While we're all wondering what calamity will next befall us................

[DFW]

As best as our diverse group can do under our very diverse circumstances, our best end-of-year greeting
to the DU community, from those I always agree with to those I never agree with. Let this be one of those
occasions when the stopped clock is correct.



DFW and family

[underpants]

1. ❤️

[Diamond_Dog]

2. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, DFW!

You have a beautiful family! TY for sharing this lovely photo!

[DFW]

47. Thanks D_D!

The same back to you!

[sinkingfeeling]

3. Happy Holidays.

[DFW]

48. Thanks!

The same back from us!

[irisblue]

4. What a wonderful photo!

Happy holidays to you and yours

[DFW]

49. Thanks Iris!

And that's only the ones who showed up! When we're all there, we hog some serious space

[highplainsdem]

5. The same to you, DFW! I hope your holidays are the best possible.

Love the family photo. Where and when was that taken?

[DFW]

14. Thanks, Highplainsdem!

Fisher Beach, Truro, Massachusetts. July 2024.

Getting that many of us in one place at the same time is a logistics trick that was not easy to bring about.

[tavernier]

18. I love Truro.

Hubby and I would vacation in P-town and always swung over to Truro for a stop at the lighthouse and of course a lunch of fried clams.

[DFW]

50. Now you have me curious.

Did you mean the Truro lighthouse, which had to be moved back from the crumbling coastline a few years ago?

Or else the Lighthouse Restaurant (which is in Wellfleet) which did serve some wicked clams, although when Sarah McFarland was doing the cooking, the spicy BBQ chicken wings were the world's best. Sadly, the Lighthouse restaurant closed a couple of years ago, a HUGE loss for Wellfleet. Bob, the original owner sold it, and the next owner became ill and couldn't maintain it. Now, Land's End Hardware (and everything else) in P-Town is looking to close or find a buyer. These are places we came to take for granted after over thirty years in a row. But these places are not Mount Vernon or Monticello. Some things change, and not always for the better.

[tavernier]

101. Yes, the lighthouse was our favorite site to visit

and we did hear that it was moved back. And yes, the restaurant was in Wellfleet, although it’s been so many years ago that I had forgotten the name… but not the clams!
Is Lands End the big store with all the military stuff? I know there was a fire way back but for some reason I thought it was rebuilt. We loved looking for treasures there. I think Jim found one of those Prussian helmets there once. Wonder whatever happened to that?

[DFW]

103. Lands End is/was one of those stores that no small town can (or should) do without.

Evertything from small garden acessories to all sorts of hardware tools to paint to swimming accessories to small knicknacks that you just can't find elsewhere in a small town. I think it has been run by the same family since we started coming to Cape Cod, and that is every summer since 1984! It covers a huge amount of space for a town as small as Provincetown, and the space is probably too expensive to justify keeping the store. I'm sure it loses money hand over fist from October to May, and the losses just can't be made up in a world where half of what they sell can be ordered online without driving into P-town. Parking can set you back $30 for the first hour if you get there at the "wrong" time of day. That doesn't justify driving into town for a $3.95 gadget.

[tavernier]

113. Oh sorry, I was thinking of the Army-Navy Store

Apparently still open.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g41778-d1180843-Reviews-Marine_Specialties-Provincetown_Cape_Cod_Massachusetts.html

[Hope22]

6. Love to you and yours!

What a beautiful photo of a beautiful family!💗💗

[DFW]

52. Thanks, Hope!

I got very lucky in the family department, and I never forget it. It's sometimes a little hard (my wife had had cancer twice, although by looking at her, you'd never guess she was 72). I've had a few issues (heart) of my own, but we try not to dwell of what evil stuff might happen tomorrow.There's already enough of that going around.

[Hope22]

58. Keep up the good work! 😁💗

[Dennis Donovan]

7. Happy Holidays, my friend!

Lovely family and photo!

[DFW]

53. Hey Dennis!

Thanks for that!

[hlthe2b]

8. What a lovely picture, DFW...

And back at ya! May this community help us sustain, "heal", reinvigorate, and regroup for the future fight.

Happy Holidays and to all of us, a Happy Successful New Year!

[DFW]

54. "sustain, "heal", reinvigorate, and regroup"

Absolutely, and in any order you choose!

[William769]

9. To you and your family

[DFW]

55. Thanks, William! n/t

[chouchou]

10. I suspect we're going to need each other, even if it's 3000 miles away.

Every other day, our ah.... special person, will challenge our sanity.

[DFW]

56. Challenge is putting it mildly.

It seems more like they're on a seek and destroy mission!

[Kaleva]

11. Merry Christmas!

[DFW]

57. Thanks!

Same back to you!

[boonecreek]

12. Merry Christmas

and Happy New Year!

[DFW]

59. Still gotta make it to the New Year.

But assuming we do, thanks for that!

[Just Jerome]

13. Blessings, joy and strength

upon all of you !

Gawd bless us, one and all!

[DFW]

63. Or at least SOMEBODY!!

[Fla Dem]

15. All the best wishes to you and your family!

[DFW]

60. Thanks, we'll try.

It'll be Grand Central down in Königstein tomorrow.

My elder daughter and husband and two boys in from New York, my younger daughter, her man and their two girls (they're the ones that actually live there), my wife and me, my wife's mom and our nephew coming in from Kyiv (via Budapest--I didn't ask).

[AllyCat]

16. Merriest of holiday seasons to you and your family!

And to everyone here on DU!

[DFW]

61. My sentiments exactly!

Thanks!

[IbogaProject]

17. Merry Christmas

To you and your's DFW

[DFW]

62. And from us back to you! n/t

[Kid Berwyn]

19. Peace, Joy and Love to You and Yours!

…And to all Good People all around the world!

[DFW]

64. May we all find and meet them.

They seem to be fewer in number that is comfortable.

[TBF]

20. Merry Christmas DFW!

[DFW]

65. Thanks!

The same from us!

[LoisB]

21. Beautiful family photo. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, et al to you and yours.

[DFW]

66. Thanks!

We tossed the usual mix into the cauldron, and got lucky with what came out.

[Botany]

22. So Happy Christmas

&t=17s

[DFW]

67. Thanks!

And he DID manage to turn me on.......

[Alice Kramden]

23. Lovely photo

Beautiful family

[DFW]

68. Two important ingredients

Some serious luck and some nearsightedness on my wife's part when we met!

[soldierant]

119. I remember you telling that story.

It's magic when "happily ever after" happens, isn't it. May your Christmas be jolly and next year be as disaster-free as possible (for all of us.)

[DFW]

131. I meant to get back to you on that

I’m not overly sanguine about the disaster-free part, but, as usual, hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

And after all, at 72, our time together (50 years and counting) has already exceeded the shelf life usually allotted, so we’ll shoot for the “happily ever after” part for as long as it lasts. The “reaper,” as in “Beat The Reaper”—Firesign Theater, if that’s too dated—is very patient, so if he doesn’t mind waiting a little longer with us, then nor do we.

[soldierant]

132. You already have ten more years

than I and my hubs - but we were late starters. Frankly, neither of us expected to live this long, let alone still be together, but here we are, and like you, still going as long as possible.

[DFW]

135. It definitely beats the alternative! n/t

[Clouds Passing]

24. Happy Holidays ⭐️💚

To you, your family and all

[DFW]

69. Thanks, Clouds!

May you enjoy the same, no matter how many you are in number.

[Lonestarblue]

25. Lively photo and lively family.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday, and may we all find our own ways to cope and prosper in 2025.

[DFW]

70. We can only hope

And we need to keep in mind that it will be a struggle for some of us. Few of us have a completely free ride, but some are barely hanging on.

[hermetic]

26. How nice!

Thanks. And best holiday wishes to you.

[DFW]

71. From us as well!

Thanks!

[mountain grammy]

27. Happy Holidays DFW.

[DFW]

72. Thanks, Grammy!

From this set of "grams" across the pond!

[MiHale]

28. Merry Christmas DFW...

And a very happy New Year.

[DFW]

75. Thanks, MiHale!

Or better Михаил?

[Wild blueberry]

29. Thank you !

Lovely reminder of what matters.
We're all in this together.
Happy holidays, DFW and all of DU!
Cheers!

[DFW]

76. Thanks, Blueberry!

What matters and what we can obtain don't always match. I was lucky.

[peggysue2]

30. What a fabulous family portrait for the holiday (or any time)

A very Merry Christmas back at you, DFW.

If I become chilled today (it's 20 degrees in Delaware), I can give this image a glance to warm up.

[DFW]

77. Thanks, Peggysue

The pic was taken in July, you know......

[CaliforniaPeggy]

31. What a beautiful photo, my dear DFW! A dozen of you.

I wish all of you, and all of us, a very Happy Holiday and the Best New Year possible!

[DFW]

79. Thanks, dear Peggy!

We'll all be together for the next two days, and then we again scatter to the four winds, as usual.

[godsentme]

32. What a cool photo!

Wishing peace to you and all DU.

[DFW]

80. Thanks for that

We'll take all we can get!

[Mr.Bill]

33. And a Merry Christmas

to all, from this resident Atheist. Have a nice holiday celebration!

[DFW]

81. And Merry Christmas back from some other Atheists!

We're not ones to insist that Groundhog Day be substituted for a year-end holiday. Any excuse for time off is welcome.

[pandr32]

34. The happiest of the holiday season to you and your family!

[DFW]

82. Thanks, Pandr

We turn nothing down!

[question everything]

35. What a beautiful photo of a happy family. Happy Holidays and a sane new year

[DFW]

84. Much appreciated!

Although a sane new year might fall under the "impossible dream" category this year.

[elleng]

36. OH THANK YOU!!!

[DFW]

85. Always a pleasure, Ellen!

And all I did was post a photo!

[cachukis]

37. Happiest!

[DFW]

86. Likewise! n/t

[bleedingulcers]

38. I hope you know....

just how lucky you are! I suspect you do indeed know...

[DFW]

87. I only remind myself about ten times a day.

As dim-witted and obtuse as I may be, I'm not that oblivious to my luck in this regard.

[OldBaldy1701E]

39. A Blessed Holiday to you and yours, DFW. (n/t)

[DFW]

88. Thanks, Baldy!

The same back from us!

[malthaussen]

40. Merry Holidays to you too. n/t

[DFW]

89. Thanks, Mal!

Always appreciated!

[1WorldHope]

41. You have a beautiful family! Thanks for sharing.

[DFW]

90. Thanks for the comment

I never won (or entered) a lottery other than this one, but I think this one is worth more than the others with numbers behind their prizes.

[alwaysinasnit]

42. Season's Greetings to you and all of your family. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful moment with us!

[DFW]

91. Thanks for that!

We were lucky to get the time to create such a moment. We are seldom in the same place at the same time.

[dlk]

43. Merry Christmas!

Thank you for sharing the photo of your beautiful family.

[DFW]

92. Thanks for the kind comment! n/t

[Liberal In Texas]

44. You're a lucky man. Happy Holidays to you and your family.

[DFW]

93. Whatever else might go wrong

This did not. I am indeed lucky, and I'd be a fool not to realize it.

[WestMichRad]

45. My best wishes...

to you and all your family for the coming years. May we all somehow survive and grow stronger together.

[DFW]

94. Thanks for that!

That's quite a challenge you put up for us there, but we're up for it!

[canetoad]

46. Thank you DFW

And best wishes to yourself, your wife and family for the coming year.

[DFW]

95. Thanks, canetoad

The same back from us here in the cold and rainy Rheinland!

MAN do we miss Cape Cod right about now................

[SWBTATTReg]

51. A beautiful picture. How wonderful for you and for you to share this too. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!!

[DFW]

96. Just a little reminder that the rain and the cold won't last forever.

Last edited Mon Dec 23, 2024, 03:41 AM - Edit history (1)

Comments from those in Costa Rica, Hawai'i and New Zealand notwithstanding!!

[mamacita75]

73. Photo

DFW,
You have a beautiful family. Thank you for all your input over the years.
This made me sign-in to wish you a wonderful New Year!

[DFW]

97. Thanks for that mamacita!

O quizás, gracias por sus sentimientos, si por acaso, has entendido LOL!!

[LeftInTX]

74. Beautiful family!

[DFW]

98. Thanks, TX!

In case, you are more than just identifying with your avatar, Che khabaré ?

(sorry, farsi man khili bad est)

[LeftInTX]

102. I'm actually Armenian and Andy is also Armenian. But he's from Iran.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_(singer)


Andranik Madadian (Persian: آندرانیک مددیان, Armenian: Անդրանիկ Մադադյան; born April 22, 1958), better known by his stage name Andy, is an Iranian singer-songwriter and actor.[1] He immigrated to United States and currently lives in Los Angeles. He sings in several languages including Persian, Armenian and English.

Andy Madadian’s immense musical talent, humanitarian efforts and diverse background have culminated in a remarkable entertainment career spanning 40 years, during which he has become a beloved icon around the world. Nicknamed the “Persian Bono”. the Iranian-Armenian American musician has toured extensively around the globe many times over playing some of the world’s most prestigious venues, theatres, and stadiums and has sold millions of albums in the process.

https://andymusic.com/


_________________

Although he's an ethnic Armenian, he records mostly in Farsi and that is his largest market. The California based Persian pop market became quite lucrative after the Iranian revolution. I guess he could have tried breaking into the "Armenian pop market" LOL, but it was non-existent in the 80's.
https://www.youtube.com/@caltexmusic

I know Armenians from Iran who came in the late 70's etc. Like Andy, they can't go back home either. They're exiles like him. I have great empathy for the Iranian-exile community.

[DFW]

105. I used to hang with exiled Iranians while I was in college, but this was pre-1979

They told me, when we first met, that they were from Iran, but they weren't Persian. I said, oh, OK, then what are you? They said Assyrians. I thought I hadn't heard correctly. Assyrians? As in Ziggurats and Ashur Bannipal? Those Assyrians? They smiled and said, "Yup, that's us. So, you know we exist?" I said that sure, I had taken ancient history in school, and I knew they existed. But that was 2500 years ago! I wasn't aware that they still existed.

[LeftInTX]

110. Yes! Congresswoman Anna Eshoo is both Armenian and Assyrian!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Eshoo

[spanone]

78. GREAT PIC!

[DFW]

99. Thanks!

The guy with camera said, "spread out!" and so we did.

[KS Toronado]

83. Wishing you & yours many more years of happy gatherings.

[DFW]

100. Thanks, KS. We never know how many more we will have

My wife's mom is with us (she's 97) and my nephew lives dangerously (been working in Kyiv for the last two years). He's flying in tomorrow from Budapest (when getting out of Kyiv, you take whatever route you can manage to get). He looks Japanese (his mom is) and speaks and writes Arabic. So, of course, they station him in Kyiv. The military isn't the only one who deserves skepticism when the word "intelligence" is bantered about.

[electric_blue68]

104. Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays, DFW & family! A lovely photo full of joy & light!

[DFW]

106. Thanks, Blue!

The painter Edward Hopper always used to talk about "Cape Cod Light," a special light that bathed to bay side coast at certain times of the day. My wife used to think it was a myth, but after we started hanging out there every year, she is now a true believer.

[electric_blue68]

109. Ah, cool. As a young teen our family visited Cape Cod.

🤔
With the ocean surrounding 3 sides, the light that bouces off of it - it just might be so. 👍

[ornotna]

107. Happy Holidays to you and yours

Have a happy and safe holiday DFW.

[DFW]

108. Thanks, Ornotna!

With a crew like ours, being as safe afterward as we were before the holiday is something a mid-level Defense Department stategist would object to planning, but we will try!

[Unladen Swallow]

111. Merry Christmas

to each and everyone of you and to your families. Its easy to lose sight of what's MOST important in life. Hint: you won't see it on TV

[DFW]

114. And...

There are no commercial interruptions or words from a sponsor!

[Hekate]

112. So much joy & beauty in that photo: thanks for sharing with us. May your days be merry & bright...

May your new year be one of health & happiness. 💝💝💝💝

Thanks for being one of DU’s best, DFW.

💕🎄💕🎄💕🎄💕🎄

[DFW]

115. Thanks so much, Hekate!!

As for your last humbling statement, there is a lot of company there! I’d maybe try for being in the top 99%, since the bottom 1% are Republican trolls anyway

[Evolve Dammit]

116. Great photo! Best wishes

[DFW]

124. Thanks!

The same from us!

[wendyb-NC]

117. Very fine photograph

Beautiful family through many generations. Happy Holidays, many blessings to all of you. May you all have many happy, safe, healthy New Years to come.

[DFW]

125. Thanks Wendy!

At our age, we don’t know how many years that means, but we’ll take every one bc we get!

[Maru Kitteh]

118. Happy Holidays. How lucky we are, no?

To have such a place to share. And you, to have such a lovely family to share with us. The best to you and yours, DRW.

[DFW]

126. Thanks MK !

As for the genetics, my wife did all the work—luckily for our daughters and their little ones!

[Alliepoo]

120. What a happy photo

Of you and your beautiful family! Wishing you all peace, joy and love in the coming year! Happy Holidays!

[DFW]

127. Thanks, Allie!

Our best for you as well!

[FakeNoose]

121. Happy Holidays and Frohe Weihnachten!

I'm thinking this photo might have been taken last summer? Great photo of such a happy family!

[DFW]

128. You are thinking correctly

Early July, 2024 near the tip of Cape Cod (Truro, bay side). The photo was a lucky snap for sure!

[summer_in_TX]

122. Lovely photo of your beautiful family.

Reminds me of a prized one of my dad and all five of us adult children taken at the beach at Port Aransas on what would have been my mom's 82nd birthday. She'd passed a few months earlier in the summer of 2013 and my dad passed in 2022. The common theme being the evident love between you all and us in our family photo (besides being on the beach).

[DFW]

129. That is a privileged common theme to have

Not all do, which we never forget

[calimary]

123. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays...

…and a great 2025 to everybody here! A great 2025 wherein we ALL can powerfully resist trump & comp, and retain our sanity, that is!!!

[DFW]

130. Thanks Calimary!!

If we retain our sanity, we can resist Trump and mindless minions. If we lose that, we’ll never get anywhere. We must keep our cool, since the Trumpanzees have none.

[shanti]

133. Awwwwww, what a gorgeous family

Last edited Tue Dec 24, 2024, 06:10 PM - Edit history (1)

You are a lucky man DFW, Happy Holidays!

On edit: You are so right, I just picked the song for the title. I'll delete it now.

[DFW]

134. Thanks Shanti!

Luck is relative, but I’ve had more than my share, and I am grateful for it.

As for the song, I’ll go for the title, but the lyrics tell a rather different tale. I want no part of that kind of luck!

[Dystopian]

136. ♥️💚 thank you for sharing your beautiful family

Christmas blessings to all.

peace-

[DFW]

137. The same from us, and thanks!

I think we can all use a healthy dosage at this point.