In reply to Barry.

Thanks for the offer, Barr, it's much appreciated. I'm thinking what I may do is to wait until my brother or somebody is here to stand by, the "9" and the "1" on his phone already dialed, with his finger on the remaining "1."

Just kidding, it shouldn't be that bad, really. My plan is to work up to it verrrrry gradually: stand up for a minute or two, then three or four, and so on, before I ever try actually moving around. The prosthetics people told me from the start it would be a long, slow process.

They have a guy, Bailey, who's been out to the house to get me fitted for the thing, and he has a fake peg himself--which I never even knew until he pulled his pants leg up and showed me, that's how good he gets around now on his. He's former military, a young guy, so I imagine his strength of will and determination is a damned sight more than mine. But still.