Over the last few days, it's been great to get caught back up on our sleep. We've kept the activities low and just toured back and forth into town for food and Christmas presents.

The weather here has been up and down - rain some days and sun the next couple but generally at a temperature that is workable to be outside in short sleeves.

I've taken some pictures of the local barns (for some reason I like barns, they have so much character) and some of the neat homes in downtown Murfreesboro just next to MTSU (Middle Tennessee State University). The town is very quaint and has grown dramatically since I was here about seven years ago. But then again, Joram has grown into a young man and the girls have grown remarkably - it's kinda sad that time goes by so quickly - especially when you're some 3,000 miles away in B.C.

I see Deb's face and I know that she's very happy to be here in the south to get reaquainted with both her daughter and grands. We'll have to make sure that it's not so long in between visits.

Today, I laid out some landscape lighting around the perimeter of the front of the house and put the telescope on the deck to give the kiddies a look at the full moon in a very clear sky. Tonight, we had meatloaf balls, roasted cabbage and potatoes for dinner - great comfort food.

Since I've been here Joe and I joust each night - so far it's been backgammon, chess, Blokus, Egyptian Rat Screw and Texas Hold'em - not quite sure who's ahead in the overall scheme of things but it is enjoyable. Only eight days to Christmas and the gifts are left to be wrapped.