Wahoo and all that stuff

Hmm. Well. I've been wanting to do this for awhile; MySpace just doesn't float my boat, really. Now that Dad's set me up with the doo-hickey to download pics from our camera (bonding through technology - thanks, Pa!) there're no more excuses. Except answering the "why" of it...why would I want to do this?

I watch friends' blogs for news and laughs and pictures of growing kids. It's a good way to keep on top of their goings-on, when we might not call or write (or email) as often as we'd like. I read a handful of others, as well, for information, inspiration, and again, laughs....This internet thingy really has made a new global community, at a time when a sense of community is waning in our neighbourhoods. Am I jumping on a bandwagon? Maybe. But having actually maintained, and even made, friendships through this medium...I see it as a tool with great potential. And a bloomin' lot of fun!

We made it "Home" to the East Kootenay for Christmas this year. It's been a long year for my family, for many reasons. So it was very, very good to have a visit with most all of us there, and everyone in good health and good spirits. It was, of course, chaotic as all heck...but well worth it all. It's weird to be back on the Coast with no snow!

Post-Christmas, the long drive over, the madness subsiding....I think tradition can be an important part of building and maintaining community. Not always, of course; blindly following tradition for the sake of habit isn't always wise. But there's something to be said for continuity, shared history, reminders of family ties and values. In that spirit, here's a glimpse of a Very Important Christmas Tradition. I give you The Christmas Worm:

We also have the Wall of Stockings (formerly known as the Hockey Stick, but then there were too many of us for a mere hockey stick to suffice):

And last but not least, a new tradition in the making, The Hanging Of Dangly Earrings and Keys from the Pointy Sticks in Erin's Unfinished Hat, By Her Mother and Sisters:

(No, there was NO wine (or Bailey's) involved whatsoever...why do you ask?)

(OK, maybe there was a LEETLE BIT)