Hey Harold,

2022 was no stellar year for me either between retiring from my old job and starting another. I did squeeze in a few days with the guys out in Nevada and some late season shallow water hunting, but there wasn't much else.

Had some cataract surgery myself a year ago and have another coming up this next year. Sucks getting old, but I'm grateful there are ways to fix these conditions rather than going blind. .

Like myself, I know you were an etrac user. Any interest in the new manticore with the ferrous / conductive screen? Looks like the latest, greatest etrac to me with the waterproof bonus (if it is actually waterproof). I have an 800 and don't really need a 900, the manticore looks pretty good though. At least to these old eyes.

As for stirring up the Tom Dankowski minions over on his site, I'd say Minelabbers are a pretty easy bunch to troll up on the forums. Tom's followers are especially sensitive. This time of year when the weather in most of the US is "frozen, with a side of snow", and guys are starting to feel the cabin fever set in, it is cheap entertainment to throw some scraps out in the barnyard and watch the fighting begin. Careful you don't get your fingers bit.

As for me, at this moment I've grown weary of worrying about what others are doing or saying. Seems to be a lot of folks more interested in looking good than being good. Posing for the camera. There are some very bright individuals on the forums I frequent, and I want to hang around them and see if I can learn another thing or two.

I hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas Season and you can find some adventures to look forward to in 2023.

Rich