Well, my trusty and thoughtful Partners in Pred - what can I say..?
First, my sincere apologies for winding you up ‘Good-n-Proper’, as they say in gangster movies. I thought you’d read between the lines (esp. the Romeo & Juliet bit) but, clearly, my tongue was too firmly lodged-in-cheek for even You Lot ;-). I confess to having previous form for this type of thing…
Ok, to put the record straight (and stem an outbreak of mass panic and grief across the entire PMRGCA HU community):
1.I’M OK (or as ok as one can be with PMR and a recent bout of Man Flu).
2. Reports of my demise are greatly exaggerated (sic. Mark Twain).
3. I take my role and responsibilities here as Funny Uncle, Mirth Spreader and Chuckle Shuffler VERY seriously (if that’s not a contradiction in terms?).
4.Even the dreaded DF won’t stop me from teasing You Lot relentlessly and mercilessly with regular posts here (you should know this by now - careful what you wish for…). 
5.That said, I do NOT intend to feed your dependency on having a giggle every day (as one of the more daft amongst you recently implored me to do). As with the Preds, some of you need to wean-off of an un-natural need to laugh hysterically all the time, slowly and gently. PMR is a serious business, after all. Won't some of you just GROW UP?!
6.IF I happen to take a (real) break, get run over by a bus, abducted by aliens or whatever (as a couple of You Lot very kindly enquired via concerned PMs this morning), I’ll let you know in advance: or from, er, ‘The Other Side’ via Doris, my retained clairvoyant (see my conversations with The Prof), if I can't.
7.IF Doris suffers a similar fate (as above), then we’re ALL in trouble.
8.The bit about owning 6 gold-plated Mercedes Limos was a slight an exaggeration. They belong to my neighbour (a local fish & chip shop owner and part-time Oil Sheikh). I just borrow one occasionally so that I can show off at the supermarket. 
9.As was the bit about my ‘Gaff’ (home) being heavily guarded. Although after winding you up so naughtily, it'll probably need to be in future.. 
10.(I’ve forgotten what 10 was - must be the Preds..)
But seriously folks, (unusual for me, I know), I really was amazed and touched by your speedy and thoughtful expressions of kindness and concern. Although I take full responsibility for my (for once) rather reckless humour, I am now grovelling to you with Humility. It reminds me how closely many of you watch and listen out for others here - some of whom might just be struggling even more than usual - and err on the side of empathy rather than scepticism. That's what makes this community so special.. keep it up! 
Strangely enough, and as a couple of you have said: yes, it does take quite a bit of mental / creative energy to be ‘Funny’ (allegedly) at the best of times - let alone with PMR etc. And as many comedians / comedy wordsmiths will confirm, making people laugh ‘to order / on demand’ is actually quite a serious business (paradoxically!).
But I’m always up for that Challenge, and the wonderful, often equally cheeky ‘feedback’ from You Lot makes every ounce of that energy feel well-spent. In return, I am truly grateful to you all for often brightening my days too.
So, that’s it for now. I’ve hopefully redeemed myself with You Lot, got back on the right side of The Aunties (who shall be respected at all times), unblocked the PMRGCAuk Helplines that have been clogged by callers expressing their concern about my well-being, and un-blotted my copybook generally. Fingers crossed.. ;-/
Now, what other mischief can I get up to, today? Ah, yes, a military-style assault on the 17 local Charity shops with a fiendish grin and this week's pocket money (ten quid). I’m sure I spotted that famous, priceless, ‘lost’ Van Gogh original painting in one of them last week. Trouble is, I can’t remember which one I saw it in. Oh well, that’s the Brain Fog for you!
Keep smiling All, and thanks again. Back soon - and I'll leave it to you as to whether you interpret that either as a promise or a threat...
'Uncle' MB
