Dear Friends,
For the first time in ten years, you won’t have to change your address book to keep up with us. We’re looking forward to spending a second Holiday in the same home. And we don’t think we’re in a rut. In fact, we rather like it. However, this new role does have its disadvantages – or advantages depending upon your viewpoint. For example, a great amount of time last spring, summer and fall was spent in yard work – including Pat’s digging up several tons of rock, Rockville’s major element, to plant grass. Karen managed to get out of this task the hard way; our woods gave her five consecutive cases of poison ivy.
We did manage, however, to utilize our time more pleasantly last summer by trips to Ohio and New Hampshire to visit relatives and friends. Although the New Englanders kept apologizing for the cool weather, we had no objection to having it instead of Washington’s notorious humidity. We rented a charming home of a vacationing Dartmouth professor and had such an enjoyable week that we are now considering a similar vacation in Ithaca. Who knows, perhaps we might even make it to Corvallis one of these summers.
Upon returning to Maryland, the family became involved in the round of fall and winter activities. Karen, unfortunately, has diminished her efforts in singing. But her leisure time – that is, the moments allowed after keeping up with three energetic children – is now occupied with bridge, rug-hooking
and silk screening. Not to be excluded, Pat has taken a course in oil painting. A few hours have been allotted by both of us for participation in a Great Books discussion group. The kids have not become engaged in group activities but have their unorganized fun anyway.
Deb, now in the fourth grade, is still in love with her classes; Ken has no complaints about his daily kindergarten sessions; and Kip keeps everyone busy just being Kip – a small package of dynamite. We shouldn’t exclude mentioning the new boss of the household – Felicia, a young but queenly cat.
On a family basis, this past year could be summarized as a routine, happy period with the usual minor problems and major pleasures of life. For them we are deeply thankful. We wish that these months have weighed as lightly on you as they have on us. May the coming days of the new year bring you contentment with life as it is and the courage to make it what it should be. We would join with you in praying and working for the fulfilment of those ancient but sill relevant words, “Peace on Earth to Men of Good Will”.
