The Pond

I always try to get a few good photos when I go down to the lake.

1st Lake Day

How the hell is it possible that today is the FIRST day I've been down to the lake all year?

It was so nice to be there, I forgot to smile.

I brought 3 of each, but only had 2 of the Summer of Lager.

I had planned on swimming, but Sarah had the girls and 4 of their friends over,
so I read instead.

Territory

Spider, the outdoor cat, taunting Chumble by pacing back and forth in front of the window:

"Yeah, you'd BETTER stay off my lawn!"

The Visitors

I have chipmunks living under my stoop:

Winter Storm: Juno

A couple of photos taken at 8:30 am

of Winter Storm Juno:

Door imprint!

Yeah, that's right: 2 FEET of snow so far.

X-Mas Deco

Sunset

I went down to the lake today from 6 pm to 8 pm.

Christmas Eve & Day 2014

Eve: I arrived at 4 pm, and Ma had laid out an array of cold cuts, cheese & crackers, veggie plates and desserts for the impending family gathering that included everyone except Jason's California branch. I watched "Around the Horn" with Dad, Kevin & Jon; people ate at their convenience; I hung out with the kids in the back room; and we exchanged gifts from around 6:30 - 7:00.

I gave Kevin's boys Legos (plus "O.M.A.C." to Jared and a large-size Lego Stormtrooper flashlight to Drew); I gave Jackie & Helena & Georgia 100-page sketch books and special thin colored pens; I gave Celia pens and 3 canvases; and I gave Hayden a year's subscription to Surfing Magazine, plus a cool skull-shaped bottle.

I received the following from Dad & Ma:

• $50 AMEX card.
• All-natural Mexican candy canes.
• A 4-pack of Peet's coffee (8 oz. grounds). So far the Holiday Blend is good, the Garuda Blend is very good, and the Uzuri African Blend is okay.
• $45 GC to That's Entertainment.
• $25 GC to Barnes & Noble.
• $15 GC to McDonald's.
• A book about houses from Yankee Magazine.
• A handheld sliding game.

Also, I got a little tree from "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and fifteen $2 scratch tickets from Kevin & Holly (net winnings: $12); $30 from Sarah & Jon; and a $50 Visa card from Jean Marie.

As usual, the evening flew by far too quickly. I stayed until around 9:30, and left at the same time as Sarah's branch.

Day: I spent today drawing, watching television, reading, and playing Lego Marvel Super Heroes on my PS3. I was going to go to Sarah's (along with Dad & Ma) for the afternoon, but I was enjoying the quiet (not to mention the coffee and candy canes!), and didn't feel like going anywhere.

Paper Manchu

Christmas Eve

Last night while my family was having dinner at my parents' house we all went outside to see the full moon with an amazing halo around it. My photo does not do it justice:

12-12-12

The incomparable Mister Ween (still going unbelieveably strong at 17)!:

Great Afteroon

I spent a few hours (4:30 - 7 pm) down at the lake today. I drew, read, swam/floated, listened to music (Almanac Mountain and Eastern Sun), and took a lot of pictures. It was awesome.

Eye See You...