December 2016 finally

December 2016 was the first in many which was not interrupted or squeezed by trials and legal schedules---and still it was full and sped by for Mark and Hilde.  There was more time for contemplation of the meaning of the time, and a flurry of family visits despite several weather postponements.  This year Mark was able to participate in all the Christmas preparations, and enjoy the aroma of all the goodies which were produced.  He was also able to help Hilde with the assembly and delivery of the fruit baskets/boxes for church shut-ins and between some bitter cold snaps, to decorate outside and track down a tree to cut.  Decorating the tree while enjoying Mary Poppins was delightful for both of them.

Hilde knit up a storm as she prepared sweaters for the grandchildren—and then had to take them apart and redo the necks to allow more room!  She went along with Mark on his only business trip of the month…Lake City Minnesota has got to be beautiful in spring, summer and fall, but early December is pretty stark out there.  She also weathered yet more nastiness on county board resolving anew to both ‘consider the source’ of the malice and to not allow it to induce bitterness in response.

While there were no big Christmas parties or gatherings this year, there was lots of socializing and visiting, both in person and on the phone.  A good portion of the old First Law Group got together for a dinner over at Sentry World, which was very pleasant.   Mark and Hilde always enjoy the December in-gathering of black belt friends for the taekwondo testing and added a dinner with Dr. Stevens just because we are friends.  During the times weather kept them home, Mark got in contact with a couple of old friends and made some dents on the radio work, while Hilde sifted through and recycled still more of the paper accumulation in the house. 

The weekend winter blasts interfered with plans for (a) an early Christmas, and (b) an actual Christmas, but Mark and Hilde enjoyed a simple, quiet Christmas Eve and Day together, staying off the iced roads.  John and Evie joined them just after for a nice visit which included Evie helping with a simple website for Henkel Legal Services and a couple of workouts.  Then Mark and Hilde were able to go to Sussex (plan c!) and have a luncheon with Hilde’s mother and the “Jim clan” and have another celebration with the children.  The kids are growing and learning so much—cuddling with them reading to them and listening to their songs and reading is sheer joy!  That was a short visit, but sweet. 

Mark and Hilde fit in one more family visit by driving to Rice Lake on New Year’s Eve and a fine day with Phil and Connie.  That almost didn’t work as the year of water and leaks got one more trick in---mysterious water leak in the basement first thing in the morning of last day.  While the water softener control seems the likely culprit, it was not possible to re-create the issue, so Hilde keeps going downstairs and looking suspiciously at it with no conclusion…but no additional leaks either.

The whole month of December was a delight for Packer fans as they suddenly shook off the chain of defeats and swept through the end of the season with wins, including the NFC North.  Along with all the state and lots of out-of-state fans, Mark and Hilde are hoping for success in the play-offs.  Who knows what other excitement 2017 might bring?