SOON IT WILL BE THE END OF ANOTHER YEAR

LATE AFTERNOON'S TWILIGHT HAS MADE FOR OUR PARK'S VERY OWN GOLDEN POND

Christmas Days have become quiet days for us now in these latter years and both Kelly and I are quite alright with that.  However, Santa did drop off a little green squeaker toy for Pheebs.  With her hearing impaired, she couldn't hear it squeak but we did have ourselves a little game of squeak and catch.

 'NO MOM, THAT LITTLE GREEN GUY IS TOO SCARY FOR ME'

 'OKAY, I'LL GIVE HIM A SNIFF'

 'I'M TELLIN YA MOM HE'S JUST TOO SCARY'

 'OH COME ON PHEEBS, I'M JUST A FRIENDLY LITTLE LITTLE GREENY MCWEENIE'

 'WELL OKAY THEN GREENY, LET'S BE PALS'

With a faint touch of sunshine outside and almost a windless 40F Pheebs and I headed into Bayfield to make our usual rounds with the only difference being we stopped at the Bayfield Cemetery for a walk through the hardwood forest at the cemetery's east side.  I liked the rustle of leaves underfoot rather than the sound of crunching snow.  

 ENTRANCEWAY TO THE HARDWOOD FOREST

WE SAW A FURRY LITTLE GNOME SCURRY IN HERE

 'I KNOW HE'S IN THERE DAD'

HEADING BACK TO THE JEEP

 DRIVING HOME ON THIS SNOWLESS CHRISTMAS MORNING

We were home well before noon and I enjoyed the afternoon's sunshine beaming through our sunroom's windows.  With the low angle of the Sun on the horizon this time of year I tipped back in my recliner swathed in the warm and soothing rays of old Sol himself.  With my latest book securely in hand, I immersed my mind in the latest telling of mysterious true and fabled tales.

 WE HAVE A FRIENDLY LITTLE FRONT YARD BUNNY THAT LIKES TO SIT MOTIONLESS STARING AT OUR SUNROOM WINDOW.....I ALWAYS PUT OUT CORN AND BIRDSEED FOR HIM

It was about mid-afternoon when I put my book down, put my hat on, grabbed a camera, and out the door Pheebs and went for a walk over around the Park's pond and beyond.  I also put up a lamp post along the Fairy path at the southwest corner of our house,

 NICE AFTERNOON FOR A WALK AROUND THE PARK'S POND....I THINK WE GOT UP TO 50F OR MORE TODAY

 INSTEAD OF ICE AND SNOW ALONG THE POND'S EDGE, IT'S LOOKING MORE LIKE SPRING

A few days ago I finished a book called, The Unseen by Mike McClelland.  It's a work of fiction coming from an unusual man.  I wavered on choosing this book until I read the line, 'This is a work of fiction that could only be written by someone who deeply knows the reality of the phenomena'.  (Owls) It was a long riveting 12-hour read but the author had me hooked all the way through from start to finish.  My search for elusive answers continue.  

SHIMMERING REFLECTIONS

Soon, it will be the end of another year on our arduous journey through the decades.  I feel a tiredness at times now that differs from the tiredness of youth.  And, I am beginning to think it is knowingly okay.....................               

Al's Music Box:)) Winter Time is a song from Canadian composer, pianist, and vibraphonist Hagood Hardy's 1975 album 'The Homecoming'.  In 1976, based on the music in this album's collection, Hardy was named Composer of the Year at the annual Juno Awards.

GROANER'S CORNER:(( Things Not To Say During Childbirth

-- Gosh, you're lucky. I sure wish men could experience the miracle of childbirth.
-- Do you think the baby will come before Monday Night Football starts?
-- I hope you are ready. The Glamour Shot photographer will be here in fifteen minutes.
-- If you think this hurts, I should tell you about the time I twisted my ankle playing basketball.
-- That was the kids on the phone. Did you have anything planned for dinner?
-- When you lay on your back, you look like a python that swallowed a wild boar.
-- You don't need an epidural. Just relax and enjoy the moment.
-- This whole experience kind of reminds me of an episode from I Love Lucy.
-- Oops! Which cord was I supposed to cut?
-- Stop your swearing and just breathe.
-- Remember what we learned in Lamaze class! HEE HEE HOO HOO. You're not using the right words.
-- Your stomach still looks like there's another one in there

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Two inexperienced hunters are out in the woods, and after a while, they come upon some tracks.  "These are bear tracks!" the first hunter exclaims.  "No, idiot, they're deer tracks!" the second one retorts.  "No, moron ..."  And they go on like this for hours, until a train hits them.

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As we were putting out cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve, I accidentally dropped one. "No problem," I said, picking it up and dusting it off before placing it back on the plate.  "You can't do that," argued my four-year-old.  "Don't worry. Santa will never know."  He shot me a look. "So he knows if I've been bad or good, but he doesn't know you dropped a cookie on the floor?"

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