Sometime in late December, 2003, way after this letter should

have been mailed, John writes:

This year we got an early start on our Christmas shopping (before 12/24) and

holiday greetings (before July 4^thof the following year). It did  involve

considerable pain for me, e.g. trolling for half an hour  to find a parking

space, listening to that awful holiday Musak the stores inflict on their

patrons. Bonnie even made me go to the mall, Twice!! (I’d rather have

a root canal). I keep telling her that if you can’t find it at Sam’s Club

or Best Buy, you probably don’t need it. Being able to pick out my own

present made it a little better. I got a scanner, thus the enclosed photos.

 The News:

First the big news:

Chemical Company. He was back for a two week furlough, but had to return December

17^th. While he was here, he gave Sara the diamond ring to made it official. John and I are still

negotiating the dowry (2 oxen and 25 goats with possible substitution of 2 donkeys for one of the

oxen). Even though he is stealing our precious daughter away from us, we have to admit that he is

a very fine young man. If Sara loves him, then he is very special, and we do too. We are praying he

will be safe until next spring when the 323^rd is slated to return to the US. Sara is working as

 a residential counselor with troubled youth at a non-profit social services agency. The wedding will

be next July 23^rd. They will move to Montana where both are planning to attend graduate school

next fall. Last minute update: Sara has a new roommate, Baxter (a Shih Tzu), see photo below.

Other news:

 There’s not too much new or very interesting with us. Old Whatshername and I are still married (a

couple years shy of 40). We are both in pretty good health considering our “advanced” age. Halloween

marked 30 years in this house; although some things aren’t unpacked yet and there’s still a lot of

finishing work to do on the house, we have high hopes to be settled in very soon. We still enjoy all

kinds) of music, especially live performances. One of our most enjoyable this year was South Dakota

Acoustic Christmas, not only for the music but because Sara, John B., his mother Jeanie,

my sister Kris, and her husband Pat were with us.

slump over the microscope and wouldn’t stir when they yelled “wake up John; it’s time to go home”.

But now I’m thinking that I may retire when it stops being fun. I'm still riding my bicycles

whenever I can.  I only need to ride about 6000 miles more next year to get

my weight down to an acceptable level (fat chance).  I do most of my riding

on a recumbent bike but recently I added a recumbent trike to the collection.

The trike is for winter riding (under the theory that a three wheeler is harder

to crash on icy bike trails). We’ll see if the theory holds up. Every day is new

adventure.

she is a case manager working with severely, persistently mentally

ill clients. Bonnie stays very busy with her work when she ever gets any free

time she likes to read.

We were saddened in December at the loss of my cousin Joanie to breast cancer, but it is

comforting to know that she is no longer suffering. It was good to visit with the cousins, aunts

and relatives at the church in Canton. We are hoping the cousins can get together next year.

Here’s hoping all of you are well, that you had a blessed Christmas with friends and family,

and that you have a peaceful, healthy, happy and prosperous new year.

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This site was last updated 12/30/03