The "hard copy" of ones "15 minutes of fame". Muchos gracias NGC!

Greetings Collectors,

I have just come through 48 hours of pure hell. I can't remember the last time I've been sick with anything more than a slight cold but what hit me on Wed afternoon was like something out of a horror flick. The most horrible cramps, nausea, throwing up from both ends etc. These are the kinds of times when one is oh so thankful for a significant other. A symbolic prelude to getting older I guess, as today, the 18th is my birthday. As far as "happy birthdays" none is needed or solicited. I'm just glad to be alive after what I just went through. I have been blessed with extremely good health up 'til Wednesday. Stamina, blood pressure, sex life, all reading the same numbers as age 18. But I know this will not continue indefinitely and it makes me more aware of friends and family that don't have the same degree of good health. All of you that have had, and still have health issues, my earnest prayers are with you. It really sucks when portions of our bodies begin to fail.

I am sure God knew I needed some cheering up as my strength returned enough to walk the 100+ yards to the mailbox to find the award plaques for 2010 located therein. Those of you that have one of these in your possession, I'm sure feel like I do. They are definitely worth their weight in gold. I think more of these three awards (one from 2008 & the two latest) than I do of any contest trophy's from past surfing events. And those that know me, know that surfing has always been my life and getting to the point of actually being competitive, was well, as close to having Heaven on earth as one can get. Any award from the "numismatic realm" far exceeds those in joy to me, hands down. They will "hang in honor" on my office wall 'til at least the day I die. (they almost "hung" in my mailbox 'til my heirs checked the mail after this last illness)

I have enjoyed reading the journals of late and the procurements of those latest acquisitions. Of course with the good, always comes the "not so good" as in, submissions gone awry. As in life in general, we all must take the ups & downs as learning experiences. For me, I'm just trying to remember what I ate before I got sick so that I never eat it again.

The silver to gold ratio has gone from 62 to 1 in Sept 2010 to its current rate of 42.470 a couple minutes ago. Silver at $32.75 per oz. is still a great deal. Continue to amass all that you can.

Happy Collecting!

WKF