The Browns had a quiet and friendly Christmas. We are in the process of two big changes: Elizabeth is moving home, and Studio Eight is moving offices.
These two events with Christmas in the middle mean that there have been massive clear up, recycle and filing sessions. Ahhh. Still I enjoyed re-reading Christmas cards and filing away letters. I feel close to all of you. Susila's poem helped.
I'm ready for 2006. Bring it on.

LB

Poem For People Who Know Me, At Christmastime

This is a poem for people who know me,
At Christmastime.
From a place of Goodwill,
Within me,
I simply want to wish you
The Blessings of Grace in your
Good Life,
The Greatness of Kindness,
In it's most simple form,
And the Gratitude of one
Whose life is enriched in
Knowing you.

Thank You,
And God Bless You.

Fondly, From Susilawati
(Susila Bryant)

Voting from the UK

As an ex-pat Canadian, I do not have a vote in the Federeal elections. There should be a change there. Americans from overseas can vote at their embassies but Canadians do not have that priviledge. I watching the campaign from my daily Globe and Mail newsletter on line. I'm trying to understand who is running on what platform. I meet with my Canadian Women's Book Club next week ( a number of people from the High Commission) and have to be up to speed (and not too controversial. The challenge is there. We read A Complicated Kindness last month. Loved/and / hated it. Too hard to think of teenage girls kicking up dust in Saskatchewan.

I just sent one Christmas parcel off to Thailand for my son Jean-Pierre. The postage cost more than the gifts inside - typically - but he does like to imagine that I trolled up and down the shops to find him new, better socks. I keep telling him I can knit him a pair but he doesn't take me up on the offer. Can't think why.

Next the Fedex to Vancouver and then I'm done.

We have had our annual office party and we are invited out for Christmas day so I'm freer this Christmas. Skating on the 23rd at Sommerset house. I've done the baking, roasting, feeding and dishes. My feet are up. Ahhhhh.

Lorna

Susila Bryant Wishing You All Good Connections In The Christmas Season...

Dear Friends:

Heartening to hear your news.....and about the books. The Globe 100 on 26 November, 2005 mentions one of Eileen's selections, and also in non-fiction, "Dancing In The No Fly Zone: A Woman's Journey Through Iraq" by our daughter Hadani Ditmars (Raincoast) & Arris (Abroad).

Living as I do near the Rails to Trails site of the Arbutus Corridor in Kerrisdale, I am able to be near some nature each day. It's not my "Summit Lake of The Soul" but it keeps me connected. A walk by Spanish Bank West (the Park board removed the "S") in any period of time you're in town would be a good way to meet up and catch up.

Take Good Care..,Best from Susila Bryant.

snow and cold politicians

Yes, Eileen,
I would vote for you. Granny power rules. And the fact that some of your family lives in Ottawa will definitely help.
Besides we need good government in Canada - the last bastion of really nice people.

It's raining in London.

Lorna