Oh the weather outside was frightful. . .

Second try on a party post.

I wrote a nice long blog on our Christmas party but when I went to publish it, it just vanished. That was pretty disappointing. Oh well.

We had a grand time on Sunday night with about 25 of 40 invitees arriving for hours of photos, gift swapping, laughing, eating, reminiscing, and marveling at changes. Some had never been to our house before, so it was especially nice to have Aunt Mary Ann back home from Switzerland, and Dean Foy (Dean of Students at Auburn University for 28 years), visiting. Dean Foy is 88, but full of vim and vigor and he entertained us with his stories and singing. Shelly and Abby, two of my new step-neices came with Carter and Cathy and contributed much with their smiles and personalities. Shelly played the piano to accompany me on O Holy Night, on the spur of the moment, and also played and sang herself. Sissy played carols and the whole gathering sang round the piano for a long while. There were Christmas lights and Christmas trees and poinsettias, a little village of people to marvel at, and wonderful foods, cakes, and pies. I gained two pounds instantly.

We had spitting snow and temperatures in the teens to remind us that it was very near winter. I noticed that it was colder in GA Sunday night than in Maine, a nasty turn of events. Rachel brought her John from north Georgia, Carter slipped in at the last moment (during the blessing) from his Christmas program on the north side of town. I'm glad he has gotten in a good choir program. Cousin George has started law school. Aunt Elmira , now 83, drove herself over from Montgomery. It was good to see Jenny's smiling face and Chelsea has grown into a teenager. Jack was the youngest and he was thoroughly amused by our musical instruments and singing. He is our Tiny Tim.

If you don't have parties like this or go to parties like this, you should. How do you get through life without the blessings of friends and family?