Christmas Eve.
Time for my traditional quiet Christmas Eve at home, sitting by the fire with a nice glass of wine, surrounded by large mounds of holiday cookies baked by my various female suitors.
Time for me to snuggle into the great big comfy couch and read my priceless copy of the Berkeley Breathed book "Red Ranger Came Calling", a bittersweet story about a sad little boy and the marvelously amazing bicycle he desires SO much, but which remains beyond his reach as his family cannot possibly afford it, and how faith, hope, and belief finally answered his greatest wish - a wish he didn't realize he'd been wishing all along.
Time to recount the events of the year - the year I obtained my own dream bike. The year I found precious reminders from my childhood. The year I lost my father. The year I lost my boss. The year when old friends returned, when new friends appeared, when love began to seep back into my life.
The year our list membership/friendship grew to new record numbers. The year our two great bike festivals matured to international events. The year we all found new friends and new delights, new parts and books and obsessions.
I hope everyone has a favorite bike, an item of desire and obsession, a goaltreasurewonderbike which forever keeps you hoping and watching and dreaming.
I hope everyone has found the same satisfaction from our long distance friendships, our shared pleasure and vicarious satisfaction at dreams-come-true.
The house is quiet tonight. The cats are playing with the "mouse" I made from an old gum brake hood and some string (in this way they share in my hobby).
Outside the rain turns to sleet turns to snow, the colored lights on the roof become glowing halos in the night.
May the coming year be a good one.
May the coming year find you your favorite bike.
May we all have a safe and peaceful night,
While visions of cottered cranks dance in our heads.
Aldo Ross Middletown, Ohio
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