[TheForge] It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas

[Dave Brown]

To all,

Good morning to all of you, even to Scrooge and Grinch.  I woke up feeling 
pretty good this morning.  We got just a bit more than a dusting of snow 
yesterday, not even an inch.  But it is enough to make it feel like 
Christmas in Wisconsin (or New England, or Sweden, or <insert your favorite 
image here>).

The skies are grey and there is a snow flurry passing through.  About 25 
degrees outside.  Cold enough to snow, but not too cold to fire up the 
forge.  The gas forge will quickly take the chill out of the shop, so I 
think I'll go there in a little while and make a couple of last minute 
Christmas presents.

I am a member of the Disabled American Veterans here in Green Bay, WI and 
manage one of our fund raising activities at Lambeau Field (football 
stadium for you non-USofA folks out there).  We operate with a crew of 18 
volunteers, most of whom are regulars and wouldn't miss a game day event 
regardless of the weather.  They all deserve something special for their 
efforts, in spite of the fact that they are doing it for no personal 
material gain.  Two of them can be real pains in the butt, but are there 
for every game and work as hard if not harder than most.  They drive me up 
the proverbial wall, but you just gotta love people that give of themselves 
that much.

But then this is Christmas, isn't it?  And the Spirit of the Season says 
Joy to the World, and 'tis better to give than to receive.  They're doing 
their part, and I'll go out and do mine.  I'll wager a ton of Pocahontas #3 
Premium Blacksmithing Coal that I'm not the only one on this list doing the 
same.

Kathleen is coming over tomorrow for Christmas dinner.  Christopher (my 
son) got a large ham from work and we're going to cook it, and some sweet 
potatoes and ... well I'll figure out the rest of the menu before the 
stores close today.

So, Merry Christmas to you all.


Dave Brown
Green Bay, WI