It is a long overdue time to say Thank You to all who serve and have family serving in the Armed Forces. Because of you I am allowed to write this, unhindered. I can not begin to understand the sacrifices you must make.

Here I sit in my warm little world. I know where my family members are, every one of my family members. I can pick up my phone and call my child at the drop of a hat. I can hop in my car and visit her. It is beyond understanding not to be able to do that on any given day, but during the holidays it becomes even a harder realization. There are spouses, parents, friends who do not know where their loved ones are today. It is a daily thing for them. Able to function daily, able to do all that a family does. You are amazing. I can not tell you how much I admire and appreciate you. Words are just so inadequate here.

To those on the front lines, Thank You. Honor, Love of Country, Courage. Just a few descriptives that do not begin to cover you. Loving to write, loving to paint a picture of things, I am at a loss. I am sorry there are those that do not honor you. Not wanting to be political, I won't say anything else other than I know that you are defending even their rights. Thank you. May you all be safe tonight, may you all have a wonderful holiday. May you all know that we are all so very humbled by your service. Thank you.

Paradise...AHHH.

I am back in the mountains. Don't know why they talk to my soul so strongly, but they just do. My cabin is lit up with hundreds of beautiful Christmas lights! I love it! My tree is up and decorated today. I have been such a crazy lover of Christmas all my life. Even though I won't be spending Christmas here this year, I had to have a tree and all the fixin's. It is just what you do.

We have had some really wonderful days. Beautiful sunshine, crisp cool air. It is cold, but not horrid cold. Olive loves it. When I got back, she had to spend a few hours checking every corner of the yard for new smells. No barking, no running, just a very slow methodical search of her domain for any strange smells. Such a funny dog.

Tomorrow night the town does the tree lighting. It is very Norman Rockwellish. I really love it. They close off Main Street and sing Christmas Carols....just so wonderful! Wish you could all be there!