A crisp (34 degrees) cloudless, sunny blue sky greets me on this first day of 2016. It is the first sunny day we have seen in a while and it is most welcome. I hope you had a nice New Year's Eve. Ms. Kate and I had a nice evening. We went to her sister Karen's house for supper and visiting with the nephews and nieces. They celebrated their Christmas together last evening and we're kind enough to have us join them. The food was good, thee company was great. We got home around 2000 hrs and then just watched television until the neighborhood exploded with fireworks and people banging pans and shout their Happy New Year into the night.

Our day today will most likely consist of not doing much around here. We will have our black-eyed- peas at some point today just for luck. But so far this morning, we're doing a couple loads of laundry, having our coffee, and doing our respective computer stuff and enjoying the life that God has granted us. Basically, we are just sitting around feeling blessed.

Yesterday we went to the churches and ran our weekly bulletins. First though, I finished up working on the funeral service for Ms. Charlotte. Her service will be tomorrow. Visitation will be from 1200 -1400 hrs. With time for funeral and then drive to the cemetery and graveside service, it will be about a five hour event. Thankfully, while it will be cold, there is no rain or snow in the forecast. I hate doing funerals in bad weather.

Julie just sent us a wonderful, albeit short, video of Jim's brother surprising him with a visit to celebrate Jim's 50th birthday. Jim thought Ms. Kate and I were coming over to stay at their house for a couple of days. he had no idea it was his brother that was coming. It was a wonderful moment to witness. I don't think they have seen each other in a couple of years. The "man-jabber-factor" just went up 1000% around their house. I don't know that Andrew has ever been in this part of the country. When Julie told me he was driving out, I asked her if Andrew realized that this is no longer Indian Territory. Massachusetts folks have a rather skewed vision of the rest of the country. I used to have a picture of the Massachusetts vision of the USA, It showed Massachusetts -- then a big void, -- then California.

It is a good time to start the year off by giving thanks for a whole new set of 365 days to make an impact for the good in people's lives. I trust God to guide me in that process. This year will include big events such as Ms. Kate and me celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary in February, and the marriage of Heather and John come April. The wedding in California and a high school graduation in North Carolina will provide great travel opportunities and "kid-hugging" opportunities of which we never get enough.

Have a blessed 2016. Let God be in charge.