MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM LAKE OF THE OZARKS
Not much boating going on recently, so everyone is busy preparing for the
Holidays. All my neighbors seem to be in a house-lighting competition. (I'm really appreciating the electrical power and coverage of the one right next door who lights up my bedroom every night). However, since I don't climb ladders any more, I have to concentrate on the inside preparations.

Most of my decorations are collections. My pocketbook and I have been in the collecting business for way too many years. I know I should cut back, but who can resist adding more each year - especially when the U.S. economy and Hallmark needs the business.

This is my seven foot Star Trek and Star Wars ornament tree. I try to keep them separated, but I'm almost out of space........
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I thought you might expecially like to see up-close the 1991 ORIGINAL STAR TREK ENTERPRISE and the 1992 SHUTTLECRAFT. The Shuttlecraft has Spock speaking, "Shuttlecraft to Enterprise. Spock here. Happy Holidays. Live long and prosper."


Another favorite collection is Snowbabies. My family, especially my grandkids
have helped me fill an entire china cabinet with these delightful little angels.
Here's some of them.



I've been collecting dolls since forever it seems. So when Astin-Drake Galleries came out with a Nativity set with 12 inch china dolls, guess who was a real sucker for them?



Jim Shore Christmas characters has been high on the collecting list since my dil gave me one many years ago.





Since I also collect depression glass, the china cabinet also gets a holiday makeover. A big "thank you" to the Christmas Cactus for blooming right on time.

This small tree holds ornaments from all my trips - many with my daughter to the White House, Smithsonian, Boston, Newport, Pikes Peak, New York's Tavern on the Green, Museum of Art - plus DisneyWorld, Texas, New Orleans, Germany, Italy, and Mexico, and of course Clay Concerts. One of my favorites is from Helen - King Kong clutching the Empire State Building(he's down there on the left below the Wright Bros. biplane).




The fireplace is lit and the mantle is decked.
(BYW the doll on the coffee table was handmade and given to me by my mother many, many years ago.)


The big flocked tree is decorated and so are the dogs (and don't they look just delighted?).


Tommy, Molly and I are ready for Santa's big day. (guess i better put out the fire in the fireplace). And it wouldn't be Christmas or geni/Jeananne without a poem.



STAR-GIVING by Ann Weems
What I'd really like to give you for Christmas is a star....
Brilliance in a package,
something you could keep in the pocket of your jeans
or in the pocket of your being.
Something to take out in times of darkness,
something that would never snuff out nor tarnish,
something you could hold in your hand,
something for wonderment,
something for pondering,
something that would remind you of what Christmas has always meant:
God's Advent Light in the darkness of this world.

But stars are only God's for giving,
and I must be content to give you words and wishes and packages without stars.
But I can wish you life as radiant as the Star
that announced the Christ Child's coming,
and as filled as awe as the shepherds who stood beneath its light.
And I can pass on to you the love that has been given to me,
ignited countless times by others
who have knelt in Bethlehem's light.
Perhaps, if you ask, God will give you a star.