Christmas greetings, dear ones!
Where have the weeks and months gone? Isn’t that what old people ask each other? Our grandson, Robbie, is now a happy toddler, the cutest 16-month-old ever. He’s a challenge to chase, interested in everything, and has a mischievous sense of humor already well-developed. His efforts at communication are a funny combination of sign-language and earnestly-repeated babble.
Emily and Farhang have settled into a cute little basement flat in the heart of Washington, D.C. Farhang’s now a Philosophy professor at American University. Emily’s search for a way to boost the family income enough to buy one of the million-dollar row houses in their neighborhood has resulted in an administrative position with CARE’s Washington office, which she’ll find fascinating. So much for the mansion, then. Meanwhile, Bert and Alison continue their academic pursuits in Lansing, at least to the degree one small boy’s demands allow.
Our
major project remains the construction of the houseboat. Its underpinnings now
rock at the dock in front of our house, but it’s still not identifiable as a
boat, which prompts much amused commentary hereabouts. Rob and Bert launched
the first four sections of catamaran pontoon last spring. Since then two more
have been completed and connected, with another two ready to go. That leaves
another six to build, and then it’ll be time to start on the house part.
Details gobble up the hours, and details don’t show. With some good luck,
though, maybe by this time next year it will begin to look less like a
truncated aircraft carrier flight deck, and more like an ocean-going vacation
cottage.
We’ve been obsessing over a major kitchen overhaul, just now finished. If I do say so, it’s lovely. Lots of room now for ambitious culinary projects. I can now stir the soup and gaze out the window at our nautical neighbors who had enough sense to go sailing instead.
We both manage to find a little pick-up work here and there, just enough freelance aviation writing and freelance family practice to keep us from going completely to seed. Last spring, we flew out to Texas for several writing assignments, and explored both the lovely wildflower-strewn Hill Country and spectacular Big Bend National Park. Then there were journalistic gigs in western North Carolina and Oshkosh, which were great fun. Of course, Rob continues his monthly weekend efforts to save Hatteras tourists from self-induced medical disaster.
My own highlight was Emily’s version of ‘Take Your Mommy to Work’ week, which included an invitation to go to Paris with her, to help update Just France’s website of ooohlala luxury vacation rentals. She’s a joy to travel with, and this was a fine opportunity, not only to play with a daughter, but to meet dear friends there, as well. CARE’s not likely to offer that kind of maternal benefit. Family gatherings, checking up on our far-flung children, and just plain goofing off here in paradise, helped to fill the days. It’s a good thing, semi-retirement.
One
other thing all this free time permitted was a week in coastal Mississippi in
September. Our church gathered truckloads of food, cleaning supplies and other
basic survival needs, and headed for Katrina-devastated Long Beach, to an
Episcopal elementary school, now also a distribution site serving more than a
thousand people a day. Emily and I flew down to help offload, sort, and
distribute tons of stuff, while Rob worked in a makeshift clinic. The extent of
the destruction is appalling. Few people have jobs, and most of the beautiful historic
houses along Hwy 90 are now just foundation remnants. People are living in tents, or packing six families into
tarp-covered mildewed houses. The quiet courage of those who have lost
everything, and the outpouring of food, supplies, support, and prayers from
people throughout North America, were both moving and inspiring. The needs have
increased, though, as media coverage and donations have slowed. We were lucky
in our brush two years ago with a big storm, and we know how long it takes to
rebuild. We’ll keep doing what we can.
We hope 2005 has been a fine year for you and yours. Please share the details with us. Drop us a line, send e-mail and photos, or give us a call. Better yet, come see us. Admittedly, Edenton is off the beaten track, but we think it’s well worth a detour, and we’d be delighted for a chance to share our pleasure and contentment in this part of the world.
We send hugs and fondest wishes for a joyous and fulfilling 2006.
Love,
Mimi and Rob
207 Queen Anne Drive
Edenton, NC 27932
252-482-0624
For more than you ever wanted to know about us, our town, and Rob’s opus magnum, check out the website: http://reiheld.home.mchsi.com/