Hi everyone,

It's hard to believe that Christmas is over for another year, but it definitely is. Now its on to our summer holidays. :-)) We had a lovely Christmas day celebration. We went to church the evening before because James was singing and it was a lovely mass. Lots of participation from the teenagers which is always great to see. Back at home after it we watched the Carols By Candlelight, which was really nice too.

We set off for our Christmas Day lunch, after opening our presents of course, and had a lovely time at the restaurant. Santa visited and gave out small gifts to everyone, and there was a harpist who played. Dinner was lovely. We then headed down to Rod's mum's for a family get together, and most of us were there. Only two nieces were missing...one was working, and the other popped her head in then set off to her boyfriend's place for tea. It was nice to have us altogether so we could all catch up with one another.

Now here we are preparing for the New Year. It's usually a very quiet time for us, although Tim will be heading out for a party after he's finished work.

Before I finish with Christmas for this year though, I just wanted to thank all of you who have sent me Christmas greetings and e-cards over the past few weeks. It's lovely to know that you're thinking of me especially during the holiday season, and I really do appreciate your thoughts. Waltons fans are such lovely people. :-))

Here's wishing everyone a really safe and happy New Year.

Goodnight everyone,

Karen.

Hello Karen and all Walton Fans,

I am slowly getting through the digest and I am now at Digest 20 of the year 2000. Very enjoyable read. Some people were commenting on their favorite Richard Thomas movie. I think mine is All's Quiet on the Western Front even though I have to say I love anything with Richard in it. Did anyone see his latest The Christmas Secret?

I have a question that I was wondering if anyone could answer. What is the name of John-Boy and Janet's twins and are they boys or girls? I remember seeing this Walton movie but for the life of me I cannot recall the names of the twins.

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Tish

Dick & Patsy

KAREN'S COMMENT: I don't think the twins were ever named, although I think they were given names by the International Waltons Fan Club. Here we are, from the issue Volume 5, Issue 2, 1997:

"Mr. and Mrs. John Walton, Jr. announce the arrival of their twins Esther Olivia Walton and John Zebulon Walton. Easter 1969, Waltons Mountain, Virginia."

Do you think we can take it that these names will be used in the next!?! movie special? What names would you have given them?

Hello Karen and All~

Yes, we finally got some snow here as well, but nothing that really added up to anything. But I'm still hoping for a white Christmas. Supposed to get snow here late Christmas Eve, so keep your fingers crossed! Hearing about everyone's different weather really gets me thinking about how stuck I get into tradition. Where I live it's always very cold, or snowy so you never even think about the possibility of someone else, having heat! Funny eh?

It's amazing how we are all in this world, alike but different. Thought I'd share one of my favorite quotes proving that. "One moon shines in every pool, in every pool, the same moon".

Also, living in suburbia, USA I wish that my malls were more as the ones in Australia. I think the best or closest thing we could get to what you are discussing, is when they spray paint a Santa on the windows of a pizza place lol!

Also, a welcome to Vicky! I look forward to getting to know you in our little family here.

Yes, I got to see "The Christmas Secret". What can I say? RT was just what we all expected, and no less: Spectacular. He was back to a rather innocent role, playing the family man, who is also a scientist trying to prove that reindeer can fly....... I also saw him in the paper last Sunday for the movie, nice promo for that and his new play. It was one of those question updates from the reader sections, so I'm glad to see other people still remembering the cast of The Waltons. Yes, RT certainly looks the same if not better! Ah.... what a guy, lol.

A little late this year, got the tree last night. But oh well! two days left and counting. Well, as Karen, better finish wrapping gifts! One Waltons memory I have newly made now is wrapping my gifts for Christmas on the floor to the Waltons CD. I also always read 'twas The Night Before Chritmas' on Christmas Eve, so now I also listen to RT reading it. I wonder if he does anything like that.......

I hope you all and your families have a wonderful holiday with health, happiness, and love. (and Waltons if you can find the time).

Love,

Viv

KAREN'S COMMENT: Actually our weather has been really cool this week, and I've had the heater going some nights. Hopefully it will get summery again over the weekend. It's interesting how many Christmas movies RT has done isn't it? Enjoy Viv's card everyone.

Merry Christmas Karen,

Christmas Eve here and we're expecting very cold weather for Christmas, about the single digits with the wind chill. I guess good Santa weather. I know it may be to late, but my favorite Christmas has to be the homecoming as it started the whole show. I love in the kitchen when Grandma is looking at the goose that was given to them and she can't find any gunshot or pin feathers, of course there is a bandit going around giving to the needy.

I love the sleigh scene with the Baldwins and John Boy, and Mama gets angry at John Boy thinking it's the recipe and pours the hot chocolate down the sink. The best is the Christmas pageant put on by the local church, so innocent. I also love the part about the children in the barn and the discussion on growing up. I could go on and on, I guess I just love so much. I love Patricia Neal when she brings out the Christmas cactus. She was wonderful.

Well Karen, thanks for all the wonderful newsletters. God Bless you and your family this Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Kathy

KAREN'S COMMENT: There are some lovely moments in The Homecoming, that's for sure.

Yes Richard Thomas seems to always look the same. Will be watching the Christmas episodes tomorrow. Have just come back from a Christmas dinner--with the family who gave me Erin the cat---- Hope things have settled down downunder after the holidays.

Wondered if perhaps Martha Nix Wade might have made a cameo appearance in DAY OF INFAMY? There was a girl at the movies just in front of Erin and Elizabeth who looked a lot like her. This was almost a year before she made her first appearance in The Kinfolk.

I have also heard that the Homecoming is no longer available on VHS. Wonder if it can be acquired through Barnes and Noble, Amazon or Ebay.

There is someone who posted on Ralph's forum about the Waltons from Finland who is trying to locate some books about the Waltons. I suggested the book that John Olvey put together.

Donald

KAREN'S COMMENT: A lot of people have been looking for The Homecoming. Is it still available at the Museum?

Hello Everybody

I'm happy to announce that I might be watching the Homecoming very soon. You see, last night (Christmas Eve) I was talking to my aunt whom I never talk to and she mentioned that she heard I love the Waltons. She went on about how she likes them too and how see had seen "The Homecoming" the night before. I got all excited and told her I had always wanted to see it and she is going to let me borrow it. This is going to be great!

Goodnight,

Hayley

KAREN'S COMMENT: Great time of the year for it Hayley. Enjoy. :-)

I am looking for a copy of the Walton trivia book. If anyone has a copy for sale or knows how I can get one, please e-mail me. The museum no longer has them.

Susan

KAREN'S COMMENT: Donald mentioned a book by John Olvey, but this isn't the trivia book which I have. The one I have is by Mark A. Jones. I think it's this one that Susan is after, but what is the book by John Olvey? Does anyone know?

Happy 2001 to all you Waltons fans. Can you believe how fast this year has flown?!

Trivia: who received a dulcimer and from whom?

Goodnight Karen. Goodnight Waltons.

Ruth

KAREN'S COMMENT: Easy question this time Ruth, but still a good one. What about the song that was played on it? Can anyone tell me what it is? Is it a Virginian folk song or something? It's very pretty. We could also add another question to it Ruth...where did the dulcimer come from in the first place? Answers anyone!