David Brock

Things have been a bit slow, so I am adding a seasonal poem to  get us in the Christmas mood.  I had written this a while back, and I apologize to Clement Moore and the gospel writers who may be offended.  This is a bit lengthy, but the message resonate with each of us.

'Twas the Night Before Chriostmas

"twas the night before Christmas

and all through the town

Not a creature was stirring,

not even a houn'

The town was all full

of travelers and folks

Caesar had called for  a census

and tax to fill his poke

Along came Joseph and Mary

They were a little slow

As a young expectant couple

They went with the flow.

As people settled down

fora long winter's nap

With visions of taxes and

Censuses filling their heads,

God was filling the sky

with a guiding star and heavenly host instead.

The inns were all filled,

Filled to the brim.

But a lkindly innkeeper

went out on a limb--

and showed them a stable behind the inn.

Out in the barn--an unlikely place

for the Prince of Peace to be born.

Out in he field, the shepherds took rest

Only  to be raised by song from Heven's  angelic best.

This was the beginning of satan's reign

For Christ would become the devil's great pain.

Eventually all will come

And all will bow

To acknowledge Jesus  as King

With the crown on His brow.

Merry Christmas to one and all.  Safe travels and Happy New Year

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Regina (Sue) Petersen (Koppenhoefer)

Dave Brock I absolutely love your Night Before Christmas!  Also, I made your Boy Scout sweet/sour chicken over rice, and it's was delicious!  Months ago I had a wonderful phone conversation with Mel, and I like to wish him and all my other classmates a very Mery Christmas!  Here are a couple of pictures of our decorations, and I hope others will share theirs.

Regina (Sue) Petersen (Koppenhoefer)

Regina (Sue) Petersen (Koppenhoefer)

Regina (Sue) Petersen (Koppenhoefer)

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Sue:

Just lovely!

Linda

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Sue, I love your Christmas spirit. You get a gold star for using your talents to bring joy to everyone, including your old classmates. This has been a difficult year for so many. I've lost an aunt, uncle, cousin and dear friend in the last few weeks, yet we go on. Your photos remind me how beautiful it is to celebrate our traditions. It is both Hanukkah and Christmas. Don't forget all the other religions that celebrate during the winter solstice. For me this is a time of spiritual celebration, albeit secular. Sorry for being so philosophical, but we are all one and I love the beauty of your home and life. So without further elaboration, I can only tell you how much I adore your photos and admire your creativity.

Due to a flooded living room last year and COVID this year, I will for the second year be cancelling my annual New Year's Eve Party and not be putting up my Holiday decorations, except for a wreath on the door and a leg lamp on the front room table, which was an anonymous gift inspired by the Gene Shepard movie "A Christmas Story".

I hope others will share their Holiday decorations and that Marv will turn them right side up.

In the words of Linda Elias, love ya, Mel

Photo of my place two years ago.

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

To my dear friend...

James (Jim) Rookus

DAVE ... your a talented poet ... AND I didn't know it !

SUE .....  love your home and decor ... so inviting and I'm sure a place of hospitality!

MEL .... you don't need garland and lights to have Christmas spirit .... it's in your heart and soul .  I bet from your amazing view you get to enjoy many lights if the city!

David Brock

Jim & Sue--Thanks  for the compliments on Night Before Christmas--it's the thought.

Sue I am glad you enjoyed the Sweet& Sour Chicken--I always liked it (but I am pejudiced.)  The recipe originally came from a workshop at Philmont Scout Ranch.

Allida Frisch (Altemus)

Loved your Christmas poem Dave and your Christmas decorations Regina. Hope everyone has a blesses Christmas and will be able to spend with at least some of your family in these very trying times. Stay safe everyone!🌲

Terri Baxter (Whirrett)

Suzi,

Checked with my older brother Ray. My grandma on my dad's sides maiden name was Bessie Raydon. She married my grandpa William Isham Baxter. He also mentioned Curt and Cecil Raydon, who were policemen. 
Anyway, yes we are definitely cousins!

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

For my good buddy in Wisconsin....

Wendy Stephens (Cullen)

Nice to see how people decorate for Christmas.  I have two photos to share.  One is what I put on top of a large Korean chest and the other is this year's tree.

David Long

MAX,

Wishing you a wonderful birtday!

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Dave

David Brock

 A Christmas tidbit.  This week starting today and running through Monday (12/21) or Tuesday (12/22) the planets Saturn and Jupiter will converge.  This has not happened for several hundred years.  This convergance is thought , by some, to be the Directional Star announcing Jesus' birth.

IThe planets are visible in the Southwest sky slightly lower and to the right of the moon.  Best visible just after the sun sets ( 6:00 CST).  The moon is setting at that time so don't expect to get a better view later.  The next convergence is not expected for another 80 or so years.  This evening with the naked eye, the 2 planets are still visible as 2.  Monday the 2 planets should appear as 1.  After Monday, the 2 planets will still be in the 'neighborhood, just not really close.

Happy looking

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

I've enjoyed seeing the Christmas pictures, poems and comments from everyone that has posted them.  Christmas will be quiet this year.  I usually have my Sons, Grandkids and Great-grandkids.  This year I will be by myself.  I do imagine my Son, that lives behind me will stop by. And I'm sure I will talk on the phone to my other Son and some of my Grandkids.  For Thanksgiving, it was just he and his wife and his Son that was in Afghanistan last year, here with me.  I wish everybody a very Merry and Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.

My Christmas Party table from 2019.  Hopefully it will look like this again next year with family all around.

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Sandra Jenkins:

If I lived there I would have you over to my table.  I was unaware that you would be alone this year.  I have been alone for 31 years.  I used to have 4 older ladies over for Christmas dinner and send home leftovers with them.  After dinner they always enjoyed a racy movie.  When I played 50 Shades of Grey, they loved it.  They loved it so much that I bought a copy of the movie for each one.

As time has passed, I found that I out-lived them all.  Sorry I don't live closer to Bloomington.  Illinois taxes are too high.  It would take a chunk out of what I've prepared for my children.  I won't do that to them.

Love and Christmas Blessings to you,

Linda

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

Linda,  do your kids live far away?   I'm sorry you will be alone, too.   Are you fixing a big meal like you did on Thanksgiving?  I'm fixing a steak and pretzel salad for myself.  I'm only alone this year because of COVID.  I don't want to be in a big crowd who are all out and about and most are working.   I don't go anywhere except to get groceries and gas for the car. 

I have seen all of the 50 Shades of Grey movies and didn't really care for them.   But I did love the movie, "The Book Club" that is about 4 women that read that book and loved it   That movie is so funny!  

Merry Christmas to you, too.

Marvin Theobald

Sue - I finally logged in and rotated your 12/18/20 photo posts. They are so festive and you are so creative.

I have been preoccupied with numerous activities the past several weeks and have been negligent in participating in the website. It seems the days are over way too fast and I cannot fit everything into the 24 hours. One of my recent passions has been to make use of my woodworking shop downstairs. Judy has come across some interesting projects recently that have caused me to want to test my skills as a craftsman.

Below is a photo of the most challenging one. I have spent a ridiculous amount of time trying to make this thing called an Icosahedron. It has 20 triangle sides and is made with 30 lengths of wood. It took numerous sketches, many hours of head scratching and about 60 sets of trigonometry calculations to determine the exact angles involved to set up the table saw. It required designing and fabricating two special fixtures for making exact duplicate precision cuts and an assembly fixture to hold pieces in place while gluing them together. This one is abot 13 inched tip to tip and is made from walnut. This is without a doubt the most challenging home project I have attempted.

I will try to share other recent project efforts later. In the mean time I would like to wish all of you the merriest of Christmases and hope you are all able to overcome the difficulties of this year and find a way to make the best of your holidays.

Marvin Theobald

I have sadly been made aware of the recent passing of two of our classmates.

Gary Eskridge Oct 23, 2020

 Beverly Lowery Berry Dec 4, 2020

Thier obituaries are included in the In Memory Section listed on the Home Page.

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Sandra:

This year I couldn't go because of COVID.  However, I usually like to stay home at Thanksgiving and Christmas.   I like for the grandchildren to be at their home for leftovers and gifts to tend to after unwrapping.

I protected my own children in the same way.  Perhaps, because I am from a large family, I needed less family at special times.

Now, I have a more difficult time getting through airports and need a wheelchair.  I can only walk about 200 feet before being in pain.  I can sit down for a few minutes and have a rerun of the same without pain until I have gone too far.

For 12 years I resisted getting my knee replaced.  During that time it started to harm my opposing hip.  Now that I had the knee replacement (4 years ago), the hip is becoming a bigger problem.  I'll see how it all goes!  There is a new surgical approach for the hip replacement that has a better outcome.

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas,

Linda

Terry (Max) Maxwell

Marv...

I was admiring your current woodworking project.  I taught high school Industrial Arts many years ago and have built many projects over the years.  I would never consider attempting anything anywhere near this complicated.  While it doesn't take a lot of material it requires more patience and sanity that I possess at 75!  Very nice work Mr. Theobald, that it truly awesome!

Did you by any chance cut several of each piece as you had the set-up?  Could have made several to give as Christmas gifts.  Or does Judy get the only one?  If the answer is "yes, I cut several" then I'd like to send you my address. Lol!

...~Max~...