It was so unseasonably warm yesterday morning (Nov 24), I thought I had hibernated and slept through Winter. Gorgeous tiny pink, gray and white clouds with curly edges slowly floating over the branches from the west, over the house towards the rising sun - could have been any summer day. A lovely dawn with only a month to go for Christmas.

These days a month goes like an hour so I'd better get going on my cards, shopping, etc. 2014 is my first full year out of the hospital and it has been totally grand. This time last year I was in surgery/recovery until two weeks before the holiday.

I haven't written much in a while - sometimes I have to - sometimes it just happens. My days are full of joy & wonder at the smallest things - I am very grateful.

I've been seeing a dear long lost friend and her sparky pup on a weekly basis and it has definitely lifted my heart even more. Things are nice - lots of smiles & laughs and most important - communication. It is a good time.

Ubuntu is in remission for the season while our director is Wintering (I love gerunds) in Fl. (Where do you Winter?). A passel of hardcore singers are planning a trip down south to join them in Feb. I heard it was great last year.

My job precludes the trip. It's OK. I sing with the local die-hards. 4 of us stalwarts met last week. Luckily, we had 1 representative from each corner (Katharine Soprano, Arthur covering Tenor, Sandi was our Alto and I attempted Baritone).

It was fine as can be and left us with that happy glow. Sometimes the harmonies are way more distinct and sharp with fewer people singing. We're skipping this Wed. for the ThanksGiving holiday but getting back together the following week.

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Well, that (fine day) was then and this is now. It's the 25th (1 month to go!!) and chilly and gray this morning. No blue showing through, no floaty little clouds with ragged edges - today - it is the rolling bumpy underside of a thick solid gray comforter a hundred miles in each direction.

I've been up in jet planes and I know it's a gorgeous brilliantly sunny day up there above the blanket but there's no clue down here this a.m.

It's OK and it's a wonder to see but it ain't as paradisiacal (a real word - I checked) as yesterday. I finished yesterday evening chatting over a beer with my proxy son Tanner.

We were outside on my deck (where I live as much as I can) marveling at the respite - certainly the last warm eve of the year, while his remarkable little Boston Terrier - Alle - made sure her favorite spots at my place had not changed too much. (She also sampled the Raccoon Chow on the deck rail). A lovely evening.

Since this is just a note with no particular direction, I’ll comment on how my i-phone - (has the world changed in a few years? Will it continue to change at an unfathomable rate? Hell Yes!) - camera has lent me to visually capture more moments.

I have mixed feelings on this. To max enjoy the moment you give it your entire attention. When you photograph it - a portion of you is not watching/absorbing but working (the cam). hmmmm

Perhaps the repeated enjoyment of the memory is worth the tradeoff. Anyhow here's a few of the photos I just unloaded from my pocket to the PC.

Only a few - I'll try not to bore you. (much).
Click each photo for the full print.

#1 Close-up of an Oregano Seed stalk

These guys are potted volunteers from last year. I thot they died in the pot but came back "with vigah" in the the spring.

Two flower stalks grew on very long stems (I guess the green logic is to leave seeds as far from the mother plant as possible).

I intend to harvest the very tiny seeds and plant this spring. I've clipped the dried flowers since this photo and put em in a baggie.

Fresh Oregano is the Cat's Pajamas!. Tastes great (with a tiny pepper burn). Also very healthy for you. Guess I'm a plant guy too.


#2 At the Left Hand of Chris

This is my left hand office desk. Sinister. Terribly revealing in its minutia (who cares?).

Left to right - My spare PC with desktop photo of Ubuntu angels Pamela & Katharine (I love them both!!),

Behind the monitor, a B&W Camille sketch, a Tulsi plant, Source CD's, general photos of Malyka, Paris, Ubuntu, RockFish and my Putti.


The weird thing is a flat rock on a round rock - don't ask - I donno.

The tiny painting is from Russia with love - #1 son Ben brought that to me from his exchange student days.

The magnifying glass hides behind McDonald's cup. I use it more and more each day. Work is good. It is a comfortable functional mess.



OK Just 2 more.

A short one for color's sake.

This is the last hurrah of my purple Butterfly Bush (George W.) off the deck with that red tree in the background. Yes, those are led holiday lights upper right - I put last year's outside.




And this last one is of a local resident I call "Tits" for obvious reasons. (click the photo)

She was much more in lactation (4 Hollywood grade bumps) a few days before this shot and I heard significant squirrel racket one recent morning so I presume she is now a working mom.

She is pretty brave. I put a little beer in the water to fortify a bit. I hope the nourishment gets through to the kids - it might be a tuff winter. I keep feeding the locals all season.

That's about it for this note.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Christmas Holiday letter to come.

(BTW - the weather turned Sunny Blue by lunchtime!!) (Yay!)

Bless you and keep giving thanx, it is sooo good for your health.



Big Love to All of You!