A lot of people around Amarillo know me through my column in the Our Town section that comes out Wednesday in the Globe-News . They also feel they know my wife Tanya, my granddaughter Tegan and the four ornery cats that rule our house.

I think of everyone as my friend and since I've been sick with cancer I've discovered I've got more friends than even I thought. I appreciate every card, e-mail and phone call I get from folks, encouraging me and sharing their stories with me, to let me know that all is not lost. Tom Plequette calls to tell me not to be passive and be active in my treatment.

Tom calls me about once a week just to check on me, see how I'm doing. Tom has been fighting cancer for about two years and you'd never know it. He looks robust. Part of that might be because he holds his doctors accountable for his treatment. He records his blood counts and monitors his treatment.

He encourages me to get involved. When I hang up with him my spirits are lifted and I think I probably should keep better records.

Many times this blog will deal with my cancer because it's got my attention these days. Generally I'm a perky person and full of love for everything. But you'll also find out that there are times when I'm a bit on the cranky side and the blogmeisters said I'm free to let loose at those times.