Author: Steve

And yes, it is common.  In Great Britain.  Not in the U.S.

We’re back on U.S. soil.  Flew most of the way home today.  We’re in Austin for the night.  We’ll fly the rest of the way tomorrow.

We can say words from one country that have different implications in other countries without sniggering.

The word at hand is tit.  A tit is a small mostly European bird.  They’re a lot like our chickadees.  There are many different kinds and we have seen several this trip.  The Great Tit is not big, but it is the biggest of the ones we’ve seen.

Blue tit.  Slightly smaller.

We also saw Coal Tits; they look almost exactly like our black-capped chickadees at home in the U.S.  And long-tailed tits; they look a lot like our bushtits at home.

Good for us.  We’re mature enough to have made it through without giggling.  Even though, when I hear the woman’s voice on the loudspeaker for the underground announcing the train stops, I still flinch when I hear her say Cockfosters.  I know, it doesn’t mean anything, but it just feels wrong to say it out loud.

It’s not an elf on a shelf.

It’s Chepstow!

He’s not part of the décor.  He has been with us since Chepstow Castle.

And now he has a partner.  From York.  His name is Shambles.

They stay together.  Wherever we are.

European Robin.  Buried in the underbrush.

He was curious enough to come out to see us.

In England, known as Robin Red-breast.  One might wonder why, with that bright orange breast, he would be named Robin Red-breast.  The answer to that question is that the little bird was described and named in England in the 1300s.  A specific word in English to distinguish orange from red, was not coined until the 1400s.

We missed the Taylor Roth Christmas Holiday party in Denver.  We did get a nice recap from Savannah though, and it was charming enough that I would like to share it.  We never get everyone to the annual get-together; they’re spread around Denver, Albuquerque, some in England this year, and wherever the remote workers happen to be.  Light-hearted awards, serious recognitions, and that many of us together all at once.  Nice.

From: Savannah Platz <savannah@taylorroth.com>
Sent: Monday, December 11, 2023 3:48 PM
Subject: It’s beginning to look a lot like….

…a TRC Christmas Party recap!

This year we went to a little southern brunch spot called Four Friends Kitchen that rents their space out for events in the evenings. We had the whole place to ourselves from 5-9 on Saturday and that was just super! Thanks to Warren and Dotte for the recommendation. The staff kept us happy with drinks, appetizers, HUGE dinners, and delicious desserts. They worked hard with me in the weeks preceding to meet all our desires and needs and I think they did a pretty great job, overall, and were great people to work with.

Because this year was a mini celebration of 35 years of TRC, we decided to have a little extra fun in the form of some silly and some not-so-silly awards.

First the silly…

The votes are in, and these were the winners of The Rothy’s:

Every winner received a tiny trophy and gift card to either Target or Shell.  

Award	Winner	Runner up
Tidiest Workpaper Award	Jess	Shannon/Dale
Most Likely to Email you at 1am	Becky	Warren
Excel Whiz Award	Ken
Denver Golden Bagel Award (for the yummiest snacks!)	Ian	Ken
NM Golden Bagel Award  (for the yummiest snacks!)	Shannon	Monika
Denver Lunchtime Conversationalist Award	D	Warren
NM Lunchtime Conversationalist Award	Shannon	Aryn
Denver Energizer bunny award	Dale	Savannah
NM Energizer bunny award	Monika	Teresa

Now the not-so-silly…

We took the opportunity to express gratitude and honor for all the staff members who have spent 10+ years with Taylor Roth. They received a certificate (and an email early this morning) directing them to a website where they can choose a gift. (Except for Ken, who is now enjoying the gift that you all generously helped choose.)

Shannon, 10 years

Becky, 10 years (this time)

Jess, 10ish years (because she was here, then left, then came back to us)

Patti, 14 years

Janis, 15 years

David R., 16ish years (because he also was here, then left for a time, and returned)

Warren, 20 years

Ken, 25 years

Diane, 30 years

And I would be remiss not to remember Steve (and Judy) who, 35 years ago, built the foundation of hard work and care for staff and community that that this amazing company still stands on. We are forever grateful!

Finally…

I have three pictures. I know. Only three. That’s on me—I’m terrible at pictures. So, if anyone else has some from Saturday night, PLEASE share with the group!

Savannah Platz

Office Administrator

Taylor Roth and Company, PLLC

800 Grant Street, Suite 205

Denver, CO 80203

(303) 830-8109