My old laptop needed replacement, although it still worked and was serving a useful purpose. Windows 95 and an 80-megabyte hard disk are no longer enough. My "newer" computer has been an iMac, but it, too, has outlived its "Jaguar" operating system.

I wanted portability, with everything in one, easily carried package: computer, Wi-Fi, microphone, Web-camera, and the various VoIP programs I now use for communication. This would be my emergency system, should I have to leave home in a hurry. My daughter and son-in-law have the same idea installed in their XP laptops. I decided on Macintosh, and also desired a larger monitor for use at home.

Here is the result. The 13-inch MacBook provides the CPU and everything else in one, slim case, and it's really a joy to use. The 20-inch Cinema display turns the desktop into a panorama. Both screens can also show separate documents, and each window can be dragged from one screen to the other. That's nice when several tasks are running simultaneously.

Notice the absence of wires. The separate keyboard and mouse are both Bluetooth and wireless, and can be used anywhere in the room. That gives me space to spread out, and the arrangement is very flexible.

So, 2007 will be my year to explore the activities Macintosh does best, and make a transition from my earlier equipment. I already know that this will become my future worksite for Web design, and where I will soon be typing the words for this blog.

There were four, oversize stockings hung from the front-hall staircase railing. This produced considerable curiosity the week before, and even some disassembly. Christmas morning, Polly, Calvin, and Kona were milling around the pile of presents in the family room, and Heidi (so named because she hides) crouched a safe distance away. Kristin began the festivities by dumping all four stockings onto the floor, allowing each cat to pick and choose. Then, Kristin opened a bag of cat treats and scattered them around the floor.

Calvin is the one who owns possessions, and he carefully guards his hoard of plastic drinking straws. Each Christmas, there are more added, and they are kept in a basket atop a kitchen cabinet. Whenever he wants a new straw, he jumps up to the basket and brings one down. The "old" straws are probably behind the refrigerator and in other crevices around the house. He plays with them, hour on end. Another favorite toy is a very special white, plastic spoon, and I noticed a bright new one near his stocking.