Happy New Year, Rodger.

Your hilarious e-card and thoughtful message made my day. I was a bit dubious at first about the "hoe-down" and all, but I am a country girl at heart, and as I neared the finish I was grinning. I still cannot help laughing every time I think of all the huffin' and a puffin' at the end. This was my favorite part, especially the weak oinking and the asymetrically flaring nostrils (surely a sign of absolute exhaustion!). I had to send it right off to a couple of friends.

How was your Christmas? Mine was the best in quite a while. I may have mentioned that I went to my cousin Jean's for family gathering on Thanksgiving Day and had a great time. I went back for Christmas and it was even better. More kids and grandkids. They still had snow. It was beautiful. A deer sauntered into the yard, lifting up its front feet delicately as it picked its way through the snow.

After getting your card, I rummaged through some of my old graphics files to see if I could fine one suitable for a New Year's card, and selected the one below. I remember what fun it was to paint that picture. Its title then was "We Are Stardust."

Water is getting quite high here. Not quite enough to make us nervous, but almost. Supposed to crest in a day or so.