For our Dear Readers who don't know our family well, a word of explanation about Doug's e-mail. Bernie and Maudie have nine adult offspring; once ten, but their beloved second daughter, Peggy, died far too early more than two years ago. As you can tell from the communications from that family, they are a close-knit and loving bunch even if they did use up all the oxygen in Bernie's room. The situation with Bernie would be so much more worrisome were it not for all the support he and Maudie receive.