Merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, sweet Saturnalia, sublime Solstice, and happy New Year to one and all.

Just got off the phone with Moth Nachtwey in Illinois. She says it’s just gotten colder in Illinois. Here in Seattle we’re waiting for the other shoe (snow) to drop now that our own cold front has just blown in. The way the Northwest weather patterns work Elizabeth and the rest of the Collens family usually gets our storm fronts a day after we do so head’s up for them. And meanwhile we’re all thinking about our north east coast family and friends. Those photos we see on the news with all the inch-thick coatings on everything sure look beautiful… from a distance.

Connie says

I just came from visiting Jim who was in fine form today. When I
returned home there was a Christmas card with a photo of the two of us
taken on 11/3 by a mutual friend of Jim’s and mine, Bob Dolan. It
turned out pretty good so I thought I would share it with you.

Next Saturday one of the brothers is being ordained priest and I will
be going up then again. Of course that gives me another chance to see
Jim and bring him a Christmas goodie.

The Tinguelys celebrated Thanksgiving with Gerrry’s family on Long Island. Brand-new New York transplant Emma Collens (Elizabeth’s daughter) joined them.