Fargo kicked off the Christmas season in style, with a fund-raiser for Meritcare, a breast cancer support system. It included a silent auction, a "girl's night out" gala, a marketplace and other events. One breast cancer survivor spoke, and she told a poignent, powerful story. She had been diagnosed with breast cancer, and after surgery and remission, was diagnosed with cancer in her sternum. She's had 5 cancer diagnosis and treatments in the past 10 years. She said that she and her family could have used a support system like Meritcare because they didn't know what to do, how to do it, how to feel...then she went on to say that she believes that her cancer was a blessing, and that if she had the opportunity to change things, she wouldn't. That stopped me in my tracks. She said, "Do you know why you are here? Do you know what your purpose in life is? Are you living your purpose fully? I am. If you are not, maybe you should go home tonight and think about it for a little while."
A silent auction was held to support Meritcare. There were all sorts of beautiful things such as this art deco wreath made of several gauges of silver wire and pipe, with crystal baubles... 
and some that were...well....different. This is a bird candelabra, I think. 
I was awed and enchanted by the tree decorated by the MinnDak Woodturners Club (Minnesota and Dakotas). They had carved ornaments--acorns, bells, birdhouses, and traditional turned ornaments. Some were carved from local wood, such as a crab apple tree cut down at the Fargo Library. Their entire tree was being auctioned, with an "angel bid" (immediate winning bid) of $500--what a steal, because there were probably 75-100 hand-carved ornaments on the tree!
One of the carvers was there; his name was Norm Diede. He showed me a few of his contributions--this is one. Beautiful, isn't it? Although you have click a lot to get to the photos, check out their work at http://www.minndakwoodturners.com/ 
If you didn't want to wait for the silent auction to end, you could have instant gratification in the market place. You could buy miniature Christmas trees donated by supportive people and clubs, in a variety of wonderful themes. Prices ranged from $10-65--what bargains! 
How about a large gingerbread house--this one used banana chips for shingles! Isn't that great? $85 for one of the best gingerbread houses I've ever seen. Have you ever made one? My sister Kathy and I did, one year. We had a lot of fun and an incredible sugar high, since we tasted as we pasted!
Odette drove me to the barn so that I could pick up my horses, but we needed lunch first. We had a terrific lunch at Ciao Bella. If you are ever in Falcon, be sure to stop in and eat. Almost everything is made fresh, on site, and is delicious. Sara got to taste everything--I had wild mushroom ravioli, and Odie had a cannoloni that was bigger than her head! (leftovers!!!) 
Then, Sara got to meet her first horse! She wasn't convinced that something that big could be friendly. 
So, I hopped onto Beau so that she could see that horses are great! 
Maybe they are better farther away...
Hmmmm, that's a pretty big mouth! Horses say "neeeiiiggghhh!"
OK, I think I can do this...OK, he's not so bad! Nice Beau!!! 
This one is really nice and soft! Cute, too! 
Ranger LOVES children. He is absolutely fascinated by them, and is incredibly gentle around them. 
Don't tell Brian and Odette, but if somebody asks for a pony for Christmas in a few years, she just might get one! Hey--spoilage is my perogative!
The move to Denver has been really good for me, but you always leave good people behind. Tim is one of the "good ones;" he is the "fertilizer manager" at our barn. 
He's always got a smile and a helping hand--Tim fixed my truck when it broke down earlier this week--he diagnosed the cam sensing unit, installed the new one ($29, vs $300 at a shop) and installed a new $150 alternator in 6 minutes--something Falcon Auto estimated at $463! So, Tim saved me over $600 this week--thanks, Tim! I'm going to miss Tim, but I've got his number, just in case! The horses are now warm and cozy in their new barn, ready for new adventures.
I hope that you are warm and cozy, too, gearing up for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Don't forget to leave a comment--I'm beginning to wonder if anyone stops by!
I don't think that these guys were very cold! Yes, that's FIRE!
There were plenty of marching bands, playing festive Christmas music. It sure got people singing along--rousing choruses of "Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells...!" Their uniforms and instruments were lit up, glittery and sparkley, and they brought us all a lot of joy!
There was a lot of wildlife-
Go penguin, go!
Southwest Airlines was there, too! If you've ever been on an overnight with a SWA crew, you'll know why I'm classifying them as "wildlife!"
No Christmas parade is complete without a Chinese New Year's Dragon!
There were well-behaved horses....
And not-so-well-behaved children!
Dancing timepieces,
Gingerbread houses, 
and Gingerbread men!
Twirling poinsettias!
The Nutcracker Suite...
And the Nativity-the reason for the season
accompanied by Shepards and Angels.
The most famous reindeer of all!
Dancing packages...no, my name wasn't on any of them...
Santa finally showed up...hooray! 
Merry Christmas! Are you in the Spirit, yet? If not, grab a Peppermint Mocha, put on some Christmas tunes, and let yourself be filled up with the magic of the month!
I went to an REI seminar last night. REI has really good presentations; this one was about snoeshoeing routes. I bought snowshoes two or three years ago and intended to go, but spent the winter too sad to do anything. I bought appropriate clothing last year, but never did go. This year, one of the FO's I flew with recently wants to go, so we are planning an easy start as soon as enough snow is on the ground. There are several 2-3 mile routes within an hour's drive. Watch for photos of that event, when & if it happens!
He was the biggest buck I'd seen all day! Can you see the does in the trees? How many can you count? 
There are 5, plus the buck... One doe laying down on the left, one standing, just behind her is the head of another laying down, one in the top middle of the thicket and one just above the buck. There was actually one more doe, between the standing and laying doe, but she hunkered down and didn't appear in the photo. So, this buck had a 6-doe harem!
Here's the rest of him: 
Kjell & I flew his last trip before he leaves. He is going to Dubai to fly for Emirates. It's not a lifestyle I'd want, but he & his wife feel that it will be a good adventure for themselves and their daughters. We'll all miss Kjell--he's one of the best pilots and delightful co-workers with whom I've flown--it's always a perq to fly with good people! Kjell graciously offered to let me stay with them if I ever want to visit, so I'll plan a trip after they get settled--before it gets too hot!
We got great photos of Kjell's last trip. The badlands at dawn...when you fly west, you often chase the dawn or the sunset, depending on time of day. 
So, we saw sunrise four times: on Pike's Peak, the badlands, Bryce Canyon and the Sierras on Sunday. We flew over Yosemite, with Half Dome at first light.
If it's snowing where you are, get out and throw a snowball or two, or make a snowman! Enjoy! Only 19 days til Christmas--are you ready?
