Andy wrote the annual Christmas letter when he stayed down here Thursday:
Dear Family;
Well yet another year has passed. I hope all is well with you and we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!Here in Los Alamos things are going well (for our age) but we are slowing down! No big health problems. We both have driver’s license and so far no tickets or accidents.
I am still going regularly up to the land and working hard trying to keep up with problems as they arise. For example a few days ago the control panel and the charge controller of our photovoltaic system stopped talking to each other. This means the data about the batteries (state of charge, solar panel output, etc.) are no longer available. The charger is still working OK so once I can use the backup motor generator set things can be repaired and still keep the lights on. Of course when I tried to use the backup it didn’t work because a battery had failed. I have replaced the battery so we’ll see what next!
The good news is that the solar heater on the roof has been replaced and I can turn it on to help heat the house (sun permitting).
Last summer Kaitlin and Torben came up for a month and placed metal roofing material on the shed. This was a good thing for fire protection! You may ask— why not have a contractor do it? The problem is that the Lab has doubled in size lately and contractors are all busy working on expensive houses and apartments down in the valley.
Jean is working in the apartment trying to keep up with the never-ending updates so she can keep software working! And still posting on her blog every day. As you can see retirement does not mean leisure!!!
Again, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Early Merry Christmas, everyone!
December 8, 2025
Return greetings to you both
Cheers Catherine from New Zealand
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…amen to having driver’s licenses and no tickets or accidents.
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You two stay busy, doing what you enjoy. A good recipe for life.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
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I agree with Pixie. Happy Holiday Season to you both.
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Nice letter and you do stay busy! 🙂
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You are sure a busy person but I guess this is what keeps us young…Keeps us able to do the things that we love doing… Merry Christmas Season to you.
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Good for you two! Keeping active is what keeps us active.
Dave is still an excellent driver. I have a license but no longer drive. Our apartment complex just stopped offering free rides to medical appointments–they charge now. Which makes me even more glad that Dave is still an excellent driver.
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That’s a terrific letter and I agree with retirement not meaning leisure. Merry Christmas!
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A very nice Christmas letter. And who wants to be idle in retirement? I think this saying is right…”use it or lose it!” Also use it or everything stiffens up and you can’t move!
Yes! I take exercise seriously. It’s good for our mental as well as physical health. 🙂
The same best wishes from us to you. And Andy, stay off the roof!
He won’t go up there unless someone is with him now, thank goodness!
Sweet letter! From the time I was young I loved reading the annual letters my folks received from family and friends afar. Some of the old traditions still count!
Years ago Andy’s family used to send weekly family letters. I really enjoyed that, writing as well as receiving.
A very nice letter. I like the part about you both still having drivers license but no tickets or accident
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Tell Andy Great job on the letter and Ginny is right. Use it or lose it, and my son Dan’s To Do list on the fridge is getting longer by the day. No roofing needed but the battery died in bob’s truck because its not been driven in a year. Happy Christmas to both of you and keep those devices running, Jean.. leave the mountain to the man. ho ho ho
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You two are so blessed. You have a lot of great things going on.
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So good to hear that the health of you two has greater endurance than technology, but sorry about the hassle. A very Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you both!