Christmas 2024 

 You are already here, but see John 8:32 and below.

The people in Sweden don’t typically say “har vi go” but why should that stop me? No reason I can think of. How many Karens do you know? We know a few. One went to Switzerland but not Sweden, one might own Cesear’s palace, one came from the upside down, and several others are in various places. Probably several were in the clear water, but we didn’t notice. So that’s a good start to the year.

 

You might think there are insects around, but not so. They’re just features. There is still land in the west, and now, more of it behind the house. Have you ever played cucumber cube? We’re doing our best, but it just takes too long; soon to be done we hope. And then, of course, there’s the weird fruit, or is it really a fruit, that tastes like an unripe banana, except slimy, or maybe like a weird pumpkin with lots of seeds, or maybe a cucumber of sorts, and orange spikes on the outside. I don’t think people really eat this. Maybe if they put it in vinegar for a while they could use a racquet on it. Or maybe a paddle would be better. You never know, unless you do.

 

O Canada, have you ever been a whale? Or a dragon? Most places have Four Seasons, but this was something else. We had to check out early; the rain in Spain falls mainly in Wales. Don’t drive a car or try to read the signs, but some days it’s kind of pretty actually, if you can see the stones in the ground. That’s a bucket list thing no one ever thought would happen. You know, it’s never been done before, at least not as well as this time. It’s the best thing that anyone has ever seen, it’s really amazing, nobody thought it could be done, but we did it. It’s bigger and better than ever, and it will be even more amazing. And I did it all myself. Really, Uncle Kevin? How far east can you go in Mexico? And is it really just for women? Perhaps it is.

 

We did meet a Call Sister while offering pancakes and pizza that didn’t really exist. Some of us (how many?) thought it was funny. At least one didn’t. Karen? Hey Jack, do you have some lumber? We have lots, actually, come and get it! How far did the Rocket Man fly? I’ve never been able to understand the words, but about 4 times to the moon and back is quite a long flight; they should offer snacks. At least it had Four Seasons.

 

Mares eat oats. What do little lambs eat? Now there are seven. But don’t talk about it. Just sew, following the constructions. You don’t need a Visa to go to Switzerland, France, Canada, Wales, Spain, Tokyo, Mexico, Orlando, or Disneyland. Will she ever catch up? It will be a tall task. When is May? Where is it? Don’t be unkind! Give that Man a hat, or maybe a Brook? Burn down the farm, let a turtle eat your last duck, get not one, but two horses, and have the dentist come over. Feed the chickens and the coyotes. Are you the Natural? Taller than Shell, who isn’t? Wrestle, wrestle, toil and video games. Legos are on the table. Come and eat! Is that a volleyball? Be smart and kind and good at pretty much everything imaginable. No wonder it will be a tall task! But have you seen that kid run, and hit, and do pretty much anything? We have. Because we don’t live in Kansas, Denmark, or the Beehive place. This is it. Surprising that no one wanted revenge on Richard. For is he not the Kwisatz Haderach?

We wish you much Christmas joy and fun, from Richard and Rochelle Manning

 

In other words 

 

Neither Rochelle nor Richard went to Sweden this year, or any year previous, but that doesn’t mean a first ballot Hall of Fame election isn’t in the cards. We did go other places. Our last trip to Mexico, Richard says, to Banff and Waterton with all the children and grands to see Grandma Verda’s (Rochelle’s mother) childhood stomping grounds. We also gathered the family again at the beach in Florida over the end of 2023 and the start of 2024. A little too chilly to really enjoy the beach, although we did stay in a dive misnamed "Four Seasons" and we checked out a day early because it was divey, as they say. Not the thing little lambs eat. We were terribly upset so we went in search of better weather. First to visit Rochelle’s sister Larry and her husband who are serving an LDS mission in the Hermit Kingdom – or Wales, I guess. That was fun, and rainy, and green, and gray. We also met Chan’s parents in cold and rainy NYC, and mostly had fun anyway. Why break the trend?

 

While in the Kingdom we traveled into the greater land (England) to see some other sights, including a trip to Stonehenge, something that has always intrigued at least one of us (the older and taller of us), and which one of us always thought it would be interesting to see, but didn’t expect to, but lo and behold, we were there. Stones in the ground, imagine that. And don’t forget Rochelle’s trip with Karen (really!) and other friends to Switzerland and France. Richard was left behind to save the world, one client at a time. He helped two clients earn substantial wins in the courtroom. Satisfying enough to make him think there is no reason not to keep doing this for some time to come. Then what's that about Isla Mujeres? The eastern most part of the country to the south?

 

The home renovation continues – of course – which occupies a lot of Rochelle’s attention. We hope it will be done before we are. When the neighbors learn we are putting in a pickleball court, they say,  "is that a bug or a feature?" (I don’t know what they actually say). Richard reached 2 million miles flown on Delta, and tried to get kids to exact revenge at a family reunion dunk tank, but they preferred to dunk each other.

 

We continue to enjoy being near but not actually on Rachel and Shiloh’s farm. The circle of life. A young but very big dog came and went, some ducks (none remain), and some chickens (many remain). In addition to the chickens the remining livestock include two horses, though one had dental issues, the two cats, one small dog, and various wild varmints. Harper, Sam, Gus, and Coen are all doing well, happy and good people. Doing well in school and in various sports, music, and church activities.   

 

The biggest recent news is the birth of Ivy Gwen Barton, Arrin’s 3^rd child and our 7^th grand. It’s now boys 5, girls 2. Harper had to cede her title as only and favorite granddaughter, but little Ivy has a long way to go to catch up. It’s great to have another grandchild, and good to have more balance in the fam. Arrin and Marcus are doing well, but haven’t moved to a farm. Jonah and Lucas have been happy to welcome Ivy into the family and are also doing well in school and various sports and church things.  

 

Ben and Chan are getting ready for May and Mr. and Mrs. day. Unknowingly, they chose Rochelle’s and Richard’s anniversary for their wedding day. I guess some things just can’t be avoided. They are both doing great in jobs and life, but not so much in school or sports activities. Imagine that. But they travel a lot. I guess there’s always a Hall of Fame vote to look forward to! That's about cousin Eli, if you didn't know. It is Richard that is/was the Kwisatz Haderach. 

 

May you all enjoy a merry Christmas, and lives full of peace and joy.

 

Richard and Rochelle