Christmas 1995

Its' That Time Again.

Does the Christmas letter mark the start of a new year or cap off the end of the last year?

We surprised Gara Ann's Mom with a Christmas visit to the home place (Meadowlark Farm). Alice & troupe showed up and Christmas eve was held at Bill's. Fun times and Grandma was delighted. I think she can only put up with that gang once a year and then only for a short time. You ought to see her face when 200+ LBS of grandson(Nate) dives off couch onto wood floor to entertain his cousins. Besides the house couldn't take that kind of abuse very often. We drove up together but Nate & Gara Ann flew home while I

drove with a stop off in Georgia on my way to Florida.

Nate! Here we go again. Still 200+ Lbs; Still 6'4"; Still Nate! He decided not to go to camp this year and went to Blueridge Ga for 4 weeks instead. Drove up by himself

(Take my word for it God, GAM & I were all riding with him). When I received the call from him that he had arrived I got misty eyed. A lot like.. Putting him on the school bus the first time or dropping him off for summer camp; It makes no difference about his size.. he is still "our" BABY. He got a job at "The world famous Pink Pig" (a barbecue joint frequented by ex-president Jimmy Carter) as a an expediter.. Chop wood, cut weeds, wash dishes, bus tables, etc... He did suggest after a few weeks on the job that we eat elsewhere in the future.(the cleanliness left something to be desired).

GAM went to Missouri for her summer outing in mid July, (in addition to a spur of the moment trip in June to see high school & college friend Margo Sturgen Baker) spent 10

days there and then down to Piggot,AK to visit. Randy, Jeannett and Buffy and see the progress on their new home. I, after getting Nate underway on his great adventure(see

above), got on the Harley and left to meet GAM in Piggot. Its a long way from anywhere to Piggot. Take my word for it that no one will ever come on Piggott by accident; you

have to want to get there. Stayed 2 days and then we left for GA. Gara Ann in her car and I on the bike. She stopped off at Frank Wilson's in Athens TN and I ran some back roads into Blueridge. We stayed at the Last Resort for a few days then back to Florida.

I get a lot of fun from the bike and have ridden about 20,000 miles in the last 2 years. I enjoy camping and tow a small trailer with the necessary gear which allows me to

enjoy travel that much more. Last spring I got on it with trailer loaded at 4:30AM on Marco and rode to Blueridge in 15 hours. Stayed the night at Blueridge and at 6AM the

next morning in 40 deg. temperatures left for the 2 hour ride to Cherokee NC to meet up with some Marco riders. Stayed 2 nights in NC and then South to home with the

Marco boys for company. 2000 miles in 4 days and every one of them FUN. I got in my 3 week vacation in the mountains in Sept/Oct. and covered more backroads than can be

believed. Stayed at camp "Martin" at the Resort on weekends and moved around the rest of the time.

Martin family went up to GA for Thanksgiving with Mom Martin, Beth, Joe and the gang. Sister Beth's turkey was super as usual and this year Nephew John smoked one as

well( over hickory and was it unique). All the trimmings, Beth's Famous Margaritas and all those big kids make for memorable times.

Gara Ann did her autumn Mizzou week ... enjoyed trip to Maryville, MO with Mom to visit childhood and college friends as well as time in Columbia with brother Bill and

family. Missouri can't quite seem to win the ballgame, but the country ham sandwiches and company make it a favorite time.

We send our love and wishes for a Merry Christmas and New Year of Joy. One of our dear friends sent his greeting with this message and we want to send it to you ...

As you share your gifts with one another this holy season, take time to remember

the greatest gift of all . . . Jesus Christ. May his birth make a difference in your life today.