Major issues

Christmas at our place with John and Cynthia. ********************** A lot is happening. Ellen's son, Paul, is going through a hard time, a combination of unbelievable pressure at work and major health issues. So Ellen has daily phone conversations with him. I am preparing a Bible study on "The Jews" in the Gospel of John, a notoriously fraught subject, but also a very important one. That is keeping me on my toes for sure. Meanwhile, there was the New Year's Eve concert. There was a BIG conflict that evening: Our longstanding favorite concert with the Amidon family and Keith and Becky - can't miss that - but also Tamar singing a solo with the a cappella group "The Northamptones," at the Academy of Music in Northampton. Can't miss that either! So Ellen went south to Tamar and John picked me up to go to the Amidons. BUT, Ellen ran into pea-soup fog in Massachusetts and had to turn around! So she missed Tamar but got back in time for the Amidons. We had some fog but nothing like MA had. Yesterday, a lovely, unseasonably warm day, we went to Shutesbury and watched a broadcast of the "Midwinter Revels" with K,S, and B. A great show based on Ellis Island, circa 1920's, featuring Ashkanazik Jewish, Irish and Mexican music. And last week we had TWO Christmases with John and Cynthia - we talked so much we never got around to presents at the first one! Plus, I got a COVID booster shot, had a dental appointment for cleaning and a trip to Keene to see the pulmonologist. So - not gathering much moss!

Christmas at J&C's. ************************************* Below: Becky, Mary Alice, Peter, Zara, Keith, Stefan and Desmond at the Amidon concert: