Whale Watching

Christmas 2025

Merry Christmas 2025

 

 

 

"Christmas - that magic blanket that wraps itself about us,

that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance.

It may weave a spell of nostalgia.

Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer,

but always it will be a day of remembrance-

a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved."-Augusta E. Rundel

We wish each of you the happiest of holidays and may the new year keep you safe and well, restore your soul, and fill your hearts with joy and love.

Whatever is beautiful, whatever is meaningful, whatever brings you happiness, may it be yours this holiday season and throughout the coming year.

Christmas Eve 7 fish Dinner

The Kids Arrive From Dallas for 7 Fish Dinner Xmas Eve

Waiting for These Grandkids to Arrive Christmas Eve

 

My Spirit animal

 

Rocco

 Rocco born in the year of covid 2020. We didn't get to see him at birth and had to wait two years before meeting him. Making up for lost time now.

 

Jocelyn's Bday card from Mayo

 

The Shortest Day

 

"So the shortest day came, and the year died. 

And everywhere down the centuries of the snow white world

came people singing, dancing, 

To drive the dark away.  They lighted candles in the winter trees; They hung their homes with evergreen.

They burned beseeching fires all night long to keep the year alive.

And when the new year's sunshine blazed awake

They shouted, reveling . Through all the frosty ages you can hear them echoing, behind us--listen! All the long echoes sing the same delight this shortest day as promise wakens in the sleeping land. They carol, feast, give thanks, and dearly love their friends and hope for peace, and so do we, here, now, this year, and every year.

 Welcome Yule! "-  Susan Cooper

A Church Play with a Shepherd and an Angel

 When Rocco was having hot chocolate his mom asked him how it was. He said “it’s as warm as Santa’s coat! “. Sofia was an angel in the church Christmas play and Rocco was a Shepherd . I heard he practiced his lines meticulously because he didn’t want to make a mistake. I wish I could’ve been in the audience.

 

One Year Ago

 One year ago my cousin Nancy left us. Her surgery on the 18th of December was for a brain aneurysm. We expected it would be a difficult procedure but she had come out of a prior surgery ok so we expected this would be the same. On the morning of the 19th I received word from her daughters that Nancy had passed away. Still one year later her missing presence leaves a gaping hole in our families life. We miss you terribly Nancy but we remember the best of who you were. Your funny sense of humor, your art and writings, your love of family and your love for your daughters Mariko and Miyoshi. We miss your artistry. Who will continue your updates on our family tree drawing, your yearly beautifully drawn calendars? Who will show us your latest creations, paintings, sculptures out of found objects, your latest outfit with hand sewn pockets. Who will amaze us with the latest purse made out of a plastic onion bag holder. You were the queen of refurbishing something old into something creatively inventive and new. Who will give me cuttings from her garden, or a jar of jam made out of fruit from your trees. Who will come over to my house and do jigsaw puzzles with me or say "Want to go to a movie? Want to have In and Out for lunch". I feel you with me still. I know you are laughing and creating art and dancing still. There was a candle of three angels that your mother placed on the fireplace mantel every Christmas. As the years passed the middle of the candle melted lower and when it burned it gave a warm yellow glow to the angels. When your daughters planned the celebration of life for you they made sure that candle was by your photographs. Yesterday on the eve of your passing I was texting your daughters saying that I knew it was a hard day. I said I know it's hard to hear Nancy's voice but she is trying to tell us not to be sad. She is trying to say be happy but it's just hard for us to hear her. Just then her daughter Miyo texted she had decided to get the xmas decorations out and in doing so the most amazing thing happened. She opened an old box and found a new three angel candle like the one her grandma burned every xmas. It was just like that candle on the mantel. Anyway the angel candle was in the original box brand new and the card was still attached. It said "To Nancy and Steve, Something to light up your holiday season. from Barb and Mike. " This was given to Nancy maybe 30 years ago! Miyoshi said in all the past years she had never opened the box before. Of all nights for this to happen, the eve of her passing one year ago. Thank you Nancy we heard your voice saying "Hey y'all, I'm still with you!"

 

 

Remembering Nancy

 One year ago you left us Nancy.  We miss you but we feel your presence.

 Thank you for these memories:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 We had our first babies three months apart. 

 

 You are here, there and everywhere. 

 

 

 

I'm A Glass Half Full Person

 You know I’m a glass half full person. I try daily to embrace positivity and to spread that feeling to others when I can. These past days I’ve felt myself feeling sad. Ive tried to keep those feelings intact. I’m getting things done for Christmas. I think music helps and dancing - yes I dance like a crazy woman all alone as I bake Xmas cookies, as I wrap gifts. I’ve been listening to one of my favorite singers Laura Nyro. She was someone that got me through the ‘70’s. When my brother got back from Viet Nam I sat him down in my parents living room. He was so quiet and I wanted to lighten his heart so I played Wedding Bell Blues by Laura Nyro and I went to the top of the stairs and danced my way down to my brother lip syncing “Marry me Bill…” and I danced like Elaine from Seinfeld to make him laugh. He probably doesn’t remember. I’ve done so many crazy things with reckless abandon in front of him. . So on the rare occasions when I feel low I dance like a crazy woman and I play music loud that lifts me up and makes me happy. I dance to free my soul and It works.

I want an Oyster for Xmas!

 Mike is making his to buy list for our traditional Feast of the 7 fishes on Xmas Eve. He always requests that everyone in attendance tell him the fish they want included in the meal. Aria texted me this. “Randomly Rocco told me “I think i want an oyster for Christmas .”She said I didn’t think you liked to eat oysters. He looked at her with the most incredulous expression and said “I don’t want to EAT an oyster! I want an oyster for a pet!

 A week later....

 So I was talking to Aria today and she was telling me that she finally figured out what Rocco was talking about when he said he wanted a pet oyster. He was so set on her understanding and was upset when she said no one can have a pet oyster. She explained they live underwater and people eat them. He said “no they don’t. Show me a picture of all the oysters. “ So she did and he said that’s not an oyster! Oysters don’t live in water and they don’t have a shell. They are cute and soft and cuddly and they live in cages. Aria thought for a long time and she said maybe you dont mean oysters. Do you mean a hamster? His face lit up and he said”yes that’s what I want ! A HAMSTER!

Everything Is At It Should Be

 

 

REGRET NOTHING!