At their recent holiday open house, CAROL and DAVID BINSCHUS greeted neighbors and friends who have become their extended family. This marks the couple’s sixth Christmas in a home they built on Landing Circle. Years earlier, while living in Pendleton, Ore., their children took a high school trip to San Juan Island and raved to their parents, “You’ve got to see this place!” Even before disembarking the ferry at Clinton, Carol said to David, “Put your arm around me. This is it!”

David had a long career in law enforcement and Carol served as an Air Force nurse and mother to four energetic children. It was here they would stay.

I was drawn to a wall of photos with faces that bear a striking resemblance to their parents. First there is Mark, the oldest at 34, of Troy, Mich.; Roger, 28, an architect in Portland; Robin, 24, a senior at Bob Jones University who intends to enter the U.S. Air Force; and Douglas, 29, U.S. Army, currently on his third tour in the Middle East in Afghanistan.

David especially wanted to show me a photo of Doug offering candy to a little Afghan girl. “This is how America will win the hearts and minds of the Afghan people,” he said. The picture even found its way to the cover of a military publication.

Directly below is a photo of Doug’s team, nine men with wary expressions, weapons at the ready. I had to look closer to pick out Doug beneath the combat makeup.

“You wouldn’t believe the training they get in Special Forces,” David added. Nonconformist Doug seems right at home as a paratrooper, Halo jumper and weapons sergeant. Team members bond for life. When one of them was killed recently, Doug was first to know.

“He is highly skilled and loves what he is doing,” David said. They have faith Doug will be safe under God’s protection. They do not allow politics or public opinion to shake their resolve. Carol occupies herself with crafts and various studies.

Just outside their windows, two majestic eagles, symbols of peace and strength, wait to catch the next thermal updraft. Once paired, eagles remain together for life. They have long, broad wings and they keep in touch with calls from nest to nest in the tall trees that circle the Binschus home. As with thoughts of Mark, Roger, Robin and Douglas, they are never far away.

Benefits keep the season warm …

Hummingbird Farm owners LORI and LEE SPEAR sent their kids to Phoenix for Christmas with their aunts and grandmother and one would think they’d take a romantic time out, right? Sorry, but they manned the Gift Shop straight through Dec. 24 after which Lori worked the night shift from Christmas Eve to Christmas morning at the Naval Hospital.

The acoustics in the new barn didn’t disappoint when carolers performed on Dec. 5 to benefit CADA.

“Through direct donations and 10 percent of evening gift shop sales, we raised $250 for their organization,” Lori said. This event will have a permanent slot on the first Tuesday evening every December.

Among guests were MARGIE PORTER, KATHLEEN SCHOFIELD, SHANNON MONAHAN, GLENDA WARD and BILLIE and LEO JORDAN. Music was organized by LYNNE OGREN and performed by ROXALANNE MEDLEY, ANN DANNHAUER, TOM COE and PAT FELGER. MONIKA HAYNES was storyteller.

Then on Dec. 9 it was “Pets in the Barn with Santa” and Hummingbird Farm raised over $250 plus direct cash donations to benefit WAIF. AMY BECKNER handled dog and cat whispering, while ROB and JUDY DEWING, CANDACE LEVINE and FRED GRISLEY volunteered to wait patiently with dogs seeking new families.

Comforts of home …

JIM and BETH BUTLER have a cozy place on Dundee Way. But like dozens of homeowners, their home took some damage from the recent windstorm. Did they get upset? Of course not! They packed a couple of overnight bags and headed to the Navy Lodge on the Seaplane Base.

You’d expect a retired U.S. Navy Master Chief to be critical of such accommodations, but he and the missus could not find one thing they did not like. They were so impressed by the cleanliness, comfortable quarters and attentive staff members, they asked me to publicly issue an “Atta Boy.”

“Our house is fine now and we checked out last Wednesday,” said Beth. I get the feeling she’d like to go back.

“And on earth, peace among men…” That’s what this old world needs in 2007. Let it begin with you and me, and even the guy waiting for the all-clear on the Y2K bug.

Write to me at lifeonwhidbey@yahoo.com or call 675-6611.