Denman Formal

... that means an occasion when you pull your pant legs down over your gumboots to create an illusion of shoes. Tonight was another Denman Island first for us, the annual Christmas dinner. Put on by volunteers and funded by the business owners of our village (often the same people), it's a full traditional turkey spread plus a huge potluck of desserts. Free of charge to all comers, it's a sort of 'thank you' to the people here for patronizing the various local vendors. It draws an eclectic crowd from homeless folks to community leaders to average Joes.

Mmmmmmmm! Turkey Dinner #1 is down and digesting as I type. We went to the first of two sittings, chowed down our generous portions, and went back to the home of our friends Melanie and Patrick, and their teens Julian and Stephanie for some Christmas cheer and some Rock Band. Also some cuddling for Bethany with her new cat friend Ginger.

Hanging out with Pat and Mel always makes us feel good about our decision to uproot and move here. They made the same move about a decade ago, and have no regrets about it. They're about 15 years older than us, animal lovers, great hosts, very generous folks -- also had us over before dinner so we could have showers, since our water pipes froze up a few days ago. Their son Julian is in Bethany's school band, her star sax player she says.

While we were eating tonight, a loud beep went off and a good half dozen people sprang up and rushed out the door -- volunteer firefighters. That reminded me of my ambition to get involved in the department. Practice is Thursday nights, which is also volleyball night. V-ball is fun but I think the FD would probably be a better use of my time. Better get off my butt and do it in the new year. I've got to start volunteering somewhere, as it really makes this community work.