Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

After roe, women are no longer free.

Nancy smash is sick of your bullshit.

If you tweet it in all caps, that makes it true!

Let us savor the impending downfall of lawless scoundrels who richly deserve the trouble barreling their way.

Something needs to be done about our bogus SCOTUS.

Let’s delete this post and never speak of this again.

Sitting here in limbo waiting for the dice to roll

Republican obstruction dressed up as bipartisanship. Again.

Whoever he was, that guy was nuts.

Reality always lies in wait for … Democrats.

This really is a full service blog.

The party of Reagan has become the party of Putin.

Anyone who bans teaching American history has no right to shape America’s future.

Accountability, motherfuckers.

“Jesus paying for the sins of everyone is an insult to those who paid for their own sins.”

Americans barely caring about Afghanistan is so last month.

If you are still in the GOP, you are an extremist.

I know this must be bad for Joe Biden, I just don’t know how.

Impressively dumb. Congratulations.

It’s always darkest before the other shoe drops.

Too often we hand the biggest microphones to the cynics and the critics who delight in declaring failure.

Optimism opens the door to great things.

That’s my take and I am available for criticism at this time.

“Squeaker” McCarthy

You are here: Home / Pet Blogging / Dog Blogging / Friday Morning Open Thread: Merry Xmas / Happy Holiday

Friday Morning Open Thread: Merry Xmas / Happy Holiday

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There are 250 dogs on Scott Arnold’s U.S. Postal Service route, and every year, he gives each one a personalized Christmas stocking that has their name, dog treats and a note from Santa.

But for the first time in 25 years, Arnold thought he might skip it this year. He knew that the families in the 22101 Zip code area of McLean, Va., would have understood. Arnold, 66, lost his adult son, Jason, in May of unknown causes, just days before his 37th birthday.

Arnold said that an outpouring of love and support from hundreds of his longtime customers helped fuel him through a difficult year. But he wondered whether he had the energy to make and deliver hundreds of stockings.

Then Arnold thought about how much his son had loved dogs, and he knew he had to continue the tradition he calls “Santa Paws.”…

So in November, Arnold bought more than 250 miniature Christmas stockings that were decorated with Santas and snowmen. He pulled out his red and green fabric paint, and sat down at his table to carefully personalize each one. “Rocky,” “Finnegan,” “Tesla,” he began, until he had written one for each pooch he has come to know and love in McLean…

As he does every year, Arnold stuffed each stocking with dog treats, then added a few extras: photos of his dog, Milo, and his grandsons — Jackson, 8, and Luke, 6 — and a special Christmas newsletter.

“Another Pawliday season is upon us, though this one is quite different than any other,” Arnold wrote. “We will begin, as always, welcoming the new members of our ever-growing pack.”

After listing all of the new dogs in the neighborhood (Teddy, Daisy, Biscuit, Lula, etc.), he mentioned those who had moved away (Molly, Rosie, Zeus, Monte), then paid tribute to all of the dogs who had crossed the “Rainbow Bridge.”…

On the other side of the letter, he thanked the people on his route for their support and kindness during the worst year he could remember.

“The outpouring of caring and compassion from all was incredible and appreciated,” Arnold wrote. “It helped so much, and continues to help.”

When he began delivering the socks about two weeks ago, Arnold said, he discovered it was good therapy.

“I’m so glad that I didn’t deprive the families and their dogs,” he said. “They look forward to the socks every year. We’re all feeling overwhelmed because of the pandemic and this was something positive I could do.”…

For the cynics:
Friday Morning Open Thread: Merry Xmas / Happy Holiday

(Shoe via GoComics.com)

Reader Interactions

199Comments

  3. 3.

    Tony Jay

    And a very Merry Chrimbottihottimus to all you Jackals from the frosty shores of Brexitannia.

    Eat  drink and be merry, for tomorrow someone will say or do something stupid and enraging. But not today!

  6. 6.

    NotMax

    Holiday hummables.

    A one.

    And a two.

    And a three.

    And a four.

    And a five.

    Meanwhile –

    Holy hot rock, Batman.

    This week’s incredible eruption at Halemaumau Crater continues, feeding a lava lake that is now 554 feet deep — or about as tall as 1 1/2 vertical football fields.

    Hawaiian Volcano Observatory officials said the lava lake got 39 feet deeper in the last 24 hours.

    The lake covers an approximate surface area of 69 acres. Source

  9. 9.

    Geminid

    @rikyrah: Merry Christmas! And to all the rest of the jackal pack. I’m hoping Northeasterners don’t suffer too much from yesterday’s storm. My part of Virginia got by with a lot of rain, but in the Shenandoah Valley just ten miles west it finished up with snow, ice, and subfreezing temperatures. Sounds like it was way worse up north. Stay warm if you can! Days are getting brighter, and Spring is coming.

  14. 14.

    JPL

    It’s 25 just north of Atlanta and will warm up later to a balmy 32.   The dog and I plan to spend a cozy day watching movies and snacking on some tasty food.  I hope that everyone enjoys their day.

  17. 17.

    NotMax

    Deliberately putting some political links kicking around on the back burner so as not to harsh the holiday mellow.

  21. 21.

    NeenerNeener

    Merry Christmas to all here! We didn’t get anything but rain overnight.

    I’m spending the day watching streaming stuff and eating leftover chicken and dumplings. Then maybe I’ll take a drive around the neighborhood tonight and check out the outdoor Christmas lights.

  23. 23.

    Mousebumples

    @MagdaInBlack: it made me more weepy because i miss “that.” Not that I’ve ever been in a public flash mob, but I like going to the farmers market and wandering through parks and listening to music. I could still do some of that this year (outdoors, etc.) but it’s all so different with the pandemic. And we have enough Trumpers around that I do not trust.

    As we put on our holiday cards this year, happy everything to all!

  24. 24.

    WereBear

    Merry Christmas FEELING to all, whatever your inclinations…

    In the spirit of giving, we have found a kitten prospect.

    Greta the kitten

    We investigated two who turned out to be called to other people, which is fine. It’s a lot of quantum physics alignment going on, and we must move with the flow.

    Our application has been accepted and it will be quite the road trip… but I have a good feeling our 2020 will end with this new addition to our family. Stay tuned!

  26. 26.

    NotMax

    @satby

    Not a geologist nor do I play one on TV. However would suspect there’s a potential threat, more from fissures developing in the volcanic slopes containing it.

  28. 28.

    p.a.

    Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays everyone.

    Fitzmas and Muellertide have failed us, but here’s hoping for some hard justice for at least some of the pollutants now leaving gvt.  At the least, some bankruptcy-inducing court fights.

    @NotMax: I don’t want tRump soiling Hawaii, but I think that lake would be an excellent landing spot for him.

  29. 29.

    YY_Sima Qian

    I think the Ode to Joy flash mob is actually from quite a few years ago. However, I sometimes find myself searching for it on YouTube whenever I feel weary or despondent. By the end I always feel a moisting of eyes and a swelling of emotions. A truly awe inspiring rendition of an awe inspiring work. Memories of good times gone by, and hopes for better times to come.

  32. 32.

    John S.

    Merry Christmas everyone!

    This is the coldest Christmas day we’ve had in South Florida in a very long time. We’re going for a safe, brief visit with my sister-in-law before my autistic son loses his mind. We haven’t been around anyone since March, but he is at frantic levels over the prospect of not seeing his aunt for the holidays, and there is simply no rationalizing with him.

    ETA: We’ve even managed to get him past his love for Disneyworld, though he does watch a lot of POV ride videos to help cope. But his love for his aunt is so much stronger (and he REALLY loves going to Disneyworld). She’ll be happy to know that.

  35. 35.

    WereBear

    @MagdaInBlack: Boy, that one oozes catitude =-)

    I know Mr WereBear has a weakness for torties, and his special girl is now 12. That’s how things started aligning.

    But can’t know for sure until we meet in person.

  39. 39.

    RedDirtGirl

    Merry Christmas you guys! Raining here in brooklyn. Got invited by a friend to the Robert Walser Society 15th Anniversary walk. Have any of you ever heard of this group? They seem to be a bunch of oddballs. Not sure if I’ll do it (because of the weather). Planning to make Christmas candy. I have an old family recipe for homemade peppermint patties.

  44. 44.

    mrmoshpotato

    @Tony Jay:

    Eat  drink and be merry, for tomorrow someone will say or do something stupid and enraging. But not today!

    ? Merry Christmas, Tony Jay!

  45. 45.

    HeleninEire

    Merry Christmas Balloon Juice friends.

    Windy and rainy here in NYC. It’ll be a quiet day. Just me and Dad for dinner.

    Hang in there. 2021 is almost here.

  49. 49.

    raven

    @Dorothy A. Winsor: Years ago my ex and I were at her home in Barrington and it had been a really snowy and cold week. There was a storm the night before we left so when we hit the on-ramp of the tollway I skidded into one of those giant aluminum light poles and the damn thing fell right across the highway! I had skidded past the footing and I saw no way I could move the thing so we just headed south. There were no cell phones and I figured if we stopped to report it I’d get busted so we just booked.

  51. 51.

    NotMax

    Okay that caused a double take.

    Line of dialogue heard just a minute ago, delivered to a priest by a Mother Superior, in the program running in the background: “And I dare say there’s nothing purer than the urine of a 60-year-old nun.”

    @Dorothy A. Winsor

    Beach volleyball weather for Minnesota!

    ;)

  54. 54.

    WereBear

    @WereBear: Part of why I was drawn to Greta the kitten is how I think she can take a burden off of Tristan’s shoulders. With Olwyn still recovering from severe illness, it’s all on him now.

    He has a big heart and takes it seriously, but a new Girl Commander would let him move into more of a support role.

  55. 55.

    Warblewarble

    Joy to all, it has been a hard year. 81 million voted for better,we can and will prevail. Lift your voices in joyful song,make our shared world the better place WE want it to be.

  59. 59.

    JMG

    Merry Christmas everyone! Rain and wind here in suburban Boston. Power’s still on so far.  Just Alice and myself today. My son in NYC had an emergency appendectomy back on the 15th. He’s fine, but spending 14 hours in an NYC hospital led him to restart his quarantine clock. He and his fiancee will come up here some time next week for the New Year. New Year’s Eve and Day are kind of the appendix of holidays in my opinion, but we will get to see them open their Christmas presents.

  60. 60.

    Ohio Mom

    John S @32:
    As a fellow parent of a spectrumite, I totally get it. We have our own list of things we are doing that we wouldn’t have otherwise, to respect, accommodate and support Ohio Son through Covid.

    What a source of joy for you that such a strong bond exists between aunt and nephew. I am sorry to say I am a bit jealous, as there is no one on either side of our family who has been motivated to master the art of relating to our quirky but lovely son. You are right to nurture this relationship, pandemic or not.

  65. 65.

    Immanentize

    Ho Ho Ho Hi!?

    Back when the Immp was young and we spent Christmas with one group of in laws or another, Julie and I used to call this the longest day of the year.  Now, I’m sipping coffee with my cat next to me and the Immp will sleep til noon.  Merry Christmas all!

  74. 74.

    satby

    I dozed off after my last comment just before 7 and woke up to compliment raven’s Lil Bit portrait. Now need to go find my taller snow boots to leave food out for the ferals. Clearly going to be a lazy day here.

  81. 81.

    debbie

    @OzarkHillbilly:

    If she wasn’t practicing social distancing, I bet she’d have decked a few of those assholes.

    And screw DeJoy for screwing with people like Arnold. /sniff/

  85. 85.

    NotMax

    Short notice.

    If you’ve got young kiddies (and TCM) The Great Rupert, coming up at 9:15 a.m., will enrapture them.

  86. 86.

    John S.

    @Ohio Mom: Thanks for those kind words. I feel a little guilty about going anywhere right now, but my wife convinced me it was the right thing to do. And I have to admit, we never realized that bond even existed until the steady drumbeat of “I want to go see Aunt Laura” began right before Thanksgiving.

    The one thing I will say about my son is that he has got to be the most outwardly affectionate kid on the spectrum I have ever encountered, and for that I am always very thankful.

  87. 87.

    YY_Sima Qian

    Happy Holidays everyone!

    Just another working day here in Wuhan, China, sunny but slightly smoggy. Cold front coming tomorrow, but nice and warm today.

    My parents ate the Christmas Eve meal alone, I my apartment in Upstate NY. We never did celebrate Christmas when I was living in the US, but this year they decided to make an occasion of it, and cooked extra dishes. They even opened the bottle Sancerre that I had forgotten in the cabinet. It has been there for 10 years! My parents claimed it was still enjoyable.

    They have been self-isolating since returning to the States in end of Jan./beginning of Feb., and will continue to do so until a few weeks after they have been inoculated (some time in Mar., hopefully).

    Here in China, Christmas is just another occasion for businesses to commercialize and monetize. Larger shopping malls have put up lavish decorations for weeks, and there are discounts to be had at physical and online stores. Many urban middle class Chinese take the opportunity have some fun with their children. Upper scale residential compounds’ property management hired Santas to knock on the doors of residents and hand out gifts to the kids.

  88. 88.

    WereBear

    @John S.: I think taking, and explaining, the precautions can be an excellent lesson for everyone.

    I know the neurodivergent, which has expanded to all kinds of recognition of how widespread and yes, diverse, these challenges and talents are, does not restrict empathy and feelings at all.

    It can change the expression of the part of humanity, that’s all. And should be recognized as such.

  90. 90.

    comrade scotts agenda of rage

    Gonna be sunny and upper 50s here in Denver. I do not miss the gloomy, cloudy and dreary winters that became Central Misery during my 22+ years there.

    We’re taking a break today from kitchen renovations (old house restorers never stop) and head out again tonight to look at house lighting. A lot of neighborhoods here, including ours, take this really seriously.

    One of the best Front Page pieces I’ve ever read at The Great Orange Satan over the last 15 years:
    Did I ever tell you about that Christmas I spent in a homless shelter?

  91. 91.

    Immanentize

    It is blowing and rain ng so hard here.  If I go missing, look in OZ.  (Always wanted to hang out with those lollipop guild toughs)

  92. 92.

    JMG

    The big trend in Christmas decorating around here this year was inflatables. I have to guess many of those Santas, Snoopys and Baby Yodas I’ve seen on suburban lawns are halfway to Montreal by now.

  94. 94.

    zhena gogolia

    The windows rattled, the house shook, but the wind has died down and the electricity is still on! Merry Christmas! Now I can have fun!

    ?????⛈??⛪️? ????

    тьфу, тьфу, тьфу, не сглазить

  96. 96.

    Lyrebird

    @rikyrah: Blessings going out to you and your near and dear ones… and thanks for the good thoughts!  My youngest tested NEGATIVE!!

    Happy Christmas and all other holidays to all here!

  99. 99.

    MomSense

    Merry Christmas everyone!
    The flash mob has me in tears.  I miss live music so blessed much.
    Today we are Christmasing via text.  Middle kid got some app called reface and is sending pictures of us as other people.  The best so far is my youngest as Melania – looks like my youngest as Tom Cruise as Melania sneering at Ivanka as she walks by.
    What a time to be alive.

  100. 100.

    PST

    Merry Christmas to all. This must be the quietest Christmas of my life, but that’s okay. Somehow we ended up with the biggest, fullest Christmas tree imaginable in a year when it’s just my wife and me at home (plus dog, of course) and therefore almost nothing under it. But we are snug and cozy and happy. We will putter around all day casually working on deferred tasks with Christmas movies in the background. Sure is cold here in Chicago.

  101. 101.

    Jo Jo las Orejas

    ¡Feliz Navidad de mi mamá y de mí! Acabamos de regresar de una cabaña en una granja de caballos en el río. Conocí a muchos otros perritos y jugué y jugué. Que tengas un gran día, dingos.

  103. 103.

    Jager

    From a time without COVID

    Our friend Barbara and her daughter Guillia are members of a choral group, they sang Christmas Carols at the Motion Picture Retirement Home. There was one old Buck, alone in his room, reading the Hollywood Reporter talking to himself. Babs stuck her head in the door and said, ‘Hi” the old dude looked up smiled, and said, “HOW”S YOUR P*SSY?”. Babs Is pretty quick, she paused and then gave him two thumbs up. Somebody later told her, “Oh he got you too?”

  105. 105.

    Sheila in nc

    Merry Christmas, everyone. I’ve gotta go put on one of my new pairs of socks from Mr in nc. Shall I go with Dr Fauci socks or RBG socks?

  107. 107.

    mad citizen

    @YY_Sima Qian: Thanks for posting the Ode to Joy timeline cleanser.  Yes, it is from 2012 and was sponsored by a Spanish bank.  https://www.openculture.com/2012/07/beethovens_ode_to_joy_flashmobbed.html

    I also learned that Ode to Joy is the official EU anthem.  What?  We need an alternate anthem–how about “Dancing in the Streets” (calling out around the world), by Marvin Gaye, William “Mickey” Stevenson and Ivy Jo Hunter.

    Merry Christmas everyone.  Just my wife and me, doing a small beef tenderloin we got last Wed (sale day) at ALDI, to bring this post back to the Germans.  Since it is so cold it will have to be cooked in the oven rather than my usual method of charcoal grill.  Oh well.  2020.  Also about to make a black raspberry pie with frozen berries.

  108. 108.

    evap

    Happy Krimble, Juicers! Just back from a run and I’m about to put the sweet rolls in the oven. There are just like the ones my grandmother made, except veganized. Hers were the best I’ve ever eaten and include both pecans and raisins in the swirl along with a caramel and pecan topping.

    One of my favorite Christmas songs: Father Christimas – The Kinks

  109. 109.

    Yarrow

    Merry Christmas, everyone! I’ve taken fed and watered the neighbor’s cats – nothing says Christmas like cleaning litter boxes on Christmas morning.

  115. 115.

    Kristine

    Merry Christmas ? to all! It’s a single digit morning here in NE Illinois, but it’s supposed to warm all the way to the low 20s. The barest dusting of snow ❄️ on colder surfaces. That’s enough for me, but I think Gaby would like more to roll in and eat.

  121. 121.

    ThresherK

    Best of the holiday for all assorted jackals.

    My late father-in-law was a retired letter carrier. We never heard dog-on-mailman horror stories from him, but I’m sure he’d appreciate this one’s good deed.

  126. 126.

    Yarrow

    The very best gift I could have received is the one I got a few days ago when my dad’s place let us know they’re on track to start vaccinations in early January. So grateful to the scientists and who worked so hard on the vaccines and for everyone involved in getting them out to people.

  128. 128.

    JMG

    Without present opening (we are deferring until son and betrothed arrive next week, and anyway, Alice knows what she got because I didn’t try to wrap her asked for exercise bike box) there’s a lot of free time between cooking and eating. Local Catholic Church livestreamed mass this morning. One singer, one piano, maybe 20 live attendees. Our menus will be brunch of eggs, bacon, orange juice and sourdough toast. Dinner tonight is sirloin roast, mashed potatoes and shredded brussel sprouts. If no power, steak cut from the roast and pan fried brussel sprouts.

  131. 131.

    NotMax

    @MomSense

    Have seen Chef but not the other one, near as can recollect. If you happen to come across it do check out Le Chef. Seems to be available for free streaming right now only via Kanopy*, should your local library provide you access to that service.

    *only place I can freely watch one of my all-time favorites, The Stunt Man, without rummaging around for the DVD. (Although also included with HBO Max, IIRC.)

  134. 134.

    raven

    @Barbara: There reporter I heard said the gunfire preceded the explosion. Also, real estate in downtown Nashville is expensive and I don’t think there would be a meth lab there.

  137. 137.

    JPL

    @raven: I didn’t hear about the gunfire.   It’s amazing that no one has life threatening injuries, because there is major damage.

  138. 138.

    Ceci n est pas mon nym

    Merry War on Christmas, Jackals!

    I got curious about where the flash mob was. There were enough clues for me to figure out that it’s in Barcelona. But I guess I’m bored because I keep going back into Google Maps to try to figure out which branch of the “Banc de Sabatell” we’re looking at.

  140. 140.

    Quinerly

    @NotMax: we have been struggling with Australian Cattledog adolescence since he turned one on 10/29. He did really well on this trip to a cabin on this horse farm in Crawford County. He peed on the 3rd oldest tree in Missouri (supposedly 1100-1200 years old per the locals and a guy who photographrd it for some publication) He behaved wonderfully. I would imagine that he is the only puppy from Espanola Humane Society that can “say” that. Proved he KNOWS how to settle down, hike, play with other dogs (he’s got it bad for the big boned Collette. She’s a Great Pyrenees and JoJo wants to learn French NOW. Dog help us). And he can sleep in a double sleeping bag with me. We aren’t weird. ?.. We are just getting ready for a really big adventure, hopefully starting in Sept thru March. Long road trip. He’s very cold natured. We are putting our traveling vehicle together. “The Fabulous Flying Quinerly Traveling Road Show.”

  141. 141.

    Jerzy Russian

    @WereBear: I know Mr WereBear has a weakness for torties

    I see perhaps a few dozen unique cats in the neighborhood where I do my daily walks. The only cat that lets me pet it, and in fact comes running up to me whenever she sees me, is a tortie.

  143. 143.

    NotMax

    Really loathe to bring it up in a pleasant thread, but did you happen to see this atrocious plan by even more atrocious people? (Will not explicate further so as to not dampen the mood for those not inclined to click.)

    Not saying what you mention is related, but these days….

  150. 150.

    debbie

    @WaterGirl:

    Even more impressive that the portrait was created using a sewing machine. What incredible control! I could never sew a straight line for the life of me.

  152. 152.

    jeffreyw

    @raven: I remember a brief revival of interest in Fats around the time of the movie with Newman, and Gleason as Minnesota Fats.  He lived in a tiny village north of Carbondale.  Local celeb.

  156. 156.

    Villago Delenda Est

    Merry Christmas to all members of the Juicitariat!

    Oh, great.  Antifa is at my door cancel culturing me.

  157. 157.

    Spanky

    @HeleninEire:

    Just me and Dad for dinner

    Phrasing!

    Awoke right at midnight to the mini derecho blowing through. No damage though from the 30ish mph winds. Rain soon died out  but now we have snow squalls blowing through. Unheard of here for Christmas, but I’m loving it.

  158. 158.

    Villago Delenda Est

    @raven: It is of course too early to do any meaningful speculation, but I have suspicions of what element of the populace might be responsible for this.  Then again, the media was SURE that the OK City bombing was some sort of middle-eastern strike on the US.

  161. 161.

    sixthdoctor

    Keeping the subject light for this thread:

    Was peppermint stick ice cream always a thing for Xmas dessert? I had never heard of it being a tradition but my wife always had peppermint ice cream pie for dessert growing up, and this year it felt like it was easier finding the COVID vaccine. Every store had a space in the ice cream aisle with surgical precision. Found something close enough though.

  163. 163.

    patrick II

    @raven:

    Big money pool has died out . For awhile in the late nineties and early 2000’s they and formed a confederation, played some tournaments for nice paydays 500,000 being the highest, but others in the 100 to 200,000 range. But big money, most tv and big crowds (I have seen over a thousand people watch Efren Reyes play) are gone. An audience of 10 or 20 people and  streaming  video is typical now. purses are very small. Times change. The young guys who are interested in competing but not in more physical sports are playing video games.

  170. 170.

    debbie

    @sixthdoctor:

    Graeters peppermint stick ice cream with bittersweet chocolate sauce is a requirement here! I’ve successfully hidden two pints and two jars from myself since Thanksgiving!

  171. 171.

    OzarkHillbilly

    @OzarkHillbilly: WKRN now has a cop giving a briefing in which he says they had a report of shots fired in the area and when they went to investigate they found the “suspicious RV” and called the bomb squad.

  176. 176.

    eclare

    @debbie:  I’ll have to remember that, but I’m not really a chocolate fan.  Which eliminates about 90-95% of ice creams at my Kroger.

  179. 179.

    Miss Bianca

    @WereBear: Oh, we busted out the bourbon-barrel-roasted coffee this am. ‘Tis delicious! Just nommed the last craisin/ginger biscotto that Pal D made. Congratulations on your new feline overlord prospect! (somehow, “Overlady” doesn’t quite cut it as a title, for me).

    ETA: Just looked at her photo, she is adorable. I love calicos and torties. Sigh…really missing my little Lefty…

  180. 180.

    Miss Bianca

    @John S.: I heard it was so cold in FL this morning that frozen iguanas were falling from the trees! Don’t get clocked by any iguanas as you sally forth!

    @RedDirtGirl:

    I have an old family recipe for homemade peppermint patties.

    WANT.

  182. 182.

    CaseyL

    @OzarkHillbilly: I love that one, too.  It looks like they’ve assembled for a purpose: hear a concert? Guided hike?

    Merry Christmas, everyone!  The visit to friends tentatively planned for today,I have postponed to Monday, when the weather is forecast to be NOT rainy and NOT windy but, mirable dictu, sunny. Not partly cloudy, not partly sunny, but outright and downright sunny.

    So I get to spend today doing laundry :)

  183. 183.

    geg6

    Merry Christmas to all you jackals!  ?

    Koda, Lovey, Cleo, John and I wish you all a safe and cozy day.

  186. 186.

    Miss Bianca

    @sixthdoctor: Sounds lovely. I’ll have to make do with peppermint-frosted chocolate-chip biscotti. Pal D’s holiday innovation. Lovin’ it so far, he may have to conjure us up another batch!

  188. 188.

    Immanentize

    Present of the year for me from Immp!  A really nice turntable pre amp that I am hooking up.  Everyone got vinyl!

    Immp got the 50th Anniversary Edition of In The Court of the Crimson King.  Two album pressing, remaster supervised by Steve Wilson.  200 g Vinyl.  I got “Fucked Up Inside” by Spiritualized.  Let the Wild Rumpus begin!

  189. 189.

    J R in WV

    @raven:

    Your wife has a great artistic talent there, bro! That’s a wonderful portrait in any medium, what a beautiful pup he was!

    We are so sorry for your loss, and all the other Jackals who have recently lost a beloved furbaby~!!~

  191. 191.

    HRA

    Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas Day while I stare through the window of a Christmas card worthy scene of overnight snow. Stay smart, stay safe and stay healthy!

  193. 193.

    Miss Bianca

    @Immanentize: Ooh, “Court of the Crimson King” was one of my all-time go-to’s for repeat listening in high school – but I just had it on cassette tape! A vinyl re-master! That sounds all kinds of awesome!

  194. 194.

    Kathleen

    @NotMax: I saw that story. I wonder if the Ohio teenager cited in the story was part of the NYT biweekly series “Meet Your White Terrorist Neighbor – He Goes To Kroger Too!”

  195. 195.

    Kathleen

    @Elizabelle: I’ve developed an addiction to Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark which is sold only during Christmas. A local candy company makes and crushes candy canes that go into the chocolate square. To die for! Can’t wait to go to Kroger tomorrow and buy several bags because they’ll probably have 50% off of holiday candy.

  197. 197.

    Brachiator

    Merry Christmas to all!

    Having a late morning here in Southern California. All is quiet.

     

    ETA. The Ode to Joy flash mob is always wonderful.  Great choice for the day.

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