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Sunday, December 25, 2005

Christmas Newsletter 


We wish you twelve wonderful months in 2006!

“For a thousand years in Your sight are like a day that has just gone by…” PSALM 90:4

This year has gone by so fast it reminds us of the twelve days of Christmas; each month seemed like a day. Working hard, playing creatively, visiting with family, friends and colleagues—the months have simply peeled off the calendar.

Reminds us of the ladies in Bangalore who were working by candlelight, when Joy said, “Oh, its like Christmas in here” they responded “Yes, ma’am, we’ve been celebrating Christmas for three months now!”

For our Twelve Days of Christmas and what “my true love”—God and the Goddess—sent to us this year, we are grateful.

A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE~


Brizzie aka ‘Lord Brisbane Bear’ had a good day. He took two sessions of classes to become a Good Citizen, and he became a better citizen. He turned two years old in September, and is now a doggie teenager. He loves to surf in the ocean—at Santa Cruz or Carmel. He was happy to come along, in our new Tahoe, to visit Portland and Seattle. Natala claims visitation rights. He was sick on the Echo Lakes trip. Now he is happy to be taking two walks a day and umpteen treats, he chases our cats Tuvi and Angel now and then.

TWO TURTLE DOVES~

Bill and Joy took a short vacation to the Pacific Northwest this summer, driving to Seattle and down to Portland to visit with family. (Bill drove out to Dixie near Walla Walla to visit his son Dan and kids.) We took the ferry through the San Juan Islands and out to Victoria, Canada and then drove down and around the Olympic Peninsula. This temperate rain forest is alive with ospreys in their high nests, flickers fluttering their little wings and waterfalls rushing over the ancient moraine. But these are not the familiar tropical rain forests of India where an eight foot cobra might get your adrenalin flowing when it crosses the path you have beaten through the jungle, or a vandalized sandalwood tree might bring you to tears, bleeding its heavy perfume from torn limbs or tiger spore stop you in your path with a decision as to go forward or return to camp. This is a temperate rain forest and much more serene than Indian jungles. The National Forest Service, who Bill worked with for ten years, has gone before with interpretations and maps saying “You Are Here” everywhere. We were there.

THREE FRENCH HENS~

Joy worked 140% for most of the year at Evergreen Valley College Library (San Jose/Evergreen Community College District). In the spring, she taught as overload, a 3-unit class—Electronic Research and the Internet online using WebCT software, and also taught a 1-unit class, Internet Research Strategies. This past summer Joy taught while she traveled. She also took a 4-unit course on Typography and attended a virtual Cyber Teachers Institute. On the executive board of the national Asian Pacific American Library Association (APALA), she attended the American Library Association conferences in Boston and Chicago. She also attended the TechEd and Internet Librarian conferences in California. Joy served on hiring committees and is an Academic Senate rep. It is good to have three librarians on board now in the beautiful new library. Joy is now on Reduced Load, down to only 70%, and no more overloads! More time to write.

Joy celebrated her birthday with her Goddess group: Ingrid, Katrina, Antoinette, Virginia, Ginger, Patricia, Dagmar and Patty.

FOUR CALLING BIRDS~

Bill says he has four jobs—Jo (Mediterraneo); John (Hill Glazier, Assoc.); Carla (Bay Tree Design) and Steve (Spencer Assoc.). He designs houses, hotels and other structures. He has shown several digital collages at the Pacific Art League this year and is planning to work in large, abstract oils in the future. He is still rabid about watching the moon, stars and mars and won’t miss an eclipse through his ever growing collection of telescopes. His collection of cameras is also expanding, thanks to a newfound skill with EBay! Photo of Bill in Simi Valley, Los Angeles.

FIVE GOLDEN RINGS~

Our house now has five doors, one new one added in our expanded office. The house has been painted, inside and out and almost all the boxes of files, books and art have been unloaded and arranged, well, almost.

SIX GEESE A-LAYING~

Extended Family—
JOY: sister, Jenny, had surgery on her shoulder and is undergoing therapy now. Joy and Jenny, with their girls—Natala, Sheila, Jasmine and Joslyn got together at Echo Lakes. Joy’s mother, Isabel, will be 85 in February and a trip is planned to celebrate. Joy’s brother, Eric from NZ, spent a few weeks with us in August. Margo is doing great with her Victorian Teas. Jasmine, having lived with us for a year, took off on her world travels starting in China. Joslyn, Natala and Sheila, will be joining her for Christmas in Thailand.

BILL: Sadly, Aunt Hatsie (Polly’s sister) died, aged 86, and a beautiful Hawaiian-themed funeral was arranged at Castle Rock Beach near Santa Monica. Bill’s folks—Polly and Bill, have had ups and downs but are doing well now. Polly will turn 90 in September and we invite family to gather around in Mountain View to celebrate with us. Aunt Martha (Bill’s dad’s sister), is doing fine at 96.

It has been good to reconnect with Bill’s cousin, Linda. Betsey (Bill's sister) and Trilby, post surgery, are doing well in Arizona.

SEVEN SWANS A-SWIMMING~

FRIENDS: Genevieve turned eighty, congratulations! Kathy Dibble in Boston reconnected after nearly 40 years. Paul gave us thirty tropical plants when he moved. We want to remember those who passed on—Harry Hadges, Latha Madhavarao, and Margaret Goold (94). To our many friends, far and near, who stay in touch and think of us: Mizpah—May the Lord watch between me and thee, while we are absent from one another.

EIGHT MAIDS A-MILKING~

It takes a team to keep us going—Mai, Jose & Jose, Craig, Martine, Fernando, Medi, Julie, Marina Lighthouse (Feng Shui consultant), colleagues and more, you know who you are, merci!

NINE LADIES DANCING~

Sometimes we see double, triple or fipple (ok, that’s not a word)—Natala and Sheila have been super busy this year.

1. Natala works with MSN Search at Microsoft, lives in Seattle, and just completed the remodel of her home, adding a media room, extra bathroom and bedroom downstairs.

2. Sheila is Lead Assistant / Equipment Supervisor for the Sandbox Studio in San Francisco and is working on her thesis (MS in Photography) at Brooks. She sold an exquisite, framed photo at their art show in November.

TEN LORDS A-LEAPING~

Bill’s five kids plus spouses—that’s ten!

1. Amy, turning forty (gave a hundredth birthday party with her mother, Nancy) and traveled to Bali with Bryant to celebrate. Taylor is getting very proficient in French

2. Meta and David live in Portland and Washougal while David works in San Mateo. Caleb and Anna join David in his juggling show and Meta practices Eurythmy, with their Waldorf School

3. Dan and Amy with their three—Nuri, MisseyMoe (Imana) and Raika are out in eastern Washington on some acreage. Dan practices acupuncture and they grow vegetables.

4. Jeffrey and Robin with Hannah and baby Ryan moved to Aloha, a suburb of Portland from Corvallis. They brought their dog Hudson, too.(See picture with Brizzie.)


5. Jessica and Oli moved to Chicago with their three, Lauren, Alexa and Evan. We are sorry to note the passing of Oli’s grandmother, Edith Oppers, in Berlin. We visited Chicago in Oct.

ELEVEN PIPERS PIPING~

That’s eleven grandchildren, did you count?!






L-R, top to bottom--Imana, Hanna and Ryan, Nuri and Raika, Anna, Alexa, Lauren and...Evan, Taylor and Caleb.


TWELVE DRUMMERS DRUMMING~

After a quiet Christmas, Bill and Joy will fly out on Epiphany to New Zealand and Australia for a few weeks.

We wish you all a very happy Christmas and, la douceur de vivre, the sweet and good life. May you savor every day in 2006!

~AND A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE!

With love, hugs and kisses, Joy and Bill



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