Hello, everyone, and happy Advent and Christmas season to you all.  We hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving. We certainly did, able to enjoy the holiday for the 2nd year in a row with family.  We're so grateful for that. 

No big medical news to report. Ann's scans continue to come back clear, so our hearts are full of gratitude. Our most recent appointment with her oncologist brought the sad news that she (the oncologist) is moving to Asheville, and that this was thus our last appointment with her.  We wish her well, but this is a big loss.   We hate to lose her and hate to begin the search for a new oncologist.  She of course gave us a couple of names that we can start with.

I and my heart with its new valve continue to do well.  We returned a couple of weeks ago from a 4-week trip to Europe -- 1 week in Italy with dear friends from Mobile, AL, and then 3 weeks in Germany.  We spent very meaningful days with our friends in the Frankfurt suburbs, and then several days in Bremen.  After Bremen we were in Nuremberg and then Bad Reichenhall (both Bavaria). During these final 10-11 days we were with Margaret, our friend & cousin from Colorado.  During the whole trip we walked a lot, which my heart handled well.  I will say that in comparison with previous trips to Europe, the inclines seem to have gotten steeper, attributable more to my age than to my heart, I think.  We also ate and drank very well, and saw beautiful sights.  We'd never been away for 4 weeks before.  Everything went smoothly over there, and also back home during our absence.  It's good to be home.  And as we head into First Advent tomorrow and into the Christmas season, we wish all of you all the best and God's love and presence in your life.