Christmas, 2007
Dear Friends and Family,
I look back on the year and am amazed;it seemed so eventful, and yet, we find ourselves in a similar place to last year.
It was our first full year without Thomas; this has meant many changes for us. We did more camping with Clann Tartan, our 17th Century Scottish Living History group. I was Chief of Staff, charged with making sure that things Went Well. It's a two-year term; I have another year to serve.
I have been spinning and weaving a great deal. I've woven three large, heavy wool pieces, and am starting to branch out a little into other things. All three of these first pieces were waulked, or fulled; processed with heat, moisture, and vigorous thumping to shrink them up and make them weatherproof. This was done in the Scottish tradition with people sitting around a table and singing work songs; we did this for the public at a couple of events; it was fun!
I have not been paying enough attention to the garden...it has survived the lack of love fairly well, but I can't go on this way. I used to flee to the garden as a refuge because Tom would demand all of my attention if I was in the house, I don't have that problem any more...
Tom is well and happy in his group home; we see him most weekends. He is a senior(!) in high school and will begin his three-year post-secondary program this summer.
James is in his last year in Career Life Transitions; we don't know what is in store for him next, but he has been working on placement tests to try to figure this out. He continues to mature, and is still very interested in Japanese TV and video games.
Glenn here: I am still working as a database administrator, and am trying to cope with a changing work environment. It is not clear what the future holds there.
Like Mia, I am still very involved in Clann Tartan, our historical reenactment group. It seems like I have been Secretary of the Board forever. I will serve out the remainder of my term, another year, and then, for both my own sake and the organization's, someone else needs to take the job. I will doubtless stay involved in some other capacity.
My Monday nights are devoted to Irish Gaelic. I am learning the language there in the free classes offered by Gaeltacht Minnesota. I have learned a lot and made some good friends in the group.
I am continuing to do woodworking with hand tools (Think Roy Underhill and the Woodwright 's Shop). My latest project was a weaver's bench specifically designed for Mia and her new loom. Finding these interactions between our hobbies is fun!
One big change is that we have found a new church, St. Mary's Episcopal Church in the Merriam Park neighborhood of St. Paul. If I had to give it a short label I would say something like "progressive Anglo-Catholic". In many ways in reminds us of our old parish in Evanston, but smaller and with the bad parts removed. The sermons are great and the people are interesting to talk to and a pleasure to work along side of. I have not been this excited about church in many years.
Mia again; I also like the church very much and have joined the church choir! I can, now. I have to miss Wednesday dance, but the choir group is also a lot of fun; we recently did our Lessons and Carols service and it was very challenging and rewarding. I am looking forward to improving my choral abilities.
We are happy and busy and hope that you are, too. Love and blessings at Christmas and through the New Year!
Go to Glenn's home page, or to Mia's. See our 2006 or 2008 Christmas letter or the index of letters.