Red Sky in the Morning

Photo from my deck, and yes, it rained all day

Merry Christmas, We Are Back!

We are back! It has been a heck of a December. Mother fell out of her wheelchair in early December. After surgery to insert rods and screws to repair a broken hip and too short a recovery time in the hospital, she was released to a skilled care facility. We expect she will be there several more months.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Daddy came down with pneumonia and Carol with bronchitis. Both illnesses lingered for a couple of weeks so Leslie and I rotated visiting Mother and were careful to avoid Daddy and Carol. Everyone is healthy now...except Mother who is working hard to get back "on her feet."

December was otherwise low key for us. John and I enjoyed dinner with friends scattered though the month, including a memorable meal at Linderhof, where we indulged in a 4 hour food fest of assorted schnitzels, German cabbage, potato salad and lots of talk and laughter. Early in December, the doctor cleared John for all physical activity (remember the collar bone surgery) so we got out on our bikes. Now we are looking forward to January and our first backpack since August.

And somehow, among the fun and family issues, we managed to get ready for Christmas. Below are some pictures of Christmas Day including festivities at the skilled care facility and dinner at Leslie and Mike's house.

In the activities room of the skilled care facility (John is taking photos)

Cranberry glass necklace and earrings, a beautiful gift from Daddy

Wow! An iPod...just what I wanted!!

Carol wearing her new necklace from Daddy

Carol opening something

" Another shirt?" Daddy seems to be saying....

Leslie with a new Christmas ball compliments of Carol's talents

Mother and me

"Another blouse?" Mother seems to be saying....

Leslie and Mike's house, decked out for the holidays

Christmas dinner-lamb, potatoes, salad and squash, yummy!

Mike and Leslie

Two very tired people!