Dear Les:

Do not take yourself so seriously. As you well know, my question was legitimate regarding your post about Matt (or, as you spell it, Mat) Gilliland’s father. Inasmuch as I do not know the family, a reader would have no idea what the intent of your statement was. The statement was simply incomprehensible. Asking for clarification was a kind gesture on my part to offer you the opportunity to correct the statement, as I did not wish you to look like a, well you know.

You give yourself far too much credit; I was not “confused”! I was simply surprised!

Lighten up on the penance, the nuns at the parochial school I attended were not that strict, five hundred (500) was the general number assigned.

In any event, I got a good chuckle about the penance statement, as I had forgotten all about that form of favored discipline.