First, there is this from David.

Per Mike, the doctors have told him he is not long of this world. As we all know, his financial situation due to years of disability and devotion to the larger issue of self-sacrifice for freedom is terrible.  He is doing what he can to get his affairs in order, but the reality is, his wife will be left in really bad shape.  I would like to help with a funding appeal.

I looked at various “crowdfunding” sites, but there are hoops to jump through and/or  a cut they take. For now at least, in order to get the ball rolling and hopefully growing as it does, I’m asking all of Mike’s friends to spread the word and to send gratitude offerings directly to him:

• Paypal to  georgemason1776@aol.com*
• Check, money order, cash, etc. to Mike Vanderboegh, PO Box 926, Pinson, AL 35126.**

You’ll note I called it a “gratitude offering.” That’s proper, as this is being directed to those of you who have received value from Mike’s work over the years.

Then David updates with this.  Then Mike updates us as follows.

Looks like the first chance for everyone will be the first weekend in February — the 5th, 6th and 7th. There will be some preliminary stuff that has to be done and I’ve got some volunteer offers from local friends and readers to do specific tasks like, dismantling the hulk of the above ground pool and hauling it and other easy to reach trash off to the dump. They will schedule those tasks as they can between now and 5 February. The jungle (and the lower deck) will remain to be removed and there are a small host of specific smaller tasks that will remain to be done (from malfunctioning electrical circuits within the house to tearing out the front shrubbery so that they can no longer be a pathway for heavy rain that periodically soaks the basement to cleaning the front gutters to tearing off the back gutters and preparing the back wall on the second floor where the rotting deck connects, etc., etc. etc.

As I’ve said, I want to meet Mike face to face and shake his hand and hug him.  But I don’t quite know what this post means.  I don’t know whether Mike can sustain visitors over the 5th, 6th and 7th, or if there is some field available for us to ensconce and have Camporee over the night while we work during the three days.  I have a note out to Mike and I will let you know when I get clarification.  I can bring a chain saw, table saw, compound miter saw, tools, a good attitude and my body.

To mention his address again, it is: Mike Vanderboegh, PO Box 926, Pinson, AL 35126.  I intend to donate.