Posted: 5 months ago

Christmas Letter:

Yesterday, I bought a bouquet of flowers for Anne. When I gave them to her, she smiled and said: “Why? Are these for Christmas or my Birthday?” (Her birthday is the 23rd) “No,” I said, also smiling, “they are for what you mean to me and what we have.” For that I got a kiss-an early Christmas present.

The last two months have been hard on her, going to doctor’s offices constantly, staying four days in the hospital for fluctuating blood pressure, learning two days ago that she will need an operation to ream out the artery in her neck, followed by the work on her left leg so it works better (walking has been difficult). It is interesting that her surgeon and her cardiologist are in a tug of war about who is best to solve her leg problem (one blockage in the abdomen and one around the left knee- they are not sure about the left ankle). I think that we will side with the cardiologist for the time being- as long as we see some improvement. So I decided it was time for flowers as a symbol of our love. It worked. Her spirits are better (and they have been upbeat anyways through all this). Of course, I am fine (bad knees and going on eighty in May but for all that, FINE). As my friend in New Zealand (96) says, “I wake up each morning in pain so I know that I am alive!” I want to go meet him face to face one day.

My art work could not be going any better (except for selling which is down). Tonight, we go to the opening of the Art Car Museum Exhibition (where one of my works will be featured). And I have gotten into international exhibitions (18 out of 18 in 2010-2011) at the Upstream People Gallery (‘upstream’ is the Omaha tribe’s name for themselves and the gallery is in Omaha), which gets 800,000 viewers each month for their online international exhibitions (which adds up to 10 million viewers a year- great PR-www.upstreampeoplegallery.com). Here is the latest comment (Dec.) from the judge: “JOSEPH L. KAGLE, JR. of Kingwood, Texas has work like an artist of the New York School of Painting in which the works are filled with many images. His works in this show are absolutely outstanding and truly awesome. "Build a Dream" #42 (28,33,34,36), 2011, "Natural Vision" #24 (14, 30, 16, 40) 2011 and "Open Wide-Architecture" #43 (12, 17,34,38), 2011 are three of those that capture the attention.”

My college is happy and they let me teach from what I know is best (and the students echo those sentiments). I will teach, I think, until my mind is not as sharp (and it is not slowing down yet very fast- any aging slows us down some). So all is right with our world (Anne’s problems will be solved).

Erin, our granddaughter, is a star on the middle school basketball team (undefeated), just been allowed to take the college entrance SAT exams (since she did so well in his own 7thgrade statewide tests), and was selected as one of forty Student Ambassadors for the People to People next summer’s program to Australia (we are assisting her to raise the $7600 to go); Matt, our grandson, is a star in elementary school academics (finally, now in 2ndgrade) and plays football on the side; Samantha, our daughter, was just given a monetary award for being the manager of “the best service organization in the petroleum industry”; and Jay, our son in law, is making $$$ for his CPA firm, especially in New York and China (a lot of traveling). Christopher is still working for Krogers and they love him (as he loves his job-his boss says that he is one of their “best workers”); and of course, he dreams of having his own band, being famous, and soon buying a $4000 Les Paul Guitar (now that last purchase will take time-a new bike to drive to work may come first). Even those like my son who are mentally challenged must have dreams. We love Houston (especially Kingwood and the Woodlands); go regularly to the Houston Ballet and the Alley Theater (as season ticket holders), plus attend all the college’s productions and events. We have much to be thankful for, especially friends like you.

Love and the best on these holidays,                                            Joe and Anne