Morris & Ken have made up

Ken is the good-looking one

Ken Marks and I have agreed that our friendship is too important to us not to get back onto speaking terms again. Look for Ken's comments once again on Moristotle.
    My wife had discovered on Monday that it was the birthday of my friend of about forty years, and she immediately called on me and Ken to "negotiate a peace," effectively offering her services as an interlocutor, if not as a full-fledged Switzerland-type intermediary. "Neither of you boys," she pointed out, "is getting any younger, and I would hate to see one of you die before restoring diplomatic relations with the other."     Good thought, and bless my dear wife for having it. She'd already communicated with Ken, who seemed to doubt seriously that I would agree to make peace without some serious mediation. But my wife's touching plea was already enough mediation for me, and I immediately agreed to a reconciliation.

Scourge [used to inflict severe
corporal punishment...on the back
–Wikipedia]

In case the break in relations escaped your notice, I'll just say that about seven weeks ago Ken and I defriended one another (as they say on Facebook). I won't report the personal aspects of it, except to say that I was now prepared not only to apologize publicly but also to flagellate myself with a scourge for any and all offenses I may have given, possibly using the instrument shown to the right—the instrument of choice among innumerable Roman Catholic self-mortifiers of their flesh down through the sad ages of the Christian religion.

Another contributor to Moristotle, who has already been told of Ken & Morris's refriending, says that this is really good news. "It will be nice to perhaps cross swords with him again."
    Moristotle looks forward to the recommencement of Ken's thoughtful comments.
    Welcome back, Ken!