Merry Christmas from The Selkes

Jennifer has recently contemplated the personal nature this annual Christmas letter and it's benefit to the recipient.  The pressure to summarize a year's worth of events into a brief letter is sometimes more than her overworked brain can bear.  Fortunately, the year was void of big events making for a short letter.  We do enjoy reading those letters others send to us, we actually look forward it them.  We would hate to think you were counting on us for our letter and we let you down due to our own laziness.  You faithful letter readers - this one's for you.  (Photo of Jenn & Brian by Chicago photographer Anita Laing)

This year saw Brian still in his job; a good thing given the Bay Area still continues to be hit by job cuts.  He also finished his year raising Bermuda, our guide dog puppy.  She was called back to Guide Dog of San Rafael in March.  While Jennifer was ready to have a dog free home, Brian was really sad to see her go.  Bermuda spent every day with him, at work, on the train, at the stores, etc.  Her strong-willed, bossy, and defiant personality was stable from 8 weeks onward.  Apparently those characteristics were well admired by the Guide Dog Trainers because in June she was pulled from the Guide Dog program and selected to be a breeder.  They only pick the cream of the crop and Bermuda made the grade.  We had the option to get her back, but it would be without her working-dog privileges.  That would mean no more trips to work with Brian and a lonely house all day with just the cats to keep her company.  We just couldn't do that to her (or the cats).  She now lives about 15 miles from us with a semi-retired woman who takes her everywhere, spoils her, and loves her to death.  Bermuda had her first litter in October, 2 boys and 4 girls.  There are a few photos here but do check out the rest.

Jennifer continued to split her time running summer camps at UC Berkeley, being a school psychologist at a middle school, teaching in a doctoral program, speaking at conferences, and volunteering with the American Camping Association.  Wondering how she has time for all that?  So does she.  It is unclear at the moment if she has finally maxed out her capacity.  June will be the defining month as the job in the school collides with the busiest time of the year - the start of summer camp.  She was nominated by her coworkers and received the Chancellor's Outstanding Staff award at UC Berkeley. 

We realized this past thanksgiving that we have adjusted to California.  Over Thanksgiving there were a series of 6 or so earthquakes over 3.0 every 12 hours originating in San Ramon, the town of Jennifer's middle school.  We did feel most of them at our home but they were hardly strong enough to even wake the cats.  When we first moved to California, the cold Chicago weather sounded more inviting than earthquakes.  Now 50° f requires winter clothes and we don't even budge for earthquakes. 

Have a joyful and safe holiday season.  We love to get e-mail but if you do send a note make sure you put your name in the subject line.  We get so much spam that your e-mail could accidentally deleted.

"...for everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him."
Colossians 1:16 Message

My 2002 book recommendation:  The Purpose-Driven Life: What On Earth Am I Here For? by Rick Warren.  Thanks to Becky Ingram for recommending it to me!