Yesterday was the shortest day of the year. The days now start getting longer. It won't be long until the sun is shining in your bedroom window at 5:00 AM and the birds are chirping.
Living above the City Club tavern when I was growing up, I had a continuing fear of fire. The patrons of the tavern were heavy smokers and they would get careless with their "habit" as they drank more. The tavern was 100 years old at the time and made of wood. Dried wood and fire are a lethal combination. On top of that, there was a grill for sandwiches that generated lots of grease. My feared "tinderbox" fire never happened but I had my escape route all mapped out in my mind. Last night in Blanchardville, Wisconsin, the Silver Dollar Saloon burned down. It was a tavern/restaurant downstairs and a hotel upstairs. It burned very rapidly and four people died. My childhood fear played out in real life.
I got a Christmas card from Phoenix, Arizona with no return address and the card was signed Chin and Joann (no last name). I couldn't remember knowing any Chinese or Asia friends named Chin. I thought the card was a mistake. Brother Jack asked it I had received a card from Big Jerry (Grandma Alice's younger brother) recently. Nope! Apparently Jack got a card. Then it dawned on me. 5-6 years ago Big Jerry and his bride made a tour of the Midwest including Wisconsin. In a visit with them his wife Joann called him Chin. I remember asking where that nickname came from. Big Jerry lived in California near Joann. He was raising chinchillas for the fur pelts. Joann would tease him about the little critters and labeled Jerry "Chin". So yes I got a Christmas card from Big Jerry.
Brother Jack is now living with a new friend Hanna. Jesus! Why would he want to complicate his life by living with another female? She is eleven months old. She was seen in the Sheboygan Press. She could be adopted for free. Jack says she is a "part Collie mix" and very loving. The dog had either been abused or in some trauma accident because her rear legs have arthritis already. She can walk and run but their is some obvious discomfort. Jack said she is very docile and loving. She is always "underfoot". She sounds like a perfect match for the cantankerous old bastard.
Santa Claus is preparing for his Christmas Eve flight. Don't forget to leave out the cookies and milk. Actually a shot of blackberry brandy would warm his soul. He still makes dreams come true.
Keep Nana in your prayers. She has always been a special part of your life.
Stay Warm.
Love,
Dad