Friday, December 19, 2025

Briefly.

And just like that, Christmas is upon us. This time next week, it will be over with. Merry, Merry to you and yours.

I am no longer allowed to go caroling at the psych hospital. I guess “Do You Hear What I Hear” was a bad song choice.

Trivia #1: What country started the Christmas tree tradition? – The United States, Germany, France, Italy, Jordan, Ireland, Denmark, Lowell
Trivia #2: What is the first rule in the Code of Elves in the movie ‘Elf?’ – There’s room for everyone on the nice list; Pour plenty of whiskey in your eggnog; The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear; Don’t eat yellow snow; Treat every day like Christmas
Trivia #3: What country is known for lighting advent candles each Sunday of December? – The United States, Germany, France, Italy, Jordan, Ireland, Denmark, Lowell
Trivia #4: What is the Grinch’s dog’s name? – Rex, Rufus, Rock, Fido, Fifi, Doug, Frank, Max
Trivia #5:  In the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” how many presents are given in total? – None, 78, 144, 256, 364, 962

On this date: December 19, 324, Licinius abdicates his position as Roman Emperor.
December 19, 1686, Robinson Crusoe, Daniel Defoe’s fictional character, leaves his island after 28 years of being marooned (according to the famous novel)
December 19, 1843, “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens is published, 6,000 copies sold
December 19, 1904, Dawson City hockey team begins 9 day walk to get a boat to Seattle to catch a train to Ottawa to play in Stanley Cup on Jan 13 1905
December 19, 1918, Robert Ripley begins his “Believe It or Not” column (NY Globe)
December 19, 1958, First radio broadcast from space, US President Dwight D. Eisenhower sends a Christmas message “to all mankind, America’s wish for peace on Earth and goodwill to men everywhere”
December 19, 1971, CBS airs “Homecoming A Christmas Story” as a TV movie that evolves into long running series “The Waltons”
December 19, 2001, A record high barometric pressure of 1085.6 hPa (32.06 inHg) is recorded at Tosontsengel, Khövsgöl Province, Mongolia.
December 19, 2016, At least 48 people die after drinking bath lotion in Irkutsk, Siberia, thinking it contained alcohol

Useless information supposed to fire my imagination: December 19, 2001, a record high barometric pressure of 1085.6 hPa (32.06 inHg) is recorded at Tosontsengel, Khövsgöl Province, Mongolia.

The best part of writing this on Friday is that the Patriots loss to the Bills is behind us. We’re on to Baltimore.

Stop complaining… Unless you’re a Chiefs’ fan – hahaha!

Stop complaining, part deux: A massive coast-to-coast storm is charging across the country, packing hurricane-force wind gusts and will impact more than 30 states by the end of the week. This comes as more people hit the roads and head to airports, with the holidays quickly approaching. This powerful storm is approaching the Midwest after powerful wind gusts left hundreds of thousands of customers without power across the Pacific Northwest, Northern Plains and the Rockies.  

Go away: Brian Walshe

Don’t be that guy. Whether you like the gift or not, at least look as though you appreciate it.

He sees you when you’re drinking...

Article I’ll skip: Detransitioner Chloe Cole shares complications after gender procedures

Lesser-known Knights of the Round Table. The knight too big to sit at the table: Sir Round

If you didn’t get a Christmas card from us, don’t feel slighted. This is at least the second year in a row we haven’t sent them out. We still love you dearly tough.

Good news: It’s Christmas time!

My biggest fear is being trapped in a small room with Santa. I have Claustrophobia.

Trivia #1 answer: What country started the Christmas tree tradition? – The United States, Germany, France, Italy, Jordan, Ireland, Denmark, Lowell – The answer is Germany
Trivia #2 answer: What is the first rule in the Code of Elves in the movie ‘Elf?’ – There’s room for everyone on the nice list; Pour plenty of whiskey in your eggnog; The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear; Don’t eat yellow snow; Treat every day like Christmas – ‘Treat every day like Christmas’
Trivia #3 answer: What country is known for lighting advent candles each Sunday of December? – The United States, Germany, France, Italy, Jordan, Ireland, Denmark, Lowell – The answer is Germany
Trivia #4 answer: What is the Grinch’s dog’s name? – Rex, Rufus, Rock, Fido, Fifi, Doug, Frank, Max – It is ‘Max’
Trivia #5 answer: In the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” how many presents are given in total? – None, 78, 144, 256, 364, 962 – There are 364 presents, one for nearly every day of the year! This is because each verse adds all the previous presents together. 

Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.

Be careful out there. (It’s a jungle!)

Happy National Hard Candy Day!

Life’s too short to be miserable. Remember, it’s Christmas time.

Christmas bonus! (Sorry, no cash bonus here…)

If you know me, you know of my often sick, twisted, sometimes off-color sense of humor. If you don’t, then please excuse this.