Merry Christmas 2025

The Good Word: "The Hope of a Creation Renewed"

Jump to the 23rd min and 10 seconds for our family on stage!

Christmas 2021 Postscripted

Paige mugs for the camera as she explores a fun lock-and-key doll house.

Even Ewan shows interest.

I feel like I might be glimpsing her adult face in this shot.

Always the serious Jedi.

Ever stuffing her face with bread.

Suited for a Christmas walk.

She is too!

A little game time with our new family title: King of Tokyo Dark Edition

And Gran'pa playing as "Alienoid" takes the cake this round! 

Oh, and "Matrix 4" was good.

Found a few minutes to set up the old kit and wail on it with the wee ones. 

Ewan took to it very naturally; the focus written on his face.

But it was Paige who surprised me with her ambidexterity.

Even got Ewan jumping around to the beat!

Mommy laid down a very measured beat, too.

Here's a little promo reel:

TSO is BACK!

The Holidays in Hindsight

At home, Paige's first meeting with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

What a pleasant couple!

Down LA way…

We bumped into another pleasant couple from days past!

Methinks they'd look pretty good with kids of their own. (They can't have mine though! ;)

And what Christmas in SoCal would be complete without a day at the beach.

And a few fishing lessons to boot!

With God smiling down on all!

Wintering Wrights

See, here, how this grateful family kicked off our holiday celebrations this year!…

My mom did so in the Big Apple, visiting afore Thanksgiving her favorite away location.

What a treat it was to have my brother, Trevor, make an extra visit for Thanksgiving and our dad's birthday, one and the same this year!

And as Christmas drew near, we knew sweet times were approaching!

Hard to say it is, truly…

…who wore it better?

On Christmas morn, many hugs and kisses were shared…

…stockings opened…

…and bows dislodged and placed anew!

Old holiday friends rediscovered.

And nEw ones hidden in plain sighT.

A California Christmas is never too cold for a stroll.

Decked in new finery.

Have a safe and happy New Year out there, ya great big old world, you!

"Merry Christmas, Argyle."

Main character from one of my favorite Christmas flicks, d20-ized.

JOHN MCCLANE, Sr. 
(circa Die Hard, 1988)
Male Human Strong Hero 1/Fast Hero 2/Tough Hero 3/Gunslinger 4; CR 10
Medium-size Humanoid (height 6’ 0”, weight 175 lb.); Age 33

Init +2; Senses (core) Listen +4, Search +6, Spot +1; Senses (house) Listen/Spot +9, Search +1
Languages English

Defense (core) 21, touch 21, flat-footed 19; Defense (house) 21, touch 14, flat-footed 19; Dodge (+2 Dex, +9 class)
hp 101 (10 HD); Mas 18
Fort +8, Ref +7, Will +4
Action Points 10

Speed 30 ft.
Melee unarmed strike +10/+5 (1d6+3 nonlethal, 20) or
Melee pistol whip +9 (1d4+3 bludgeoning, 20) or
Melee by weapon +9/+4
Ranged Beretta pistol +10/+5 (2d6+1 ballistic, 20, 40 ft., S, 15 box) or
Ranged MP5 +10/+5 (2d6+1 ballistic, 20, 50 ft., S/A, 30 box) or
Ranged by weapon +9/+4
Space 5 ft. by 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Base Atk +7; Grp +10
Atk Options Close Combat Shot, Heroic Surge (3/day), Point Blank Shot, Shot on the Run
Special Qualities none

Abilities Str 14, Dex 14, Con 18 (17), Int 13, Wis 13, Cha 11
'(-)' indicate original ability scores.
Allegiances his family, justice, good, NYPD; Rep +2; San 55
Feats Brawl, Dodge, Heroic Surge, Mobility, Personal Firearms Proficiency, Point Blank Shot, Quick Draw, Simple Weapons Proficiency, Shot on the Run, Vehicle Expert
Skills (core) Bluff +8, Climb +5, Demolitions +5, Drive +9, Intimidate +6, Jump +5, Knowledge (popular culture) +2, Knowledge (streetwise) +7, Listen +4, Move Silently +7, Pilot +2, Read/Write English, Speak English, Spot +6, Sleight of Hand +8, Swim +4, Tumble +8
Skills (house) Athletics +10, Demolitions +5, Drive +10, Knowledge (popular culture) +2, Knowledge (streetwise) +8, Perceive +9, Persuade +12, Pilot +2, Read/Write English, Sneak +13, Speak English, Tumble +8
Talents (Strong Hero) Melee Smash
Talents (Fast Hero) Evasion
Talents (Tough Hero) Robust, Second Wind (7 hp, 4/day)
Talents (Gunslinger) Close Combat Shot, Defensive Position, Weapon Focus (autoloader)
Starting Occupation (Core) Law Enforcement (Listen as permanent class skill, +1 on Drive; Personal Firearms Proficiency)
Starting Occupation (House) Law Enforcement (Perceive as permanent class skill, +1 on Drive; Personal Firearms Proficiency)
Possessions (carried weight 12 lb.) casual outfit (2 lb.), Beretta 92F 9mm pistol (3 lb.), 9mm ammo clip (x3), mastercraft [+1] H&K MP5 9mm submachine gun (7 lb.)
Wealth Bonus +7

Ewan's First Christmas (Abridged)

'Twas the week around Christmas, and all through the house
Not a creature was drooling, least not on a blouse;

The bright boy was nestled all snug in his bed;

While visions of stocking-stuff danced in his head;

And Mommy in her earrings,

And I, too, madcap,

Had just settled our buns for a spell to unwrap,

When out from the kitchen arranged on a platter,
We sprang from our seats for good eats—pitter-patter.

When what to my grumbling stomach did sound,
But a miniature laugh from this face jolly round,

With little left of our meals, once juicy and thick,
To the waiting presents we returned right quick.

More rapid our heartbeats with presents became,

And we pointed,

and shouted,

and called them by name:

Now Splasher!

Now Dancer!

Now Lancer!

And Vixen!

On carpet, a Cutie!

On Donnie!

And nice men!

A bit fussy and plump, a right jolly wee elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

He spoke not a word, sitting straight on his tail,
And filled his wee diaper; then let out a wail.
To the top of our knees! To the edge of the wall!
(Now, where to begin!?) Merry Christmas to all!