The Singing Clown of St. Paul-de-Vence, Bellais, ink and watercolor of paper, 12×16.

The past few months have been a time of transition for us, and in the midst of that change, we lost our Christmas cards. This letter, then, is our substitute for a Christmas card. We thank you for remembering us at Christmas, and we do not want to lose contact with you.

We down-sized considerably, and we are now living in a retirement home where almost all our needs are met. We join others in a dining room for three meals a day, the center provides regular laundry care, and hair styling and haircuts are free.

Those things we cherished and wanted to remain with us, decorate the walls and a bookcase we kept.

The day is spent working on crossword puzzles, watching television, not worrying about snow removal or taking out the trash every Wednesday morning.

Therefore, the new year, 2018, looks fruitful for us.

Our children are in two distant cities, and we wish we could see them more often. Our daughter still lives with her family in New Mexico and our son lives with his family in  Virginia. Our ability to travel is limited, so we hope they will find the time and a way to be with us a few times this coming year.

Our grandchildren are progressing; Jack in is nearing his ninth birthday, loves school, Cub Scouts, and reading books about outer space. Our great-grandsons in Albuquerque are doing well. The older child is working in construction and is active in the Army National Guard–he grew up before our eyes and still think of him as a boy.  The younger great-grandson is now a high school freshman, is playing football and making excellent grades in school.

That’s, basically, our news. We hope we will hear from you during the year, and undoubtedly next Christmas.

Love, and best wishes

Christmas, New Year