Mid-November and it is already the holiday season. Life is great, but not without its ups and downs. Right now we are on the upside. We are both healthy and happy. We’re glad that life, at least the basics, has stabilized from the covid restrictions and uncertainties. Sylvia’s son Paul will be joining us for three weeks for the holidays. Now that you know that we are fat and happy, how are you? We apologize for the many “annual” Christmas letters that we didn’t get mailed last year. We had some pretty stressful times the last few months of 2021 and the first couple in 2022.
You missed only a little if you didn’t get the 2021 newsletter. Basically we said that we were staying home due to Covid, and that Phantom was doing well and was becoming increasingly spoiled. We also noted that Sylvia had a very successful back surgery. In the bad news we lamented the loss of Paul’s wife, Angela. Angela had been ill for many years, but her death had not been expected. We miss her greatly. Sylvia went to be with Paul for several months and Jerry went over for the funeral. We also mentioned how well we were settling into our new house in Bentonville. We’re here for the duration. Our neighborhood is nearly as quiet as when we lived in the country, but all the conveniences of the city are only a few minutes away. Bentonville is a great little city, but really, really booming. Construction and infra-structure projects are everywhere, including WalMart’s new 350 acre campus set to open next year.
We went over to England again this past August to visit Sylvia’s family, but “the best laid plans” don’t always pan out. Three days into the visit Sylvia caught Covid and as she was finally recovering, Paul came down with it. The trip was basically two weeks locked indoors. We did get lots of quality time with our son. When Paul is here in December we are hoping our plans work out better. His Christmas gift is a trip to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. If the casinos still took coins we would probably give him a roll of nickels too.
Health wise this year was Jerry’s turn in the barrel. He now claims to feel better than ever and smiles more than he has for years. At the beginning of February he had bladder cancer surgery followed by chemo, and, at the beginning of March, on the first—his birthday to be exact, he had a triple bypass. Last check showed no new cancer. Minor case of Covid in July. All’s well now.
Our travels are still an important part of our life. We made the trip to England and then another for a couple of weeks in October touring New England with Joyce and Kenn. The colorful leaves and countryside were breathtaking. We’re in the midst of planning a 2023 trip to Brazil and Argentina.
Since summer Sylvia and Phantom's have restarted therapy work. They’re out a half dozen times a week going to the local hospice, the airport, and visiting shut ins. Jerry does little but keep the home fires burning. Once in a while he does something more exciting—in September he painted the house. Otherwise our social life is the doctors and occasional meals out. At the moment the morning dog walk is the only regular exercise we get. We promise ourselves to get back to the gym tomorrow. But that doesn’t seem to happen—right now it is a little plantar fasciitis holding us up,
So that catches you up on us, and we close another annual “Christmas” letter. Let us know how you are keeping. The usual invite stands: “if you are in the area, please stop in.”
Again Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year – Keep Safe