Reflections From the Fence: Christmas.

Showing posts with label Christmas.. Show all posts

Monday, December 17, 2018

The 2018 Holiday Letter, From Our Home to Yours

It is that time of the year once again, the (dreaded) holiday letter.

It's been a quiet blogging year, only 72 posts so far this year, despite my intentions to do more. Recently I discovered that many of the links I have searched hard for while blogging, including them for your education and reading enhancement have gone bad. Just what I need - more projects. SIGH. I see in my future blogs that links will be limited. I just cannot keep doing this stuff over and over, there are over 2300 posts on Reflections, that's a lot of reviewing and fixing. Time taken away from new posts.

I have been working on computer and genealogy consolidation projects, and am further behind than I was at the end of 2017. SIGH. I am not sure how that happens, but, it does. I think it is a good thing, as it means I have made more discoveries! (And, Carol grins in delight!)

I have had Moriah MacKenzie the Mac computer for a bit over a year, I am still learning. Overall, I am very happy with my move away from Windows and have no regrets.

Man and I are looking forward to more use of The Estate (our new little Motorhome for summer camping and touring.) We will start serious research of Alaska right after the first of 2019.

Between the Demon and the prostrate cancer we are both fighting the battles and are reasonably happy with where we are these days. We are still able to hike, maybe a bit shorter hikes and slower, but, we are doing it!! Here is Man as we hike in Tucson in late November this year hiking the Bowen trail a part of the Tucson Mountain Park system. The Saguaro were spectacular. We have really enjoyed hiking in Tucson this year.

Our Sir Winston, the spoiled and much loved yorkie is still a joy, cept when he is being the guard dog supreme. He loves his walks, still only tolerates bath time. Loves his ball and the treats we stuff in there. He is the apple of his dad's eyes.

We hope that your year has been blessed. No matter what religious holiday you may or may not celebrate, we send our love.

May 2019 bring you peace and abundant joy.

* Holiday photos taken in 2016 at the Mesa Arizona LDS holiday light show.

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Tis the season - -

I’ll fess up, I have had a rough time writing my annual holiday letter this year. 2016 has been full of ups and downs. It was full of losses and happy days.

A summer wedding of nephew. Lovely, beautiful people and family. Beautiful setting. May they continue to radiate the true meaning of love and happiness.

We helped orchestrate the sale of a family home. Lots of decisions had to be made in a timely manner. But, it allowed me the fabulous opportunities to visit the home where my grandmother grew up, and several cemeteries I had been hunting for. It was the right time to visit those cemeteries, kismet abounded.

Man and I are gaining in years, and thus, we are facing more health issues. Happens. My own, the Demon diabetes, is a buggar, and I have now added shots to the mix of drugs that attempt to keep it in control. It is a constant battle.

One of the issues that has been stressful was the bullying and stalking (perceived or otherwise) I experienced over the last year or so. Sadly, I have said good bye to many peeps with whom I had friendships and acquaintances. In the end it was a good decision/act on my part, as it freed me up from much stress. It was something I had to do for ME. So, I did! I am using the “free” time and less stressful life to concentrate more on research and hopefully will get back to posting here on Reflections more often. I have so many travel photos/stories I would love to review and share, over 3 years worth! YIKES!

We are still Rving whenever possible. This summer, in a 6 week blitz, designed to keep us off the internet grid, we made a bucket list trip to Nova Scotia. Man’s grandmother was born there and we had long wanted to visit. The research did not tell us why she cannot be found in any records from Canada or the USA from 1901 till 1918, but, we enjoyed the time away. Nova Scotia is wonderful, like Maine, but, on steroids! This is the view from Tana's desk at one of our stops. It's a miracle we came home.

This winter we will be spending our time in Arizona, or that is the plan. You know us, we drift with the wind, dust and sea mist. No sea mist here, but, we have wind and dust. And beautiful desert, mountains, and saguaro and the SUNSETS!!!

We have continued to enjoy Winston, AKA, Sir Winston, the sweet and sassy yorkie. He is quite the character and has his own “page” at Facebook, “Winston’s Wonderful Wanderings”.

We end the year thinking of the many dear friends and family that are also facing health issues. You know what they say - - Getting old taint for sissies - - Isn’t that the truth??

To all of our friends that celebrate during this season, Christmas or another holiday, we wish you all the same, a holiday full of family, fond memories and great food, celebrating your reasons, your beliefs.

Friday, March 4, 2016

Florence Bowen's Christmas Tree Decoration

I know, it is not the holiday season.

Sometimes ya just gotta blog it when the mood strikes.

This old holiday tree decoration belonged to my grandmother, Florence Ruth Dews Bowen. When you yearn for the olden days - -

Friday, December 25, 2015

Merry Christmas, Blessings to All.

Merry Christmas from Man, Winston and I to All!

*Photo from the James Island County Park Holiday Light Show, near Charleston South Carolina.

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Sunday, December 20, 2015

James Island County Park and the Holiday Light Show:: Rolling, Rolling, Keep Them Wheels a Rolling - Winter 2015-2016

While Man and I stayed at James Island County Park for a few nights just before Thanksgiving, we were delighted to find that their annual Christmas Light Show was open. As campers in the park we did not have to pay any additional fees to take in the show. We drove around the show twice one evening.

It's a great show, one of the best of this type we have seen.

Enjoy!!

We were impressed with the lights on the ground at many of the exhibits. The green lights were placed in definite rows, as crops may be. The windmill blades moved.

The rocking horse, rocked.

This tree had Spanish Moss lights.

This was a favorite for us.

Another example of creative ground lights.

Ho Ho Ho

Motion in this display as well, the tree dropped coconuts on the monkey. It was very cute.

We leave you with a reflection. Of course.

*There were some great displays hanging in the trees, but, I did not manage to get good photos. Oh, dear. A reason to return. Oh, dear! (Wink wink)

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Saturday, December 19, 2015

And, Hung the Stockings With Care: Rolling, Rolling, Keep Them Wheels a Rolling - Winter 2015-2016

The other night, I decorated Tana, then, realized I had not found the stocking hangers, nor hung the stockings. I went digging through Tana's storage areas, noting, when you reorganize all summer, adding, deleting, changing, well, it may be a bit difficult to remember where all the "hiding" places are. (Laugh with me, please.)

Found em!!

And, so, I hung the stockings with care.

*This photo brought to you by the new and improved Sony. Sony DSC-HX400V. From henceforth to be known as, Sony III. Not very original, but, other names suggested and considered did not strike me, and I kept coming back to III. So, there ya go. Now, all I have to do is figure out all the new "stuff" this model offers.

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Tana Dresses Up For the Holidays:: Rolling, Rolling, Keep Them Wheels a Rolling - Winter 2015-2016

We have settled in for the holidays. And Tana got on her decorations.

The "shelf" has a few decorations added to her normal "pretties":

These shelves in the kitchen area have plants and puppies.

The small "coffee" table, now sporting the special nativity scene and nutcrackers.

This little shelf by my desk is the perfect place for my holiday 5th wheel.

The new base cabinet gave me a great place to put a new and larger tree and some other holiday decorations:

Many of the decorations on the tree are handmade (by Moi):

I made so many of these little cross stitched ornaments. I have not been able to enjoy them for several years, so this year I brought them along, had no idea what to do with them. Found something. I have more, but, since we will be here less than 2 weeks decided to only do these few.