My children love each other enough to take a weekend (plus travel for Barbara and Nick) to make their own Christmas celebration, including some of the things they enjoyed growing up. I am grateful that they have each other.

Had our first night apart Friday night. First time apart in three + years. Not a big fraught crisis, but it reminds me how much I'd rather have her here. Funny thing is, in that situation you'd think "Well, do all the stuff you can't/don't do when she's home." Except that the whole list is "Eat Chinese" and I wasn't in the mood.

It is nice to work in a pleasant atmosphere again, without all the toxic fumes constantly at play.

I've been slacking.

Health. I forget lots of times that at my age, lots of folks are or have been struggling with one health issue or another. I'm overweight and probably prone to high blood pressure, but everything works and I am essentially healthy as all get out. That is no small thing, and one of the biggest pieces of flat-out blessed grace in my life.

This.

Open house can be slow and make a long day even longer. But my wife drove up here with a burrito from Sheetz and sat and ate with me, and that made the whole business better. These are the kind of small supports that keep me upright and energized.

It has been a beautiful bunch of days. Color in the leaves, air cool but not too cold-- just about perfect. I live in one of those sorts of places that people dream about vacationing to, except that I LIVE there!