Not much of this old year left. We spent a couple of days in Pigeon Forge shopping, looking at the lights, over eating, and closing up Dollywood. Actually Dollywood will be open a couple of more days. We saw the "Carol of the Trees" light show again, and took in a show. That was Friday night. Then we went back on Saturday for a couple of more shows. Last night we drove through Gatlinburg. The eternal traffic jam slowed us just enough to see the sights and lights. Got home this morning.

Did you ever notice that in mountainous areas the water is almost always very good and in coastal areas, it's almost always bad? I had a tall glass of water at Shoneys in Pigeon Forge this morning and it was lip-smacking good. I guess it comes from up in the mountains. Pigeon Forge is a foothills town with lots of flat land, but just as you start up the parkway toward Gatlinburg, it's nothing but steep mountains and a fast-flowing stream.

We celebrate anniversary number 48 on the 30th. We will be in Murfreesboro. WMM's mother is having eye surgery that day. The first eye has cleared up nicely and she is ready to have the other one done. She will be 88 in the spring. Except for a hearing loss, she is remarkably healthy. I think the eye surgery will help her hearing. No, I'm not kidding. She reads lips and she can do that better after her vision clears up.

Happy New Year.
Howard