Christmas Letter 2007 Greetings from Mark and Paula at Gilbert Lodge

Exceptionally dry weather for two straight summers has been hard on the wild flowers in the yard; or shall we say lack of wildflowers in the yard.  We did however complete a path to the lake and to the fire pit overlooking the lake.  We also got a good start on a rain garden by the front door--Paula has plans to enlarge it next summer.  Maybe then we will get some rain to try it out.  We purchased a new Toro snow thrower to clear snow from the driveway this year and have had opportunity to try it three times already.  We might be getting a real MN winter this year.  Meanwhile, we continue to make improvements to the house.  Can you tell we are enjoying lake living and working around the house/yard.

In April Mark and I took a week away to attend the National Association of Broadcasters Convention in Las Vegas; us and 95,000 other people.  It had been far too long since we’ve both been away from the office for a week.  We enjoyed some good dining, visiting with people we had not seen in quite some time, great weather and venturing downtown to see the light show. 

September is turning out to be a difficult month around our house.  In 2006 Paula’s grandmother passed away .  This September Paula’s mother had to move to a memory care unit at Carefree Living in Brainerd.  Paula’s father is doing fine, but it is an adjustment living alone.  Alzheimer's is a difficult disease for everyone involved.  Paula’s parents went with us to Pine Center to Ione’s cousins for Thanksgiving and had a great time.  Paula enjoyed not cooking a turkey--first time in many years.   

Mark’s mother is doing fine in spite of her continually degrading eyesight.  Christmas will be at her lake place this year as it was last year. 

Mark is recovering nicely from the detached retina in his right eye last year.    Fortunately the eye started to heal after nearly a year.  For a while there was serious talk of having to retire early – darn.  Thankfully he is as busy as ever servicing radio stations and built a new FM station at Bemidji, MN, this fall.   He is still thoroughly enjoying his ham radio hobby.

Paula was able to get 24  SCUBA dives in this summer.  She purchased a new dive computer that makes it a bit safer when she gets down to 100 feet below which was a goal for the summer.  Diving is a challenge and very relaxing for her.   

Josie, the cat, is doing well and spoiled as ever.  She continues to keep the chipmunk population low in the area and leaves us great surprises.  Pictures of her are on the website too.          

We want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and much joy in the coming year.  Remember to take time to enjoy the season, remember those you love and most of all the reason for the true celebration – the birth of the Christ Child. 

Mark and Paula Persons

Questions, Comments?