Counting Down . . . .

Seven more days of increasing darkness:  We've been fortunate this year with weather patterns that have diminished the sense of shortened days.  

Bright sunshine and very little gloom do much to lessen the blahs that come from less light. Darkness has zipped by, it seems. 

To think that in a week's time we can start counting upward on daylight provides a positive approach to this week ahead. 

Seven more days before kids leave and kids come:  Willie, Debbie and the pups will be moving on down the road, bound for Boise for Christmas with Debbie's family when Annie arrives in Spokane about mid-afternoon next Saturday.  

That means it could be seven more days before an O'Doherty's fix---Irish stew for Annie; the Maui Wowie for me.

Ten more hours to a brief party time:  Today is Rick Gehring's 70th birthday.  Rick and his wife Ann have been colleagues and family friends for nearly 40 years.  We've all gone through a lot of good times and bad times together.  Gehrings were among a cadre of hard chargers who helped us put our life back together when our house burned down on Dec. 20, 1984.

Many of those hard chargers played a part in helping Rick and Ann put their lives back together a few years ago when Rick suffered a major stroke while on a trip, eventually bound for the Panama Canal.  

The stroke meant a slight detour of about four months, spent in Florida and numerous hospitals as he recovered.  Rehab has continued since then, and Rick continues to get better.  We all know that this birthday is a very special milestone.

So, Bill and I will spend some time this evening at the Gehring family get-together.  Happy Birthday, Rick.  We're so glad you're here to celebrate!

Twelve more hours to the BATTLE IN SEATTLE:  I'm wearing my "uniform" and will proudly wear it to the Gehrings before heading to my sisters' house to watch the ZAGS take on South Alabama in the Seattle classic.  

Having lost only one game in 10, the ZAGS could provide plenty of excitement for the crowd in Key Arena.  GO ZAGS!

Less than Four Months' before Killarney:  This week, we've made the decision that the Love family will visit Ireland in the spring.  Folks had to check their schedules, and it looks like a go for a third visit for Annie, a second for me and a first for Bill, Willie, Debbie and possibly Bill's sister Margaret who is retiring from the California Parks Dept. this month.  

Congrats, Margaret!

Annie and I have already done some preliminary planning for this trip around the Emerald Isle and just thinking about the experience will remove many concerns dealing with gloomy winter days. 

Lots more countdowns, like four or five more batches of Christmas cookies to bake and load into baskets, 30-plus Christmas cards yet to write and mail, presents to wrap, a tree to decorate. . . . 

Eventually, with all, we'll meet an end point, and then start some more countdowns!  Fun times. 

Happy Saturday.  GO ZAGS!  Only 30 years from today before we celebrate with Rick as he turns 100!