Christmas 2025

The Christmas and New Year's holidays are over, and now we settle in for the long winter suck. Though it is currently a sunny 38F in this little slice o' heaven known as northeast Indiana, USA.

As per usual, if you had any expectations of me posting over the past couple weeks, I have let you down. Such is life. Get used to it.

Still, here is what I can recall from the time:

THE PRESENTS

Since we all know Christmas is about the presents we get... ;). The above pic is my haul.

• Jane and I got each other pajamas, because we're like that now
• Bombas socks are a staple gift around our house every year, for everyone
• Books for me is another given
• The daughter got me a digital picture frame - which I really like!

One other gift that I got for Jane, which is actually for both of us, is this 'We're Not Really Strangers: Couples Edition.' They say it's "For couples looking to deepen their existing connection." I thought it might help create discussion on long trips, or as an alternative to sitting and staring at our phones at night. We've already gone through several of the questions - which come on cards - and I would say it has proven quite nice already. I'm glad I got it!

PRESENCE

I do realize this holiday season is way more about presence than presents, at least in the world I live in. And we were once again fortunate to spend time with family. My mom was here from 12/24-12/30, the son's family from 12/25-12/29. The daughter's family (who live in town) were in and out the entire time too. 

I went and got my mom on the 23rd/24th, and we went to our church's Christmas Eve service at 4:30p, along with the daughter's family. On Christmas Day we always go out to the daughter's house for breakfast and to see what her kids got. Then we drove to Anderson, IN and picked up the son, daughter-in-law, and little Wynn. We all then gathered at our house to open presents in the afternoon, then had the big "Christmas" feast for supper (lasagna - both with and without meat).

We did also remember, and manage to get, this family pic (as well as various other combinations of people).

On Saturday night, the son-in-law's band played a show at a local brewery, so we all went there for supper and baby Wynn's first ever concert. It was fun!

Otherwise, aside from a few shopping trips and occasional walks around the block, we didn't do much but laze around the house and eat. A very nice and relaxing time.

TRAVELS

As mentioned, I drove to pick up my mom, and then Jane and I both took her home. Both trips were just overnight, and traffic was a piece of cake. We returned to FW around 7:30a on both Xmas Eve and NYE, and it was smooth sailing!

The son's family flew from Minnesota to Indy on the weekend before Xmas. They stayed with her family until Xmas Day; then stayed at our house until early Monday 12/29, flying out of FW. It sounds like both flights were excellent and the little traveler seems to be a natural. 

OTHER

Besides all the above, we had our nephew from Colorado and his wife and two kids (teens) stop by and spend the night on New Year's Day. It was a brief visit including supper, and he regaled us with some of his hurdy gurdy playing. 

Well, I'm sure I've forgotten several important details - like having a couple bouts with Afib during the week - but that's about it for the most part. Lots of food, a little bit of fun, and nothing much got broken. A pretty swell time once again...

Thanksgiving in minnesota (the worst drive)

Who would have guessed Minnesota would be the least wintry place we would be over the Thanksgiving holiday?

The Mrs and I ventured north a week ago today (11/25/25) to spend some time with the boy and his family (we were also joined Thanksgiving day by my sister and our daughter-in-law's mother). It was a nice time in St. Paul, and we were fairly cozy in their little house of three.

The drive there Tuesday wasn't terrible. The worst part is always getting through Chicago. It was foggy, misty, and rainy the first couple hours, but actually cleared up a big as we hit the city. Traffic did slow a few times along I-90, but never once came to a standstill. The rain picked up again a couple hours south of the Twin Cities, and got a bit heavy an hour away. Fortunately it calmed down as we rolled into St. Paul around 4:30pm. Total time was right about 8 hours, 45 minutes (just like google said).

We didn't really do much while there. Wynn is just about to start walking, and plenty mobile. He is also talking quite a bit. We were happy to hear something resembling "Grandma" and "Grandpa" soon after arriving. So we played with him, read books, took a couple walks, ordered takeout food and lived off that and leftovers.

It snowed a few inches on top of the rain Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, so Wednesday we needed to buy a snow shovel and ice scraper for our hosts.

Thursday (Thanksgiving day) my sister arrived around 1:30, and Ricci's mom shortly after. R's mom made the turkey (our hosts are vegetarian). It was also her birthday, so we sang happy birthday when we had pie. The meal was devoured around 2:30 or so, then it was time for football. My sister left shortly after eating, and the rest of the day was spend lounging and snacking.

Friday we ventured out to a market at the Palace Theatre in downtown St. Paul, as well as the Minnesota Children's Museum, where Wynn got soaking wet and had to wear grandpa's t-shirt home. They were both very cool places, and only a mere 2 miles down 7th Street from their house. 

Saturday, then, is where everything went sideways, upside down, inside out, and every other type descriptor no one wants to use in winter weather...

We left St. Paul just before 7am, while it was still dark and snow had just begun to fall. The Minnesota-Wisconsin border is only about 20 minutes south, and snow had picked up, but still wasn't bad. It was maybe around Madison, WI when I began to think about the fact we might not make it home on this day. We discussed veering to my mom's house in north-central Illinois, but soon discovered a stretch of road we would have taken was already shut down due to snow. In Rockford, Illinois I considered getting a hotel for the night, but we decided to trudge on toward Chicago. At the northern-most toll plaza/rest area, we stopped to get something to eat, and traffic had been crawling at around 45 mph for miles. We went most of the rest of the way through the city around 30 mph - but at least we never came to a standstill. I almost wished we had a few times, because ice was freezing on the windshield and neither of us could see to well (see pic above). By the time we got through Chicago and to our exit at Chesterton, IN we were seriously considering getting a hotel there. It was getting dark, but I thought we would see if the snow let up any as we made the 10-mile jaunt down to route 30. It only continued to get worse, and the roads, as well as our vision, deteriorated with every slowly passing mile. This is when I kicked myself for not having already stopped for the day. I was also getting more and more worried not only about not making it home, but not even making it to a hotel. Somehow - likely by the grace of God - we made it to Warsaw, IN. A mere 43 miles from our house, but I could no longer see straight, and that section of route 30 was closed. So we stopped at Meijer and got some wine and cheese, and found a room at the Tru by Hilton Hotel. Probably the best $100 I've spent in a while.

All told, Saturday's 564-mile trip that should have taken just under 9 hours, took just over 12 to get even that close to home. Had we not stopped, it would have been at least 14 hours all the way. The most miserable winter weather I can ever remember driving in. I stopped counting cars and semis in the ditch at a dozen, and there were probably that many more. I'm hoping to recover from the trauma at some point, because it is much too early in the winter to already be afraid to drive anywhere...

In spite of that, though, it WAS a nice trip. We have much to be thankful for. So, here's a couple pics to remember the good part.

Five things friday (holiday)

I did it! I actually found a minute to sit down and write one post this week. You're welcome.

1. It really hasn't been bad at all having a house full. It all started Monday when I mad a quick trip back to Buda to pick up my mom and bring her back to our house on Christmas Eve (Tuesday). The traffic was not bad at all - other than on the way there a semi had tipped over when it was making the turn from route 49 to the 80/90 toll road. The trip back almost always seems to be the fastest, and this year was no different. My mom and I don't stop, and it took 4 hours 5 minutes.
2. Christmas Eve night the three of us went to the church service at the church/school where our grand kids go to school. All three of them participated, and this was Anna's last year there. It is a little too archaic for us, but it's a beautiful old building and we appreciate what it has to offer the little ones as far as school.
3. On Christmas Day we went out to the Feipels for some of Carrie's scrumptious breakfast and to see what the kids got from "Santa." Then around noon Jane and I drove to a gas station in Gas City and picked up Isaac, Ricci & Wynn from Ricci's mom who met us there. We then all gathered at our house and had our family "Christmas" that night.
4. The 11 of us have mostly just been lounging around the house, eating, watching movies, and taking turns holding little Wynn (who has been so well-behaved at 2 1/2 months old). Thursday evening we did all take in the lights at the Parkview Field Christmas display. It was unseasonably warm all week, and there were several breaks between raindrops.
5. "Christmas itself is by grace. It could never have survived our own blindness and depredations otherwise. It could never have happened otherwise... The Word become flesh. Ultimate Mystery born with a skull you could crush one-handed. Incarnation. It is not tame. It is not touching. It is not beautiful. It is uninhabitable terror. It is unthinkable darkness riven with unbearable light. Agonized laboring led to it, vast upheavals of intergalactic space/time split apart, a wrenching and tearing of the very sinews of reality itself. You can only cover your eyes and shudder before it, before this: "God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God . . . who for us and for our salvation," as the Nicene Creed puts it, "came down from heaven."" (from Frederick Buechner's 'Whistling in the Dark')

 And there you have it... It's Christmastime in America. As for our corner, things begin their return to "normal" tomorrow. It has been good, but too short as always...

Thanksgiving in minnesota

We spent Thanksgiving week 2024 in Minneapolis with the kids and grandkids this year. It was a pretty swell time all packed into Isaac & Ricci's house on 31st Avenue. It was cold, we had a little snow, but there was plenty of food, snuggling with the dogs and new baby, and everyone lived to tell about it!

We drove up from Fort Wayne Tuesday, leaving around 8am (the Feipels drove separately a tad later). It's ~570 miles, and took us about 8 hrs, 45 minutes both going and returning. Mid-Tuesday morning was a nice time to get through Chicago, and once you're beyond that's it's a pretty easy-breezy trip. All interstate (or at least 4-lane) via Rt. 30, I-80/90, I-90, I-94, and then a couple blocks to the house. The bulk of miles are actually through Wisconsin (Janesville, Madison, Wis. Dells, Eau Claire), and I had no idea the Twin Cities are only like 25 miles inside the MN state line.

Once there we basically stuck around the house other than Wednesday night we all went to an NBA game between the Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings. That was pretty fun - especially for Caleb. We also did a group afternoon visit (Friday) to this awesome place called Can Can Wonderland (with a brewery attached next door). Otherwise there were visits to the park a couple blocks away (mostly for Caleb to play basketball), and walking or running along the Mississippi River 3 blocks the other way. Wednesday morning Drew and I ran the 2 1/2 miles past the University of Minnesota right downtown to U.S. Bank Stadium where the Vikings play. 

 

As for food, we did order pizza the first night, but beyond that Jane had made some soup and chili and we had a couple breakfast casseroles (other than the morning Carrie went and bought everyone donuts!). For the meal Thursday we had all the usual fixins: turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stovetop, green bean casserole, corn casserole, rolls, and canned cranberry, with pumpkin pie for dessert. We were well fed and naturally I ate too much.

The house has a really small (I mean REALLY small kitchen), so we weren't able to sit at the table to eat, but instead we all gathered in the living room with our Thanksgiving feast. It worked out fine. And beyond that we had plenty of room. They have a nice basement with a large bedroom and even bigger area that is usually Isaac's office but was converted into the kids' sleeping area, as well as a large full bathroom. Upstairs has 3 bedrooms and a full bath too. For a fairly small house, it really did hold us all comfortably.

We returned home Saturday morning in 5°F temps and had another uneventful trip - though adding that extra hour going from the Central time zone to Eastern is not as nice as losing it on the way there.

Personally, I had a very nice and relaxing time. It was good to have everyone together, so special to see the older grandkids holding the new one, I enjoyed the basketball game and a couple chilly runs along the Mississippi, and I do have to say, I enjoy holding little Wynn. He is so peaceful, yet had already changed so much from just a month ago. I'm sure that will be even more pronounced as he gets older.

So, until Christmas, it is back to normal around here. I had a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. 

Christmas, new years, and all that

Holy moly, it's a whole new year! And it seems like a lot has happened since last week.

Let's see... two trips to Buda and back, trip to Anderson, my mom was here for a week, the boy and his wife for a week, the daughter's family off and on, Christmas Eve at church, Christmas day, covid, another AFib episode, New Years, and... here we are right back where we were.

The Particulars:

• I went to Buda on 12/23 and returned with my mom on 12/24.
• Christmas Eve our church had just a 7pm service, and Jane and I passed out candles as people entered (and we ran out - need to get more for next year).
  
• Christmas morning we went to the Feipels (with mom). Isaac called and said he just tested positive for covid (with no symptoms).
• Christmas day noonish we met Ricci's mom and picked up the kids in Anderson, and had our gift exchange Christmas night.
• Wednesday (12/27) we all went to Crazy Pins for bowling, then to Takaoka for the 'family supper.'
• Thursday most everyone went shopping and I stayed home and cleaned house.
• Friday morning we took Isaac & Ricci to the airport at 8am, then came home and picked up my mom and drove her back to Buda.
• Friday afternoon after Jane left to visit her brother my heart began racing and had an irregular heartbeat again. I hated to say anything to my mom or to Jane because Jane's brother was being weird and just sort of randomly went to bed while they were eating supper. I finally mentioned it to her when she got to my mom's around 9pm and she started texting her nephew the doctor. Fortunately he was available and had me take an extra diltiazem 120 which helped me sleep good. The next morning after I took a shower everything was back to normal. Whew! 
• Saturday morning Jane went to her brothers again and my mom's coffee pot wouldn't work. I was going to go get her another one but her car also wouldn't start. When Jane came back we went and got her a new coffee pot (and her mechanic came and charged her battery). We left for home early afternoon (and my mom later discovered that her old coffee pot was just unplugged!).
• New Year's Eve we went to the Feipel's for supper and I managed to keep my eyes open until about 9pm.

The Gifts:

This year Jane and I decided to just buy our own gifts and wrap them like they were from each other. She got herself a ring she'd wanted (and I also got her the traditional Ansel Adams calendar, and some chocolates). The kids got me some Bombas socks, an homage stocking hat, two Jon Guerra CDs, and a bag of nuts. Jane got me a nice running shirt, and I got myself four books:

• Running Is My Therapy, by Scott Douglas
• Now I Become Myself, by Ken Shigematsu
• Stolen Focus, by Johann Hari
• The Way of The Heart, by Henri Nouwen

 Aside from money and some clothing items we also got everyone a Fire Blanket and one of those 2 Million Dollar puzzles (which are near impossible). 

It was actually a pretty chill week with everyone in the house. Other than Isaac having to wear a mask and somewhat keep to himself (mom also masked up) we still managed to play some games (Chronology, Farkle, Mexican Train Dominoes, and Telestrations), watch movies, eat a ton of food, and have an all-around good time. I never even freaked out the whole time (which may be a first!).

So, Christmas and New Year's has come and gone once more. I'm sure I've forgotten some things, but the decorations are down and the house is back to its quiet self. Now we step into 2024, and I'm in my second week of marathon training. Who knows what these next months will have in store for us...

Thanksgiving 2023

Another holiday has come and gone and I should probably get around to recording that it actually did take place. Our Thanksgiving this year consisted of several separate adventures.

First, on the Wednesday before, our little family met up in Anderson, IN at Eva's Pancake House for brunch. Isaac and Ricci had flown into Indy and drove up from there, and the Feipels and us drove down 69 from The Fort. It was a nice time though definitely too short. Still, better than nothing.

The lovely Lady Jane cooked the entire day on actual Thanksgiving Day. This is the menu of all the traditional fixins. The Feipels came over for supper around 6 and we stuffed ourselves while sharing our thanks around the table. Otherwise it was pretty much a day of watching football for me.

On Friday we packed up leftovers and Jane and I headed to my mom's house in Illinois. All our meals were pretty much leftovers and Jane took some over to her brother's and shared with him as well. I tinkered around and did some "chores" for my mom, but nothing too strenuous. It was a fairly laid back weekend - other than waking up to 2-3 inches of snow Sunday morning. This is the view from mom's front and back doors. It snowed the entire way back home but didn't amount to any accumulation.

Now we're in that weird time of year between holidays when old man winter tries to suck the joy out of our festivities. I'm trying my best to not let it happen by purposely stopping to look out the window now and then. Literally, just stop what I'm doing, walk to the window, and look. Maybe for 30 seconds; maybe longer. Sometimes I even remember to smile. For no apparent reason. :)

Christmas 2022

Well, the holidays are now over for the foreseeable future. Christmas has come and gone and it was back to reality this morning. 

We actually had a pretty good holiday season this year. I was off work from 12/23 until today (1/2/23). Ten days was nice - and it was all paid! It's been awhile since that has happened. Jane also had all last week off (other than some remote work here and there to keep the place going).

The two of us attended the Christmas Eve service at St. Paul's Lutheran Church where all three grandkids participated. Anna even played the xylophone on one song - right out in front of everyone and everything (from the balcony).

The boy and his bride were with us from shortly after noon on Christmas Day until the morning of 12/28 when they drove back to Atlanta.

We never did have a "family meal" for Christmas, but were at least able to open presents together on Christmas night.

Mostly we did a lot of eating, drinking, and lazing around the house. We also played a few rounds of Mexican Dominoes and Farkle.

The one group activity we all did was laser tag! We intended for the nine of us to go bowling, but apparently Tuesday is a big league day, so laser tag it was. Jane and I had never done it before, and it was so much fun (at least for me). We played two rounds, and worked up quite a sweat in the process.

As for gifts: I got a bottle of Bob Dylan bourbon, Bombas socks, a tree face, and a Carter metal mug. I got Jane a necklace, her usual Ansel Adams calendar, and I got pickleball rackets for the both of us.

On Thursday we went to Buda to my mom's. The Feipels also went. We arrived Thursday afternoon and came back home Saturday late-morning. It was an okay time, but Friday found me struggling with having people around for a week. Jane was gone almost the entire day, and I got a bit moody. I needed some alone time, and actually went for a 30-minute walk, which was the most exercise I'd done since the marathon on Nov. 5.

New Year's Eve found us finally back home by ourselves. We had supper at the 07 Pub and watched TV. I think we made it until midnight, but we weren't really paying attention. I believe we watched 'Glass Onion' (and another night watched 'The Banshees of Inisherin').

And... that's about that. It was nice having time off work and a bit of family time. It always goes too fast.

Thanksgiving 2022

I guess I never did post about Thanksgiving this year. Of course now I can barely remember it.... but I'll give it a try.

I left on Wednesday (11/23) and went to get my mom. It was a miserable trip stuck in stop-and-go traffic for half of the 6 hours it took. We headed back to the Fort Thanksgiving morning and had no trouble - making it in 4 hours on the nose.

Isaac and Ricci arrived just after we got there. They had been at her mom's in Indy for the beginning of the week. The Feipel clan came over at some point Thanksgiving day and we had turkey for supper and just lay around the house the rest of the night.

This year it was Bennett's turn to be sick. Poor guy. He did at least rebound quite nicely.

Jane and I both had Thursday and Friday off work (paid) for a change. So it was nice the whole family could be together from Thursday until Sunday morning.

I can't remember what all we did. Not a lot other than lay around, watch TV, eat, and play dominoes. We did take a trip to the new Electric Works campus (formerly GE) and the Union Street Market downtown. That's where we got this family picture. Saturday night we all went to the Feipels for supper and a game (which I can never remember the name of but it's fun).

The Atlanta crew headed out Sunday morning, and Jane drove my mom home shortly after (and returned Monday morning).

It was a nice time.

Christmas 2021

(missing A)

Even though the season of Christmas is still going strong, our family celebration is now in the past.

THE FACTS

I drove the Illinois after work on Thursday the 23rd to get my mom. We headed East to Fort Wayne early Christmas Eve morn. It was an uneventful trip and we made it in 4 hours exactly. Not sure why my mom and I never have to stop, but with someone else we always seem to have to. ;) 

Yes, it was 58F and raining on Christmas Day. Ho ho ho! 

The three of us went to the Feipel farm Christmas morning and had breakfast, then we headed back to our house. The boy and his bride arrived around noon (they'd flown in earlier in the week to spend time with her mom). We had lasagna for lunch, then opened presents. We pretty much just laid around after that.

Sunday we all went to Headwaters Park for ice skating. The Feipels and grandma Jane took to the ice and the rest of us watched (and laughed a time or two). I think Jane regretted it the next day, but I love that she's a trouper!

Monday we went out for supper to our current favorite place to eat: Nawa. Sort of an Asian-fusion on 'The Landing' in the Fort (picture at the top).

Tuesday (28th) we actually had snow!!! The pic doesn't do it justice, but they were absolutely THE BIGGEST snow flakes I have ever seen. It was pretty pretty watching it while we had a smashing game of Mexican Dominoes.

 

Fortunately Ricci received a text that they could check in for their Wednesday flight home on Tuesday afternoon.... because she thought they weren't leaving until THURSDAY! Oops. I felt bad, because even though it meant they only left our house a few hours earlier, it meant they couldn't connect with her mom again and some other friends. Anyway, they left around noon Wednesday to head back to Indy (airport), and Jane and my mom left shortly after so Jane could take her back to Illinois.

THE PRESENTS

I actually had a 'wish list' this year, and no one ever asked for it. I finally did tell Jane, but she said no one needed it. Call me crazy, but I had an inkling I knew what they were getting me then. I did get two Hickory Farms meat/cheese things, some chocolate covered nuts, and...... tickets to the University of Illiniois/Northwest basketball game in the middle of February in Champaign!

Apparently the kids and my mom pitched in on the tickets. They also went together and got my favorite cook a KitchenAid Deluxe Tilt-Head Stand Mixer. Now m'Lady can put all that watching of baking shows to good use!

ALL IN ALL

As per usual, I had hoped to not be so much of a grump. Maybe next year. It's just a lot going on. I was glad to not have to get up and go to work each day. I ate too much, drank too much, and slept way late each and every day. It was nice having both kids and their spouses, the grandkids, and my mom all together.

For some stupid reason I did have to go to work today though. I had Friday off (closed), and Saturday through Wednesday. I guess I wasn't sure I could even get that much time off, so it never occurred to me to take Thursday off too (since we are closed again this Friday-Sunday). I didn't sleep well last night worrying about getting up in time. It was rough. I'm getting a little tired of this going to bed and getting up early every weekday. Oh well.

Now come the long dreary days of January and February. At least I've been able to keep my running streak going still.

Aloha!

(missing Drew)

***

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” -John 16:33

 

Thanksgiving 2021

We have survived another holiday... so far. Thanksgiving 2021 came and went without much ado. So far.

It's funny how everything has to be 'so far' anymore, because, you know, say if someone had covid and spread it around... that could put a damper on things. Not that most people who celebrated thanksgiving probably even believe in covid. 

Me? Oh, I still believe in covid and will forever blame don trump and his dumb-ass followers for hundreds of thousands of deaths in this country. I just don't give a fucks ass anymore. Who cares.

Oh, you meant 'what did I do for thanksgiving'? Ah, well... not a lot.

We both had the day off work, and started the day by going to a Y. Imagine that! The Y on the north side of town has a Turkey Trot fun run. You walk or run around their outdoor trail/track for 45 minutes. Almost everyone walked (including Carrie and Anna), but a handful of us jogged. Jane and I made it around twice and called it quits. Yes, it was drizzling rain, but it was also 45F so it wasn't too bad. And it was a free event! Not only that, we got a long sleeve shirt, a stocking hat, and most everyone won a prize of some kind. I got two!!

After that was over (it was from 8-9 AM) we headed back home and got McD's for breakfast. Jane had the burrito meal and I had the McGriddle meal. Yum. Then Jane started cooking and I started cleaning (or finished what Jane hadn't already done, which was basically just my bathroom and setting up the table).

The Feipels came over around 1:30 and we had the big meal: turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, noodles, green bean casserole, cranberry goop, celery with cheese, rolls, carrots, and pumpkin pie. Oh, man. I am glad there was some left over. I had another plate of it for supper, and took some green bean casserole and sweet potatoes to work with me this morning for breakfast (I love this kind of thing for breakfast!).

 

The guests left around 4-ish and we dragged our butts to the basement for football. The Cowboys game went about as I expected. Egads. The son and I texted a bit after it was over, complaining about the officiating and whatnot. Apparently that was the most penalty yards against the Cowboys since 1970. And it was called bad on both sides. I mean, I know officials are only human, but that crew should be reprimanded. They totally dominated the game - and not in a good way.

And... that was about it. I went to bed around 8:30 because I had to work today. I was only there from 4:45-11AM. It was fairly slow, but everyone was in a good mood. It was also some different people. Lots of out-of-towners, so it wasn't too bad.

After work I had a bite to eat, took a quick nap, went on a 3.1/2-mile run/walk, and sat down at this computer with a glass of wine. It's the weekend! Jane had the day off and she's rummaging around the house doing 'holiday stuff' or something. I'm done for the day.

It was a brisk run. It's 29F outside, but I dressed too warm. It's probably not good to work up a sweat doing the 5k and then walking 2 miles at the end. That's what I do though. Whatever. It's not like dying from covid.

***

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,” -Hebrews 12:28

 

Weekend visitors: here and there and back

I used to say we went "home" when we took a trip to Buda. I guess it's now a "there." 

ISAAC & RICCI

The boy and his wife flew in from Georgia last Thursday. We met Ricci's mom at Payne's in Gas City and picked them up (they flew into Indy). It was the first time they had been here in a year. It was good to see them. They stayed until today (and flew out of Fort Wayne).
 

VISIT TO BUDA

Our entire crew went to Buda last Friday. The Feipels in their vehicle, and Isaac & Ricci with us in ours. We all stayed at my moms. The tent pictured above is where Jane and I slept both nights we were there. The grandsons also slept with us the first night but not the second. They claim I snored too loud. Either way, I kind of like sleeping in the tent (in the back yard anyway). It's plenty big, and we have a queen air mattress which is pretty comfy. I forgot to take a pic until I had it halfway torn down. We were there from Friday evening until early Sunday afternoon.

PRATT FAMILY REUNION

On Saturday, July 3, we attended Jane's family's family reunion (of sorts). All her brothers except the one in Colorado, and most of their kids and grandkids were present. I think I heard there were 59 in attendance. Doctor Tim and his lovely wife hosted the event. It was a beautiful day, and everything was very nice, but I was pretty seriously stressed the entire time and have since been pretty depressed. Maybe I was imagining things, but it seemed I was being shunned by most of the people there. My family are probably the only 'non-conservatives' of the bunch, and I suppose my opinions shared on Facebook about politics and the pandemic and whatnot just don't set well with some. I tried to speak to a couple people and they pretty much just outright ignored me. So I spent most of the time sitting with Carrie other than the visits I had with Tim, Joe and David. It was pretty humbling, humiliating, and sad. This was also the eve of the 40th anniversary of the death of Jane's dad.

BACK 'HOME'

When we came back to Fort Wayne, we still had several days to spend with Isaac & Ricci (and, of course, the Feipels). Sunday night (the 4th) we hung out at the Feipel farm and watched various fireworks light up the skies over the Fort. 

Monday we kept the kids (along with Isaac & Ricci) and experienced Science Central. It was a fun time, and a good thing to do in air conditioning since it was extremely hot and humid outside. The pic below is of them in the F1 wind tunnel. We then made a stop at Sweets On Main for a treat.

 

Monday night all nine of us went to The Club Room for supper. It was also the weekly blues jam night of live music. Aside from dropping a couple hundred on food and drinks, it was a very nice time.

 

On Tuesday the Feipels all went their own way while we took Isaac and Ricci to the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. It's not something I would do on my own, but it's a neat place to visit occasionally. After that we stopped in at the Hyde Brothers bookstore on Wells Street. It's a very cool old place that has all kinds of used books. From there we had a snack at Welch's Ale House, then connected back with Carrie and the kids back at our house.

Today (Wednesday) I had to go back to work. Jane was off all week until tomorrow, so she took Isaac & Ricci to Utopian Coffee+Kitchen for breakfast, then they stopped off at my work before heading to the airport.

 

All in all, it was quite the weekend. It was so nice having the other Horwedels around for so long. I believe this is the longest they've spent with us for as long as I can remember, maybe ever. There were some tears that they had to go - especially from poor little Anna. She loves her aunt and uncle so. I always appreciate how Ricci dignifies her and doesn't belittle her feelings. She's a class act.

I wish we could have spent more time with my mom. I always feel bad that we can't visit more often, or stay longer when we do. That area is just not "home" anymore. We don't feel overly welcome and it seems we are strangers in a strange land. Sunday and Monday morning were two of my bluest in a long time. I didn't want to get out of bed. I suppose it's some kind of Karmic joke that someone who wants to be liked so much has to be so off-putting to others. I tried, but I can't really change who I am. 

It was difficult going back to work today. I have grown to hate that place too. I'm afraid Jane feels about the same towards her job. We don't have a lot to celebrate at the moment... but at least we had a really good visit from our kids, and for that I am thankful. 

***

Habakkuk 3:17-18

"Though the fig tree does not bud
    and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
    and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
    and no cattle in the stalls,
¹⁸ yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
    I will be joyful in God my Savior."

 

Fathers day and ribfest

Father's Day has come and gone once more. I actually had a pretty good one this year.

For starters, we kept the grandkids Saturday night and enjoyed the first evening under our new backyard lights. By the time I dragged my bones out of bed Sunday around 9:30 their mother was already there to pick them up. Then Jane made me a grand breakfast.

I was surprised with some swell gifts this year too. Jane got me the pictured Bose Soundlink Bluetooth Speaker. For something so small it works really well and will be put to good use! She also got me a box of chocolates.

The Feipel clan gave me a box full of nuts, sausage, cheese, and crackers. I could take gifts like this for just about any occasion! These are some of my favorite things. Plus we then hung out together at Ribfest in the afternoon.

Isaac and Ricci got me Jason Ringenberg's newest CD 'Rhinestoned.' Jason stuck a note in with it that we've been friends and supporters of his music for 45 years now! There's a little ditty here about how he put the album together. It's a little country for my tastes, but he's an amazing person. Isaac also called Sunday evening.

RIBFEST

The annual blues, brews, and bbq celebration is perhaps one of the few traditions we have. At least it had been. I wasn't even concerned about going this year. The past few have just not been that good. They seemed to struggle to find legitimate bands, and the sound quality had been SOOOOOOO BAD. Perhaps having to take last year off was good for them, because it seemed better this year. The band lineup was still kind of iffy, but the sound was so much better this year!

Just the two of us went for a bit Friday night, then we returned Sunday and stayed later than we planned to. It was nice to see live outdoor music again, run into some friends, and we appreciated all the bands we saw.

A FIRST

I suppose it's worth noting this was the first Father's Day without my dad. We never had a very good relationship, which was mostly because I was never a very good son. I always hated that he was the high school principal; I probably resented him for it even. Yet it occurred to me this weekend that I didn't necessarily dislike my dad. I think I wanted to like him, and respect him... But when so many of my friends and others I knew seemingly DIDN'T like him, I I felt like I couldn't like him or I would risk them not liking me. It sounds pretty silly now, but I'm sure it's one of the reasons I'm as messed up as I am. Plus, our family has just never done relationships and emotions and stuff like that very well.

Anyway, there ya have it. June is almost over, the summer if flying by, and it will be snowing before you know it.

***

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord." - Jeremiah 17:7

 

Easter (reaction to shot #2)

Another Easter has come and gone. The second in a row we've not attended a church service of any kind. Last year pretty much every place was in lockdown due to the covid pandemic. This year... well... I guess we are without a church community. .

The Feipels went to my mom's for the weekend, which was nice of them. The boy and his wife were apparently at their house in Georgia.

We intended to watch a service online. We tuned into a local church on TV, but it turns out they were showing last week's Palm Sunday service for some reason. We'll probably watch one at some point this week. 

So... we spent Easter Sunday just the two of us. We went for a walk at the Lindenwood Nature Preserve, and took a bike ride. Otherwise we lazed around the house. I finished up a book, and Jane did some food prep. At least the weather was nice - somewhere in the 70s.

As far as our 2nd Covid vaccine shot:

I got mine at 11:30 Friday morning. I basically felt fine Friday, but woke up Saturday morning with some very (VERY) mild flu-like symptoms. Maybe it was more like "brain cloud." My arm was a little sore, but not as bad as the first time. Sunday I was fine. I just laid around and read most of the day, until the NCAA Men's Final Four came on.

Jane got her shot at 11:30 Saturday morning. She had the same arm soreness, and wasn't really a ball of energy, but not bad. She had a slight headache Sunday morning, but otherwise I'd say she didn't have as much of a reaction this time as after the first shot either.

We were braced for the worst, and I'm glad it didn't happen. I think it had a lot to do with our preparation. We didn't do anything before or after the first shot. For this one we started hydrating the night before. We had Gatorade (and Gatorade-like drinks) the night before, the morning before, after the shot, and continued drinking plenty of water all weekend long. Plus we didn't drink alcohol the entire week before. I think it made a big difference. Anyway, it's nice to have that behind us. At least until the next one. 

So, a pretty uneventful (and maybe a little lonely) Easter Sunday. Life continues to just feel weird. Meh.

***

“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” -2 Corinthians 5:14-15

New year's eve/day

We spent New Year's Eve with some friends. They live on the banks of Lake Wawasee in northern Indiana and have a spacious home with several extra bedrooms and bathrooms. We had a relaxing overnight stay and even managed to stay up past midnight. This was our view from the bedroom at the top of the stairs.

After the ~1-hour drive to their home, we spent the evening enjoying a simple supper of potato soup, chatting, and then played some games. We started with Chronology, then the next several hours were occupied by Mexican Train Dominoes. There were a few adult beverages consumed in the process.

We've been friends with this couple since our kids were in high school together. We have a lot of similarities as far as age, politics, and whatnot, but they are in a way higher income bracket than us. Still, they're laid back like us and we enjoy going out to eat every few months (or used to). Sometimes I feel like the 'odd man out' in that I'm sort of the only "blue collar" type among us, and I can tell my presence is sometimes mostly tolerated (as it usually is). I suppose it's good humility practice.

New Year's Day brought a little weather with it and we drove home on ice-covered roads. We topped out at about 45 mph, but never had any problems. It rained with a little snow and sleet mixed in for the rest of the day. 

Now... we start a new year. It seems everyone thinks 2021 will somehow be better than 2020. I am not so optimistic (if you can imagine that). I have a sinking feeling things are going to be pretty tumultuous still. It's hard to tell how the presidential transition will work out, what the economy will do, and whether the virus will actually subside or not (through vaccines or otherwise). I'm not trying to be a downer, but I just don't share the optimism of many. I guess whatever happens happens.

We are going to try a Dry January (no alcohol). I hope it at least lasts longer than a day. I'd also like to try easing into running again at some point. Other than that... who knows. Work will still be work. More than anything I suppose I need a new attitude. Here's to that!

***

Psalm 90:12

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

 

The fastest trip home, and Christmas

Christmas 2020 was different - as most of the year has been - but it came and went just like any other.

THE TRIP

I fetched my mom last Wednesday and brought her to our house. The trip there was fairly miserable. It rained most of the way, and a stretch of I-80 was a total downpour! There were also a couple accidents in the Chicago area that slowed things down considerably. So I didn't arrive at my mom's until well after dark. 

The trip back to Fort Wayne the next day was actually in RECORD TIME for me!! My mom and I made it in 3 hours and 55 minutes! Four hours flat was the previous record.  It's about 270 miles, so we averaged right about 70 mph - which includes going thru several towns on route 30 and a boatload of stoplights. 

It is interstate for just about half the trip, and I maintained a fairly steady 79 mph. In the Chicago area I did get closer to 90 when traffic was flowing such. It also helped that we didn't stop at all - no potty breaks, no traffic snarls, and only one toll to pay. That's about the least traffic I've ever encountered on this route.

CHRISTMAS EVE/FAMILY

We traditionally open presents on Christmas Eve. We did again this year, but it was the first time Isaac and Ricci weren't home. They stayed in Atlanta due to virus concerns, dog-sitting issues, etc. So you can see from this pic that they were present via video (google meet). It was not ideal, but better than nothing. 

I struggled with whether to have my mom join us. If my dad hadn't just died I probably would have suggested she not, but I don't think anyone wanted her to be alone this Christmas. So I hoped for the best that the two of us and the Feipels would be safe enough. I had to cringe at seeing the size of some family gatherings on social media. I guess it is what it is.

 

CHRISTMAS DAY

Christmas morning we made the traditional trek to the Feipel's where Carrie made us breakfast. We were also joined by mutual friend, Scott. He's basically part of the family, and even though it was more than one household gathered together, aside from my mom we all see each other regularly. I guess it was as safe as we could be.

PRESENTS

I was blessed with some practical gifts this year. I had the Woodstock album before, but it disappeared somewhere along the line. I feel it's just one of those someone like me should have in their record collection. Seeing the Y shirt and hat strikes me now as somewhat ironic since I hate working there, but I can wear the shirt to work (on Fridays at least), and I can always use a hat. The bottle of Eagle Rare 10 Year bourbon is supposed to be good. I'm no connoisseur, but it seemed alright to me! I also include Jane's cooking as a gift, and enjoy all the leftovers from holidays such as this.

I bought her the usual Ansel Adams calendar, along with a new-ish Max Lucado book. I didn't know anything about it, but figured Max is someone we haven't read in a long time, and he has always seemed to be good for the soul. I can't really remember what the kids got her (sorry, I'm at work).

All in all, it was a good time. It was cold enough to keep food in the garage, it snowed most of Christmas Day but it didn't stick, and was otherwise nice weather for the end of December.

Jane is taking my mom back home today and will return tomorrow. She has the whole week off. Since Christmas and New Year's Day fall on Friday I have two three-day workweeks in a row. So, next Monday... the 'big suck of winter' begins. Until then...

***

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Thanksgiving 2020

Another Thanksgiving has come and gone... albeit a little different than usual for most. 

Yes, it is still 2020, and the pandemic is still hitting us as hard as ever. So, we were encouraged to avoid large gatherings - even family gatherings. I don't know how many people actually did so, but it is still different nonetheless.

We don't normally have very large gatherings at Thanksgiving anyway. It seems I typically have to work the next day - which is the case this year too. The Feipel five came over for a late lunch, and that was about it. I was happy that my sister actually stayed with my mom through the holiday so she didn't have to be alone.

We did observe a few of our normal 'traditions': listened to Arlo Guthrie's 'Alice's Restaurant Massacre', ate turkey, watched football, and we all enjoyed the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving special (which we have on cd). This year we also started a new tradition: the hiding/finding of turkey eggs! I hid three eggs - one for each grandchild - with money inside. It was a nice day, and I figured since this year has been so screwed up, I'd try to give them a little something extra. Plus, those Easter Eggs just sit around all year with nothing to do... 

Anyway, I am at work now. I had one person in at 5:14 am, and the next at 6:30. At least I got my bosu ball workout in while standing at the front desk!

Even though the pandemic has thrown us all for a bit of a loop, I am thankful it has been nothing but a mere inconvenience for most of us. Few people I know have ever had to endure true hardship, poverty, war, and the like. Wearing a mask and trying to avoid large groups isn't really that difficult in the grand scheme of things. 

***

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” -Colossians 3:16

4th of july fireworks and folks

We had no real plans for this fourth of July. That's sort of how life works now. No big events allowed. Yet somehow - despite temps in the 90s yet again - we managed to have a good time anyway.

Saturday morning found us taking our usual weekend bike ride together. We rode through Foster Park and ventured downtown to Promenade Park. One drink at Trubble Riverside (which is still more money than I want to spend) and we made our way back home. Oddly enough it appeared to have rained somewhere in Fort Wayne, but it never did rain on us or at our house. We could have used the shower.

In the afternoon we ventured out to the Feipel farm to visit Carrie and the kids. Drew was singing somewhere and they were getting ready for a family party on Drew's side the next day.

Saturday night is when things got crazy. Most of it was just the two of us in the basement continuing our way through 'Better Call Saul'... but around 10 pm we decided to go outside and take a look at all the fireworks going off.

I don't know if it was because the fourth was on a Saturday, because so many towns cancelled their celebrations, the government stimulus checks, or just virus angst in general... but I HAVE NEVER SEEN OR HEARD SO MANY FIREWORKS GOING OFF IN MY LIFE! Jane commented that it sounded like popcorn popping. All over the city you could see the lights and hear the booms.

Just on our street there were several people setting off quality pyrotechnics - right in the middle of the street. Our neighbors to the left (one house over) have been setting them off regularly for days. This night was no exception. It was the neighbors just to our right that had the best ones though. I took this video of the grand finale going off over our heads (and our house) as we sat in lawn chairs in our driveway. I'm not a big fireworks person, but they were pretty good.

The main thing I noticed, aside from all the fireworks, was the NUMBER OF PEOPLE OUT AND ABOUT. We rarely see anyone in our neighborhood, but there were people sitting outside, and people walking down our street even! That hardly ever happens!

The night was topped off though by the most fantastic full moon. My picture at the top doesn't do its magnificence justice. We eventually walked around the block and probably did more staring at the moon than at all the lights flashing in the sky below it. It was nice.

So, for a non-spectacular plan, we had a pretty good fourth nonetheless.

---

 "When I consider your heavens,
    the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
    which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    human beings that you care for them?" (Psalm 8:3-4)

Not my home

So, if you were from another country, would you be proud of that country too? Would you salute its flag, wear clothing made out of it, consider it the 'greatest nation on earth'??

You very well might, I don't know. But I have a problem with all this American fanaticism that grips so many citizens of the US of A, not only every fourth of July, but all year long.

I don't hate the United States, or her flag. I guess it's an okay place to live. I've never lived in any other country. However, I do dislike what I consider arrogant nationalistic pride - especially when draped in an air of superiority and disdain for the rest of the world!

I thought the above picture was the perfect snide to all the "all lives matter" trump-lovin' hillbillies out there. In my mind, saying "all nations matter" on fourth of July in the United States shows an equally laughable (and insensitive) disregard as insisting "all lives matter" right after yet another innocent black man has been unjustly killed by the police or some psycho citizen. I admit, I shared it on Facebook because I was trying to make a point. I'm sure it failed.

I somehow stumbled onto the picture on Daniel Skillman's Facebook page. I've no idea how I got there - we're not friends or even acquaintances (though we have some in common). This is what he posted with the pic:

I was really wondering how to celebrate the 4th of July this year. Public celebrations have been cancelled. So, no local fair or fireworks. No big cookouts. And, truth be told, I don't feel like celebrating America. It's my home. I'm stuck here, and I'll make the most of it. But I don't like what America has become: a corporatist fascist oligarchy. So, I was going to skip celebrating all together this year.
But then a FB friend reminded me:
All Nations Matter.
By Jove, that's it!
This 4th of July, I'm going to have an
"All Nations Matter" celebration.
After all, what better day than the US independence holiday, our "birthday" if you will, to celebrate all national birthdays and to announce that All Nations Matter!
Join me this July 4th, and proudly display the flags of, and post the national anthems of, and otherwise publicly honor and celebrate as many nations as you possibly can, and loudly proclaim, "All Nations Matter!"
On the 4th of July, please use the photo attached to this post as your page's profile cover!

Ha! I think that's hilarious. Although I am much too timid to actually share all that myself... I thought simply posting the pic said plenty.

---

Again though... I don't hate America (I apologize to my Canadian friends, but, because I'm from the US, when I say 'America' I am referring to the USA; I'm sure you're used to it). However, I would like to hope that if I were born or living somewhere else, I would be much the same person that I am now.

I've never understood patriotism, much less nationalism. Ryan Hamm, in his article 'Patriotism and Christianity' explains it this way:

Patriotism can be defined simply as love of country—it's a love that seems to include much of the world's population... It's that feeling of altruistic gratitude for freedom, or democracy, or culture, or any of the other values people around the world treasure in their nation.

Nationalism, on the other hand, takes that love of country and expands it to mean love of country at the expense of other nations. It's when someone believes they are better because they come from a particular place, or that someone else is less valuable because of the country that issued their passport. In the United States, it's often given the innocuous sounding title "American exceptionalism"... It's saying, "My country is better than yours, and you are less civilized/enlightened/good because of where you are from." 

This has simply never made sense to me. It does not compute in my brain.

I agree with Dennis Edwards and believe Christian Nationalism is Anti-Gospel. As he says (in the linked article), many people (Americans) read the Bible through a lens showing the United States as central to God's plan. Like, that's why our country was created. Ha! Why would anyone think this!? He notes...

The genocide perpetrated against Native Americans, the enslavement of Africans, the fear of those who did not grow up Christian (especially Muslims at this point in history), debasement of women, as well as ongoing discrimination of various ethnic minorities, is linked to Christian nationalism. It is not merely coincidence that the most notoriously racist and segregated parts of the country are found in the so-called “Bible Belt.”

He goes on... "Christian nationalism is not the result of exegesis, i.e., drawing out meaning from biblical texts, but is the result of eisegesis, i.e., reading the United States into biblical texts." And this is seriously wrong! This is what I hate!

---

At any rate, I always struggle on fourth of July. Honestly, I am not very proud to be an American. This is merely where I live - nothing more, and nothing less. While the above articles help explain why others feel differently, I still don't get it. It doesn't make me better, or worse... it really just makes me... sad.

I come from a family of patriotic Americans. I have always felt weird; sometimes embarrassed and ashamed. I have never felt like I fit. And... as much as that breaks my heart, I think that's how it will always be - at least this side of heaven.

I don't know. I don't understand how anyone can think one country is better than another; how one people are superior to others; or how any of us can think we know it all. Surely I do not. But I like to think I'm trying...

---

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

"I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right." Acts 10:34-35

 "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ..." Philippians 3:20

Easter

In one sense, another Easter has come and gone. Though, regardless of how you like your eggs, this year's Easter Sunday was much different for most church-going folk.

We actually both took a shower and put on regular clothes (no pj's or sweats). Then we ventured out to the Feipel farm and had breakfast with the kiddos. We've been there a couple times during this stay-at-home order, and they've been to our house once or twice.

The granddaughter led us in a game of questions, and we had egg casserole, blueberry muffins, and cinnamon bread.

After eating we all sat down to watch their church service on Youtube. Their internet was being goofy so we didn't get to see the whole thing. Then we headed back to our house a little before noon. That was a pretty full day nowadays.

I guess later in the day we did take a 60-minute walk together, and talked to son Isaac and my mom on the phone later in the evening.

The two of us have yet to watch our church's Easter message. At least I guess it's our church. We consider Tom to be our pastor more than anyone else, even though we haven't been very good about getting involved there yet. Anyway, we will likely get around to watching the 20-30 minute message sometime today.

I like the fact that Tom just records a message. There is no big show or "virtual simulation" of a service. Just the message, and he sends some links out to different things at different times. I also prefer just a recorded service, so there are no glitches to deal with in internet connections and whatnot.

So, that was about the extent of our Easter "celebration" this year. We did not partake of any Holy Week observations, Jane's work did not have their usual Good Friday breakfast fundraiser, and Sunday was lower-key than usual. I'm not complaining...

Christmas 2019 (dad to nursing care)

Another Christmas has come and gone. Once again we were fortunate to spend time with family. Now we head into the long, cold suck part of winter.

CHRISTMAS EVE
Since we aren't really part of a church community for the first time in... forever... we simply attended the Christmas Eve service where the grand kids go to school. All three were singing this year from the balcony of this beautiful building at St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

CHRISTMAS DAY
We continued the routine of visiting the Feipel's on Christmas morning. The grand kids were busy playing with their new presents, and Carrie made her scrumptious cinnamon rolls and sausage things(?).

After returning home it was just the two of us. I don't really even remember what we did. I suppose we cleaned and Jane cooked. The pic at the top of the page was our little tree in the basement.

Isaac and Ricci arrived in the evening and the Feipel's came over too. This is when we opened presents together. I was surprised with this bottle of Bob Dylan's "Heaven's Door" bourbon and an 07 Pub sweatshirt from Jane. Isaac and Ricci got me James Clear's book 'Atomic Habits' and Drew Carrie got me Richard Rohr's 'Falling Upward' and a new Moleskine notebook. Ricci also gave us all a unique gift from her trip to Costa Rica. It was a swell haul.

OFF TO BUDA
The day after Christmas (Thursday) we all packed up and headed to Buda to spend the rest of the week/weekend with my mom. My sister and her son Kevin and her dog Zoe also came down from Minnesota. The house was a little crowded, but everyone survived. I think there were 12 humans in all.

The first thing we did was go to our nephew's house in Sheffield to visit with some of the Pratt descendants (Jane's one brother and his kids/spouses/grand kids). They grew up with our kids and it was good to see them all.

Jane and I slept at her brother's house in Sheffield. He bought a small 1-bedroom and basically gutted it. It's mostly put back together, but there is no furniture or anything. We brought an air mattress and a lawn chair, so it was fine just for sleeping. At least it had heat and a shower.

Everyone stayed until Sunday morning. We stayed a little longer to help mom with some paperwork and to clean up the house a little.

DAD'S NURSING HOME
This was the first year we had Christmas without my dad around. We were surprised to find out they were taking him to a nearby nursing home on the day after Christmas. Of course it was the same day all of us were arriving, so I felt super bad for my mom. There was a lot going on for her over this holiday, and she handled it all just as well as she always handles everything.

In many ways it was probably a good thing he wasn't around the house. It would have been a lot for him to handle. At the same time, I am beginning to feel differently about my father as I see him in this light. Not only does he look much older, but beyond physical appearance he looks... defeated. It's actually hard for me to look at him at all.

We aren't sure if this will be his "home" or if this is simply where he will do rehab. The thinking is that he won't be returning to his home home, but might possibly be going to another facility at some point. It's all kind of up in the air at this point and may not be entirely up to them anyway. At any rate, I feel for my mom, as she has had to make some difficult decisions and will likely be making many more.

I/we hated to leave Sunday. The paperwork mom needs to fill out is a bit overwhelming for her. Jane helped as much as she was able. I wish we could be there longer so we could go with her to talk to some of the different facilities, lawyers, financial advisors and whatnot. I also felt bad sort of just leaving her all alone - and all of a sudden. I suppose the same could be said for dad. He does not have a private room, and I think that is difficult for him to deal with. It also makes it hard when mom goes to visit him. I know it was awkward when we visited him in the home.

Anyway, it was and is all a bit weird for me. No one in our family has ever been very good at processing emotions. There are a lot of them to deal with right now. I guess like most people we will simply need to do the best we can.

So, that's the rundown on all that. It was a good, but different, Christmas. Another year down.