Jimmy is lying on the sofa, exhausted from a strenuous afternoon of cheering Georgia on to a resounding victory over Ole Miss. We sat on the porch and listened to the game on the radio, as it was inexplicably not aired on television. The announcer, the great Larry Munson, didn't seem to have his old fire, but still does a remarkable job, considering the fact that he's eighty-four years old and in failing health; and, too, it seemed to be a somewhat lackluster game, not reflected by the 45-17 score.

Jimmy had a great day yesterday. He insisted on driving himself to the cancer center (I felt like a mother bird whose baby was leaving the nest) then afterwards to the country club to meet his good friend Wade Coleman, and to have one last drink with Robert. Robert Jenkins, who is retiring this weekend, after being the bartender at the Valdosta Country Club for fifty-four years, is a Valdosta icon. More than the bartender, Robert is a much-loved friend; he is also a successful businessman, admired and respected by the entire community. This is the end of an era; it's hard to imagine the country club without Robert.

Wade had put the word out that Jimmy was meeting him at the club, and they were joined by a large number of Jimmy's old golf group. They sat around and watched the President's Cup on television, and Jimmy had a grand time. Being with them meant a lot to him; he really loves those guys.