Over the last decade Xmas has died around our house.
Because of building restrictions we can't have a real tree.
So, the first winter here, in our apartment, we smuggled one in.
After driving around the outskirts of the city trying to find one to cut down I finally figure, with the price of gas, it was cheaper to buy one.
Then we had to smuggle it out again, wrapping it in large bags so as not to leave a trail of needles.
The next winter we bought an artificial one.
Figured that would be cheaper over the years to come.

However, after that we were never home during the winter.

My sister in law ended up with our tree and our lights.

For the past couple of winters we have been home but I can't find any replacement bulbs for my old strands and I detest the looks of the new `energy efficent' crap so I will not hang those from my balcony (They are so small no one would see them from the ground).

So, now, if we can't afford to travel during Xmas, this is our tree.

Actually, it is so small we could take it with us if go.

Merry Xmas, to you & yours, from me, & mine.

MERRY XMAS

12- 12- 12 - the last time any of us will see a triple digit date.

The next one isn’t until 2101/01/01

As you know, I usually send my Es out on weekends, but, as this weekend most of you will be leaving for the holidays, I wanted to get this out before you go.

After having made pages, for my website, of historic buildings in Burnaby and Vancouver’s Chinatown I spent a goodly portion of October and November researching  Vancouver’s Gastown.

I have found several websites, some of which proclaim to be Heritage Societies, but they seem to have conflicting data and none of them seem to be recognized by the City of Vancouver.

From the societies I only get answering machines, and unanswered E mails. Calling city hall I only get directed to the City of Vancouver Archives.

Using information from; the Fire Maps of the City of Vancouver Archives, personal knowledge I gained during my years living in Gastown, and non conflicting facts garnered from various websites, I hereby present MY `HISTORICAL BUILDINGS OF VANCOUVER’S GASTOWN’.

And `NO’ I didn’t find any truth to the rumour that Blood Alley is haunted.

As well, I have added some more pictures to my `Oregon’ page.

And I added a page about a nice little heritage, and fishing, lake in Surrey.

I have been adding about 40 pics a day to my California page but I won’t get it finished this week. Maybe not even before Xmas.  I have so many pics I took in that sate.  Lots of sorting to do yet.

I will probably have it ready for you next month as I don’t have any travel plans for Xmas.

So, as we say, in Canada, MERRY CHRISTMAS, to you, and yours.

Yours

Lee

OBNOXIOUS SPAM

Do you ever get these kind of E mails?

Greetings to you and your family, I am Mrs. Amanda Davidson, a widow to Late Engr. Alex Davidson A DEVOTED CHRISTIAN, I am 64 years old suffering from long time cancer of the breast.

From all indications my condition is really deteriorating and it's quite obvious that I won't live more than four months according to my doctors. This is because the damage the cancer has done to me is very bad. My late husband and I during the period of our blissful marriage couldn't produce any child of our own. My late husband was very wealthy and after his death, I inherited all his business and wealth. The doctor has advised me that I may not live for more than four months but I believe God for a miracle and that it is only by the power of God that can determine my life span, so I now decided to divide part of this wealth, to contribute to the development of the less privileged /motherless homes and poor and churches in Africa, America, Asia and Europe, and most especially over there in your area where you are.

I selected you and I prayed over it and my heart accepts you as the right person to help me carry out this duty I have made for God, I am willing to donate the sum of $3,000,000.00$(Three Million U.S Dollars) which you will use $2,500,000.00 for the less privileged and the balance of $500,000.00 to you for all your efforts and any expenses incurred during the transaction. Please I want you to know that this money was deposited in Barclays Bank United Kingdom. And upon my instruction, you will have a change of ownership of the money in your name which myself and my attorney will confirmed you right.

Finally, I honestly pray that this money when released to you and will be used for the said purpose and not otherwise as you should know that, if you are interested, kindly contact me through my email: ( Amandadavidson@execs.com  ) May God be with you and your family as you has the zeal and motivation to work for God through me.

I await your response to me at once. Regards and GOD Bless.

This one is from -

Mrs. Amanda Davidson

From:     Amanda davidson <jkikkert@shaw.ca>

                     Subject:    Greetings to you

                     Date:    December 9, 2012 5:11:31 AM PST

                    To:     undisclosed-recipients:;

            Reply-To:             Amanda davidson Amandadavidson@execs.com

Do you ever reply to them?

Do you ever send them the requested information?

Do you actually send them money?

If you have answered YES to the above questions, you deserve anything that befalls you.

The Es are so blatant it defines logic as to why anyone would get involved with these people.

Note the two return addresses.

My self, I add their Email address to my spam list and then I send them the following reply...

I will be happy to assist you in this endeavour but first I need some verification as to your identity.

To this end please send me a photograph of you (or your wife) participating in the Parade.

http://bearlee2.tumblr.com/post/4370461253/walk-naked-day 

In this case I will add….

Wow,

Your English is almost perfect.

Far better than most of the ones I receive.

Definitely the most winded (longest).

Good luck with ripping off you fellow inhabitants of this planet.

But remember, what goes around, comes around.