So here I sit, on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, watching it rain on the big snow fall we had a couple of days ago. All the Santa's have been carved, sent to wonderful new owners, just have two to add to the daughter's collections-ever think that maybe the grandkids might sell them and they would be highly collectable and worth big bucks? Nah, don't think so. The plans are to try to finish up shore birds and decoys for the spring, have a couple of ice fishing decoys that need final touches. I am going to spend more time creating an antique look on the shore birds-I did learn that using a thing wash of a dark color is just as good as buying some fancy antique finish! Biggest thing I need to do is to get better organized so can find the wood and decoys in varying stages. So there is my wood working goals for 2014.
Also going to help with the female throwers at the local high school; there are some outstanding, hardworking ladies that I hope can have great years. They are so close to being competitive at the state level that if I do my job, they can move to the next level. Subbing has been fun, regardless of what grade I am working-do have to admit that it is much more fun to be in a regular classroom but still good. Plan to do the summer thing at Merrowvista working wood working, think that this is my 20th summer; this too is much fun be surrounded by such outstanding young people in leaders then the campers bring their enthusiasm that can't be matched by any regular job.
Mom always talked about doing some reflection on the past year, but not too hard because more important to look ahead and decide what will be the important things to accomplish in the next year. Since we are moving to a condo the first of the year, have been busy taking pictures down, cleaning out boxes and the like-today I took down the two little shelves that were always up in her bed room while living with us or in the living room at the farm, one always had the picture of her and her sister, Thurley, and the other a statue of David she got at church. Now they are safely packed and will be hung some where in the condo. Last year we were in Wolfeboro and she stayed at the Wolfeboro Inn, one of her favorite places, great food and atmosphere and the staff, listened to her Missouri Farm stories and treated her with great respect.
The past year has been one of challenges from mom's passing to moving the farm into the Richter Century Farm Corporation to making a December move into the new condo. But we have been mostly healthy-at least for someone my age! There are times when I wish we were closer to the farm so that I might fish in the ponds or walk the fields; however when I can sit here and listen to the grandkids play "knee hockey" in the basement, Sam playing tunes while reading in the kitchen, Pat "running errands" with the daughters, I know the farm is there but my place is here!
Today on Christmas Eve the sun is shining, the rain has moved on and temperatures are back down where they should be. I have a great view of the lake, I have not watched the news so I can believe there is peace in the world for a day or two and no one is calling people names here. I can check my Facebook and read about all the former students, their families and their success stories. Tonight we will do the Christmas Eve church services, come back and have the Heather Kiley soup and sandwich meal, one of the kids will read the Night Before Christmas, then to bed to wait for Santa. It makes no difference how old we get, the Kiley, Thomas and Richter families still hear "The Bell" and believe in the true spirit of Christmas.
Please bring peace and love to all, have a very Merry Christmas and may the New Year be your best year yet. If you are in a stream some place "keep a tight line" and if you are working in wood "measure twice and cut once".
All the Best
Papa Richter
