70 Comments
User's avatar
DenizB33's avatar

Merry Christmas! 🤗🤗🤗

Brent Hartinger's avatar

Thank you! Same to you!

Deborah's avatar

A great lens to use to assess the past year! I'm a new subsriber, and I'm looking forward to reading more about your adventures in the coming year. Merry Christmas!! 🎄🎅🌟

Michael Jensen's avatar

Welcome! Thanks for coming along!

Suzie Costley's avatar

Loved this! Warm (sorry) wishes!!

Brent Hartinger's avatar

thanks! And I'm glad SOMEONE is warm. hehe

Terrie's avatar

Great synopsis!! Merry Christmas, you two!

Brent Hartinger's avatar

Thank you! Same to you!

DR Darke's avatar

Season's Greetings from Jersey City!

To me, HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS is the greatest Christmas special of all, because it's a tale of love and redemption, it's animated by Chuck Jones...AND it stars Boris Karloff!

Brent Hartinger's avatar

I concede that is also great.

Michael Jensen's avatar

I call it a tie with A Charlie Brown Christmas!

Linda Jackson 🌏's avatar

Beautiful! Happy holidays you two! From another misfit toy in Fiji. Also battling the Heat Miser and the Rain Monster. 🌎💙

Michael Jensen's avatar

Stay dry! And happy holidays!

Laura Moscatello's avatar

I love how you created this newsletter, something many of us can relate to. We watched Charlie Brown Christmas recently and I’m still feeling sorry for Charlie Brown. Thank you for sharing your travels with us!

Brent Hartinger's avatar

You're welcome! It really is a pleasure.

Michael Jensen's avatar

Thanks for coming along, Laura! Merry Christmas to you both…

Michael Young's avatar

Merry Christmas, you two! 🎄

Brent Hartinger's avatar

Thanks, Michael!

Jenn H's avatar

The tree looks great! Happy holidays!

Brent Hartinger's avatar

Same to you! 🌲🎉

Michael Jensen's avatar

🥰🥰🥰

Amy Dresser's avatar

Awe. Meeting you guys in person was definitely a highlight for us this year. We hope our paths will cross again soon. You are always welcome to visit us in San Miguel!

Michael Jensen's avatar

SMdA is on our list of possible places to live, so....

Brent Hartinger's avatar

We may take you up on that!

Merry Christmas!

Lisa Kelly Zuba's avatar

Your writing is spectacular. I'm glad I discovered y'all in 2025.

Merry Christmas!

Brent Hartinger's avatar

Well, that is a nice Christmas gift!

Michael Jensen's avatar

Thank you, Lisa! Merry Christmas!

Winston's avatar

Protip....find the DIY center where they sell thick sheets of plastic and some push pins. Overlap in front of windows and doors. Doors so that you can push thru or pull back easily. This will keep whatever meager warmth there is inside, plus reduce drafts. More important, also buy a little gas heater from Osaka Gas that runs a line from your kitchen gas outlet and pours out gorgeous heat from within. You'll thank me.

Brent Hartinger's avatar

I'm fascinated by all the "fire" precautions here in Japan -- fire extinguishers everywhere, buckets of water too. Clearly, wood and paper houses are an issue.

Michael Jensen's avatar

Thanks for the tips but as we're only here for a month, we'll just dress warmly and crank up the electric heat!

KewtieBird’s Photo Journey's avatar

Merry Christmas!

Thank you for a charming holiday tale — and for sharing all of your posts over this past year. Best for a fab ‘26 with more adventures!

(I have to say, I’d prefer too cold to too hot, unless it’s a dry heat…)

Brent Hartinger's avatar

I prefer too cold too, I think. Especially when there's a chance of snow around Christmas!

Michael Jensen's avatar

Thank you! And happy holidays!

Tom Brady's avatar

You two do such a wonderful service as world ambassadors! I hope you both have a very merry and hopefully mild Christmas in Japan! Look forward to your travels next year!

Michael Jensen's avatar

Thanks, Tom! Merry Christmas to you!

Valerie Starr's avatar

Wonderful winter holidays for you!!! Your posts are like an advent calendar of adventures! Thank you so much for giving us some enjoyment in this dismal year.

Brent Hartinger's avatar

Aw, that is sweet.

Michael Jensen's avatar

🥰🥰🥰

Peter Kurtz's avatar

Misfit toy here, too. Completely agree about A Charlie Brown Christmas and why it's the best. Next to Santa Paws 2, which my granddaughters subjected me to, well...let's just they don't write 'em like they used to. Merry Christmas!

Brent Hartinger's avatar

Haha, I feel your pain.

Michael Jensen's avatar

Merry Christmas, Peter!