THE STRUGGLE WITH BIG AL, THE GANGSTER OF THE MIND CONTINUES.

Big Al the gangster of the mind is slowly advancing. It's odd how memory loss is not a cosistent pattern, but rather a bit here and a bit there. Also, it's curious that I have forgotten the oddest words and yet, usually when I focus the answer will eventually pop into my head. Cognitive abilities in many ways remain good although sometimes my driving is erratic and I am not conscious of driving fast and recklessly. This is a particularly difficult area for me. To be unable to drive with total safety after over fifty years of driving is a bad blow. To me immobile and dependent on others to make journeys is very irritating. What surprises me however is that my ability to write is still very good, but I don't trust the 'gangster of the mind', so I am going to work hard to write the third and final book in the 'Billy Butcher' series. It will be called'Billy Butcher Meets Big Al.' In other ways my health is excellent and my spirits high. Every day is a joy, perhaps because I don't know how many more I have before I vanish into a black and cretinous obivion. Death I do not fear, but the manner of death is of concern. The worst thought is that I may live long enough to enter the final stages of Alzheimer's and be a mindless idiot. Still for the moment Julian live every day to the full. I think that perhaps my dementia is worse for Julian, she may have to contend with the great difficulties of handling an Alzheimer's patient. The coconut and fruit diet has I think slowed down the advance of Big Al, but I must admit now that he continues to take me over. However, I will fight the gangster until the end. Another lovely day here in Paarl. A little cooler now and too cold to swim. Poor Boysie misses our swimming games. However the three dogs and I walk most days. Bobby is very chirpy and says funny things. It's odd that he never talks in front of me, but loves chatting up females! Bye for now. David Barnat. Paarl. South Africa.