My buddy Don, who is WAY OLDER THAN ME, just told me that he has had some injections/work done on his knee.

Last week, I had surgery on my index finger on my left hand...looks like "ARTHER" (arthritis) is the thing folks like us are increasingly facing.

Don deserves to suffer...his injury was probably caused from jumping out of all those 2nd story bedroom windows as a MUCH YOUNGER MAN.

Mine is a result of incorrect fingering on instruments, bar fights (yes, and I'm a little ashamed of that), the injury I received in a robbery 5 years ago, and simply wearing out the joint from almost 60 years of playing.

It's kind of poetic justice. I've been one of the critics of arranger playing. There is a good possibility I'll never be able to play guitar, bass or even left-handed bass on my beloved B-3. That SD-5 might soon be paying the bills.

We'll have to see. In the meantime, enjoy good health and the joy of playing music while you can.

And Mason, BET I CAN OUTRUN YA!


Russ

P.S. What makes things a little easier for me is, I've sold enough of my guitar collection (about 60 pieces) to raise enough to do my youth center project. Now, poor me, I'm down to about 251 stringed instruments. Whatever will I do???(LOL)!