLB) Dave Winfield (Padres), Ferguson Jenkins (Cubs), Greg Maddux (Cubs and Braves), Mike Piazza (Mets)
- (NBA) Cedric Maxwell (Celtics), Reggie Miller (Pacers)
- (NHL) Grant Fuhr (Oilers), Billy Smith (Islanders)
- (NFL) William Andrews (Falcons), Jim Taylor (Saints)
In 1,071 NASCAR races, car #31 has won 7 times: Jeff Burton (4) and Robby Gordon (3) – plus finished in the top 5 87 times
In Entertainment
Seinfeld episode #31 (season 3) “The Pez Dispenser” first aired 15 January 1992
31 – an American independent horror film (2016) written and directed by Rob Zombie
31 – a card game
31 – a type of game played on a backgammon board
31 Songs, a book by Nick Hornby
Symphony No. 31: Paris by Mozart
Symphony No. 31 by Joseph Haydn is also known as Hornsignal
Ludwig van Beethoven composed Piano Sonata No. 16 in G major, Opus 31 No. 1 and Piano Sonata No. 16 in D Minor, Opus 31 No. 2 – the latter is also known as The Tempest (click to hear the Allegreto)
In Business
31 – the number of flavors of Baskin-Robbins ice cream; which is called 31 Ice Cream in Japan
31st Street Studios in Pittsburgh offers studio production and management
31 Gifts (actually Thirty-One Gifts) is a party and gift consultant organization
Miscellaneous
The number of days in the months January, March, May, July, August, October and December
The code for international direct-dial phone calls to the Netherlands
There are 31 letters in the Cyrillic alphabet
In French the expression trente et un (31) refers to someone who is well dressed
31 years is roughly a billion seconds
31 (XXXI): a women’s honorary at The University of Alabama
31-bit integers – a component of computer architecture introduced in 1983 for mainframes
Music has a 31-tone equal temperament tuning system
J31 – the first jet engine produced in quantity in the United States (by GE)
First of all, congratulations to Mrs. aFa, Frank. I wish her lovely grind-free years. The world sure was different in 1985 when she started working at that major company. And back then, Donald Trump’s hair was comb-over, Aquanet and corn cob yellow-free.
My favorite factoid was “31 years is roughly a billion seconds”. I have to share that one with Godsend tomorrow while The Boss is attending a light bulb convention. I’m sure we’ll both have fun with that!
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Lame,
She will see the best wishes. 31 years ago also means no email, no voice mail, no PCs, much of the work still done by hand, and so many people working that finding a parking spot was difficult.
Meanwhile, the mice at The Grind seem to be ready to play with the cat away. Enjoy!
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Vacuum tubes were still in use back then, Frank. That loud sucking sound always sounded like something straight out of Looney Tunes to me. Now, when I update my email on my phone I get a sound reminiscent of that.
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Oh those tubes … the thought of how far televisions have come since that time! … but I still have (and use) a transistor reader.
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Just a bit jealous
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John,
Understandable … but hey … you have life on a boat in your future.
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Congratulations to your wife! I made it 30 years with the same company.
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Laura,
That’s awesome. There was a time when this was common, but less so today … then again, it can still happen in big companies that have many opportunities.
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You are so right…it’s not so common anymore. I was lucky. A lot of people I knew back then were in the same situation as me but now I hardly know any.
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Thirty-one years is a long time to stay in one place Frank – I also would tip my hat [if I had one on] to your Right Angle! I tell everyone how wonderful ‘retirement’ is – I am quietly busy and content every day and have no idea how I ever found time to hold down a career! It will be like one long holiday for you both I’m sure!
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Pauline,
Thanks … The unknown is what she questions the most. She knows that she must be involved in something, but she’s unsure what it will be – but I think she’ll find it.
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Hi Frank! What a milestone in your lives! I think that’s so awesome that she worked there for 31 years! I wish her nothing but happiness in her next phase of life – hope it includes lots of dancing and travel! All the best to you both 🙂
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Kelly,
Many thanks for the best wishes. Dance remains in our plans as does travel! …. Must do the travel while we still can.
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Congrats Mrs. Frank! Ah, retirement. The busiest time of your life. 😉
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Jackie,
That’s what she keeps hearing … so she’s ready for whatever lies ahead.
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Pauline is right….and I hear it over and over again from retired people: how did I ever find time to go to work? It can be a really good time of life!
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Cynthia,
Staying busy is important. Busy can come in many forms, but it takes time for one to find their niche … and I’m confident she will.
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Staying healthy is most important of all…
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Absolutely!
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Congrats to your wife’s retirement. Time to celebrate!! She deserves it!
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Amy,
Yesterday was her work party that she enjoyed …. and we’ll have a retirement dinner soon. Other friends are asking about party plans, but we’ve decided not to go that route. Spring and summer on the near horizon will give us and her many celebration opportunities. Thanks for the best wishes.
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You don’t have to worry about deadlines anymore! Just do it the way you want to. 🙂
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Definitely opens up our schedule, which I imagine will quickly fill!
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Hope you and your beloved enjoy the next phase of your journey. 😉
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Mary,
Thanks … and we are ones that stay busy, so it will be interesting to see what we add to our list of things to do.
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I’m really happy for your wife to have earned retirement! Thirty-one years with one company is very impressive. I’ve been at my current job for 15 years and I’ve felt like that was a major achievement! It’s the longest I’ve ever stayed with one job, and that’s half of her years. So I admire your wife for the commitment she’s made, and wish you both well in the transition. I’m sure you’re going to really enjoy yourselves! You have outdone yourself with focusing on “31” and I don’t know if I knew even one of these facts! I am very impressed wth your collection! Well done!
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Debra,
Many thanks. A company like hers offers many opportunities to grew – and she took advantage of that. She also worked hard at it. I recall her time on a job that was very demanding. She thrived at it, but also knew what it was time to move on from it. Meanwhile, I’m sure you knew that Baskins-Robbins has 31 flavors of ice cream. …. Psst … the next collection is longer.
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I’m sure your wife will enjoy her retirement.
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Debra,
Absolutely … and maybe her first trip to Bagni will be in her future.
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Happy retirement for your wife and for you both. This is great and also so meaningful to work 31 years in the same company. Congratulations. I love your number informations, Thank you dear Frank, Blessing and Happiness for you both, Love, nia
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Nia,
Thanks for the best wishes for her and us. Life will be an adjustment for both of us, but we’ll make it work,
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Happy retirement, to your wife, Frank! Here’s to a new chapter in your lives for more joy and adventure and yes, more time for each other! 🙂 Cheers to that! 🍷🍷🍷🍷
Happy Wednesday and rest of the week, my friend. 🙂
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Marina,
The first page of the new chapter starts on Friday – which also means we can have a dance lessons at any time of the day we want! For her, retiring with spring and summer just ahead is good because she hates winter.
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Happy retirement and happy anniversary! That’s quite an accomplishment and I’m sure you both are looking forward to more time together. Love the Pez episode on Sienfeld. Always interesting here..always. Cheers!
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Audra,
Thanks for the dual congratulations. Time ahead is an unknown, but I’m sure we’ll settle into whatever lies ahead.
Hooray … a reference about the Pez episode. You made my day. Here’s a treat for you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y94g3Cl37VM
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You always find good stuff 🙂
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I knew you would enjoy it!
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Congratulations to Mrs. Angle! Happy Retirement to both of you! And Happy Anniversary, too! I’m echoing Marina with the cheers and wine. 🙂
You might remember that my husband retired last June after thirty-seven years of teaching (at the same school). He’s kept busy with part-time work and jobs around the house, but it’s been nice to have the flexibility to do things or go places when we want to.
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Merril,
Many thanks for the congrats on both fronts. … and more wine is always a good thing.
I recall your hubby’s retirement … and 37 years at the same school is remarkable. Speaking of part-time jobs – yep – I’ve started one.
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🙂
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My congratulations to Mrs. Frank for her retirement after 31 years of dedicated service to her major international company employer. As for life requiring an adjustment for you both, I have no doubt you’ll handle it fine without resorting to the solution a former school athletic director’s wife (you know the AD) laid out upon his retirement – “I don’t care what you do in your retirement as long as you’re gone by nine and return by four.” ALSO – a big CONGRATS to you both for your upcoming wedding anniversary!
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Tim,
Many thanks for the congrats and the best wishes. I’m sure she’s looking forward to playing more golf! Now that’s an interesting retirement directive from Mrs. AD. What a hoot!
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Here’s to 31 years (at least!) of a happy and productive retirement!
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Kerry,
Many thanks, Kerry! Happy, productive, and (I’ll add) healthy … definitely the three ingredients for retirement. About 2 years ago we attended a 4-hour retirement workshop – but – it wasn’t about financial … it was about all the other stuff such as happy and productive. Great advice!
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I hope she enjoys and eases into retirement. Be careful about overbooking your time. Retirement is a good thing. I liked it so much, I did it twice.
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Jim,
Loving retirement to do it twice made me laugh! 😀 … It will be an adjustment for her, but she’s ready. The months of good weather ahead will help her a great deal.
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I retired from classroom teaching after 38 yrs. After that, I worked part time at an education company for another 6. That seemed long enough to retire again. Plus, it was an excuse for a small party.
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Excellent … and now, even more time for golf and hiking!
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Congratulations for your wife on her retirement and to both of you on your anniversary. It will certainly be a big change for both of you. I’ve already told my husband that when he retires, he will have to get another job, else we will drive each other insane.
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Catherine,
Thanks for the congrats. Your approach made me laugh as I think of a friend who is still working at his profession at 70 … but I tell him that he has to keep working to finance the travel his wife always plans for them.
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My timing is off. I wanted to be the 31st person to like this blog. However, I must get to work, so I can retire someday. Plus, it would just be good manners to leave the 31st position open for someone else to take. I’ll be the 29th.
Congratulations over there!
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Like Jim Ruebush, I retired twice as well. The first career was 22 years and the second 17. In my case, retirement gave me the opportunity to reflect on the meaning of life, and the time to pursue knowledge. Leisure is not all it’s cracked up to be, but I know I don’t have to tell you that, Frank, nor your wife either. Travel eventually wears out, but contact with lively minds never does. IMHO.
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Jim,
Good advice. She’s an avid reader, so that keep her mind going. We’ll let you know when travel gets boring or wears us out. Thanks for taking the time to congratulate her.
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Only from Frank could I find out the number of pairs of chromosomes in donkeys, gypsy moths, and giraffes! I’ll tuck that tidbit away for future use. Best of luck to your wife with her retirement. Sounds like you two make a great team.
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Carrie,
Finally … finally someone who personally and professionally appreciates the chromosome numbers! 😉 Meanwhile, our new journey starts soon. Thanks Carrie!
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Congratulations and best wishes to your wife on her retirement. After 31 years, she’s really earned it. 🙂 I’m sure you’ll have quite the celebration with your wedding anniversary falling at the same time. Thanks for the fascinating info. I’ve often wondered about the number of pairs of chromosomes in donkeys, gypsy moths, and giraffes. 😆
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Sylvia,
Thanks for the congrats on both counts. Actually our celebrations are low key … we’ll go out to dinner once for both events. No parties planned with friends … and that’s OK. Glad the factoid about the chromosome number will no longer cause sleepless nights!
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😀👯
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Best of luck to Right Angle! May you not kill each other with 24/7 closeness! (I would kill John).
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Elyse,
LOL … but you kill him through your music. 😉 … Thanks for the congrats, and see John Howell’s comment below yours.
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My congratulations to you both. My wife and I have been retired for four years and are still speaking. It can be done. Best to you both.
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John,
Four years!!!! … many thanks for the encouragement and kind words.
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That’s good to know. My husband is actively talking about it and I may have to kill him before it happens. (Dear Law Enforcement, I am saying this metaphorically. Really)
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congrats and congrats. a very close friend is stepping down after 35 years.
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Rich,
Thanks for the double congrats. … 35 years? Wow … My wife works with a guy who is aiming for 50 at the same company – so a couple to go for him. But for her – she decided this day long ago!
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my partner was in the planning stages of getting the pension set up, and now they offered her a newly created position, slightly higher pay (i think), and lesser responsibilities, so now she’s rethinking the retirement. oh well.
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Time will tell … the most important thing is that it works out for the best.
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the problem was the company wasn’t fully confident with who they brought in to replace her. so they’re trying to lure her back in another capacity to help out. that’s a nice compliment.
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A good thing.
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yup
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This is the most positive view of retirement I’ve ever come across. I can hardly wait!!!!!
Congrats, Mrs. Frank Angle (& Frank), and have the time of your lives. ⭐
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Resa,
Wow … that’s high praise! She’s very excited and is amazed that the day has arrived. On to the next phase of life!
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Much love to you both! ⭐
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Thank you.
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Congratulations to your wife’s retirement and your anniversary. Enjoy life and each other.
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Kim,
Many thanks … It’s quite a week!
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Congratulations on retirement to your wife and to your anniversary! Your post is a fine tribute to her! Since you have been partners all these years I am sure you will do will in retirement pursuing you own interests
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CC,
Thanks for the best wishes and confidence. I’m sure there will be an adjustment for both of us, but we do a lot together.
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Thanks to all of you bloggers for the kind wishes in my new retirement life. If the Frank Angle disappears from the web for awhile, it will either because we’re having such a good time that he’s never home, or our constant togetherness resulted in a homicide! I’m hoping for the former.
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TRA,
The bloggers here are a very kind, so the fact that took the time to write best wishes isn’t surprising. … but I’m hoping are will also remember this comment as they may be called to testify at the trial.
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Congratulations to your wife! What an accomplishment. Just think now of all the very cool, very awesome things ya’ll can do with the time you have. I am I think envious of you just a tad bit.
This was quite fun, this 31.
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Val,
Many thanks for the congrats. I’m sure time will require an adjustment for both of us, but I’m confident it will work. For my wife’s sake, I’m glad she has the days of spring, summer, and early fall ahead!
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