Hi everyone,

It's Christmas Eve here as I write this and I'm busy preparing desserts to take to our family Christmas dinner tomorrow night. We're having a quiet family Christmas lunch at a restaurant with just our family: Rod, Tim, James and myself. After that we'll be going to see all of Rod's family for tea at his sister's new house. Tim will be heading off to have tea with his girlfriend and her family. They're having a barbecue. Should be a very nice day.

It has been a very big and exciting week for us here, with James's results arriving on the Internet on Monday of last week. They're his final results and will be used by the Universities to decide where he can get in and what course he will be able to study. We were all absolutely over the moon to find that he received a 99.15 as his ENTER score (that's a National Tertiary Ranking score) out of a possible 99.95 so he did exceptionally well. He was dux of his school too, and it was a score and honor well deserved (so says his proud Mum anyway!!) because he worked exceptionally hard right throughout the year. He is hoping to get into Arts/Law at Melbourne University, and we'll find out about that on January 22nd. For now he's just enjoying a well earned rest and break from studying.

Now for this week we were going to talk a bit about both The Spirit and A Children's Carol. I watched The Spirit a week or so ago, and hadn't remembered seeing it before. It was a lovely episode and really nice to see the way Paul brought the spirit of Christmas back for Jeffrey. I especially enjoyed Paul telling Jeffrey about St Nicholas. It's heartening to watch the show and see how compassionate the people of Waltons Mountain were towards Paul when he was obviously so hungry and tired. It was especially nice at the end when Paul explained who he was. It would have been so easy for the family to dislike Paul because he was a German, or had been living there at least, but they remembered that some Germans must be good at heart because it was Germans who had rescued John Boy and allowed him to come home to them all. They welcomed Paul willingly. A fitting end to a lovely Christmas episode.

The 2 part episode The Children's Carol, is another wonderful and very special Christmas episode. It's very heartwarming to see how the two refugee children finally respond to the loving family ways of The Waltons, and gradually learn to trust again. It must have been so very difficult for the many children who were sent to the USA during the War. They were away from their homes and even their country. Everything must have been so different and strange for them. It must have been equally difficult for them to head back home after the War was over. Pip and Tess had thought they had lost not only their home, but both parents too. No wonder they had problems. It is so wonderful when Pip finally speaks at the end of the episode. This is probably an episode which we all hold dear, simply because the role of Pip was played by Kami's little brother.

For next time, maybe you might want to send your views on The Homecoming, or even any of the other ones we've already discussed. They're fun to look back on.

Finally, I'd like to wish each and every one of you a wonderful, happy, peaceful and safe Christmas with all your families. I think this year, perhaps more than ever before, we need to remember just how precious our families and friends are, and Christmas is a great time to reflect and act on that.

Goodnight everyone,

Karen.

Karen and all Walton fans,

I did see the movie "The Christmas Secret". Richard Thomas delivered a top-notch performance (naturally) along with Beau Bridges as St.Nicholas.

"The Christmas Secret" is about a man (Richard) whose plane crashes in the Arctic wilderness after running out of fuel. He sees a flying reindeer and is rescued by an irreverent, sharp-tongued elf who works for Santa. Santa tells Jerry (RT's character) that he must never leave the North Pole but at the last minute, Santa acquiesces and takes Jerry home, where he is reunited with his wife and daughter.

Not unlike "The Waltons", "The Christmas Secret" ends with misty eyes and a warm heart.

This is a beautiful and moving film that will always be part of my Christmas television viewing.

Patrick

KAREN'S COMMENT: I'll really look forward to seeing this movie. Maybe next year. We did have The Christmas Box on Friday, but I was at work and couldn't see it this time. I think I have it on tape though, so I'll try to find it during the holidays.

Hi Karen,

Re: The Homecoming, I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for it this week.

I did see a bit of the movie with Richard Thomas yesterday (Friday on CBS) and must admit, for me, it wasn't the "homey" feel of a movie I was expecting. He still is a wonderful actor though. I look forward to The Homecoming this year, if it's available.

Well, off to prep for the coming week: choir practice for 2 masses tomorrow, an office party tonight, my family celebration tomorrow (a pre-Christmas celebration before we head off to all corners of the country), and pack to leave next week.

Have a good week!

Goodnight everybody!

~Nicole

KAREN'S COMMENT: It's a busy time of year that's for sure. Tim's just come home from working at the fruit and vegie shop today (part time job). He worked 7 to 2p.m. and he says it's still flat out there and there are just about no car parks anywhere. He's exhausted!

Hi Karen

I am new to the list and enjoy the Waltons very much. Grandpa is my favorite on the show, its just he is the only one listed with his character name ( Will Geer as the Grandfather ) does anyone know why.

The perfect Christmas is one of my favorite episode though the one that Olivia and the children are lost in the woods would top my list. I rarely miss the Waltons when I can and I never get tired watching this great program.

Tom

KAREN'S COMMENT: Actually Tom I've always wondered about this too, and without going to check I can't think how Ellen Corby is billed. Does anyone know why Will Geer is listed as The Grandfather. Maybe it's meant to say what an important part The Grandfather plays.

Season's Greetings Everyone! I have been a faithful reader of the Waltons Digest upon discovering it this fall. How long has it been established? It's wonderful Karen! I am a loyal watcher of The Waltons like all of you. I adore their family~ so strong, simple, and true. Everyone is just so real. I tape every episode; therefore, my collection is nearly complete! Any word if TNN will continue to carry it next year into 2002? I hope so!

This is my first time sharing some news with everyone.... I was just at the Hallmark Channel web-site and discovered that they will be playing a Richard Thomas movie on Christmas Day ~ The Christmas Box! To see more about it just go to http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/tv/shows/christmasbox.asp. It's a really good one - full of mystery!

Christ the Savior is Born!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you dear Waltons fans!!

I know you all must be Kindred Spirits!!!

GOODNIGHT and

God Bless, Drew's Auntie

from the farm in Indiana

KAREN'S COMMENT: Glad you've been enjoying the digest. It's actually been going since 1997! Perhaps I should have an anniversary edition next year. It started the Easter that A Walton's Easter first went to air in the USA. Do you know that we've still got some original members too???

Hello Karen and All, It is a beautiful day here in Vermont. Others may not agree, but I love the beautiful snow that is falling. Looks like a snowy Christmas for us.

Somebody asked in the last digest about finding the Homecoming on video. Ebay has alot of that video right now and it can be gotten cheaply if you look at all the different ones up for auction.

The Spirit is a nice show. It isn't my favorite, but I do like the stories Jeffrey's friend tells him about St. Nicholas, the Christ child, and Martin Luther. I also love how CoraBeth tries to take over the Christmas proceedings at the church. She is so funny, I love her character.

I love the Children's Carol. It really brings into perspective. It makes you think what is the most important thing for Christmas. I think just being together is wonderful.

I believe we have discussed before that the young English girl is actually from Australia, but is totally convincing that she was the one who went through the bombings by the Germans. She really is a wonderful actress.

That is all from here. I hope everyone will have a Merry Christmas and we will all have peace on earth at last.

Good Night,

----Jennifer

P.S. I just got my newsletter from the Walton's Museum. Apparently our English friends are going to be lucky this month or the first of next. A company from England were filming during the Reunion with cast members doing a documentary that is supposed to be airing at the end of this month or the first of January. You all are lucky. Wish we could see it. Maybe in a few years BBCAmerica will air it.

KAREN'S COMMENT: I thought Corabeth was very funny in The Spirit too. Kind words about Sally Boyden who plays Tess in the Children's Carol, however it has been said that her accent is not right. I can't say I notice it though, but perhaps that's cos I'm not British. I certainly notice when Australian ones are wrong.

Thank you for the information on the episode, "Grandma Comes Home." According to my local TV schedule that episode airs this week, so I'll be sure and watch it.

Jennifer

KAREN'S COMMENT: Hope you enjoy it Jennifer. It's one of my favorites.

Merry Xmas to all Walton fans, Karen thanks again for being here for us, we love you, I have taped almost all the episodes, I'll keep them for my grandchildren to see, to me this is the best show ever, it shows the real strong family life needed today,

Jerry

KAREN'S COMMENT: Thanks for the kind words Jerry. I feel very privileged to be able to count so many wonderful, dedicated Waltons fans among my friends. :-))

Hi and Season's Greetings,

December 19th marks the 30th year when "The Homecoming; A Christmas Story" had first aired on CBS.

A number of people have been asking me when The Homecoming will be shown on TV, but I'm sorry to say that I have not been able to find it listed on any of the TV channels this year.

TNN is to show "The Best Christmas" twice on Christmas Day and again on Boxing Day.

Note: Boxing Day is on December 26th here in Canada.

Shirley

KAREN'S COMMENT: The Homecoming has stood up very well considering it is 30 years old. Thanks for the Christmas greetings too. Hope you're keeping well and lots of love from me to you and your beautiful boys. :-))

Hi everyone !!! I'm not sure if this digest will be out before Christmas or not .... so , MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!! if after the holiday, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and Best wishes for the New Year !!!! I am writing in response to the rumor that Columbia House doesn't have the Waltons videos. I am presently receiving a video every month, and have not been informed of any cancelation of the collection. It was kind of ironic, because I just received a tape yesterday and then today read the digest. I would think that there would be a note on my bill if it was being discontinued. Hope this helps!

Also, I did get to see some of the new Richard Thomas Christmas movie about reindeer ... ADORABLE !! My two little girls enjoyed it too!! I think it will be a classic. God Bless us Everyone!!! Goodnight all!!

Judy

P.S. We haven't had any snow yet! I'm jealous Jennifer! It would be so nice to have a white Christmas!

KAREN'S COMMENT: I'm jealous of Jennifer too Judy!!! However today we do have some sun and some blue sky....not much though as it's very cloudy. At least we don't have to have the heating on like we did last week. I wonder with the Columbia House thing though, if they are no longer taking on new subscribers? I had a letter from someone who had asked recently and had been told no, and then I checked their website and no Waltons were listed there either. Interesting.

Karen,

Sorry about my abrupt ending before, but I pressed the enter button by mistake. There were a couple more interesting points I was going to make, but one of them has gone out of my head. So just one more point. I was watching a repeat of THE WEAKEST LINK last night on BBC Prime, & one of the answers to a question was THE WALTONS.

As I said before, if anybody can advise me how to start my collection of The Waltons complete series, it would be much appreciated. I know I should start now on THE SERIES Channel, but I've only just thought to do that. I hope one day they will all be released.

Thanks for your time everybody & it just leaves me to wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY & PEACEFUL NEW YEAR.

Neil

KAREN'S COMMENT: Not sure if I got your other email Neil? Was it from last week's digest? Anyway, it's interesting how questions about The Waltons keep popping up on Millionaire but this is the first one I've heard about on The Weakest Link. Wouldn't we love to have the entire series released on video!!!