Calendars

 Every year for ages I have been making calendars.  I use the online services like Snapfish or Shutterfly.  I make enough for all five kids to have one, plus nieces and nephews, in-laws, my sister and us.

I guess it's a labor of love.  All of the photos (with a few exceptions)  are pictures I have taken.  Most of the pictures are of "things" suck as flowers, birds or locations/ landscapes.

 I love going into the kids' houses and seeing "my" calendar there.    Nick's mother especially enjoyed my photography and calendars.

I started collecting calendars way before I started to make them.  I am pretty sure I have them as far back as 1977.  I recorded the first time I felt Courtney kick when I was pregnant!  They are a sort of diary of day to day life.

We have made photo Christmas cards for most of our married life as well.

Here are the 2026 calendar pictures: 

 This is the cover picture of the 2026 calendar

 

And each month's photo: 

 

 

Where I am from

 

In the fifties, my father took my mother to the family farm in Kjørrefjord, Norway. and showed her where his father is buried.  He said “there, that’s the hole my father is in” and he  walked away.  Almost a lifetime later I stood at the foot of that same grave and felt so alive and connected.  Here lies a piece of me, or I a piece it, the earth, of him, my father’s father. That same day, I stood in the room my grandfather was born in.  I closed my eyes and in my imagination, I heard his first cries.  I cried.  I was born in that room that day.  And at that grave on that farm in that village.   I was whole and complete and I drank wine and ate cheese and strawberries under the midnight sun.  Home.

 

 

A variety of Christmas cards and Christmas photos

 

Christmas is coming

 

 

 

 

I have been shopping online.  I made and delivered the calendar that I make every year  Christmas cards with letters have been sent off.  It's Christmas everywhere.

 

But I have not really been feeling it.  We were not going to bother decorating because we were feeling too blah.  Not sure what to do with ourselves.    I am sure that at least four of our kids will not be here for Christmas this year.  Not so sure about Chance and Jamie.

 

What a contrast to last year when all five kids were here.  Plus partners.  Plus baby Galileo's first Christmas.

 

I wonder if or when all five Sherwood "kids" will be together again?

 

I have probably posted this picture of the Sherwood 5, it was taken last year (Christmas 2024) in West Virginia on Chance's front porch 

 

 

 

I love them all so much sometimes it makes me crazy! 

This happened!

 On Tuesday, December second, I was heading out to pick up my sister so she could come have dinner with us.

As I was about to back out of the driveway, the garbage truck was blocking the driveway.  So I waited for them to leave.  And I decided to make sure the garbage had been picked up so I could put the can back into the garage.   Well, I lifted the lid on the trash can and i was still full of garbage.

I sped down the road chasing the garbage truck until I finally got the guy to stop.   I asked him why he didn't pick up out trash.  He explained that he goes down the street and circles back and then does our side of the street.  Well, I felt a little silly, but I can handle some silliness.

 Next thing, I notice a dog in the road eating trash.  A big dog- maybe a yellow lab?   I called to the dog and it ran up to my car and them acted spooked and ran off. I noticed an older woman (probably younger than me) wearing native dress (common in out neighborhood) calling to the dog with little success.  I found a dog leash in the consul of my car and offered it to the woman to use.  Between us we were able to corral the dog and get the leash onto it.   

      

 (this is NOT the dog I am writing about, but looks like it)

 

The dog was too strong for the woman to manage and guide where she wanted to go.  I offered the woman and the dog a ride home.  She spoke very little English but was able to point the way.

I am so glad I did offer a ride because her house was the farthest  from where we were of any house in the neighborhood.   Delivered the lady and the dog- who did not want to get out of the car.  The woman got her daughter on the phone/ tablet who's English was prefect.  She was very thankful.   I am just so glad I was able to help.  That poor scared dog could have gotten hit by a car or even the garbage truck.

Oh, and did I mention it was pouring down rain!

I picked up my sister and brought her to our house. We got to visit with Darcy and Jody and baby Galileo.  I made lasagna and we had a very pleasant day

 

Where to start and what to write?!

 Woke up to the first snow of the season.  I love seeing the snow.  Seeing it falling.  It's so quiet and peaceful.  I always say that my Norwegian background is why I love snow.  But my Canadian genetics must play a part too.

I remember after two years living in Norway my mother in law said "I bet you are sick of snow now".  To which I said "no".  She hated snow.  She was always cold which might have something to do with it.

 

Old man Buddy still likes the snow

 

Looking through the kitchen to see the snow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         Darcy and Jody and grand-baby Galileo have been visiting this week.  We thought we would never have any grandchildren and yet, here we are!

He is indeed the prettiest baby (it's alright to say that about a boy isn't it?)

It's amazing how much energy their little bodies have.  Run run run run....he runs everywhere it seems.

Jody is a good mom and knows what she is doing.   It's crazy to see my own erstwhile  little baby boy being a father to his own baby boy.  I love how comfortable Darcy is with Galileo.  He was born to be a dad!

Darcy used to help out in the church nursery and always loved the babies.  It seems to come naturally to him.

Of course, Nick and Darcy had a very sweet, special relationship when Darcy was small.    Of all of our babies, Darcy was the most attached to Nick from a very early age.  They all love him of course, but as babies they favored me- except for Darcy.

Nick & Darcy in the snow Tromsø 1985

 

And now Darcy's the father!

 

Galileo sitting and thinking!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Modeling a couple of sweaters and hats I made for Galileo.

 

                                    Galileo's space station in our family room!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Memories

 This picture of Nick's dad, Grandpa Sherwood and his granddaughter Kathy.  I am guessing that this was taken in 1983