FAQ #5: Did you send a long, boring Holiday Greeting?

StarDate: 348/366.1996

To: Fellow Earthlings of my acquaintance

Greetings. Writing about seven in the morning. Sky dark. Mette, still snoozing, unaware we've had our first snow. She's also unaware I've not written my "Holiday96 Note" and expects copy real soon after awaking. (She's been "on my case" for a couple of days now . . . having a short stack of completed envelopes, awaiting only my note.)

So, conjuring mental image of telegraph operator, I aim to squeeze out two years of info (since Holiday95 Note remains unfinished) . . . before she wakes:

"Big news" in Holiday94 was that I quit smoking. The really big news for Holiday95 was that Mette and I got married (26 Mar 95) . . . appropriate gifts or donations may be sent to the World Wildlife Fund (or, if you must,to us in Denmark).

Another 95 happening was a couple of months in Turkey, Greece and on the waters in between. Jonathan (my baby) flew to Turkey in May and we helped a couple of Danish friends refurbish an almost fifty foot sailboat (sleeps 10 in charter) prior to a sailing her to Denmark. Well, to shorten story, we "jumped ship" in Athens in July 'cause it was obvious it was gonna take a LOT longer than expected. Ship anchored in Athens over a month for "technical difficulties" and arrived Denmark, mid-September . . .

Rest of 95 consumed with work on "this old house". The outside had been painted with cheap latex paint which was killing the house (Said experts: "house must breathe" . . . hmmm, I didn't know it had a diaphragm). Anyway, Mette had the bricks sandblasted while I was sailing, then (with lots of help) we covered the outside with a very thin layer of cement . . . which the 'experts' assure me is correct to let a house 'breathe' AND keep water out of the walls. I will NOT argue.

While I did that, Miss Mette was sittin' on her fat lazy . . .wait . . . that is NOT how it was. While I was doing the cement thing Mette was VERY busy lying in the sun . . . wait . . . that's not right either. Actually, she worked a lot more than me and was rewarded with a great looking yard, and freshly painted windows and doors . . . and other stuff, MUCH too numerous to mention (I get tired just thinking about it).

Rewarding her efforts at suntanning without really trying (just kidding . . . she worked hard at it) we took two weeks on the Greek island of Corfu, as honeymoon. We had (of course) a great time. Hope to go again. However, while there we took a quick excursion to Albania, and can attest that many years of Communist rule was not kind to people, or land. (We saw olive groves in which most had been used for fuel . . . since no other was available for home heat. And, sadly, the district depended on the groves to remain economically viable.)

Other big news of 95 was the blessed event in September (just after honeymoon): We had a puppy! Molly, a yellow Labrador Retriever female allows us to live in her home. Need I say more?

Big news of 96 is that I'm STILL a non-smoker. If you smoke: Spend a second remembering how much I smoked, and how weak willed I am, and realize you CAN quit too. If you want my secrets of success, just let me know.

Other 96 news is that I turned 50 and Mette 40 (hmmm, or did she say 39?) Anyway, we had a joint 90 Year Birthday Party in a backyard tent. (For my American friends I need to explain we hosted a "sitdown" dinner served with lots of smiles and toasts . . . lasting into the wee hours . . .)

Rest of 96 consumed with work on "this old house". Hmmm, am I repeating myself? No, this rebuilding project may go on for another lifetime, or two . . . or so it seems. Actually, we have made great progress all around the house, up and down, inside and out . . . and made superior progress at emptying two saving accounts (did I mention that wedding gifts could be in the form of cash?).

November 96 consisted in much needed short visit to USA for renewed hugs from David (oldest son), Jonathan, mom, sister and family, and assorted friends . . . I love and miss them all, almost enough to move back, but not quite . . .

Okay, enough already . . . now I turn to why I began this: I wish the very best and most merry and Happy Holidays to you all . . . I wish that 97 brings you (and all Earthlings in your acquaintance) the most peaceful, happy and joyful year ever.

Love and peace for you . . .

DenverD