If it walks like a dictatorship....

--the BB

Heart thread - 03/10/2010

I ask your prayers for Angie who anxiously awaits results of a biopsy.

For all who are out of work.

For all who stand up to corporate power in the name of workers and those crushed by greed with clout.

For those who rally and fight for freedom, for justice, for equality.

--the BB

Scott Walker's record

Rachel lays it out for us. What Scott Walker had done in Milwaukee and wants to do to Wisconsin. What the rising stars among GOP governors are trying to do elsewhere.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Attention must be paid!

--the BB

Heart thread - 03/01/2011

On this feast of David of Menevia I ask your prayers for David@Montreal and Hermano David.

I most earnestly entreat your prayers for Kirstin who enters the shadowed valley. You may follow her journey here.


--the BB

A garden update

Yes, it has been forever since I have talked about the garden. Well, in winter there is nothing to talk about. It is all brown and bare.

I did, however, plant about 700 bulbs last fall and hope to see some results. We have an early report.

Today I did some overdue pulling of dead stuff and I severely trimmed the French lavender and cooking sage bushes. Pretty much back to the ground. They did not weather the freezes of this winter as well as prior years and I confess to not keeping them as watered as I had in the past. They are hardy though. I filled two bags with detritus and then watered the yard.

Here are some tulips sticking out their little noses.


And here are the first daffodils of spring, in time for St Dewi's Day on March 1. They are small but bright and joyful.


And that's the news from Desert Farne.

--the BB

Heart thread - 02/18/2011 - updated

Let us hold Kirstin in our hearts. Her status at FB says it all.

Brain mets. Fuuuuuuuuuuuck.

Update: You can read more at her blog.


Most High and Glorious,
Lowly and Generous,
Sweet God,
Strong and Swift to Save,

By your joy in making all things,
By your passion in saving all things,
By your grace in keeping all things,

Hear the prayers of your servant,
Give ear to the prayers of your friends,
Hearken to the voice of those who love you,
And show mercy to those who know not your love;

Fashion anew your Image in us,
Keep us by your tender love,
Save us and guide us safely home;

For your own sake, Who pity mortal flesh,
For your own dear sake, Who took our mortal flesh,
For your mercy's sake, Who are the Life of mortal flesh,

Holy and Glorious, Gracious Three,
Save us and guide us safely home,
Save us and guide us safely home.
Amen.

--the BB

8 Beatitudes

via my friend Raven

--the BB

Heart thread - 02/11/2011 - updated

I ask your prayers for Sandi.

Will you please include me on your prayer list? Things kinda rough right now.
Feel very dark.
Love,
Sandi

May Light surround her and radiate from within her.

For my nephew Jay who had part of a root canal done yesterday but it needs to be finished next week.

For Diane who has challenges on multiple fronts right now.

For my sister Shirley who recovers from the fender-bender but has a lot of medical catch-up to do.

For my grandniece Hannah who celebrated her birthday yesterday (12 going on 16, says her grandmother).

For myself in that I came down with a chest cold yesterday. Stayed home today and spent many hours sleeping. Plan to continue that all weekend. Among the many with no paid sick live, so I need to get back to work as soon as prudent. Pray for healing and prudence.

For Nate and Ken who move through difficult transitions.

For the unemployed and homeless. For those without natural gas (or other methods of heating) during the winter storms.

For the people of Egypt and transition to a more democratic government. For the people of Yemen, Syria, and Tunisia. For the people of southern Sudan.

For a blessing on the full communion between the Moravian Church in North America and the Episcopal Church.

UPDATE:
Continued prayers for Tom and his wife Connie.

Dear family & friends,

Please give great thanks to whatever spiritual power you relate to: the results of the scan are as good as they could be under the circumstances-- he has stage 2, NOT stage 3 [pancreatic] cancer. The tumor is "locally advanced," but has not metastasized to surrounding areas.

This means that instead of a projected 3 to 6 month life span, he may have a year or more; it means that he is a candidate for chemotherapy AND radiation rather than just chemo only. This MAY also mean that if these treatments sufficiently shrink the tumor, the tumor MIGHT be operable. Please keep your prayers going!

What a difference a couple of days and a test make.

Love and Blessings,
Con

Please add your own intercessions and thanksgivings in comments.

--the BB

Heart thread - 02/01/2011

Some of this evening's prayers are running behind schedule but the human heart and divine activity are not limited by schedules.

At Facebook I had asked prayers for Nate. He is suddenly single, has been out of work for a while, and struggles with depression. He feels lost but he knows you lot will be praying for him.

I ask your prayers for Kathy who is looking for work. And Jonathan and so many other online friends who need recompensed employment.

I ask your prayers for my sister Shirley and her husband Jack. They are the ones in the car accident last week. The newest news from late last night:

Shirley had a upper GI today and her heart acted up, raced then slowed, so they admitted her.

She is not doing well physically or emotionally right now.

For Olga and Regina and for Mark and Fran.

For Bill as he travels in California this week.

For all endangered by weather, throughout the world. Winter storms over half the United States, a Cyclone Yasi threatening Queensland, the eruption of Shinmoe Peak in Japan, and all the other life-threatening events. I think now especially of those who lack shelter, food, or warmth.

For IT, whose father died last night, for her mother and for BP and all touched by sorrow.

David@Montreal sent this request last Friday:

beloved Giants
i'd ask your prayers please for my cherished cousin Frank out in Brittish Columbia struggling with the effects of his long fight with lukemia.
dear Mam received a call from Carol this afternoon, and in the process also got to speak to Frank for a very short while.
able to control the spread of the fungus in his lungs, but unable to beat it with his immune system so seriously compromised by the most recent gene therapy transfer, they have sent him home from the hospital. not fully mobile, my cousin is a robust fellow and Carol is going to have to get help for handling him.apparently he spends much of the time sleeping at present.
as he is still intubated there will be medical staff going in daily to maintain it, and Frank will be returning to the hospital weekly for as long as he is able.
so i'd ask your prayers for both Frank and Carol, knowing that through the unfailing grace of that 'Love beyond our wildest imagining' they will be given what they need.

i'd also ask your prayer for dear Mam, his godmother, who at eighty-nine is finding it challenging, the possibility that her beloved godson/nephew could be dying before her.

in other quarters, i'd ask your prayers for the people of Tunisia, Egypt and Sanaa; that they indeed are able to claim that 'life more abundantly'. prayers particularly please for our Coptic brothers and sisters in Egypt- for their protection and safety. prayers please for the repose of David Kato, the gay Ugandan martyr, and for our LGBT brothers and sisters at risk wherever they might be.

prayers for the Great +Katherine and her brother primates in Dublin. prayers for Gabby and Mark and for all those struggling to heal in Tucson.

thank-you beloveds

love always-always Love

We also pray for the people of Egypt as the world focuses on the protests and the calls for reform there. We also pray for the people of Tunisia, Yemen, Jordan, and Syria. For the people of Southern Sudan as they work toward independence following the election.

For Nelson Mandela.


--the BB

Heart thread - 01/24/2011

My sister Iva just sent me word that our sister Shirley and her husband Jack were in an accident yesterday.

Shirley and Jack were in a accident this morning in bad fog! Their car is totaled, but they were checked out at the hospital and no broken bones or blood. Probably gonna be really sore tomorrow. Paula and Rick [their daughter and her husband] had just left for home and had gotten as far as Madera so turned around and came back. I saw them this afternoon and they were doing alright. P and R are staying until tomorrow.

May God the Father bless you, God the Son heal you, God the Holy Spirit give you strength. May God the holy and undivided Trinity guard your body, save your soul, and bring you safely to his heavenly country; where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

--the BB

Heart thread - 01/22/2011

I just received distressing news from the Rev. Pamela Cranston, Vicar of St Cuthbert's, Oakland:

The Rev. Connie Hartquist Jacobs phoned me early this morning to share the distressing news that her husband, Tom Jacobs, a valuable and faithful member of this parish, has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. They went to Kaiser hospital in Fresno last night and after extensive tests, he was diagnosed early this morning. Apparently, Tom has a very large mass on his bile duct. She [said] they would be learning more about his case as the doctors do more tests.

Please keep Tom and Connie in your fervent prayers at this time.

Deacon Connie was a dear friend all through my journey in the Diocese of California and I got to witness some of the twists and turns of her own journey. She and Tom found each other and their wedding was a cause of great joy to many. They recently retired and had a new home built in the California foothills and begun to enjoy it. Now this.

Conclusion of A Lindisfarne Litany

Most High and Glorious,
Lowly and Generous,
Sweet God,
Strong and Swift to Save,

By your joy in making all things,
By your passion in saving all things,
By your grace in keeping all things,

Hear the prayers of your servant,
Give ear to the prayers of your friends,
Hearken to the voice of those who love you,
And show mercy to those who know not your love;

Fashion anew your Image in us,
Keep us by your tender love,
Save us and guide us safely home;

For your own sake, Who pity mortal flesh,
For your own dear sake, Who took our mortal flesh,
For your mercy's sake, Who are the Life of mortal flesh,

Holy and Glorious, Gracious Three,
Save us and guide us safely home,
Save us and guide us safely home.
Amen.

(Litany (c) by me)
--the BB

Schnozz update

Granted, I was not smiling in this photo though I am smiling now. It IS a post-surgery photo and one cannot tell anything was done to my nose. Well, I should hope not. It was repair of a deviated septum, not a "nose job."

This morning the surgeon removed the stents on either side of my septum and I can now truly breathe freely. Woohoo! I can, mostly, return to normal life (well as near to normal as I ever get). I can bend over, lift heavy weights, and do all the other things I was supposed to shun for the past two weeks. I am going to the gym and pumping iron today. Yay!

There is some follow-up care and it is easy. I see the doc in a couple of weeks to check up on how it is doing. Things look good at this point. The goal is to have everything clean going forward so he will not have to do any follow-up surgery.

I want to thank everyone for all the love and prayers that have come my way through this. Compared to the ills others go through, this was chump change but I am grateful to have had friends all along the way.

Deo gratias!

--the BB

Sunday dinner and beyond

I was feeling better (probably more energetic than I really was) and decided to cook Sunday dinner for Bill who was coming over after Mass at the cathedral. I swiftly regretted not taking a photo of the main course. Mind you, it was mostly rather simple.

Pork roast, already marinated by Costco and sealed in a cryopac. I took that out of the freezer on Saturday. Mashed potatoes (with cream cheese, butter, milk, white pepper, salt, and nutmeg) - more on those in a moment. Green peas taken out of the freezer and microwaved. See? Simple. Oh, and a sauce.

The supermarket had some lovely sweet peppers and I bought a nice orange one and roasted and peeled it. (Roast directly over the gas flame until it is charred all over, then put in a moist brown paper bag to sweat for ten minutes. Remove and peel under running water.)

The sauce began with about two tablespoons of finely minced onion and an entire small package of crimini mushrooms (they call them baby bellas now, but I mean the brown ones) chopped, sauteed in butter and oil. I added thyme and freshly ground black pepper. Then I tossed in the chopped roasted orange pepper. When those were partly caramelized I set them aside and deglazed the pan with white wine. To that I added some beef stock and about half a teaspoon of demi glace (you DO keep that in your fridge at all times, right?). I cooked the liquids down to about one third their original volume then added the onion-pepper-mushroom mixture. Bill tasted it and it did not need adjusting. The sauce was done except for adding some pan juice from the pork roast at the end.

Not long after Bill arrived I was running about doing this and that and doing what I do best in a kitchen: schvitzing like a behayma. As I frantically wiped my brow with paper towels and tried very hard not to bump my nose in the process, with only mixed success, Bill volunteered to mash the potatoes, which he did and I could calm down.

As the meat rested I microwaved the peas, reheated the sauce, warmed the plates. Then I sliced the pork and served up. I used my mother's china because it was Sunday dinner. The result was pleasing to the eye and even with my impaired sense of smell it tasted great. Since I was winging this without recipes, I was relieved and pleased.

There were fresh flowers on the table and ironed napkins.

You can see the salad course above: mixed greens tossed with canola oil, white balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Topped with chunks of pear, toasted pecans, and dried cranberries.

Dessert was slices of fruit cake and small glasses of port.

I did very little cooking in the period 2002 to last year but have begun to cook more. I hate cooking for myself. Sunday was a nice excuse to do up a formal meal. It wore me out but it fed my soul.

Last night (Sunday/Monday) I slept through the entire night. This was the first time in a week and I am greatly relieved and encouraged. Sleep has been segmented and inadequate as I have been recovering. Although I did not go to work today, and won't until next week, this felt like a Monday. The only accomplishments were cutting my hair and riding the exercise bike but I am beat. I managed to go seven hours between painkillers, which was really stretching it further than I should have. Anyhow, I am clearly recovering.

Last week I was too out of it to feel cabin fever. I think it is setting in now in week two. I could not help wondering why I have to spend this week home also but I have realized over the weekend that my number one job right now is to protect my nose. It is tender and fragile, even though it looks just like before surgery on the outside. It is incredibly easy to bump it, nudge it, wrinkle it up, etc. in the course of unconscious daily life. I must be mindful, night and day, to prevent that from happening. I must wash my face and shave very carefully. I cannot rub my nose, scratch it, blow it, etc. I cannot sleep in my favorite positions. I have to pay attention even wiping my brow. My upper lip is badly bruised on the inside from the trach tube and this makes some drinking awkward and can cause sudden sharp, but mercifully brief, pain. Which can trigger a sneeze. That I can't wipe as usual. Bottom line: I can't resume habitual behavior just yet. And I am still pretty much a mouth breather. Most unattractive.

Patience, Grasshopper.

Thanks for letting me share another meal with you all. If I cannot gather all my online friends around my table and feed them, I can at least share the memories. Hope that's not too much of a tease.

--the BB

Heart thread - 01/07/2011

My friend Ryan's grandfather has died and tonight was the wake. May he rest in peace and rise in glory. May those who love him find comfort. May Ryan be sustained and return safely to school.

In very good news, my dear friend Kathy has a new job and begins work on Monday. This was, blessedly, a very short time unemployed. May she shine in the new position and find satisfaction in it.

The other Cathy is still battling that nasty flu and needs to be working. May her health return swiftly, her vigor increase, and her employment suffice.

Let us also remember to uphold MP in prayer and, where possible, in financial support of his ministry.

Another overlong update on me, me, me:

I did not sleep well (or enough) last night so today had a very rough start. I think my nose is at the healing stage where it is just tender. Sort of that easily irritable phase, like a wound when it itches and you know that's a good sign but it's driving you nuts and you cannot scratch it. For my nose's sake it would be lovely if my facial muscles would go all botox for a few days and not move. Smiling, laughing, yawning, whatever makes nose muscles move and that is unpleasant. Washing my face is a challenge. (Just try it without moving a nose muscle.) I began the day in a foul, miserable mood. [I never promised to be a patient, happy convalescent.]

Still, each day I breathe a bit more easily. Dennis came by to visit which was very nice. Tomorrow I am going to venture forth and take a walk to the pharmacy and back. It is a mile each way, so should not be difficult. This will be nice exercise and that walk has nice views across the Rio Grande Valley since I am on the high part of the west side and there are fields not yet turned into housing tracts. Bill will bring nice leftovers from the meal he is cooking tonight, so I will have something lovely and different to eat.

The long rest period is making more sense on an experiential level now. Serious stuff was done to straighten out my septum and it needs to heal properly. It is incredibly easy to do something to one's nose that will undermine that. My face is vulnerable and sore. One thoughtless moment could undo a lot. And my body needs more rest than usual (and has actually gotten much less in the first few days). So: patience, Mr. Bear. Chill and let it happen. Be gentle to yourself. Your breathing-improved nose needs time to stabilize.

There. Pep talk given and received. So now to bed.

Sweet dreams, poppets!
--the BB

Heart thread - Epiphany 2011

A call to prayer from David:

beloved Giants
I've just had news that Paul has brought Mark home from the hospital after early morning surgery on the damaged eye. (retina torn twice since Christmas Eve and immobility of the head since then). Mark as you might remember is one of America's finest poets with what's got to be close to a dozen books published. Paul, his spouse is a excellent writer with two volumes (one novel, the other essays) published, and the two of them are both gifted, generous teachers and beautifully thoughtful men. I'd ask your prayers for both men please. Mark is in quite a bit of pain this evening, and it will be sometime before the outcome of the surgery is known.

Prayers for Frank and Carol as they continue their daily treck to and from the hospital to beat what for Frank is a life-threatening fungus in his lungs.

Prayers or healing, strength and energetic restoration for dear Paul the BB, who underwent serious sinus surgery at the beginning of the week. Thankfully Paul is at home recovering; but here too the outcome of the surgery is still to be determined.

Prayers for the people of Haiti, as they continue to suffer while waiting for their government to 'get real' ( please see today's Oxfam report on the Hatian government inactivity http://oxfam.qc.ca/sites/oxfam.qc.ca/files/Haiti%20Briefing%20Paper%204%201%2011_FINAL.pdf )

thank-you Beloved Giants

love always-always Love

David@Montreal

Thank you, David, for keeping us updated and inviting us into deeper connectedness.

I think my sinus surgery is actually deemed routine rather than serious, though when one signs consents the risk list is always scary. I believe #14 or 15 was "death." Well, yes. One of my aunts never emerged from an operating table conscious. But we assumed this would be reasonably simple and except for some heavy, but not too threatening, bleeding it was straightforward.

This morning I shaved for the first time since Saturday. That felt good. I have managed to remove the "nose bag" as blood has mostly stopped draining. I am taking pain pills but I am not hurting. I breathe more easily each day. Kathy and Bill both came by to see me. I watered my back yard (some of the bulbs are sticking up their little noses already). Bill helped me do some January organizing, since I am not allowed to lift or bend over. I got about seven hours of decent sleep last night (interrupted by three hours of wakefulness in the wee hours). This is huge progress and gives me hope for catching up on rest. Michal Anne and Gail sent me a cookie basket (can't eat flowers, ya know) and the palliative and restorative effects of therapeutic cookies is well known. Tonight I will finish up the lovely chicken soup Bruce made.

And every day I get so many lovely notes here and on Facebook and in private e-mails. I could not feel more supported. My love and gratitude to y'all.

--the BB

I have not really scanned news yet today; is this getting coverage in the U.S.?

From the Scotsman:

World News: BP spill disaster 'down to bad management decisions'

Published Date: 06 January 2011
Decisions intended to save time and money created an unreasonable risk that triggered the largest offshore oil spill in US history, which could happen again without significant reforms, reported the top-level panel probing the BP blowout.

The commission findings - the result of a probe requested by President Obama after the April 20 Deepwater Horizon rig explosion - described systemic problems within the offshore energy industry and government regulators who oversaw it.

...

BP, Halliburton and Transocean, the three key companies involved with the well and the rig that exploded, each made decisions that increased risks of a blowout, but saved significant time or money.

Like, we haven't known this all along?

--the BB

2 girls undermine entire US border strategy in under 18 seconds

Personal update - updated

A huge thank you to all whose prayers support me. I am truly grateful.

Today's surgery appears to have gone well. There was a lot done and I bled more than expected. That has calmed down, though. The doctor was able to access and treat all sinuses. My deviated septum has been fixed.

Friend Bruce made a delicious chicken soup and we dined on that this evening, along with a slice of Bill's fruitcake and some therapeutic port.

Bill drove and has stayed with me throughout the day and tonight. Tomorrow he will drive me to the doctor's office to remove packing in the right nostril. The regular followup visit to remove plastic stents supporting my realigned septum will be removed then. This surgery needs to heal before we can tell whether any second operation will be required to get it all. I am hoping they got it all this time around.

I am quite unattractive now. My nose is swollen, though there is no bruising of nose or eyes (it was not a "nose job"). Because of the normal bleeding that can last for a few days, I have a "nose bag" but it is not full of oats. It holds gauze changed frequently. Additionally, in order not to have any nicks that might be points of entry for infections, I have not shaved since Saturday.

I will have friends check in on me daily for a while. I hope that by the weekend I can drive to the gym and ride the bike (reduced resistance) just to keep the legs active. Walking would also work but it has been a tad nippy for that of late.

Had an analgesic and am now going to crawl in bed, propped up on four pillows. Lying down is a sure way to get a killer headache, I am told. No intention of risking that.

And that's the news.

Thanks again for loving support from so many folks all around the world. You're the best.

UPDATE (1/5 - 4:20 PM):

Saw the doctor in his office this afternoon to remove the packing on both sides of my nose. Not usual to pack but I was bleeding heavily during surgery (not anywhere near needing a transfusion but way above average). He was concerned enough to call and check in on me last evening, which I greatly appreciated. Bleeding had eased and I had no fever.

Anyway, today he removed the packing (ouch) and after a brief stuck pig moment, things should be calming down even more. Better yet, I can, at least minimally, now breathe through my nose. Hooray. This may mean I can sleep tonight.

The doctor thinks things went well and are looking good.

We shopped on the way back and I now have food and drink, medical supplies and medications all at hand. I also have plenty of books and movies. Now if I can get caught up on sleep. I may even shave in a day or two. (My mother had a rather unpleasant expression for men who look the way I do today and I am not sharing it here.) Visiting friends are lined up.

Again, thanks to you all.
--the BB

Unilaterally bipartisan

Click on graphic for article.

To paraphrase a song from my youth: "Oh, when will Dems ever learn? When will they ever learn?"

--the BB

Christmas 2010 (with intercessions)

My photos are tardy because I left my camera at Bill's on Christmas Day and only retrieved it amid last night's festivities.

Here is my tree with all my wonderful children gathered around it.


Blogs are almost as notorious as Facebook for having way too much information on them but if anyone is so vulgar as to wonder with whom I've been sleeping for the past several years it's the larger furry fellow in the lower right corner: His Orthodox Majesty Maximiliano Cuauhtémoc Juárez Primo, Emperor of El Cerrito, Archduke of Hercules, and Margrave of the Great River. You have to hand it to him for claiming territories wherever he goes. He is known as Cocoa to his friends.

Christmas Morning from Bill's living room

Cranes viewed from Bob and Janet's dining room

The portal at Bill's house with the luminarias lit*

* Yes, in Santa Fe these are farolitos and luminarias are the small bonfires; in Albuquerque these are called luminarias (and the candles for them are so labeled in the store). I report and natives debate.

Men in and around the kitchen just before Christmas dinner
(the slender young ones are our nephews and godsons)

I have not posted much for numerous unrelated reasons. I cannot blame the business of the holidays. While I get fired up over politics I have not had the emotional energy to compose my usual rants. I have alternately been battling tooth problems and a persistent sinus infection for three months now. I have thus often been in pain or drugged or anxious. It is to be hoped this will soon be resolved. I have also been pursuing a private life for a change.

I have had three root canals in as many months. This Tuesday I will have sinus surgery to drain all the infection and repair a deviated septum at the same time. They will be working in three sinuses on my right side. It is day surgery and Bill will be with me that day and night. The doctor will remove plastic stents when I see him ten days later. So I will be out of commission for the next two weeks. Your prayers are requested and appreciated.

Between this and holidays and too many doctor appointments paychecks have been slim and medical expenses high. I give thanks that I am insured and still employed and think of those who lack work and seek it, those without insurance, those who are homeless. Let us hold them in our hearts also and seek to make our social systems better.

David@Montreal has called for our prayers once again:

I've just had a call from Carol, the heroic wife of my very dear cousin Frank who, as you'll remember has been putting up a heroic fight against lukemia and the compications it brings.
unfortunately Frank and Carol have had a pretty horrendous holiday season. the original plan to admit him before Christmas was abandoned when the hospital found themselves with some pretty serious viral outbreaks and Frank was sent home for his own protection. since then, they've been treating him daily as an outpatient with Carol having to drive to and from Whitrock BC to Vancouver each day and eight hours in the hospital, seven on seven.
in addition to the rapidly depleting white blood cell/platlets, the primary foe of the moment is an aspergillis fungal infection in his lungs.
with no spleen and a non-existent immuse system as his body still recovers from his second genetic transplant on Sept 22, the hospital is throwing everything they have at the fungus without success so far.

David follows that with a second request for some others very dear to him:

I've just had news that the situation with the poet Mark Doty's eye has deteriorated. on Christmas night, the torn retina detached for a second time within a number of weeks, and he and Paul are going to have to wait at least a week or more before the NYC medical system can accomidate the rather long operation.
i don't know if you know Mark's poetry, but he is one of the most light-filled poets alive today in your country, and his memoir 'Heaven's Coast' was one of the most powerful books to come out of the first decade of AIDS. I cherish both Mark and Paul and would ask your prayers for them, they're a wonderful couple, both of them generous teachers and wonderful writers.

There are prayer requests at OCICBW: here and here (poor Mrs. Mad Priest, putting up with Mad Priest and us lot plus having migraines).

We ate well, drank plenty, and made noise last night (not on the Eve) but you are spared photos; I took none.

A blessed 2011 to you all. May it, and perhaps we, be kinder than 2010.

--the BB