Hi everyone,

Graduation is finally over, and it certainly was a huge night. James had a fantastic time with all his friends. He was thrilled to win the Student Achievement Award too. It sort of just capped off the night. No after party though. We were quite late just getting out of the car park, and he had to be up early yesterday (Sunday) for one of the final run throughs for the Gala Concert tonight.

The Gala Concert is just to finish off the years celebrations for Aquinas College. They've had their 40th anniversary this year and different celebrations have been happening right throughout the year. They decided to finish with a big Gala Concert, which is being held in at the Melbourne Concert Hall. It's a wonderful venue. They have all the big instrument and singing concerts held in there...different big overseas and Australian orchestras etc. Actually some years ago they had the Philadelphia Boys Choir and also the Vienna Boys Choir touring and they performed there. Both Tim and James sang there with them, as part of a supporting act choir. Anyway, with the Gala Concert, Aquinas have invited back many of their past performing arts students to perform different things, and they are using their current students to do lots of things too. James has a duet, is in a retrospective of the Aquinas musicals, and has written, and is giving a history of the College. He tells me he's in other things too, but I guess I'll find out about them tonight. I'm looking forward to it.

It's a bit quiet out there in Waltons viewing land. How about we take each of The Waltons Christmas episodes and discuss them each week? I thought we might start with Day of Infamy, since Donald tells me that it will be on soon (read his message further down). This one is a really sad one for the Walton family, and probably a really good one to have on this year. When you've watched it, or even before if you know it well, send in your views about it. What do you like? What don't you like? How would you have coped with it?

Talk to you all again next week. Goodnight everyone,

Karen.

Hi all,

For those of you looking for the videos of the Waltons, don't forget that Columbia House has quite a few of them. Their tapes are not too expensive.

Also, for the Homecoming, you might try Suncoast Motion Pictures online. I can't remember the exact address, but I know in the stores the store is called Suncoast Video or Suncoast Motion Picture Co. They carry lots and lots of Christmas movies and that is where I bought The Homecoming. Of course you can also get it through the museum I believe. Lots of places to try!

My favorite Walton Thanksgiving is "The Thanksgiving Story" where John Boy gets hurt. I always care for the the earlier episodes more. I can relate to Jenny wanting to be a part of that big, warm and loving family.....can't you??!!

Have a wonderful holiday season. Nancy

KAREN'S COMMENT: You can find this one at www.suncoast.com. They do carry Waltons videos, but The Homecoming is currently unavailable. Try the museum for that one or www.amazon.com which is the one I use a lot.

Hi there Karen,

I enjoyed the Walton's thanksgiving on TNN. I enjoyed the show when all the family came home. I missed Olivia and especially brought a tear to my eye when they was looking at the photo album and John Curtis pointed to Grandpa's picture and said that was his special friend...

Dorothy

KAREN'S COMMENT: I so agree Dorothy. I absolutely adore that moment you mentioned. It's very special. I also like where Elizabeth and Virginia are making something, maybe soup, and the conversation almost seems like an ad lib one. I think it's in that one anyway, but I could be mistaken. It's just gorgeous. I love how Yancy didn't really want to come to dinner because he though Isabella might be eaten too. And the relationship between John Curtis and Jonesy.

A great digest as always. Yes, Karen, I do have favorite Thanksgiving Walton shows. I love "The Thanksgiving Story" from 1973 and "The Violated" from 1979, about a rape victim befriended by Olivia and Mary Ellen. In this episode, John-Boy is in the hospital, still unconscious from his war injury. My favorite moment is as John says grace in John-Boy's hospital room on Thanksgiving Day, John-Boy sudden regains consciousness. John and Olivia are both crying for joy. That moment always moved me.

I also love "A Day For Thanks on Walton's Mountain" from 1982, when Elizabeth's tireless efforts to bring her family together on Thanksgiving pay off. Also, John Curtis and Virginia visit with their deceased great-grandfather Zeb on the Mountain. Only John Curtis and Virginia can see him.

I could go on but I must go now. God bless.

-Patrick

KAREN'S COMMENT: I'd forgotten about the Thanksgiving one where John Boy is in hospital. It's a lovely moment at the end when he regains consciousness.

I'd like to add about "The Thanksgiving Story" that I saw it with my dad on Thanksgiving night. He was paying almost as much attention to the TV as I was. At the end, he remarked that they don't make good TV like that anymore. He's right,especially when anybody can see how the medium has sadly deteriorated in program quality. This one reason why I believe "The Waltons" are here to stay.

-Patrick

KAREN'S COMMENT: I do so agree with you and your Dad Patrick. Hope you had a wonderful day.

The Waltons will be on throughout the month of December and the Christmas Day programs will be at 9 and 10am. The Spirit will be the second episode.

There will be only one Walton episode per day the last two weeks of the month, and this may be due to a children's program that will be shown during that Christmas vacation period.

Just found out that The Best Christmas will be shown December 10--the day after the 25th Anniversary of its initial showing.

Also on December 7, The Day of Infamy will be shown.

Donald

KAREN'S COMMENT: You've reminded me of some fabulous Christmas shows Donald. I really will have to dig mine out again soon, when I've got a bit more time. I'm really just counting the weeks to the holidays at the moment.

Hello Karen,

Good luck to James, and his graduation! Tell him I envy him! 5 to 6 more years for me, and a MA in Psychology! ;o)

The Waltons marathon was fun, I had Thursday off from classes, so staying home was a treat, to sit back, relax, and take in the marathon.

My favorite one was when John-Boy was in the hospital, and was finally able to get home for Thanksgiving, a really good episode!

My US Thanksgiving was well worth leaving Canada, if only for a few days. (Security was really tight though) Meeting up with old friends is always fun. I'm heading back down for Christmas, so it should be fun. :o)

Anyway, off to finish (or start!) a paper, due Friday, and a presentation for tomorrow, so I must get going.

Hope everyone had enough of their turkey fill until Christmas!

Goodnight everyone!

~Nicole

KAREN'S COMMENT: School sounds like it goes on for such a long time when you look at it like that, but don't forget he's only just about to start at University next year, so I expect that he will still be studying for a long time yet. I hope you'll be enjoying a few days off over Christmas Nicole.