I am a bit addicted to tradition. I traveled to Eldorado last January 4th to snap some photos thus I had to do so again today. We have Christmas ornaments from 40 years ago. We recently finished our 6th holiday in Maine. I say roughly the same things each day and do the same things. If it is not broken do not fix it…

‘Let’s do a Polar Bear Plunge at Pounds Hollow,’ Chet said. ’It will be just the ticket to inspire us on our journey into 2024,’ he continued. 

‘Well it is in the 30’s but the water will be freezing,’ Jane remarked. ’Last year I got a terrible cold after the PBP,’ she added. 

‘How will we get in as the Hollow closed Labor Day,’ Neva J asked? ’Is the hole in the fence still there,’ she asked?

‘Gosh it is frigid,’ Billy B said with his teeth chattering. ’Whose idea was this January adventure,’ Billy B continued.

‘My idea…I got a new Wet Suit for Christmas and wanted to try it out,’ Chet said with a wide grin.

‘I have packed some wonderful hot chocolate spiked with Bullet Rye Whiskey,’ Neva J laughed.

‘I believe that a Wet Suit will be much warmer than the rest of our PBP garments,’ said Jane. 

‘Tommy L is sitting by the lake and looks cold and forlorn,’ Jane said with concern. ’Tommy L what are you getting ready to do…are you going to take the Polar Bear Plunge with us,’ she asked?

‘I had the taxi bring me out to Pounds Hollow…I have always wanted to take the Plunge but have no swimming trunks and I feared that the cold water might interact with my physical challenges and that I might drown if I had no one to help me surface and get out of the cold water,’ Tommy L said with a sad countenance.

‘You will not get cold with my Wet Suit and you can breathe through my snorkel, Chet said in a jubilant tone! 

‘We will be surrounding you and will lift you out of the water,’ Jane said with a beaming smile.

A

tall figure with massive wings and a beatific smile stood by the hole in the fence…