[Kawika]

Some of the very best times I have had in the Hobby have been at various Nationals over the past twenty-five years. Sad to say that the last time I have been off Vancouver Island or even outside Victoria city-limits was for the 2019 Chicago National. In the interim was Covid, the onset of my wife's dementia and all the woe that entails. I had big hopes to go to the National this summer. Wanted to shake hands with many old friends one more time. Have been sidelined by, of all things, a goddam hernia and am relegated to the dreadful waiting list for surgery that is a failing of our "free" medical plan in Canada. Am just not up to running the gauntlet of airports and particularly having to deal with the friendly psychos at the US border. I'm aware that many of you don't give a hoot whether I'm there or not but some of the old-timers might want to know that ol' Kawika sends his regrets.