55: New Year's Eve Chess Match

Caribou coffee with Liam and Caitrin. How are they concentrating with all those distractions?

54: Breaking the ice

Sharon Woods as the ice melts.

53: Old Regular

They're widening Tylersville Road. I can't tell if this church will survive the construction, so I captured this sign because it was literally the first thing I remember about living in West Chester. When I drove by it, I thought, "Toto, we're not in California any more."

Just what strain of Protestant Scriptural interpretation led to these words: "Old" (as opposed to the "Young Regular Baptists"), "Regular" (as opposed to the "Poor Attendance Baptists"), "of Jesus Christ" ('cause he went there)? And it's just hard to picture semitic Jewish Jesus being an "old regular Baptist..."

Classic church sign in this previously farming community, now taken over by white upper middle class P&G employees. I do love it.

52: Desperate

to finish the Arrow in time for the New Year. Notice that my Facebook is open while I work. Perhaps that is the problem, eh?

51: The two shall become one

My fiftieth Christmas and my second Solstice. I never knew I'd be able to say that this was the best holiday of my life, to date. Exceeded my expectations and fulfilled a deep place in me. Thankful that new beginnings are possible and that both old and new holidays can provide the right mix of sentiment and imagination. Candles are out, but the memories linger.

50: The best night of the year: Solstice!

We celebrated Solstice on the 26th in order to make sure all the kids could participate. The young woman next to Jacob is his best friend, Jano. We exchanged handmade gifts, decorated cupcakes, made candles and tossed regrets and wishes into a fire. The most meaningful event of our year, we all agreed.

49: A Quiet Christmas

Spent part of my first "Christmas sans kids" with this sweet man.

48: Anticipation

My favorite wrapping paper and snowflake ribbon.

47: How my family spends time together

Even Caitrin has her netbook open. They're all playing snakes while watching The Daily Show. Nice having the college kids home.

46: A Trio of Musketeers

Though I am the only Xavier Muskie, we are (according to Joules) her musketeers. Best Christmas Lunch Ever at Trio's.

45: Holiday shopping does that to you

44: Color burst

Feeling under the weather today, so I'm hijacking this photo for my "photo-of-the-day" because I can. It makes me happy.

43: Sweet deal

First cookie exchange with new friends, sharing my Grandmother Eva's Butter Horns. Yummy.

42: Focus

Grading by the light of the Christmas tree... when finished, I can finally give in to the season. 

Note the bokeh! So proud.

41: Huzzah!

Fun dinner meeting Johannah's new guy. He brought me sunflowers!

40: Safe inside

It's a delicious experience to wake to a snow storm and know I have no plans to go out the entire day.

39: Angel I heard on high

Joyous holiday concert. Caitrin's in the second row from the bottom, fourth in from the left (the brunette bangs). 

38: Home for the holidays

Red (hair) and green (tree). So Christmasy! Tree decorating included Johannah, home from OSU, and Noah and Amanda, up from Clifton.

37: Ski Season Begins!

Snow day for school, ski day for us! Perfect North: temps in the teens.

36: The Mad Potter

Did me a world of good to paint holiday ceramics with my divorced friends. A chance to feel normal, which is important once in awhile.

Note: Nancy's fabulous Hello Kitty on her pencil jar. She's talented!