November 21 - john cannot believe he has gone this long without updating the monthly journal! The weather in Overland Park has been fantastic for this time of year and john has been taking full advantage of it by getting zenpond ready for winter, remodeling the computer room (painting, knocking out windows and replacing them, rewiring) and putting up outdoor lighting for the holiday season. Two years ago, john put up enough lights in three raised berm areas to max out about three 15 ampere circuit breakers. This year he is putting up more! He is adding another entire circuit from the main breaker. In addition to all the lighting on several large Japanese Maples, many Blue Spruce and numerous boulders, john has added a 60 inch wreath and several deer. The lighting is all white, non-blinking strings of lights and the scene looks like deer wondering in the middle of a forest. john will take several photos after he gets everything up. Sounds a little like Chevy Chase in "Christmas Vacation" doesn't it.

john finally admitted that he needed to lose weight, so after the first week at Weight Watchers he has lost 3.6 pounds. This is probably a good time for john to join Weight Watchers or he would have gained even more over the holidays. john is impressed with how easy the WW program is using their new points system plan.

Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. john and joyce feel that after September 11 they will be most thankful of their family and will be thinking of those who are not as lucky after 9-11.

November 25 - john turned the holiday lighting on for the first time this evening. One neighbor called shortly thereafter complimenting john on such a beautiful display. joyce finally asked john to turn them off at 10:30 PM. They were shining so brightly through the vertical blinds that joyce could not sleep. john still has to correct a couple of strings of lights and then he will take a photo or two to share with you.

Although john has not been mentioning it, the same two female Mallards and one male continue to come for dinner each night. They come according to the light and so are coming earlier and earlier each evening. Right now, john can expect them at about 4:00 PM. It is beginning to look like they plan to stay the winter here. Yesterday, john ran out of cracked corn, so threw them some sunflower seeds, which they really seemed to enjoy.