It's a heavy burden to always be right, but one that Jimmy has shouldered with stoicism, so when he insisted that being at home would hasten his recovery, we all meekly bowed to his infallible wisdom. Although never one to stoop to smugness, he's had a distinct hint of "I told you so" in his attitude of late.

He's sleeping better and eating better, and this springlike weather has been conducive to puttering around the backyard and walking on the golf course. When we were in Atlanta, it was often too cold or too rainy or windy to enjoy being outside, and walking at the malls didn't work out very well. For one thing, it seemed foolishly risky with all the illness going around.

Hard-hitting flu is all over Valdosta, and Jimmy has acquiesced to my insistence that he stay at home and avoid outside contact. Boredom is sure to become a problem, but that's tough: he's grounded until it's safe.