Happy Birthday Benedict

Benedict arrived 4 years ago as a special present to Cynthia and Michael on Christmas Eve.  He is a special guy.  Full of energy and as I watch him when we visit his mind is always going at high speed.  Happy birthday Benedict, we love you

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and remember

Taken a couple of days before Christmas but as you can see, at a temp of 85--no snow

Merry Christmas to everyone.  I made Christmas morning a bit special today.  I skipped the heavy cream for the FP and used Baileys' in place of it! 
After traveling for Christmas the last 2 years we decided we needed some quiet time this year and stay home.  So what happened?  We were invited to a friend's home last night and about 25 people showed up.  It was a nice time but not real quiet.  Today we will spend some quality time together and then venture over to our neighbors for a late afternoon dinner.  While I certainly miss family and for double sure grand kids the time alone with Terry and with friends here is wonderful.
As I sat alone near our pool this morning with FP/Baileys' in hand I took some time to REMEMBER.  I also thought about how Christmas changes with each year.  One year there may be plenty of gifts, the next it may be slim.  One year family is all together and the next family may be scattered.  One year you may be able to hug everyone with a merry Christmas hug and the next year they may be gone.  One year everyone may be so happy and the next someone may be hurting.  Like I have said, "the only certain in life is it will change". 
This morning I choose to enjoy the quietness of the house as I sat with my FP.  I did remember the hustle and noise of kids so happy and busy the last two years but I realized that was then and this is now.  I settled into the comfy chair, put a smile on my face and remembered:

• The space above the kitchen cupboards stacked with wrapped presents.  I know there was more than one time when Mom and Dad left for the evening and we took each one down to shake them and try to guess what was inside.
• Dad came home and had purchased reflectors for the Christmas tree lights.  Mom so like them and we put them on the tree and plugged the lights on.
• I opened my package and there was a clock radio for my very own.  I could now set my alarm, listen to baseball as I fell asleep and listen to music which did not happen often.
• There in my hands was an electric blanket.  Wow, would that be great during the winter months when the bedroom would get down to below freezing. That winter when I would arrive home late from a basketball game and head upstairs to bed I could count on the blanket being turn on and waiting for me!  Mom was great.
• A life size punching bag, we had a lot of fun with that.
• A pogo stick!!  I got good enough to hop all the way to the barn, turn around and hop all the way back without falling off.
• Another puzzle, that would be our New Year Eve's project for sure.
• A new deck of Touring cards.  Our old one was about worn out.
• Of course I spent much time thinking back on Santa Claus Day in Lidgerwood.  There was a real free movie, bags of candy with that darn huge apple in and then the trek to the Dime Store to pick out presents for everyone.  The presents would range from thimbles to an oil can to baseball cards and more.  I remember when I was in high school I spent most of my money on a big picture for Mom.  I think it cost $10.  I probably earned the money by hauling bales for Rollof.  Mom was so pleased but she insisted that it was not right of me to spend so much on HER.
• Every year I relive the water tank episode and this year was no different.  
• Then there was my junior year of college when I came home for Christmas.  When I opened my present from Mom and Dad there was a nice blue bath robe.  I did not dare them them that my girl friend had given me a robe that was a lot more interesting!
• Of course in the memory bank there are always sad ones too.  I remember the first Christmas after brother Ronald's death, two years later after sister Janet's death and many many years later after Gail's death.  There was much sadness and many tears.  BUT as God would have us, life goes on and life is for the living for sure. I am guessing that, after having her oldest son and oldest daughter die, Mom did not go through a Christmas without some tears.  Material things can usually be replaced but sons and daughters, no.
• Of course one always has to remember the weather.  There were cold cold Christmas times, icy Christmas times and snowy Christmas times and I do think of those times as I sit here in 75 degree weather!  
• At my age I am thankful for warm weather, for kids, for grand kids and especially a new life with Terry, she is wonderful.

Well, the memories are great and they last forever but that darn FP disappears and for some strange reason it went faster than usual this morning! For anybody who may read this I wish much happiness, good health and success in the coming year.  Enjoy this Christmas but keep in mind that JESUS is the reason for the season.

back home

a 2-3 pound southern pike (pickerel)

We spent Thursday on the road (600 miles), Friday and Saturday in PeachTree City GA and then yesterday on the road to home again.  It was a trip to take in Terry's grandson's (Zach) college graduation.  He turned 21 last August, graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from GT on Saturday and now will settle in at GT's, starting January, graduate school in the same field.  He will also teach lab as a TA for which he gets free tuition and a salary!  Quite the guy.  The family lives on a lake which provides a lot of fun.  Went fishing twice and caught two of these Pickerels which are a southern pike. 
Today, well it is a busy one.  Tennis at 7:30, the dead dish washer will be replaced this morning, tennis this afternoon and dinner guests tonight.  My schedule is beginning to look similar to days from 15 years ago!
The afternoon match is the last of the fall.  Our win/lost record is terrible but it has been fun and almost all of the matches have been close.  It will now be on to the winter which I think will have better results in the win/lost column.
Enough for now.  I have a whole cup of FP left but after being away for several days there is much to do if this house is to host guests for dinner tonight.

Happy 46 John

John with his little puppy in 1998 or so!  Happy birthday John, you make us proud.  On December 8 of 1969 Mom and Dad each got their wish.  A red head and a boy, God is good.
Have a great day and may it be full of fun and surprises.  Love, Dad and Terry

December is here and we celebrate Advent.

This picture was taken through our patio doors as we did not want to scare it.  It was fun to watch this pileated Woodpecker.
Life continues on a path that is both busy and fun--most of the time.
Tennis is an up and down thing.  I lost another match Monday.  We lost the first set, won the second set in a tie breaker and then lost the match tie breaker, a most disappointing day.  A downer for sure.  Yesterday I played well in a morning match and then I added a good players to my winter team--an up day for sure!
My right knee, it still needs some TLC and the dr. appt is not until the 9th.
A couple of nights ago I went to start the dish washer and NO GO.  It is dead.  So for a time the kitchen will be disrupted and the bank account will be depleted but--IF that is the worst thing in my life I am a blessed man.
Our weather continues to be hotter than usual.  Yesterday I was sweating on the tennis court before we started play. 
Terry and I had  a fun time at a friend's house for dinner on Tuesday.  A lot of laughs and I sold a book!  Then yesterday we spent the afternoon at some friend's home as we enjoyed seeing what she had done for her 50th HS class reunion.  I sold another book!  It was quit a contrast seeing what they put into their reunion and Terry's and mine from Sargent Central--nothing.  There is, of course no blame, the fact is there was nobody to pick up the ball and go with it.  As we talked yesterday I thought it would be wonderful if someplace there was movies of our marching band.  We were the governors band for two years and went on several trips including marching in the Indianapolis 500 parade before the race.  I have never seen any pictures of movies and have no idea if any exist but it would be fun if there were some. 
We had a great Thanksgiving.  Two couples came over about 1:00 and stayed until about 6:00.  Good food and fun conversation.  The leftovers, they are great!
No, the FP is cold and I need to get to tennis.  I have started to get there a bit early and do a fast walk on the machines.  This body of mine, at this time, needs to warm up to get going.