Merry Christmas, 2006!

We’re thankful for another peaceful year, at least in our small corner of the world. Some might call it dull, but we’ve grown very fond of the tranquility of life in Edenton. We spent more time in a car than in most years, thanks to the Mooney being grounded all summer getting its new engine. As a result, we had some fun road trips, though, slow-poking our way to Ohio, to the Smokies, to Mobile and Pensacola.

With Emily and Farhang just a few hours up the road, we’ve had pleasant visits to Washington DC, and their newly-refurbished 100-year-old townhouse, in the middle of an ethnically diverse ‘neighborhood in transition.’ They love the location, on a small quiet street near both grocery store and Metro stop. Emily’s been working for CARE’s policy-and-advocacy division for most of a year now, and while she’s still traveling, it’s mostly to headquarters in Atlanta, not Paris. Quel dommage. Farhang’s teaching and writing, of course. Different universities seem to have characteristic student personalities, he says; his students at A.U. are all ex-debate-team captains, intensely political, and intend to change the world. Fun.

Alison, Bert, and Robbie are still in Lansing for one more year, anyway. Alison’s working on her dissertation, presenting papers, teaching several college courses, editing a journal, and hoping to begin the ‘real-job’ hunt this winter.

While they were in Beijing for a conference this summer, we had the joy of one small round boy’s company for nearly two weeks. Now we understand why parenthood is a young people’s job. Robbie, now two, funny, bright, and totally charming, led us a merry chase. If only we could bottle some of that energy and take a nip of it ourselves from time to time.

With help from Bert whenever we could lure him our way, the houseboat has finally reached its full hull size, all 50 feet of it, and the deck’s done. Next step is the house part, which we hope (but don’t really expect) will go much faster. In any case, the Grand World Tour by Houseboat is another year closer. See photos on the website if you have high-speed Internet –or much patience.

Between the boat, house repairs, garden work, weekend coverage at Hatteras, and occasional vacation fill-in for local docs, Rob’s staying out of trouble. The aviation writing’s still reasonably steady, and involvement with church, airport, and sailing community keeps things interesting, too.

It’s your turn, now. We look forward to hearing news of you and yours. Call, e-mail, write, or come visit and see why we love this place.

Love,

Mimi and Rob

207 Queen Anne Drive, Edenton, NC 27932 252-482-0624

email: reiheld@mchsi.com, website: http://reiheld.home.mchsi.com