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Justin Boots
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Christmas Day
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The beauty of Christmas Day at home is that it could be anywhere. We just happen to be in a small apartment in Fort Worth Texas, but we have a tree, presents, a fire, food and each other. And we can telephone our families.
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Christmas Eve at the Zoo
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As we used to do in Cincinnati, we spent Christmas Eve at the zoo. Our favorite part is Texas Town, featuring Texas animals, geography and ecology.
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Our New House
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What color roof shall we put on it? I'm thinking gray.
True Believer
Girls in Red Dresses
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For the second time this season, Charlotte's parents, Azilee and Rob, invited us to a fantastic holiday party. This one was called the Sugar Rush and was a fundraiser for Kids Who Care, a children's theater group, followed by their musical production of The Christmas Carol. The party was fun and their Carol was terrific. The main roles were played by professional actors while teens enlivened the script with extra Christmas songs and dancing.
I don't know whether it was because this production was especially good, or because great works of art continue to surprise you long after you think you know them, but I felt the meanness and misery, as well as the merriment, of Dickens' familiar story more intensely than I ever have before. I shed real tears.
Again, I can't post a picture, but here are Gwendolen and Charlotte enjoying each other's company.
Hulen Mall
Although I did all my shopping on line, Gwenny and I went to Hulen Mall on the Saturday before Christmas just to take in the holiday sights and sounds. For the first time, I got to witness the full demographic spectrum of Fort Worth: 45% white, 30% Hispanic, 20% African American, 5% other. There were so many families just out for a stroll, and very few of them toting shopping bags, that it felt like Hollywood Blvd on a Saturday night,
Munchkins
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Wendy the Mouse
The Dance Class
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Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
The Nutcracker at Bass Hall - Thanks Ellen!
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Yes, I know the Nutcracker is pure kitsch and its only reason for being performed year after year by ballet companies across the country is to make money. But it's always enjoyable and can you think of a better way to introduce a five-year-old to the performing arts? "Mom" Gwenny whispered in my ear, "we recognize this song."
Armadillo Races
Chicken Dance in Cow Town?
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"Feel like German food?" asked Lloyd as I sat at the dining table knee deep in fake fur. (I was busy making mouse, bear and wolf hoods for Gwenny's school play.) I loved Edelweiss the minute we walked in. The decor was "Bavarian Chalet tricked out for Christmas" and reminded me of Munich. The beers were huge and the food way too delicious. Best of all was the music: an oompa band with accordion, keyboard and Eidelwiess' owner, Bernd (pictured), belting out German drinking songs and Bing Crosby Christmas carols.
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Here's Gwenny in the mouse hood.
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