Good morning and Merry Christmas to all, Although the warm sunshine is melting our snow, we are still enjoying a white Christmas. Our children and grandchildren live in different areas of California, but have keep the phone busy with their seasons greetings to us. We are blessed with the fact our son Scott and his son Scooter, age nine, live with us. Scooter keeps the spirit of Christmas alive and gleaming, here on the mountain, and is a constant reminder of the reason we celebrate December 25th. Below is a copy of the Christmas letter my wife sent out to our friends, family and loved ones. I feel it is appropriate to share with all, as a token of love from our home to yours. Merry Christmas to all! Del Black In the beautiful Tehachapi Mountains of California ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >From our home to yours, Silence and Serenity accompanies the softly falling snow in blanketing the yard and the surrounding hills. The year has slipped by weaving one day into the other. December is upon us and Christmas is just around the corner. Christmas, a time for remembering, a time for sharing. If only we could feel the warmth and glory of this season each and every day. Why can't we sing Christmas carols in July? The melodies are most beautiful of all! Perhaps we should listen to Silent Night all year long, to keep the love and kindle the spirit in our hearts each day. But then again, there is something quite magical about December. Maybe it is the sparkle in a child's eye, the sound of their laughter counting each day, waiting for Saint Nick to make his yearly visit, trying so hard to remember it is really Jesus' Birthday. May the spirit of Christmas remain in our hearts as the season's change. Remember the love of all in the springtime, when our hills are ablaze with Daffodils and wildflowers, as the warm rays of the sun touches our cheeks and the cool breezes gently blow away our troubles. Wonderful summertime! Have you ever listened to the crackle of the oak leaves beneath your feet, as your eyes behold the wonder of the color of the leaves in autumn? My family, my friends, I think about you in the evening as the first snow dances softly to the earth making all clean and pristine! As morning dawns the hillside is covered with the smooth white powder indented with just a few footprints left by the mountain quail, as they seem to frolic as they take cover beneath the drooping branches of the pines. Now it is time to say thank you my family and friends for helping to give our lives true meaning! We wish you a glorious New Year full of love, laughter, good health and happiness. The time to see the beauty around you and keep Christmas alive in your hearts. Del, Lennie, Scott, Scooter and Benny