Special Christmas Message

"Family" is the most significant word on Christmas, along with  "together," "love," "laughter," "giving," "children,”  and “traditions” and "memories" of Christmases Past. That is what Christmas is meant to be. 

When we sailed away from our "home"  almost twenty years ago, we sailed away from Christmas as it is meant to be. So every Christmas since then has been more than a little bittersweet. We miss our family. We miss being "home" for Christmas. We miss children, and laughter, and gifts under a tree. What we do have are many good "memories."

It's Christmas Eve morning, and I'm propped up in bed with my iPhone and a poor substitute for “togetherness”:  an internet connection. 

 I'm more than a little happy/sad thinking of all of you. I want you to know that I'm so proud of the "families" you have become. My children chose wonderful soulmates, and I love them as if they were my own sons and daughters. My grandchildren are good-looking, healthy, happy, and talented. 

So, even though we are miles away from all of you, our thoughts are with "family." 

Last week I sent a link to some old Christmas "memories" as our gift to each family. I hope the one I put in charge of delivering the gift --and making it happen—will have taken that responsibility seriously.  And all the while they are delivering the gift to you, Grandpa and I will smile and laugh and pretend we're in your home—laughing and smiling with you--if only in our dreams.

Hugs and more hugs,

and a very Merry Christmas. 💕


Link to Old Christmas "Memories"

Morning Selfie

Beach Presents

Making Memories

Edge of the World

Sunrise

Thinking of you as I do the Marco "circuit" alone 

Beautiful Sunset Video

Wine and Shine

Tea Time

Christmas Slideshows

I just realized that I have to figure out how to share the slideshows I made as my "gift" to you kids.

Fabulous Sunset

The sunset was fabulous--again. It kept changing....

Good night with

hugs from Marco ❤️

Beach Bouquet

This morning, on my walk along the beach, I found something I haven't seen before!  A pen shell "vase" filled with a lovely nosegay of seaweed!  It was so unusual and so pretty. I brought it home to display -- for today at least.  If the creature is dead inside, the "nosegay" may soon become obnoxiously not-so-gay! I shall just have to wait and see--I mean smell!!

Giving Thanks

We have so much to be thankful for. 🌀❤️

Don't worry. Be happy.

Don't worry, be happy--but be prepared!

Snow Day

Good morning. Looks like we had snow too!

Beach Walking

First walk to Tigertail. Could this be the aftermath of the super moon?   

Marco Island Magic

New Day

Sunrise over Marco Island
... and then moved to the water-side balcony.

There's a reason pink and blue are colors selected for babies. 

It's usually the colors of a newborn day. 

Green Flash

And I saw a little green flash--just at the tip of the last bit of sun. Methinks it was a real one!!

Home Sweet Home

Welcome Home to Costa Lotta
the little room with a big view #1801

First Sunset of our Season

Nice weather. First sunset. And Grandpa noticed this tail of a whale on the beach!  A fluke if there ever was one. 

Calm, Cool, And Connected

These oldsters have kept up with the times. She was 89 and he was 98 when I snapped this photo. They are regulars at our Barnes & Noble Cafe in Boulder, Colorado. She wears a different hat every day. I especially loved the pill box she is wearing in this photo. 


Calm, Cool, and Connected

Yesterday It seems ...

We were seated across from this couple at the Barnes & Noble Cafe in Boulder, Colorado. I drew my husband's attention to them. They looked like teenagers from the past. I pointed this out to them and we all had a good laugh. I asked if I might take their photo. I smile every time I see it. It goes with the words to "The Way Things Were." But edit "were" to "The Way Things ARE!"

Yesterday It Seems by Boulder photographer Judee Stalmack

Goodbye Boulder

Goodbye Boulder. ❤️✈️

Our current location on earth:   We are now in Boulder for the summer, having returned from a 114-day cruise around the world.  While on that cruise we created a “phlog” as our online cruise “scrapbook.” You can see what we saw by going to  http://judeestalmack.blogspot.com/. 

This website was created on November 11, 2016 

 

Other personal links:

I have several videos on YouTube.  Click here to see the list with links to each one. 

A few of my photos are listed with Fine Art America.  Click here to see the current portfolio. (I know! I know! I really need to update it!) 

Bionic Man

 New Battery Installed ;-)

Autumn in Boulder

Just to let you know:   Dad had his pacemaker battery replaced two weeks ago.  He rightfully brags that he outlived the battery! 

Today, however, the Saga of the New Pacemaker continues.  Something is not right. Something is wrong because the new pacemaker is reporting a problem that the old one didn’t.  Even the doctor is not sure what is wrong.  So on Wednesday morning, the hospital’s surgery room is booked.  What happens first will determine the course of action.  They’ll check the pacemaker’s readouts again. If needed, Plan A is to shock the heart and hope both chambers will assume a more normal rhythm.  Dad will be right there on the operating table in case the shock loosens a blood clot.  Then . . . depending on the results of the shock . . . maybe they will go in to see if a wire is loose (they don’t think so, but aren’t sure) …so . . .well . . . we just have to wait and see.

If the best scenario happens…we may be able to keep our flight to Marco on Saturday.  If not, we’ll be in Boulder as long as it takes to get everything ticking right.

It’s been a beautiful autumn here. Warmer than usual say the locals. It’s been nice biking weather, thank goodness, because we’re still here without a car.   Here’s an autumn photo taken on (or up from) the Boulder Creek bike path.

Home Away From Home

Photo taken by: Jutta Lietsch

Heading to Steamboat