IT was recently brought to my attention that some, you know WHO you are(!), readers actually think that I have an IMAGINARY friend in BUZZ the Mosquito!

Well, let me put that to rest once and for all…that is just a blatant lie….BUZZ IS FOR REAL!

Although I will admit, I SLEPT with PANDA and two GHOSTIES as a small child (and up to the year I went to ‘sleep-away’ camp one summer), I still contend they are REAL too. Some things NEVER change?

Yes the ‘trio’ mentioned above still resides on my closet’s top shelf and we visit every so often…BUZZ has even joined us at times. My therapist sees no real problem with that by the way, thank-you…

I say, after some 60+ years who can deny the existence of my ‘pals’ and former bedmates?

I fully realize MANY my age have ‘out-grown’ this phase of their lives, but they have yet to meet my ‘gang’, much less have a ‘chat’ (via cell-phone) with BUZZ and myself…

I first had a TEDDY and my brother had a LAMBY, but he foolishly tossed her away years ago…he’s an accountant…

Mommie once tried to toss TEDDY, but I rescued him that day…she succeeded eventually, however.

It was then PANDA and the two GHOSTIES appeared and so now you know it all…well, almost all?

So today ‘some’ readers think that BUZZ is kind of like Santa Claus…”Yes Virginnia, there is a SANTA CLAUS…” Well, you got that right, check under the tree on December 26th….

Soo, you just might see me and BUZZ down on Main Street, at “The Bayou Bird Shoppe” near Frank Wick’s sculpture in the front space of the TDI office or grabbing a bite at some new Restaurant near-by or chatting with Jeff, Lorraine, Howard or Barry (among others across the street)…feel free to engage me in a conversation…you will likely get a chance to actually meet BUZZ?

Or, if you guys aren’t already committed, we (BUZZ, PANDA, GHOSTIES, MISSY, JEANNIE, MYSELF and others) sometimes ‘catch’ a game on the tube on Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun or on Monday? The BEER is cold, the White wine is chilled and the Red is at room temperature, We got snacks too and plenty of chairs…or you can BYO if you would prefer? Council meeting nights and most Wednesdays are not included as are ‘special’ occasions when BUZZ insists we dine out.

The BUZZER is really big on doing things her way and with all the festivals these days, we have been quite busy. She will abandon a boring one sided game, but never leave a festival until the very end. The rest of us are more flexible but BUZZ rules! It is therefore a bit difficult to estimate the quantity of beer , wine bottles and snacks to buy, but BI-LO is open from morning to night for just that reason I suppose.

My household is always prepped for HURRICANE season so the libations never seem to run out. and the distance between the den and the potty is so small, you can still hear the game….

Richard Phillips