DocWard

I enjoy almost all Christmas music, especially traditional carols. My junior and senior years, I was in my high school choral ensemble and we would perform out many times over the course of the season, and it was always a great time. I will admit it can also make me melancholy, because a few years after we graduated, my ensemble partner was murdered. When we were out, people would always guess us to be a couple because we were so close as friends, but we were one of the few that weren't dating. At any rate, I like Christmas music. A Wexford Carol has already been mentioned, and it is simply amazing. I performed this in choir in college a couple of times, and always enjoyed it Another of my favorites: Then when it comes to "alternatives" I am a fan of Gary Hoey.

For the past few years, I've had this for breakfast: https://www.bobsredmill.com/old-country-style-muesli.html I have it with low fat milk, some blueberries, strawberries and a bit of maple syrup I get off the shelf at my local grocery. Sometimes if I see some at a farmer's market I will pick it up, just because. I also use it on the obvious things like pancakes, waffles, french toast and the like. I much prefer it to the "table syrups" available.

My deepest condolences. We wouldn't hurt so bad at their passing if they didn't mean so much to us.

Happy Rohatsu, or Bodhi Day, everyone. For those that don't know, today is the observation of the enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. Rohatsu translates from Japanese as "the eighth day of the twelfth month," and for Zen and many Western Buddhists, is observed on December 8 every year. For those that follow the lunar calendar, it moves from year to year. Maybe someday I will have the time, energy and wherewithal to do a week long sesshin, which is a meditation retreat. For now, I'm content with observing the day.

Thanks for the small lump I have in my throat now.

Good news indeed!

B-25J Mitchell "Devil Dog" taken a couple of years back at Grimes Field in Urbana, Ohio. I changed the photo to black and white for a Facebook thing, and really like the result.

Terriers recharging their batteries.

Actually, that is exactly what I thought you meant!

What, you didn't consider drunk or stoned?

Yep! I've done my share back in my younger days, and some parts were hair raising. The change of color in the fall in Eastern KY is one of the prettiest things I believe I've ever seen. Now if I could just find some of my pictures...

It was intended as such. The producers purchased the rights to the film because it was so obscure (meaning they were cheap), to avoid any legal difficulties.

My Appalachian born parents always referred to "the hills." Growing up, I never thought of them as "mountains" even though I had never seen the Rocky Mountains. A couple of things worth noting though, are that the Appalachians were the first real barrier to East-West travel encountered by Europeans as they settled and expanded the continent. Also, the Appalachians are far, far older than the Rockies, and are believed to have been Himalayan in size at one time!

A view of fall from my driveway. We get the same view from the backdoors.

Welcome to the fire! I can't add much to what has already been added, other than there are also a few dilettantes around, and if you get the chance to shoot with @Sixgun Seamus and Cayenne Kay, at a shoot, Do it! Oh, I'm fine with that hat, but did you have to steal Charlie Brown's shirt for your wild rag? He has a hard enough time as it is!