Why are you so afraid of snakes?

Isla: Mommy, why are you so afraid of snakes?
Me: Because they are disgusting. And because I had 5 older brothers who used to torture me and throw snakes on me.
Jimmy: *insert horrified expression* Are they dead?
Me: No, Jimmy. They are your Uncles.

Merry Christmas, friends...

Well, it's that time of year...we are heading off soon to the heart of the continent (geography doesn't lie, people) to celebrate Christmas with the family. Before we leave, and in case I don't survive my family, I wanted to take a moment to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas! I'm blessed and I know it, and you're a big reason for that. So thank you. As a gift, I offer you our ill-fated family photos from 2016. The year was ripe with catastrophes, and our efforts fell into that swath of destruction. What do I normally expect, you ask? A shit-show of some sort, and this year that included:

1. The realization that I had not packed any clothes that matched.
2. Roddy's "white" shirt not quite surviving a laundry mishap, rendering it a soft pink hue.
3. Me barely surviving mom's look of: "I taught you better than that", after said laundry sort.
4. Pulling first born out of a barn minutes before photo, wiping manure from his face with my own spit.
5. Catching Jimmy doing his own hair (with a shit-ton of gel) just prior to leaving, so (and I quote): "It looks cool like Jack."
   
   What I was not expecting was being photo-bombed by a rather large, and inexeplicably happy golden retriever named Susan, whom happier than a pig in shit, came wandering in and plopped herself down right in the middle of the blanket. As it turns out, she was the only one who could look squarely at the camera for each photo, with a beautiful smile, both eyes open, and behave for 7 minutes. Jesus loves Susan. I love Susan. p.s. who the fuck names their dog Susan

Yes. We have two versions...

I didn't order enough of the first one,

and could not locate my "filed in a very safe place" folder.

 AXE, strong hold gel...just in case you're asking for a friend.

Let's have a closer look at that volume, shall we?

Mercifully the 34 degree heat knocked it flat.

We remember you...

A year ago today, we laid our hero to rest.

It was a morning just like this...beautiful sky, warm sun, the smell of a promise in the air. And a frost that left us a beautiful photo of what we believed to be his final masterpiece, as it appeared to be a field of wheat etched in the glass.

We remember all that you gave us Dad,

all that you were,

may we continue to honour you.

 

Everybody Knows - Leonard Cohen, RIP
Everybody knows the dice are loaded,
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed,
Everybody knows the war is over,
Everybody knows the good guys lost,...
Everybody knows the fight is fixed,
The poor stay poor and the rich get rich,
That's how it goes,
Everybody knows.
Everybody knows that the boat is sinking,
Everybody knows the captain lied,
Everybody's got this broken feeling,
That their Father or their dog just died,
Everybody's hands are in their pockets,
Everybody wants a box of chocolates,
And a long stem rose,
Everybody knows.