Evie gave me this painting she did for Christmas. Adds a splash of color to the decor, don't you think?

Ernie gifted me some fantastic antique toy cars from his mother's estate.

And the Gilkster made us this coffee table that is so beautiful I am just about speechless!

Awesome x-country ski today along the Machias River with Greg B. We're both fit and trim, I think, in comparison to all the big-bottoms we saw on snowmobiles. Probably about 50 snowmobiles zoomed past, but we didn't meet up with a single other skier. It's always that way, and I know it shouldn't bother me, but I can't help but wonder why others don't think it's fun to work that body. Yeah, I know, I'm a fresh air freak--but isn't that the "way life should be" when you live in Maine?

I walk alone--or, more precisely, I snowshoe by myself in the bitter cold. Loudly I invited all comers in my packed house to enjoy nature's goodness, but the response--deafening silence--said it all, by of course saying nothing at all. I'm laboring over this post because my strength was sapped trying to load the above photo of the heath. You see, all these Internet hogs, who are hard wired to their laptops, are gumming up the Wifi works here at Chez Rottersman/Cirillo. Please, young people, get outside for some exercise and fresh air!

But. But, but, but--Jake, Jessie and Cara all joined me this morning for a jump rope bonanza in the woodshed/sugar shack/Muhammed Ali Fitness Facitlity.

News flash: Cara got the most beautiful haircut. She's lookin' hot!!!!!! I've been begging her to get a short do for 22 years. It was worth the wait--and once my battery (well, not my battery, but the camera battery) is charged I'll take a head shot.

Jake works the speed-rope...

Rocks some pull-ups...

And busts out some push-ups...

All as part of the Crazy Man Workout in the blizzard. We had a good time, though there might have been more heavy breathing than conversation. Nothing could make this dad happier than working up a sweat with his best fella.

Oh, and by the way, Max said he was going to come outside with his camera. But he never made an appearance, and when we came into the house he was eating pie. No surprise, I know, but I figured I should provide a full report.

Merry, merry Christmas!

Jake and Jessie are pictured in front of my mother's lovingly decorated house. Evie is not in the photo because she declined to go on the group walk of Lucy--even though my mother strongly indicated that the walk was not optional.

Eye gave us absolutely beautiful pillow covers from Thailand; Hieu and Amila gave us books and assorted other goodies. So I guess Cara and I made out like bandits. Plus, Easy can now rejoice as my mother gave us a new compost bin.

But I have to say that the ultimate Christmas moment was when Amila opened the Manchester United sweatshirt from Pop and Debbie--she was giddy, for sure, and put that hoodie on like it was a fur coat. Hieu and Eye and Amila have never celebrated Christmas before, so I think they are getting a kick out of the whole enterprise.

Having our own children home with their fantastic friends is, by far, the best gift.

Is this the best Christmas Eve ever? The Colby Mules, a Black Bear and Eve loaded firewood into the basement, accomplishing in an hour what would have taken me days. I don't want to be president, but I would like to have a staff.

Jessie packs it out past Pinhead the Snowman.

Nothing more fun than a good wood toss on a sunny Winter day!

The Colby contingent enjoying the great gray day. Not to paint myself heroic, but I saved them from being swallowed by their laptops. Yes, the addiction to Facebook is universal--so let's stop complaining about American youth. There I go: talking to myself again.

Maybe there can be a sci-fi movie where laptops turn into snapping turtles, kind of like Hitchcock's The Birds. Then some old-school salty character rides to the rescue on his horse. I know, I know... I'm losing it.