This is our posed portraits to kick off 2026. Verna got New Years themed tops for us to wear explicitly for this photo.
Wishing all of our readers a happy and prosperous New Year!
Photo equipment and set up:
Wow! This year has gone by so quickly! I guess that’s what happens when you keep busy in retirement, travel a lot and get caught up in everyday routines. At any rate, it’s time to wish everyone a blessed Christmas and a joyous New Year in 2026.
The Birth of Christ according to the Gospel of Luke (summary):
The account of Jesus’ birth in the Gospel of Luke is one of the most famous narratives in history, focusing on the humble circumstances of His arrival and the celestial celebration that followed.
The Journey to Bethlehem
The story begins with a decree from the Roman Emperor, Caesar Augustus, calling for a census of the entire Roman world. Because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the city of David, to register. He traveled with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was pregnant.The Birth in a Manger
While they were in Bethlehem, the time came for Mary to give birth. Because the town was crowded with travelers for the census, there was no guest room available for them. Mary gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped Him in cloths (swaddling), and placed Him in a manger—a feeding trough for animals.The Shepherds and the Angels
Nearby, shepherds were living in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks at night. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them.The Message: The angel told them not to be afraid, announcing “good news of great joy”: a Savior, the Messiah, had been born in Bethlehem.
The Sign: The shepherds were told they would find The Baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
The Heavenly Host: A great company of angels appeared, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
The Visit to the Child
Once the angels left, the shepherds hurried to Bethlehem. They found Mary, Joseph, and The Baby exactly as they had been told. After seeing Him, they spread the word about what the angel had said concerning the child, leaving everyone who heard it amazed.The chapter notes that while the shepherds returned to their fields glorifying and praising God, Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Happy 87th to my Mom and Dad on their Anniversary. They are with the Lord now, and I know they are getting the good wishes.
In the past (on social media), I posted the old black and white images of them, Mom on her wedding day, and Dad in his Naval Warrant Officer uniform. Lately, however, several of the Artificial Intelligence utilities on-line are able to restore and colorize the old photos.
They turned out pretty good, Mom in her youthful appearance and Dad, always proud in his uniform. Dad’s blue eyes may not have been that blue, but it looks like him, nonetheless.
So, we are sending them our happy anniversary wishes heaven-bound.
While the 27th anniversary is a significant milestone, our actual 45 years together speak to a deep, enduring love. This photo of us posing with our wedding cake at the Blue Parrot Restaurant in Avalon, Catalina Island, California, captures a special moment that holds a lot of meaning for us. It’s a reminder of the joy and celebration that marked the beginning of our wedded journey together — and the many more years of love, laughter, and shared memories that have followed.
What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. – Mark 10:9.
My Dad’s mother was born in Barrackville, West Virginia in 1891. We decided to visit her birthplace on our summer RV tour. Verna took this photo of the famous wooden bridge as we were driving through town. Click on the image to enlarge.
From Leo AI:
The Barrackville Covered Bridge is a historic wooden bridge located in Barrackville, West Virginia. It spans 145 feet (44 m) in a single span across Buffalo Creek and was built in 1853 by local bridge builder Lemuel Chenoweth. The bridge is a modified arched Burr truss, with siding added twenty years after the bridge’s construction.
According to the Barrackville Covered Bridge – Wikipedia, the structure is one of the few remaining covered bridges in the state and is listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks. It was saved from destruction during Jones’ Raid, April 29, 1863, by the Ice family, nearby mill owners and Southern sympathizers.
The bridge is an excellent example of a modified Burr Truss and is in substantially original condition. It is the only covered bridge in the state that bears its vehicular loads with essentially no modern reinforcement.
Visitors can explore the bridge on foot, but motorized traffic on Pike Street is now routed upstream of the structure. The bridge was restored in 1999 and is now preserved by the Barrackville Covered Bridge Preservation Society.
Happy Independence Day, America! On the 249th anniversary of independence from our tyrannical overlords of yore, we seem to be enjoying much in the way of prosperity, peace and the blessings from above.
From The Patriot Post:
On July 3rd, the day before the Continental Congress affirmed our Declaration of Independence, John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, that the 4th of July “ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty.” He continued, “It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”
He added: “You will think me transported with Enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will triumph in that Days Transaction, even although We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.”
The defense of Liberty requires eternal vigilance…
Image above; Posing for the camera with our patriotic colors showing. Click on the image to view enlarged.
Today, we celebrated with prayers and thanks for our freedoms, followed by a steak and salad dinner.
