Today was a gorgeously sunny day in Arizona. I spent some of it sunning myself in my chair in front of our unit. The feel of the sun's rays on my face and arms, absolutely baking, reminded me of why we had left the rain and drear of Vancouver in December to spend some time here. Mornings and evenings are cool here, but if the sun is out at mid-day, we are reminded we are in the middle of the desert. This may seem ordinary and boring to you, but I find it absolutely glorious.

We are in the midst of holiday times, when friends and families gather to appreciate the joys of sharing good times, and lightening the burden those times more difficult. The universe rolls on. Last week we read about a new super telescope that will permit mankind to peer ever deeper into the past of the cosmos, flying toward us at the speed of light. There are mysteries of our origins we have yet to unravel. In our present, we also read that in Israel, that fount of new discovery, (internet anyone?) researchers have perfected the means to permit the totally blind to achieve a medium of sight. This is hard on the heals of a mechanism that now permits the crippled to walk again. Sadly, we also had news that Jihadists had slaughtered more than a hundred children in a school in Pakistan for the sin of wishing to learn.

My Bride and I have joined an exercise group with a few others in our Snowbird community. Three times per week we follow directions on disk played on a screen, offering exercises that test the limits of our strength and mobility. This parallels initiatives we began in our Vancouver base. We have discovered the joys of regular physical exercise. We believe the short term discomfort and pain will pay off in the longer term, yielding longevity with less of the toll that time takes on our bodies. I think this is a big deal!

Newly fortunate in our blessed union after many years when we were otherwise occupied, we greedily seek more of the nirvana we have attained. All around us we see the price that can be paid for neglect. And we see the beauty of new life in the grandchildren, the nephews and nieces of our family and in the families of our companions. Contemplating this continuity of life, and our pleasure in it, we cannot help but ponder the whys and wherefores of the incredible gifts with which existence has blessed us.

Today, on this holiday, those in the enclave we occupy here will gather as we are wont to do. We will dine on the sacrificial turkey to mark this time. We have collected a variety of specially selected liquors to toast the reality of our presence. We may light fires to send sparks of light into the heavens as part of our rite of companionship. Although we may not dance around the fire, the troubadour among us will play his guitar and lead us in song. We will shout out with all our strength, in common appreciation and joy at our experience of the spice of life.

We all face unknown futures. About us there are forces of darkness as well as the forces of light to which we commit our loyalty, resources and efforts. But we do not know what tomorrow will bring. We know we are together and we have this now, this something, that exists miraculously as an alternative to nothing, and for this we are grateful.

I expect that I may eat too much and toast too heartily this evening. My Bride has prepared some special dishes to tempt me. My liquor cabinet is full to the bursting, and I intend to put it on display. I have been known to show an excess of enthusiasm for excess. I think I will go take a preparatory nap.