Reading (For Dummies)

Happy Jesusmas

One of my favorite things about this time of year has to be my father's wry sense of humor where Christmas decorations are concerned.

His tree

He usually decorates the tree as above: the branches full of cams, aliens, carabiners, slings, and other climbing gear. To top it all with a touch of joyous class is his now infamous stuffed raven. I have tried to convince him to shine a light on this crown and spread the love to his neighbors, but we have yet to find sufficient means of drawing attention to the centerpiece.

Christmas was much as I had expected, a quieter mix of family, subdued present exchanges and catching-up with the family.

My cousin Mitchell

Funny how the family is all grown up now. Mitchell, above riding his new toy, has become a force to be reckoned with. He was the last shy one in the family, but seems to have 'cracked the shell,' as they say. While not unicycling, he's out winning skateboarding competitions with the East Coasting Skatboarding Club. He has mad skills. I wonder if he has a future job skateboarding for Aboriginees while wrestling crocodiles?