CHRISTMAS 1999

a letter from Hart’s Abode

We are sitting by a roaring fire with chestnuts roasting in the little oven built into the top.  We have just returned from India where we had wonderful adventures making memories, visiting the deltas and marshes,
and old friends.  We came back to a really cold spell: much more penetrating cold than I we normally experience  but today was gloriously sunny and bright, as it is most days. We are really looking forward to Christmas and to the New Year; the family will join us here to celebrate both.

The previous year had been especially good for our family and we have two new members.  On May 4th Olivia Clare was born to Winnie and James and we have been lucky enough to have spent some time with her.  Needless to say she is nothing short of miraculous!  Then on July 3rd Vaughan married Meagan Guidry,  a beautiful spirited girl who we are very proud of.  Anthony performed the marriage in Pedernales State Park in a touching and emotional ceremony.  Anthony was impressive in his first duty as a Reverend.  We attach photographs of Meagan and Vaughan being married by Anthony;  and, of Olivia Clare with James.

We continue to enjoy the house and work on it. Other than the odd jobs - such as baseboards and landscaping - Hart's Abode is finished and visitors are welcome. We added a spiral staircase to the attic at the insistence of Boulder County but it has turned out to be a nice addition and the attic is now George's Office.

Vaughan is working in Houston as a chemical engineer testing software and Meagan is working and trying to pursue her dream of becoming a forensic anthropologist.  It turns out forensic anthropology is not all that easy to pursue in Houston. James is still working for Force Energy in New Orleans and Winnie moved into great new office space [very New York] and renamed her company 'H'. Anthony is in management with Kinko's and doing well at it but still wants to return to Colorado someday.  The lifestyle is more appealing to him here.

We are both well and always seem to be busy. We work on the house, cut down trees, chop wood and clean up the land.....actually we really enjoy working outside here although the landscape is so huge that it takes a lot of effort to make any visible difference.  George has been working hard on his Smithsonian Institution Indian Delta project this year, and we plan to visit India again in 2000.  It gets hot in March and is not enjoyable.  Clare has finally had the time to sort out stuff and read a lt, but is about ready to get out of the house more and be sociable.

In April we finally had to part with Anu, our dear boxer.  She was very troubled by her failing legs and finally could not walk at all.  We miss her a great deal and plan to get another dog after our return from India. 

We had a few visitors this year and look forward to more next year, including cousin Irene and Stan from England. Our entire family will be here to celebrate the 2000 event.  This will be our first party at Hart's abode! Our love to you all. 

We wish you a wonderful Christmas season and a happy and prosperous new millennium.  We will toast you all on New Millennium's Eve