CHRISTMAS CHEER FROM THE HIGH COUNTRY
The white of a white Christmas arrived in Flagstaff a couple of weeks ahead of time by means of a blizzard with several feet of snow and white-outs. We had a great time sitting beside the fireplace with Roxie as the winds howled outside. Now, we hear that the Republican state senators in Phoenix are going to cut even more funds from snow removal budgets, but, Republican mischief aside, the countryside is beautiful, a picture postcard fairyland.
Happily, we have several neighbors with snow blowers who remove the snow from our driveway, wanting to prevent Dana from having a heart attack although he had a glowing report after his annual checkup at the VA Clinic in Bellemont and also from his cardiologist. The physician said, "It is so nice to see someone in such good health." We supply our neighbors with home-grown tomatoes during the summer, taking them to an occasional fancy brunch as well, and they remove snow in the winter.
Gretchen has had several successful shows for her Raku jewelry and is selling it at boutiques in Flagstaff and Sedona. It is as though she has re-invented herself as an artist after years as a flight attendant for TWA and a saleswoman. Her success has not only been artistic but financial, too. She is expanding her interests to work in bronze and copper precious metal clay.
Dana continues to work as the editor and writer for the Master Garden Column in the Arizona Daily Sun and is working on three writing projects, clinical hypnosis in the exploration of dreams, a practical theological guide, and poetry. Gretchen is very active in Soroptomists, thoroughly enjoying herself in community projects.
We had a great Thanksgiving with the family in Redondo Beach. Everyone is well. Elizabeth is a fine cook. Michael, her husband, is a gracious host. Dana Marie is in her final year of law school and will be an "extern" for California's Court of Appeal. Tim is preparing to retire from LA County's Fire Department, and Paul is still body surfing. Everyone is gainfully employed and prospering, and no one is in rehab or jail.
In our apocalyptic times the abiding sense of God's grace in the infant Jesus gives us a sense of stability and triumph. We hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. As we get older, we enjoy life more and more. We hope you all Hang in There!
P.S. Roxie is a joy and is well, her pink nose glows in the cold.
Gretchen and Dana, Christmas 2009.
