Pat was in Palm Springs last week and it was rainy and cool.
Elena has been enjoying family and friendship gatherings.
Danny just got back from Alberta where he was hiking, drove almost 11 hours to a cold city, with ice bubbles. He took photographs along the Saskatchewan river where the wind chill feels like about -50˚. He’ll send some of his photos. Next week he leaves on a dental mission to Manila, buying equipment and supplies. Then he is going to Japan and Korea for a break.
Jeanette was vacationing with her mom and family, but came back to chaos at YVR, and had to throw out her food that she bought back.
Marg had a great holiday, and was happy to be snow bound. She went to Van Dusen gardens for the last light show and ran into Sandra. She is spending lots of time in hospital visiting friends.
Larry was too busy during Christmas and he wants to go away next year. He is seeing many people every day at work and is working 10-12 hours each day.
Sam had busy holiday season and he went for Chinese food on Christmas day. Max was invited to a Jewish meal. The dream cake was done and was successful. Tylor sent an email about Christmas in Japan, which is a couples holiday and romantic, where they eat KFC and fruitcakes.
Peter was going to Tulameen, but cancelled and had Christmas dinner at home which was excellent. They went through the old super 8 films and watched old movies about the kids when they were young. Marg says the Brighouse library will convert to DVDs for free. Good tip!
Sandra had a visit with Meghan’s parents from Cape town. They had never seen snow and were happy to shovel the driveway and did the polar bear swim in the pool.
Michael was busy with work during the festive season. But he had time for a photo shoot with tacky pjs, including mom. They bought 5 slides for the snow and had an awesome time. He is going to California in two weeks to see family.
Bob had a quiet time, coaching his brother with personal challenges.
John had a great Christmas, then went to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl which was over the top, including parade and flowers, organic floats, marching bands - never underestimate the Americans. He is leaving for Jordan and Egypt tomorrow.
Gordon recalls the stadium near his house in Glasgow with 120 000 people cheering – much better than the Rose Bowl and reminds us that there is a Rotary float every year in the Rose Bowl parade, with our president sitting on it. The New Year tradition in Scotland is that the first person to enter the house in the New Year should be tall, dark and handsome and should bring a bottle of scotch and a lump of coal so that there will always be a warm fire and something to drink. But he got a call from the hospital, and had a colonoscopy on New Year’s Eve!
Mary Lou will be away in Miami on the jazz cruise next week. She had a great Christmas with 3 yr old Oscar who was into everything and loved the snow. There is a girls’ weekend with Lindsay coming up - in a spa in Winnipeg.
Chris M. is heart-broken for Dalbir and Debbie’s families. She lost two other close people this week. Olivia and Matt’s wedding was magical, a real love fest. They celebrated Canadian Japanese New Year’s Day and feasted on so much sushi, chow mein, teriyaki chicken and salmon. She will be working downtown this week as the front desk administrator of a Naturopathic clinic. Max is moving in to her household on Saturday and will be coming to the French epiphany gâteau des rois on Sunday.
Bobby’s family was snowed in for travelling so they had quiet family time for Christmas. They went to Whistler for New Year’s Eve but the restaurants had set menus for $250 so they settled for a $60 pizza and coke for dinner.
Debbie S. had both offspring at home and made a Christmas tree out of fruit, cheese and pretzel sticks, outdoing Sam. Her birthday present was a treadmill, to allow her to train for spring races.
Carolyn had no voice, but it is coming back, as she had the RSV virus over Christmas. After Christmas the family went to Victoria. She says 2023 will be a year for recovery and working on good health.
Melinda’s grandchildren also shared their colds with her and John, although she was very busy with work throughout Christmas. She sends her heartfelt condolences to Debbie and Dalbir and to Kal for recovery. She has had losses lately, including an employee, John’s cousin and another dear friend in Terrace – she will fly up to see him. They are going to Hawaii and Bob will take over the meetings. Be kind to him. Willow turned 5 and had her ears pierced and wanted big bling. Hopefully 2023 is upward and we need to love your people. Never miss the chance to say "I love you".
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