David Frazer

Bob, I baited you and no response yet? Did the cat get your tongue (where did that expression come from)? December is almost half over. Christmas Blessings on all my classmates!

Steven Bilderback

Did the cat get your tongue comes from the Middle Ages when liars and blasphemers had their whole tongues cut out and then fed to the king’s cats.
(you asked)
 

Steven Kaufhold

Robert Ayre

Steve Hardy

Happy Winter Solstice!  After tonight, the days will start to grow longer!  Okay, I admit it, my life must not be very exciting if I engage in activities such as noting the season changes.

Steven Bilderback

It's not until January 21st when the average tempeture starts rising.
We're almost there. 😎

David Frazer

To help those with seasonal depression; I would have in the Church bulletin the increase of daylight to encourage (and have some encouraging scriptures in the bulletin and the hand out of the times).. I always thought it was the same day; but one year it was..... and then as you all know, it is decieving because it actually continues to get darker on one end but the lighter side makes the overall daylight seconds more, then.... and so, I do enjoy the daylight. This year it doesn't seem to matter for us northerners because of the nice, warm weather. The question is, Do any of you southerners care about winter solstice?

David Frazer

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all! Blessings in the Savior name!   For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord  And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:    “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:11-14, New King James Version)

Douglas Kladis

  Dave nothing beats the old King James Luke chapter 2 the most beautiful story ever                                                     .                     Hope you and your family had a merry Christmas and may the new year bring you many blessings 

Steve Hardy

I just got word that Jim Gaumitz passed away in 2016.  I posted his obituary in the "In Memory" page.  I remember him as a great guy with a very friendly and cheerful disposition.  In the obituary, it is said that he was a scoutmaster.  Not surprising, as he seemed to be very much a "people person."

A special thanks to Christopher Stickney for letting us know of Jim's passing.

Steven Bilderback

Happy New year to one and all! 🥳

Let the new you bring you health and and all things that bring you joy. 

David Frazer

Hey Doug. The Old King James has some poetry and uniqueness; but the New King James is easier to read. I have been using the Hebrew Old Testament and Greek New Testament for my devotions and using to follow the Pastor's sermon at Church. One old timer said, "The best version of the Bible is the one that is read." My question is, "How are you northerners enjoying this unseemingly winter?"

David Frazer

Thanks for posting Jim's notice. I last saw Jim (I think) in the 90's and he told me he was a probation officer. I can't remember the circumstances of meeting; but, Jim was always a great guy and open in conversation..

David Frazer

Wow! Here it is January 14th in Wisconsin and we finally have a colder winter. They say 15 degrees in Dallas. What is your Temperature?

Diane Klug (Gunter)

Steve Hardy

Here in northern Alabama, I stepped out of my front door, braving the elements, to capture this photo of our great blizzard of the season.  The precipitation has passed for the most part, but some of the schools in the area will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday as the snow will remain and temps will drop into the single digits.  And y'all thought things were tough in Minnesota!

Steven Kaufhold

Steve Hardy

Steve,

Perhaps the kids can build snowmen large enough for their Pollie Pockets and small toy soldiers.

David Frazer

53 degrees sounds warm; but if I remember right the humidity made things feel cold. Am I remembering right, Diane? Steve the snow looks awesome. Our first Christmas at Fort Stewart, Georgia, we woke up to snow.. Drove to Sue's parents in Thomasville. Even though the same amount you have, Steve, there were cars in the "ditch" and a lot longer drive. Steve Kaufman, you didn't say what the weather was in Cottage Grove. I would think a couple of degrees warmer.

Steven Kaufhold

Hey Dave, in Cottage Grove we got maybe an inch.. the snow keeps missing us..

but, boy-oh-boy, we haven't missed out on the below zero stuff.. hope you all are well

Steve Hardy

Update on our blizzard:

The trash and recycling pickup has been cancelled for this week.  Actually, with the ice covering very narrow residentual streets, I would be nervous about driving a garbage truck as well.  The ditches are shallow along the streets, but the ice is just enough to require a tow truck to rescue any vehicle that slides off the road.

Tom Birkholm

Low70's and sunny pool side in Palm Springs!

David Frazer

Thanks Tom! You do know you stand out like a sore thumb...70 degrees.

Steve Hardy

Mail delivery was resumed yesterday, after a 3 day delay.  I guess that creed "Neither rain , nor snow, nor sleet, nor gloom of night  . . ." doesn't apply unless there are snowplows in the area.

Tom, just be grateful your classmates don't post "hate emojis"!   

David Frazer

Steve, about the post office... your Minnesota friend Bob Zimmerman was right.... "The times they are a changing." Things are changing so fast. I told Sue that everything we say is being recorded now. Sue Laughed. I laughed, Alexa Laughed. Siri laughed. My TV turned off.