This is Tuesday, Christmas night. So I’m sending you all a belated Merry Christmas. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and spent it with your families and friends.

Christmas Eve, Christmas Day

I cooked a roast that is an imitation of prime rib. It’s all in the juice that makes the taste. Secret ingredient is soy sauce. Red potatoes with mesquite seasoning, baked in the oven. Asparagus, green beans, because Chuck won’t give asparagus a try, Texas toast (in S.C.), tea and pecan pie. Non-traditional, but oh so good. And easier to clean up the kitchen.

Chuck came over Christmas Eve thinking he was going to open a present. Ha! We’re not Eve people. He had to wait until dinner was over on Christmas Day. And as Northerners we don’t eat at noon. So we sat down between 3:30 and 4. Everyone was hungry then, so you know the food will be eaten, whether it’s good or not. After we had our present opening we all went to Margaret’s to see and spend time with her. She doesn’t get out except to go to church, and gets a little lonely. I wish some of you that know her could drop in on her once in a while. She is a 90-year-old sweetheart.

Birthdays

I missed the birthday list last week. But today is Dolly Broome’s — Dec.25. The 24th was David Foster’s. Paul Dodie McCutchson’s was the 22nd. Allison Hart’s on the 31st. Delani Rash and Daniel Ley on the 24th. Hagen Grady on the 25th, and Isaiah Massey on the 28th.

The McCutcheons

Laverne Bryan was in the other day and told me that Toby Faith McCutcheon follows my letters on line from Indiana. So I want to give a big hello to her. Do a lot of you remember the McCutcheon’s that were on S. 5th.? When I moved here I heard of the couple that had a little store at their home and sold candy to all the boys and girls. This was Toby’s parents. I know some of you have happy memories of them.

Two At Home For Christmas

I believe Ethan Turner was home for a few days. He’s in the Air Force stationed in Ohio.

Craig Canupp and Josie have a new baby girl and had her home for Christmas. Her name is Alaina Grace.

Emailing Santa

To Santa. Where Are My Gifts?!

If you fear that letter to Santa won’t get to the North Pole in time, try e-mailing him. Email Santa.com sees more than a million missives every year, and each one gets a response, including these:

I’m sorry, but I don’t have a chimney…I’ll leave the cat flap unlocked for you, but please watch out for the litter box! Jon, 4.

Mommy and Daddy say I have not been very good these past few days. How bad can I be before I lose my presents? Christian, 7.

Did you really run over my grandma? MacKenzie,11.

I’m sorry for putting all that Ex-Lax in your milk last year, but I wasn’t sure if you were real. My dad was really mad. Bre, 7.

You really don’t need to send me the motor home, I know that you won’t be able to fit it in your sleigh. I know that the elves won’t be able to reach the pedals, and anyway, my mom said I can’t get my driver’s license yet. Kyle 5.

Pleease! Don’t bring me any new clothes. Kayla 9.

Thank you for the remote-control car last year, even though it broke the day after. I know you tried, and that’s what counts. Alex, 8.

And,

Do you know Jesus is the real reason of Christmas? Not to be mean, but he is. Rosanne, 11.

Proof

On Christmas Eve my nine-year-old son, David, put out milk and cookies for Santa, plus an extra treat — a beer. The next morning, David came tearing into our room. “Santa came!” he shouted. Holding up the half full bottle of beer, he said, “See? There really is a Santa, because Dad would have drunk the whole thing!”

Well, I have to close and not tell you the rest of my thoughts, so maybe it will be better next time. So I will say good night. 545-6652