CAPITOLETTER

December 25, 2023

December has been a wonderfully mild and beautiful month. Karen Odell wishes to thank all those people at Capitol and on Tie Creek, who have shared their lives with you this year. It is a great kindness to share your days, and experiences. It is thrilling to know that people in far distant places like reading about your daily lives. Although our world is in turmoil, it is especially calming to read about common occurrences, and to know that other lives are similar to our own. I especially want to thank so many neighbors, friends, and family for their wonderful kindnesses in this past year. It is the hard times that teach us that real integrity, honor, and honesty are the most precious, and respected necessities of all possessions, and that sharing those possessions is the best gift you can give.

Its Christmas here on Tie Creek, but somehow there’s no snow.

It’s quite unusual for us, no sparkle and no glow.

Then, somehow down at Capitol there drops a flake or two,

making the sparks sparkle up the chimney flu.

Then without a slightest inkling, the floating flakes abound.

They’re slowly spreading northward, even toward town.

We sure do need some Christmas, just a sign put in our sight.

Can we feel the peace surround us, and even without white?

Something calm and wondrous is what we really need.

Just a sign to cheer us against all evil deeds.

Then as the morning brightens, and we look out into light,

Eyes glow and our hearts lighten, at His sign of Christmas white.

Happy New Year and God bless us every one.

January 1, 2024

Well, there was a little snow this week at Capitol and on Tie Creek, but by noon it was gone each day. Since New Year’s Eve is not a good time to call everyone for news, I’ll wait another week, this year. You can understand what the week was like, because Karen Odell did more stucco work on the well house, and got some mowing done, too. She got Charlie’s mower started and put away for winter. Good thing winter hasn’t showed itself much this year. There were phone conversations with kids and grandkids, and with Karen’s brother, Ron and Patsy Evans. Santa got lost out here and left a package somewhere way off the beaten path, but neighbors found it, and knew where Santa should have landed, so got the package delivered on Karen’s porch a little late, but it got there anyway. It’s sort of nice to get an extra gift, even a little late. The skies are beautiful with a bountiful combination of colors, and the coyotes have been singing in the dark.

I wish you all a hopeful and uplifting, happy New Year.