Happy Holidays to the Creek 2008 (pics)

[Walt Caza]

Happy Holidays to the Creek!
That's a pretty good catch-all, but I long for good ole Merry Christmas.
However you celebrate, be it Hanukkah, Christmas or Kwanzaa...
I hope it brightens your cheeks and warms your spirit.

My city of Windsor is not just next to the motor city, Detroit.
We are also the automotive capital of Canada.
Due to the domestic auto stuggles, many around me are hurting.
Let's keep a positive thought for better days for so many working families.

I buried a loved family member in a frigid funeral this week.
Let us remember all those who have passed away this year.
I have been saying since I was a word-loving teen:
Tomorrow is promised to no one.
(so let's eat our icecream today)or maybe chocolate?

Despite many challenges of late, I am pushing to remain positive and
grateful for all our blessings.
I choose to respond to these negatives, not by forsaking, but embracing Christmas.
The holidays are a terrific time of year to spread love and good cheer.
We are here for a good time, not a long a time.
Let's do what we can to make the world a better place.

As a world traveller, I admire those who can surf the moment.
Loosen their white knuckle grasp on a plan or itenerary, and go with the flow.
At the same beach, some curse the conditions, while others surf with style.
As Steve Winwood sang, you got to roll with it, baby!

Since I am with my wife, I have always brought her to select a real Christmas tree.
It has always been a long needled evergreen, such as a Scotch pine.(and green)
Unfortunately she is unable to make the selection this year. But...

Recently my brother had to chop down a tree interfering with underground
services in his yard.
Opportunity knocked, so I changed plans, and let it in...

The short needled Blue Spruce measured over 15 feet tall, by about 11 feet wide.
Measuring was tricky, because it's so picky!
I chopped off more than 3 feet in his driveway, and another 3 feet at home.
15-footer--blue-spruce.jpg work-gloves-sold-seperately.jpg
Work gloves sold seperately. Some assembly required.
(keen eyes may spot my pet Lee Valley hat)

My brothers wife made a beautiful wreath from the trimmings.
(keen eyes may spot the melting salt on the steps)
homemade-wreath.jpg

In certain light, it really does throw some blue.
blue-spruce-closeup.jpg

The big, blue air freshener has been a joy in our home.
She is drinking water like crazy, and is fresher by far, than any tree I ever bought off the lot.
The open branches left lots of room for decorations.
If she was able, my darling wife could have done a much better job,
but hey, I did the best I could, and it's decorated.

Mushy, the Turkish Angora Odd-Eyed White, has claimed it as his new nap spot.
I don't know if I have been good this year...
but Santa will have to tuck any presents around the fluffball.
(keen eyes may spot that he has a green eye and a blue eye?)

Elvis had Blue Hawaii, and we are having a Blue Christmas!
blue-christmas-tree.jpg

Hug your loved ones, and have a good holiday.
Merry Christmas Everyone!!
And a healthy, happy and hopeful New Year!
be well,
Walt

ps If you've got your health, you've got everything!

pss We have been buried under a foot of fresh snow, with another half-foot falling tonight.
It is the first time in 40 years that Canada will have a white Christmas from coast to coast!

[Dewey Torres]

Walt cool hat and cool Jeans!!!

Canucks are cool!

Happy Holidays!

[gary Zimmel]

W

Happy holidays from Geri and I to you and Nat.

Thank you for the post.

Life Is Good!

g

[Phyllis Meyer]

Walt,

That was awesome! Merry Christmas to you also! Everyone of us have so much to be thankful for! Thank you for your wonderful writing! You made my day!

Sincerely,
Phyllis

[Steve Schlumpf]

Walt - you have a great way with words! Very sorry to hear of your recent loss...... Be strong and filled with the love of family and friends!

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

[Jerry Olexa]

Very well written, heartfelt post and great pics. Thank you....

[Jim O'Dell]

Walt, I too am sorry to hear about your wife. If it was posted before, I'm not remembering it, and I feel bad about that.
You've got a great attitude and an equal outlook on life. Spread that joy to others as you have/are here with us. The world will be a much better place.
To add to your thread and continue the well wishes for the Holiday Season, the two that make up Coolmeadow Setters this Christmas add their well wishes to you and yours, and to the rest of the family here at the Creek. DSCN2206-1.jpg
Taz and Tainey

Peace Jim and Glenna

[Don Bullock]

Merry Christmas

[Roy Wall]

Walt -

Blessings to you and Natalie this Christmas season. You are always 'spot on' when it comes to what is really important in this life. You are always a boost to the SMC family!

[John Keeton]

An unabashed MERRY CHRISTMAS to all! If you celebrate some other holiday, I wish you the best as well!

Don, love the graphics!

Walt, beautiful tree - and you are right on health - it is everything, and it is taken for granted by every one of us. Great Christmas tree, by the way!

May the good Lord bless each one of you.

[scott spencer]

Hi Walt! Merry Christmas to you and your lovely wife!

That's a great story behind that tree! The blue spruce is one of the more aromatic evergreens around, but I definitely picked up on the "gloves sold separately" remark....they are a prickly breed!

We still get a real tree too. For years we'd go to Black Swan tree farm in Hamlin, let the troups wander the estate, and would cut a fresh tree for $25...usually a Concolor Fir that has a hint of citrus smell. The old tree farmer died a few years ago and we haven't yet found an experience that quite duplicated that, but we did find another place that sells their homegrown trees, displays some barn animals in a petting area, and is owned by an old guy who likes to give all the ladies a Christmas kiss with the purchase of every tree.

You've got the right perspective on things....if you've got your health and your family, all is well!

Hope you have a great Christmas holiday!

[Joe Mioux]

Hi Walt, and a ditto to what everyone has mentioned above.

That wreath your sister in law made is especially nice and well made.

joe

[Glenn Clabo]

Hey Walt...
Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Here's hoping the holidays will turn things around. Keep plugging away with that attitude and it will.

Snowing in Windsor, eh? This will be the first year my FIL isn't shoveling!

[Derek Tuchscherer]

Walt, you have a way with words that I could never hope to match, and an outlook on this journey called life that is beyond compare. This is a hard time of year to lose a loved one, but the attitude with which you are approaching this season is admirable.

I sense such a symbolism in the story of that Blue Spruce, you have taken a tree which was to be destroyed, and have saved it, taken it in, fed it, dressed it in beautiful decoration and will celebrate in it's life and grandeur throughout the season....kind of reminds you of a story of long ago doesn't it????

I'd like to pass on my holiday wishes to all of those at the Creek, may this season bring the happiness to you, that each of you has helped to deliver to my computer screen each and every day. I have never met a single Creeker in person, but yet, I feel I know a little something of each of you, and for that I also say...THANKS.

For those of you travelling this season, godspeed and safe travels to you. And to all...slow down, enjoy the time you are afforded with family and friends this season.

Derek Tuchscherer

[Walt Caza]

Such warmth...it's...it's... heartwarming!

Hello All, and thanks for your kind words.
Seeing Glenn Clabo's avatar pic of him with his Sawmill Creek hat on reminded me of a couple things.(and a pic)

Ahead of the much anticipated and forthcoming Creek shop tour module,
I have started posting pics of my own 10 cent shop tour in an album, under my personal profile.
Just click on my name, if you'd like a sneak peek.
(It starts with the scaffold pics, which have slid onto the next page.)

When I commented that it was a work in progress...
It is hard to tell if I was referring to the 'tour' or the darn shop itself.(?)
It seems I add more to my to-do list, than gets crossed off!

Fair warning:
I tried to give Glenn C. my 10 cent shop tour, as per this thread.(link to visit)
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=93345

This is either irrefutable proof that I talk too much, or I must be quite the boring fellow.
(shudders... or the worst of both worlds--a boring guy who talks too much)
sleeping-Glenn.jpg

At any rate, after he fell asleep standing in his bluejeans, Mr. Clabo
demanded 8 cents of his admission back.
I was just grateful to have given Glenn my 2 cents worth!

For those who said generous things about my writing, thanks.
I am mostly a self-styled hunt-and-peck typer, trying to express what I feel.
If you really want to read more of my stuff, than anyone could want to read....
perhaps like many, you have not seen our Morris Chair group build?

Here is a link to that crazy and ongoing adventure:
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=85886
I actually manage to somehow do some woodworking too.
You could drown in pics in that thread. There must be hundreds...
Boatloads of good input and pics from many good Creekers!
(Gary Z recently said, after reading it through, that it was like a book)

In looking at my posted pics of this year's real Christmas tree,
I was proudly embarrassed to notice the conspicuous lack of baseboards.
Nicely highlighted by the floor level band of old peach paint.
(you are such a generous crowd in not-noticing!)

The real oak floor is new, and the replacement baseboards seem to have gotten lost in my endless to-do list.
So... why not show the worldwideweb how behind I am?!?
(my back is not as young as it once was...)

In other news:
I guess you could not really make out my hat in that pic, so here it is:
my-faithful-hat.jpg

Long flow the Creek,
hope to see you in the sawdust,
Walt

ps Forget the mall. You can't buy Christmas.
But you just might find it in your heart.
And if you do, be sure to give it to someone else.......

pss sorry Glenn...what else could I do with that pic?
It has been burning a whole in my pocket... I found our visit fabulous!
(and it's probably inadvisable to poke fun at a Moderator)
Especially the one who runs those tasty, free prize draws!!!