Daily reminder that childlessness is death, libertinism is decay, and we Americans live in a strong, free, and prosperous . . . charnel house.

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From Columbus Day, through Thanksgiving, we celebrate the rich heritage of Settler-Americans, including Colonial-Americans, Pioneer-Americans, English-Americans, Scots-Irish Americans, and Conquistador-Americans, and honor their vibrant contribution to our national fabric.

From their curious folkways such as freedom under law, square dancing, and white guilt, to their various scientific achievements and inventions, such as calculus, the Chia pet, toilet paper, and marketing, truly they are part of who we are!

What began in late summer of last year as an odd feeling in Mrs. Mansfield’s upper back and progressively became more painful was identified on November 10 as metastasized renal cell carcinoma. It has been a long year, feeling more like three, which stretching out was good in many ways and nightmarish in others. After eleven months from diagnosis, and twenty-four years from wedding, it looks like a few days of life remain.

An experience of this sort brings up various observations and musings. One from last night was about “mutual admiration societies.” It’s a phrase that mocks little circles of two flattering one another. On the other hand, these past few weeks it has been an uplifting thing to sit by as a couple of admirable people feel it is a good time to express their respect for one another.