January 2 - There is a layer of snow over the ice covering zenpond. Only the areas of the pond with bubblers are still liquid. joyce and john had a great Christmas and New Year's season spent with family and friends. One evening there was a knock at the door. When john answered, it was the treasurer of the home association with a check for john and joyce's Christmas display. The check will probably cover some of the electric bill for running the lights. joyce and john shared the award with another home. john felt the other home looked even more like "Christmas Vacation" than theirs. It was a great display! john felt honored to share the award with such a great display.

On New's Year's Eve, john, joyce and some great friends ran to the front door to ring Swiss bells. john remembered at the last minute that a bat had sometimes made a home in the bronze bell hanging at the front door and so he didn't ring it. Thank goodness because a little chickadee was roosting there sound asleep. He didn't fly away and everyone went into the yard before ringing in the new year. This way everyone could look at Jupiter, which was closer to earth than john and joyce would ever see again.

joyce and john received another beautiful fish ornament from Amy, joyce's sister in Troy Michigan. She works at Marshall Fields there. The fish are golden, almost bronze, made of metal with movable joints and are hand painted. john will probably take some photos and use them as symbols on this site. Meanwhile, joyce plans to hang them in the guest bath, so they will be seen all year long. Thanks Amy and Chuck!!!

It is cold out (about 10 degrees) today and warm inside with the fire in the fireplace and chocolate and cinnamon candles filling the air with delicious scents. The tree is still sparkling with lights for the last evening before all is put away for next season. Zencat, teaky-tucka, is stretched out on his back doing what all good zencats do: sleeping and dreaming of chasing tiny fast fleating creatures about.

Somehow, john has managed to lose 12 pounds since the week before Thanksgiving. When you think that many people add 7 - 8 pounds over the holidays, that is almost like losing 20 pounds! john feels the new Weight Watchers plan, counting points, is so much easier than the old way of measuring portions and counting calories.

The computer room remodel will be finished January 8th when the new wallpaper is applied. It is already very nice!

joyce and john hope 2002 is a safe and happy one for you and yours!

January 15 - the wallpaper in the computer room was short by whole one wall, so john had to order more paper. The room looks great already. john and joyce bought two light wood units with drawers. These will support a desk top made of 3/4 inch glass (22" x 78"). Although this desk will be shallow, it is perfect along one wall.

john promised you some holiday pictures and here they are of the "award-winning" holiday display ($30 from the homes association) and one of the tuckmeister enjoying the holidays: