Dear Group, This evening I glanced out of my side window and I noticed the bright Christmas lights on somebody's house down the road. Well 'tis the season, but when I noticed them the second time, I realized that something was different around here. Over the years that I've lived here, I've noticed that some of my neighbors down Creek Road have always decorated their houses beautifully for the holidays, but not that particular house. That's when I realized it was Emma Shaw's house! Oh my, dear old Emma! You see, I've known Emma for a number of years and I know that she went through an awful time caring for her husband during his long lingering illness until he died a couple of years ago. I knew that she was wrung out with exhaustion. But more recently, I noticed that their lawn has been well maintained, the flower garden cared for and expanded, the long driveway black topped, the house spruced up with paint and that it looked prettier than I've ever seen it before. Well, this evening I just had to call Emma to let her know how heart warming it was to see such bright Christmas lights on her house. It pleased her but she corrected me and told me that they were on her milk shed, not the house. You see, we live in the country and Emma and her husband Fay Shaw farmed their acreage for about 50 years. And in addition to the milk shed there is the smoke house, the barn, the chicken coop and heaven only knows what other outbuildings. Of course it hasn't been farmed in years, but everything is still there and it's obvious that somebody is taking care of it. I questioned Emma about it and she said that her granddaughter is living with her now and it was Wendy who was putting so much time, effort and money into its upkeep. Wendy hopes to eventually buy it some day. She's the only child or grandchild who is interested in the property and it sounds like Wendy is determined to renovate the old house and property. I questioned Emma about the house and she said it was built in 1860. Yes, I can believe that. It had been built or at least owned by John Kelley who came to Town of Porter prior to 1850. John was always called Captain Kelley. Not because of any military service, but because he was the captain of a steamer on the Great Lakes. And do you know what? Captain Kelley's great-granddaughter still lives here in Youngstown. Emma and I had such a nice phone conversation and when I timidly asked her how old she is, she said that she will be 85 on Christmas day if she lives that long! No, Emma isn't ill, it's just that her two great-grandchildren today have been running her up the wall ever since they got off the school bus today. They're 7 and 9 and . . . well, you get the picture! Another thing that Emma told me was that her husband's ashes have been scattered over their land and I have the feeling that there will be a time when Emma's ashes will join his. Isn't it nice that they have a granddaughter who has been taking care of her grandmother and sprucing up the old farm at the same time? From where I sit tonight, those Christmas lights on the old milk shed just get brighter and brighter. vee