Hello everyone! Hope you are enjoying the fall weather wherever you are. It has finally cooled down here in California.

Just want to give you a business update. I recently sent a newsletter announcing the website closure. I have many older orders near completion. This is to get caught up with recent orders as well as attend to a family illness.

In May of 2002 my stepfather was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He was told he had months to live. Brain tumor treatments have come a long way in the last few years.

Due to excellent care, three major surgeries and countless rounds chemotherapy and radiation he was able to extend his life beyond what any of us could hope for. Unfortunately, he is losing the battle. The tumor is no longer responding to treatment of any kind. He is now in the final stages of dying. This has brought our family great sadness and anguish because of how hard he fought.

My mother and my stepfather also adopted a baby boy 13 years ago so he will leave behind a son a well as a family who loves him dearly. I will be visiting my Mom in Montana on October 24th thru the 29th in hopes I can be of comfort to her in this difficult time. It is her wish that he die at home surrounded by the loving arms of his family. It has been a long struggle and my hope is that he does not suffer in pain in the end.

For those of you that have known about this, I thank you for your thoughts and prayers throughout the last 3 years. I will keep you updated through this blog.

For now I dedicate this poem to my stepfather Jeffrey Spackman by British poet William Ernest Henley published in 1875. Invictus means "unconquered" in Latin.

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of Circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of Chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.