One LAST Holiday in 2020

If you aren't Scottish you may never have heard of it -  Hogmanay a word that signified to the Vikings the last day of the year.  And the Vikings started celebrating in the middle of December.  It would not be inappropriate to say, "Let's party like the Vikings." 

Fireworks are set off in Edinberg and apparently everyone yells a lot.  

Guests are offered dinners of Neeps (turnips)  steak, whisky, Tatties (potatoes) and ... The dread in many stomachs - haggis where the innards of sheep or calves are stuffed into a tube made of small or large intestine stuffed with oatmeal, spices  and steamed to cook this whole  dish?  

It is generally cold in Scotland at this time of the year, so dress warmly.  Very warmly.  The copious   amounts of whisky offered should keep you toasty warm though.  I gathered from light research that only sissies drink wine at one of these affairs.  

I don't think even Gelson's or Bristol Farms - our local gourmet suppliers have haggis and I advise don't eat it even if they do!  

But certainly lift a shot of whisky to the Vikings and belt down another shot.  Happy Hogmanay Day!

The Easter bunny Has Surprise for You - A Book!

It's the Biography of PETER RABBIT!

Read about his daring escape from evil Mr. McGregor and the very helpful birds. 

It's an exciting story and you will thrill  beside Peter during his adventures!  

Parents:  It has a happy ending that has nothing to do with chocolate Easter Eggs.  In fact, it might be fun to eat a carrot or two while you read. 

An Old-fashioned Rain Complete with Lightening!

This was scary!  A flashing light woke me up from sound asleep to sheer terror eerier still because there was no clap of thunder to go with it!  I knew there must be some; that's the way these things work.   But not last night.

I was especially terrified for I sleep on the window side of the bed.  It's gonna git me! I thought to myself.  

Then the flashing lights dwindled away and I still hadn't heard any thunder.  Not that I'm complaining about that ...  I didn't get a chance to count seconds between BOOMS which is what you do out in the country to see how far away the storm is from tiny precious you.  

Richie woke me up getting up himself.  I said,, "Don't go out for the papers!  You could get killed!

As husbands usually do, he went right out the door.  And I went back to sleep.

At 9:25 a.m. (now) the sun is out and it's a lovely sunny day.

Maybe I imagined the whole thing ...  

Finger's Crossed for 2021

Treat yourself to  champagne and caviar.  Either but both is best.  The Robb Report wrote that the two flavors spark each other with the caviar's high fat, salt and the dry kick of the champagne.

 Gelsons has a variety of prices.  American Pride is $6.71  Feelin flush?  Spring for a tin of pure Russian at $785.  The remainder of choices ranges between these two extremes.  Bristol Farms ups the stakes with Foie Gras.  All three intended to kick off a gala dinner.  

                               And hopefully a much better 2021 than 2020 was.  The fact that we're still alive and well and considering a vertical descent on Gelson's for supplies says a lot.  While you're in there - or just plain  Ralphs don't forget the little Melba toasts, a lemon for a last minute squirt, chopped red onion and  a stick of butter 

I do it like this - butter a melba toast; add chopped red onion. squirt of lemon and lastly the caviar.

I won't caution any of my friends NOT to forget the champagne.  I don't have to.

                                              ONWARD INTO A BETTER 2021

The Virus Killed Christmas this Year - But We Can have Fun Anyhow With Boxing Day

 No, we are not going to slip into satin boxing shorts don a silken robe and go out in our various driveways and beat the shit out of each other.  I guess you could but  seems kind of anti - Christmas, no?

What is this acknowledged holiday in Great Britain?  

Once upon a time it was the day after Christmas when the masters packed boxes with  treats (think whole ham or big turkey), and small change were put in them and then given to the servant who presumably tore home at warp speed to start cooking and/or counting the money found there-in..

Even after extensive digging I never discovered why it's customary to wear pajamas to distribute gifts the day after real Christmas.  Just one of those Brit, Australian, New Zealand things.  It is, of course, a chance to go shopping.

Today merchants fling open their doors as early as 5 a,m,  Think of Thanksgiving and Black Friday.

 But I can't encourage you to go shopping in your jammies. Something about indecent exposure? 

The Pretty Sounds of Christmas

 "Sleigh bells ring ..." and the muttered curses when you can't open the fruitcake tin - the door bell or the knocking at the front door ... as guests announce themselves.  

The not-so-pretty - TVs blaring either "Miracle on 34th Street" or a sports event. The excited barking of the family dog.

The squeals of little kids delving in the presents under the tree..

I miss them.  But my family is in Chicago or Long Island or San Diego ... just not in Redondo Beach.  Our friends?  One moved to San Diego; two died.

I hope you have all of the family you can stand on Christmas Day!  

And listen for the sleigh bells!

Torn Wrapping Paper under the dining room table - But Wait!

Some of it has writing on it ... what can it be - we better take another look...

The post apocalyptical  fiction section has been moved to Current Affairs - on this one ...

 Adam and Eve were the first to ignore Apple terms and conditions.

"I can get behind this one!  "Stop making stupid people famous - the Kardashion Klan - did I hear someone say Paris Hilton? "

"I wonder if our dog pets see a K9 dog and think, "It's the cops!"

Hospital Delivery Room door - "Push   Push   Push"