dughlas

Greetings to you both.

Greetings Albert. Thank you for your pictorial travelogues. Today's picture from Namibia was lovely.

Ugh, my head aches. The day started with a mild cold front having pushed through. That was fine as it brought more seasonal weather. However, the front is now moving back to the north bringing much more humid air with it. While the temp is a seasonal 60/15° the humidity is 96%. I first felt the change near the end of worship service, by the time we finished brunch the whole left side of my head felt swollen and achy. Now I'm dressed in a long sleeve tee and pj bottoms trying to relax in hopes the migraine doesn't worsen. Blessed be my brothers and sisters. Rest easy Marty Cooke wherever you may be, you are greatly missed.

It's adorable.

I'm sorry to hear about the kitten.

Hi Page. How is Sneakers? Do he and Max get along well?

Greetings Albert. Hope you and Steve are well.

Hi Terry. I've noticed you popping up in various places. Glad you like my comments. Look forward to interacting more as time goes on.

That was cheery and fun. Oh, and Ed wiggling his bum in his little elf shorts was cute.

Hi Terry.

Well damn ... already introduced or yet to come?

This chapter was a joy excepting one or two bits. I'll just pass the bigots by because they don't deserve anymore mention. Felicity's situation though seems even more dire then first portrayed. I thought at first mention it was simply a loveless marriage but now grow ever more fearful for her physical safety. Will she receive the help she so obviously needs before something horrible happens? I must admit it makes me uncomfortable.

You should know by now you're readers--I was gonna say most devoted but that seemed a slight to those folks who've joined us further along in the journey--have evolved right along with you and while we appreciate your current efforts, remember with fond nostalgia your earlier ones. So while some yearn for bigger and longer we all truly admire what you achieve with what you currently offer. I'm pretty certain that somewhere in there I offered up a compliment and an attaboy.

Good. I like him and was fretting a bit about what harm might befall him in the course of duty. Oh and yes, he can take me out on a date just as soon as Calum is finished with him. I figure he'll be ready for someone calmer and more mature.

A chapter of continued settling in and connecting with potential friends. That damned precognition has me pleased that CJ is going to become tight with at least some of the Marine contingent. I know it's not gonna keep him safe but it might just bring him home sooner. Calum is hysterical, and now everyone knows what that upper body looks like. CJ & Owen's parenting style is much like mine was. I took my son along on most outings. He learned early how to interact with others, regardless of age. I was a very involved dad. I like watching the guys with Liebe, though I had less trouble controlling my vocabulary than CJ does. She is strongly self confident in the safety provided by her dads and their friends as is obvious from her willingness to approach strangers. She's a joy. More please, ... a week, an entire week ... awwww man.

If I remember correctly today is someone's birthday ... HAPPY BIRTHDAY GARY!

That's a good basic recipe. Chocolate chip cookies will be minus a slightly richer flavor and color that brown sugar provides.

They're pretty.

There will be another, but not for a while, maybe in 9-12 months. Thistle was exceptional and the next isn't going to be him. It wouldn't be fair to a pup right now. The tendency to compare, while unintentional would still exist.

Does he have a favorite ... please, not the gingerbread men.

Mum and I did some baking. We made two kinds of cookies, sour cream cookies and M&M cookies. Those are favorites with my kids so we'll pack 4 dozen of each and ship them north. Plan to do more baking tomorrow.

Who's Walnuts and when did you start baking together?

They look tasty. Mum and I haven't started our baking yet. Hopefully today. She doesn't seem to have the energy, says she wakes up as tired as when she went to sleep. I worry, she's 86. I know she misses Thistle too. I'm very glad she had come north this fall for a visit. It allowed her to spend time with him.

Thank you both. In time the hurt will lessen. I hung his Christmas stocking. The Monday before he passed we stopped at the pet store to buy food and they we're stocking the Christmas themed toys. Mum bought him a new stuffed penguin toy. I'll put it in the stocking. Like most of his other things I'll pack it away for the new pup. Mum's cousin sent a photo of he and I together that she took when we visited together the week before. I want to have it printed to frame and give to mum at Christmas. I'll print a copy for myself too.

I'm well enough thank you. Struggling a bit with migraine and depression, I'm missing my little guy. It's difficult because he was so intertwined in my life. There nothing I do that he wasn't part of so there's an empty hole where he should be. Also, mum just doesn't have the energy to do the things we've done together in the past. Wierd as it may sound what I would really like is to take a walk in the snow. Not likely since we're forecast to see above normal temps for the next few days.