I have to go into work at noon, so I'll make this short.

After work I've been invited over to my brother's for snacks and treats. My niece Alyssa has been fighting the flu this week, so the family get together hinges on whether she's feeling better. I'll be disappointed if she's still sick and very understanding, since two weeks ago while visiting Cassie in Denver, I had my own bout of flu. What a terrible way to spend your vacation. Luckily, two and 1/2 days later I was well.

As is family tradition, on Christmas Day we all meet up at my Aunt Barb's for lots of food and great company. I look forward to this very much every year. I love festive family gatherings, and I'm very blessed with the opportunity to celebrate the major holidays with my extended family.

I wonder how my biological family will be spending the holidays? They'll be in my thoughts, especially since my cousin Larry is very into genealogy, and I'm sure we'll be discussing what I've found out about my half sisters, mother and maternal grandparents.

Basil is already conked out, so on that note I'll say good night.

Merry Christmas to all and much love,

Jan

Cassie, Parker & Ras Mon outside their home


Ras Mon loves to have his picture taken. Isn't he adorable?


My beautiful daughter and her beau


Me at lunch at the delicious veggie restaurant City 'O City


Parker, Ras & I


And here we are again

I had a wonderful weekend in Denver (early Christmas). Great food (Cassie even cooked), the thrill, excitement & stress of being caught in a sudden snow storm in the mountains at 11,000 ft. made my time with Cassie and Parker without a dull moment. Saturday night we had a wonderful dinner out and I sipped 2 drams of the best whiskey I've ever tasted. They have just discovered the Showtime series "Homeland", so it was fun discussing the episodes with them. I flew in on Friday night and out Sunday afternoon; I wish I'd had at least two more days. There is so much to do there. I can't wait to be invited back!

While I should have been sleeping, I chose instead to watch a film I'd long been waiting to see - "Hugo". It was directed by Martin Scorsese with an all star cast of some of my favorite actors, whom generally appear in either independent film or British tv.



It's the story of a boy who lives inside the clock tower of the Paris train station, alone. From behind the face of the clock he watches the daily goings on of the station's visitors and shopkeepers, as well as the travelers who come and go. Also beyond the clock face he can see the entire city laid out below him in all it's gorgeous vitality.

As the story unfolds, Hugo interacts with no one, remaining invisible and anonymous especially from the station's Inspector, who scoops up orphans which cross his path and hands them over to the orphanage, where they are never seen or heard of again. It only fate that keeps Hugo safe day after day. Unbeknownst to him, he is being observed, chief among the observers is the toy shopkeeper, who doesn't trust Hugo and accuses him of theft. After a near miss with the Inspector, Hugo meets the toy maker's goddaughter, and together they begin a series of adventures which the child in all of us can only truly appreciate.

I hope you're now intrigued and will seek out this film. I highly recommend it.