Hello from my Living Room,

The semester, at least the regular class portion of it, has completed. It has been a long semester, and if you have been reading, beginning with the crash of the Harley. However, the semester ended up busy because of the extra responsibilities and being on committees and other meetings. They seem to never really stop. While I was supposed to be on the road more than I was during the fall, I am not complaining that such a schedule did not happen. If I look back at the year, it was a year of surprises, of learning and of growth. I guess it is that last issue that is always important. Whether it was in the vineyard, in the experience of meeting new people (in California and Wisconsin) in being involved in new things at the university, or in learning about myself, it has been a good year.

I am not sure I expected the holidays to be this way at this point in my life. I did not expect to be rather "profoundly" single at this point. I have such amazing memories of the Christmas holiday when I was small. My grandmother always hosted Christmas at her house. It was the house I lived in as a small child. On three acres of land, it has fields and hills and it was a simple house. I remember the Christmas we got a toboggan. It was one of the most amazing presents ever. We good years out of that present; I remember my brother using Johnson Paste Wax to polish the bottom of the toboggan so it would go faster.

More importantly, she taught me so much about giving without expecting in return. She pulled out all the stops for Christmas from the dinner to the tree to what she gave to everyone, and she loved doing it. I guess even though I do not have an immediate family at this point in my life, I do try to give to those who make my life so meaningful. I am so blessed to have some amazing friends, both as colleagues and in my everyday life. Over the fall I have been given such a gift of learning about both myself and to be blessed with an outstanding friend. The smiles, the smirks, the honesty and the amazing work done day in and day out as well as the class exhibited has made my life a better existence.

I think it is the humility that is one of the things makes it her such an outstanding individual. Her understanding of the course delivery tool as well as what is needed to make us as faculty able to do our job is exceptional. Likewise, her willingness to help us when we fall into the PLR category is certainly appreciated. Perhaps, what is most fun is the refreshing sense of irreverence that makes working with her so enjoyable.

When I was small, my favorite present was a new box of Crayola Crayons. Give me that and a new color book, and I was one happy camper. Now, I think I am more about what I can give others much more than what I get. I am working to do some things for my grand-niece and grand-nephew. I have some shopping to do, but it will be fun.

To all of you who have written, commented, or called, thank you. I do hope you have a blessed and safe holiday and I wish for each of you the chance to create new and lasting memories. Thanks for your friendship and to each of you, the wishes for a productive and happy new year. The picture is from my living room and the scarf is from one of my blessed SOTL colleagues

Michael