I haven't said a word about Christmas and sadly that spree will now continue in that tonight I have not planned to write of that but of the birthday of my dear brother-in-law Floydsie. The poor fellow was missed out on last year and this year I want to remember him here.

Floyd is a man of integrity who from the beginning in his relationship with my sister showed that he was committed to doing what is right. He was never one to try to disconnect my sister from her family but rather to make himself a part of all that we were doing and even to encourage her participation when she was unwilling. I remember being so thankful for his attitude because so often relationships can cause seperations in families. It was so important for me to see a man older than I with such a deep respect for that foundation. It is a rare example in this day and age for other men to follow. An example that one such as I searches for to be reminded what it is to be a man of one's word and a man who honors the past and those who came before him.

I am so pleased that he and I have had the chance to build relationship over the years. Pleased that he wishes to steal each and every comic phrase from myself and my family and use them as if they are his own. Pleased at his openness to visiting other places and peoples that led he and Tara here just a few weeks ago to be with me and share in the life I am living. Pleased most of all that he wishes his life to folloW God's compass and to do what is best for the family that he and my sister have begun. I am thankful for him on this day and hoping that his time will be grand.

I am writing this post from Warsaw where I and Tymek and Hannah arrived to today. I shall be a few weeks traveling to different places in Poland with no set return time yet. I experienced a wonderful time over Christmas and must write of it soon but not tonight. There are a few pictures up from the period but sadly few of the actual festivities. The only explanation I have is that so much time was spent indoors and when I am required to use flash photography I lose my urge for picture taking which is hardly a good excuse but the only I've got. Take a look at the few that are there at least.

I cannot explain my recent inability to put words to paper though the activity continues to bring great joy to this fellow. Two years in a row now my wonderful Lord provided a way that during birthday, holiday time there might still include the joy and familiarity of my own family. The time with Tara, Floyd, and Faolan while being and feeling like a whirlwind visit nevertheless encouraged my heart in innumberable ways. It was of course a reminder of the strength and joy of my friendship with Tara. Of the ease of time and connection with all three that included afternoons of lazing about in conversation and rest all the while watching Faolan in all his joy and exuberance of life exploring all. This experience also for the first time allowed for a connection of my life of the last twenty four years with that of the start of my twenty fifth. I for the first time in this place was host and tour guide and given a reason to explore more of the surroundings. To once again put miles on the old beast of a Citroen which has taken to smelling like a mouse's home, as Tara can attest that it seems a mouse has attempted residency therein. There is something unmistakeable about the wonder of time with those who shared formative years of one's life and who have seen in my case a wealth of transitions.

I haven't the words today to say much in this post but would like to share the activity of the days. Recovering from exhaustion was the name of the game early on, in fact for much of the first week with the joy of much snow, kulig (Polish tradition that I attempted first in February with the added joy this time of swallowing large quantities of brown snow while laying on my blow up sled with face inches from the ground), and sledding on pure ice mixed in. Later in the week we four set out (often with accompaniment of one of the kids here) on ventures to wander each of the nearby cities of Gdynia, Sopot, and Gdansk and one of the days also to visit what is said to be the largest castle in the world, Malbork. Malbork being the old stronghold of the Teutonic Knights and a massive symbol of the long German presence in the area. Of course back at the homestead there was the experience of the homemade brews and plethora of the local sausage and on Floyd's last night the hot to frigid sauna experience. After Floyd's departure activity slowed drastically including only a few visits and jaunts in the name of furry boot purchasing. For Tara and I as the best of friends a few days of lolly gagging, speaking of the higher matters of family and life, and enjoying the wonder of Faolan's youth was a treasure.

I don't know what to say of how soon I will post again. I have yet to figure what I would like to make of this site in the face of more normal life now. I am committed to this being a winter that includes plenty of self development in the form of learning and reopening the chasms of this brain that transitions to adulthood have attempted to squash. After the new year there are places and people that must be visited prior to my next journey back to the States and the birth of Tara's number two.

Three new albums are up, the first from my marvelous trip to Warsaw before Tara's arrival and of my friends' there beautiful new baby Gabrysia. The other two are of the activity of these past two weeks though slightly disorganized because the pictures came from two sources. Any of you with ideas on what in semi normal living time I could make of this blog should tell all.