The Beauty Around Us

On December 8th Bob’s sister, Cynthia, sent us a Facebook message.  Cynthia asked us where we would go if we could take the motorcycle and ride together to one of our favorite places to take photos.  Cynthia said that this was a VERY serious question.  We had to be sure we knew the answer we both agreed on, because once we decided, we could not change it!  After a few minutes of thought, Bob and I told Cynthia that we would go to the Finger Lakes Region, in particular Watkins Glen, New York.

Last night we received another Facebook message from Cynthia.  She wrote that we “must be on the “nice” list.. Santa sent me a message…’I could deliver it later tomorrow (Tues 12/23) or Wednesday 12/24.’ When will someone be home?” Bob told Cynthia that I would be here all day today, as well as Wednesday. Cynthia said that Santa would be at our house between 3 and 4 today.

Santa’s elf, not Santa, came to our house a little after 3:30 pm today. Now, IF Santa’s elf had been dressed as an elf, a photograph would have been in order. Santa’s elf, however, was dressed in civilian attire and arrived via a privately owned vehicle. Santa’s elf brought Bob and me a Christmas gift. Because the package did NOT say “do not open before Christmas”, we opened the package.

Inside the package was a lovely portrait of our cat, Patches, that
Cynthia commissioned Ellen Paquette to paint for us.

It looks like Patches posed for the painting. The likeness is amazing.  Look closely at the painting.  Do you see the camera? the motorcycle? Watkins Glen Gorge?  What a WONDERFUL surprise!  Thank you, Cynthia, for such a perfect Christmas present!  Mrs. Paquette does extraordinary work!

Oh, who was Santa’s elf?  Santa’s elf was the artist herself, Ellen Paquette!