I sure hope you are going to be around for the feb 14th cyber party. Patti ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rita and Joe" <joearmstrong@belgacom.net> To: <ARMSTRONG-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, December 09, 2002 9:50 AM Subject: [ARMSTRONG-L] Merry Christmas Prettige Kerstdagen > Dear All, > > Rita and I have chosen this way to send festive greetings > to all our friends this year. > > Our constant to-ings and fro-ings between U.K. and Belgium > make for an interesting life but it knocks routine into a cocked > hat! > > We have struggled to despatch many actual cards of the > traditional type in Britain, and this week in Europe but still we > have probably missed out some. Time to enter the 21st century > and issue our Christmas and New Year Greetings electronically. > > We shall see the year in about an hour earlier than is my wont, > last time was over 50 years ago for me. (Europe is one hour > ahead of Britain). > > Time was when I joined the throngs outside the Cathedral of > Saint Nicholas in Newcastle Upon Tyne. They call it the party > city now, we had them then, no fireworks, no pubs open, just many > thousands of people together to see in the new year to the > chime from the clock tower. > > Many of you have been regaled with my quotes from Rabbie > Burns for these occasions, and of course. > This year is no exception! > > Should auld acquaintance be forgot, > And never brought to mind? > Should auld acquaintance be forgot, > And days o' lang syne? > > And for auld lang syne my Jo, (dear) > For auld lang syne. > Well take a cup o' kindness yet, > For auld lang syne. > > Please take special note, that's what Robert Burns wrote, > he did not write about 'sake ofs' whatever they might be, > simply three words "auld lang syne" in modern English, > "old long since." > > Syne is pronounced Sign, not zyne. > > So when the time comes you'll all know how to sing it > correctly Eh, <Grin>. > > A good yule to you and yours, > Goodwill dwell - within your doors. > We wish ye all, that which ye seek, > And lastly; > May your lum aye reek! > > It's no the frosty winter wind , > It's no the driving drift and snaw; > But Aye the tear comes in my e'e, > To think on him that's far awa! > > > Best wishes for 2003 to you and yours. > > Prettige Kerstdagen en Gelukkig Nieuwjaar > as we say in Belgium. > > A quote from Robbie Burns that I like is; > > Wit,and grace, and love and beauty, > In ae constellation shine; > To adore thee is my duty, > Goddess o' this soul o' mine! > Bonny Wee Thing. > With love to all of you from Rita. > > > >From Rita De Kock > and > Joe Armstrong, >