I return to praise my friend.

Mike's been a friend and correspondent from my first days on this site (2002). I have come to know him as a fine gentleman, a generous friend, and a brilliant raconteur.

A story is illustrative: A few years ago, Jane and I were driving from Sedona, Arizona, to Palo Alto in order to visit our oldest daughter who lived there at the time. I planned our route such that we would overnight in Bakersfield where I would finally have the opportunity to meet Mike. Waiting for us in our hotel when we arrived was a care package including, among other things, a nice fleece which I wear still and all sorts of fruit juices, smoothies, and the like.

The highlight of our stay was our dinner with Mike, his lovely wife, and his beautiful daughter at Woolgrowers, a Bakersfield classic. My experience at this famous Basque restaurant prompted a craving for Basque food. I now seek these places out whenever we head west: the Star Hotel in Elko, Martin's in Winnemuca, etc. As we tuck into the lamb shanks, we think of Mike. Jane often says, "Why don't we go to Bakersfield again and see Mike."

I am lucky. I have many good friends. I have a few to whom I accord the highest praise. They are the guys who, if you found yourself in a real jam, would come. Drop everything and come. This is Mike.