I know that I'm at that age where friends start dying. But it's still very difficult.

Over the years, people whom I used to interview became friends. In the early days, I used to cover nightclubs. I became friends with Carl Vann, who owned the Zodiac, Bill Soerries, who owned the Chickasaw and Al Fleming, who owned Al Who's.

Mr. Vann died in 2006 and we lost Bill earlier this year.

Now, Mrs. Vann has died. Her funeral is tomorrow morning.

But as far as I know Al is still alive and kicking. Thank goodness.