Day Three Hundred Forty 2011

"We are each gifted in a unique and important way. It is our privilege and our adventure to discover our own special light."  ~Mary Dunbar

(picture taken 11.17.11 cell phone camera)

Day Three Hundred Thirty Nine 2011

A three-day-old Krispy Kreme doughnut and a glass of cold milk—comfort snack on a soggy Monday afternoon. Busy day winding down. Still raining. I may need some more comfort before this day ends.

Day Three Hundred Thirty Eight 2011

Neil and I used to decorate the front of the house like this each Christmas. Then the bushes grew up and hid the porch rail, so we quit hanging the garland. Two summers ago, we finally got rid of all those huge bushes. Yesterday, Neil dug out the garland and bows (that date back to the eighties) from their exile in the far reaches of the attic and voila! Aren’t we festive.

Day Three Hundred Thirty Seven 2011

My Aunt Joy Brown turns 97 on December 4. She celebrated this evening at the party her friend Jo has been throwing in her honor for many years now. It seems like half the town comes to celebrate with her, but her favorite guests by far are her two sons (and one of her grandsons this year), who come all the way from California and Texas. We have a great meal at Helen’s Restaurant, then Aunt Joy is regaled with songs and poems written just for her. Then she gets up and entertains us, belting out songs while she jams on the keyboard. And then she tap dances (while holding onto a chair for some support). You have to see it to believe it. I only hope I’m still alive at the age of 97. Happy Birthday, Aunt Joy! Like I always say, I want to be just like you when I grow up!

Day Three Hundred Thirty Six 2011

Hello, Knox! Welcome to the world! He arrived at 4:08 A.M., and weighted 7 pounds and 15 ounces. He has lots of dark hair and the cutest dimples. In the first pictures, he’s wearing a Santa hat one of the OB nurses knitted. Mom and Dad and grandparents are thrilled to have this little guy in our lives. He’s cute as a bug and looks a lot like his mom when she was born. Mom and child are doing well. What a blessing!