Column: Christmas Eve traditions, and cold cuts, mark the passage of time

On Christmas Eve, I eat cold cuts.

It’s a tradition that started before I was born. Every year of my childhood, and through much of my adult life, Christmas Eve was spent at my grandparents’ house on my dad’s side. There was no roast turkey, no stuffing, no baked ham nor big meal that had Grandma stuck in the kitchen all night.

Instead, we had a large deli tray from the local grocery store: pastrami and roast beef, ham and turkey, pumpernickel and rye bread, and Swiss and cheddar cheeses. There was a relish tray with olives and pickles, and cherry peppers. My aunt Sue made a shrimp salad. My great-grandmother, when she was with us, made an eggnog pie.

Uncle Tom poured drinks for the adults and Shirley Temples for the kids. When I was old enough, I drank a 7 and 7. These days, it’s a Gentleman Jack and ginger ale. There were candy canes hanging on a strand of Christmas lights above the bar. They tasted like Granddad’s cigars.

Like many family traditions, I have no idea how this one began. Maybe my grandparents smartly figured it was a lot more fun to spend Christmas Eve hanging out with family, rather than spending half of the night in the kitchen. There is probably a good back story, but I never asked.





https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/columns/tony-messenger/messenger-christmas-eve-traditions-and-cold-cuts-mark-the-passage-of-time/article_57e9b73a-4d2d-510d-aeb5-86433f139b8b.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter_stltoday

The Pogues - Fairytale Of New York

Bonus Tweet of the Day

Omicron Starts to Slow U.S. Economy

“Signs are mounting that the U.S. economy is losing some steam as the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus spreads rapidly through parts of the country,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

“The number of diners seated at restaurants nationwide was down 15% in the week ended Dec. 22 from the same period in 2019, a steeper decline than in late November… U.S. hotel occupancy was at 53.8% for the week ended Dec. 18, slightly below the previous week’s level.”




https://politicalwire.com/2021/12/23/omicron-starts-to-slow-u-s-economy/

God help me, I'm flying tomorrow.

I’m not so worried COVID as I am hoping we don’t have any psycho/MAGA passengers erupting into some kind of rage. Wish us luck.

Texas parole board withdraws George Floyd pardon recommendation

Source: Axios

George Floyd will not be posthumously pardoned for a 2004 Houston drug charge after all because the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles withdrew its recommendation, the Dallas Morning News first reported Thursday.

The big picture: The board had recommended a full pardon for Floyd for the charge, for which he served 10 months in prison. A spokesperson for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) told the Morning News that recommendation "contained procedural errors" and said there had been a "lack of compliance with Board rules."

Read more: https://www.axios.com/george-floyd-pardon-recommendation-withdrawn-texas-de121660-6cf7-4fda-89ef-1dd8d32cf0a9.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&ute_campaign=onhrs

Outcome reached in Potter criminal trial

Is this typically allowed at a shooting range?

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