New Year's Getaway

The fireplace keeps us toasty.

New Year's Getaway

When we looked out the back window we saw a flock of wild turkeys scratching through the leaves. We decided it might not be a good time to let Smokey outside.

New Year's Getaway

The inside has a large stone fireplace which has been fitted with a steel firebox to conserve the heat. Susan and Smokey find the sofa very comfortable.

New Year's Getaway

We have rented a lovely little cabin on Greenleaf Lake a few miles south of Muskogee. These stone cabins were built in the 1930's by WPA labor. They are solid stone inside and out and look like they might be occupied by a hobbit. I have always wanted to stay in one and we will be here 3 days and 2 nights. This is a great place to see in the new year, comfortable and quiet. An intimate getaway for the 3 of us, Sue, me, and Smokey.

Dinner at P. F. Chang's

Paul and Beth gave us a gift card for our favorite Chinese restaurant. We had Chicken with Broccoli and Orange Beef. Very tasty, thank you.

A Trip to the Barber

it's time for Santa to get his after Christmas trim. Lee Young at Carol's Barber Shop has been cutting my hair since 1974 and does it just right. The man is an artist.

December Sky

Driving South on Riverside.

First Sunday after Christmas

A belated birthday cake for baby Jesus.

First Sunday after Christmas

In the begining was the word....

First Sunday after Christmas

Deacon Nancy reads the gospel. John 1:1-18

Santa Collector

This is why Sue married me.

Christmas Dinner

Smokey got plenty of leftovers and plenty of attention from Luke and Cara.

Christmas Dinner

Cara made a heavenly pecan pie.

Christmas Dinner

Sue made a wonderful Christmas dinner - roast turkey and dressing, curried rice, green bean casserole, cream gravy, and fruit salad. I made the rice dish and Susan did everything else. It was super. Sue's mother Marjorie was with us and my son Luke, his girlfriend Cara and her son Josh.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

The long expected day has come at last. The smell of the Christmas feast fills the air and gifts are opened. Each year we send out a Christmas letter to family and friends. Sue writes the letter and I add the pictures. It is sort of our version of "the year in review".

If you are reading this it figures that you are one of our friends. We hope you enjoy our letter. Thank you for visiting my blog. To see the letter in a larger size, please click on it.

As Tiny Tim once said, God Bless You Every One!

Christmas Eve Pageant

Additional excellent photographs from Andy Richardson.

Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas from us both. I am wearing my Christmas present, a new suit and sweater. Thank you Susan.

Christmas Eve Pageant

We conclude by celebrating the Eucharist.

Christmas Eve Pageant

All rejoice for Jesus Christ is born.

Christmas Eve Pageant

Choirs of angels sing.

Christmas Eve Pageant

Shepherds abiding in the fields come to see him.

Christmas Eve Pageant

The angel Gabriel announces the coming of the holy infant, and Joseph and Mary make their way to Bethlehem.

Christmas Eve Pageant

On Christmas Eve the time of preparation comes to fruition. Angels and shepherds are at the ready.

A Sad Day

Everyone trooped back to Butch and Judy's house for sandwiches and conversation. Funerals end up being family reunions. Brothers, sisters, kids and grandkids talk, eat, and play cards. The simple fact of life is that everybody dies sooner or later. Dust to dust and ashes to ashes.

We live on through our progeny and in the memory of family and friends. Butch was a good hard working husband and father. He will be remembered with love and respect. We can't ask for much more.

A Sad Day

As many as could crowded into a little tarp shelter out of the wind. They were not church people but Butch's brother Kenny said a prayer and read some scripture.

A Sad Day

Over the weekend sue's daughter Jennifer called to tell me that her husband Jeff's father Butch had passed on. He had been suffering with cancer and seemed to be recovering then died rather suddenly. Sue and I got up early this morning and drove up to Springfield, Missouri for the graveside service. Two days before Christmas is a sad time for a funeral. The little country cemetery was windy and bitter cold.

Greetings from Smokey

My dear Susan has returned from her long journey. I took her to a favorite restaurant, fed her, and brought her home and put her to bed. I hope she sleeps well and feels more rested tomorrow. Unfortunately we have to be up early in the morning and drive 3 hours to attend the funeral of har son-in-law's father who died unexpectedly over the weekend. It is a sad time for a funeral.

On a more cheerful note, here is a Christmas picture from our noble dog Smokey. He would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous and Happy New Year. And so do Susan and I.

Korean Christmas

The family is all together for Grant's first Christmas. And God bless them every one.

Korean Christmas

Santa's little helper.

Korean Christmas

Susan is in the air somewhere over the Pacific as I write this. She will arrive in Dallas at 7:30 tomorrow, then catch a flight up to Tulsa. It is interesting that her flight leaves Seoul at 9:30 AM Korean time and arrives here at 7:30 AM Central US time the same day. According to the clock, she will arrive 2 hours before she departs. If you could do that all the time I wonder if you could get younger?

Yesterday, They all went to a Christmas buffet somewhere on the military base where they live and visited with Santa. Now the guy had a good suit and a nice beard, but the beard was detachable. Everybody knows that the REAL Santa has a REAL beard. Autumn didn't buy it.

Fourth Sunday in Advent

And angels, we can't forget angels! Everyone hurries to prepare for the Nativity.

Fourth Sunday in Advent

Suddenly shepherds, wise men, Mary and Joseph all appear and begin the final rehearsal for the Christmas Eve pageant.

Fourth Sunday in Advent

Poinsettias are brought in and unwrapped and greenery is hung. We fortify ourselves with coffee and cookies, and the sanctuary is brightly decorated.

Fourth Sunday in Advent

The last candle is lit in the Advent wreath and we wait until after the service to begin to decorate the church.

Fourth Sunday in Advent

There are only 4 days before Christmas. The tradition in the Episcopal church is that Advent is a time for preparation, Christmas begins on Christmas Day, and ends 12 days later at Epiphany .

Korean War Museum

Naturally Grant and Autumn were fascinated by all this history.
I hope you enjoyed this. I share what I have. Merry Christmas.

Korean War Museum

Here is a United Nations recognition of the various countries who took part in the Korean campaign in 1950.
A friend has reminded me that there is a Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington DC to honor those who served in the Korean Conflict. You can see it HERE

Korean War Museum

There were displays both inside and out of more modern weapons and military equipment.

Korean War Museum

This is an armored boat from the 1500's. The Korean peninsula surrounded by water required a good Navy.

Korean War Museum

I don't know the history of this, but it is an amazing drum. I would like to have this in my collection.

Korean War Museum

Paul took the family to see the Korean War Museum. Americans think only in terms of the Korean conflict of the early 1950's but Korea as a nation has a very long history of defending itself from foreign invasion. Sue sent a lot of pictures but very little explanation, but I will share a few of the better pictures and hope you find them interesting.

Usually I take most of the pictures when we travel so the role of photographer is new for Susan, however, she is taking excellent photographs. Thank you Sue!

Father and Son Reunion

There seems to ba a Hard Rock Cafe in every city were Americans congregate. Most people go there to buy the T-shirt.

Father and Son Reunion

Beth had an activity that provided day care so Susan and Paul had a chance to get out for a quick look around their part of Seoul. They will do some serious sight-seeing later I hope.

Father and Son Reunion

At last Paul gets to meet his son Grant face to face. Now begins a great adventure for these two. Paul is a good Dad.

The Flight to Korea

They were seated behind a bulkhead which accommodated a bassinet which hung from the bulkhead. Grant rode in style.