Nutcrackers

Christamas, The Run-up

A very busy yesterday, and no posting.  Had to finish the Christmas village I've been doing for 2 3 weeks.  This year I had the genius to—instead of stacking it on a tabletop, as in the last 30 years—stage the fireplace that we never use.  Why is this genius?  Because; 1) it allows der kinder to play with it; 2) it looks good, and 3); when Christmas is over I replace the black glass fireplace screen, and it's ready for next year.  No packing the Dickens Village away! We also attended the annul Nutcracker Suite that my 7 yr-old granddaughter had a junior role in. This year my aged three grandson had a walk-on role too.  As usual my mind dances around.  I had a notion to stand up in the aisle and prance about.  So strong was this emotion that had I been the least bit under the influence I'd have done it and ruined forever  my reputation as the staid, wise grampa, father, and husband.  Indeed, I'd have been committed.  Also, I had just watched again the delightful Scrooged, where Bill Murry made this inappropriate demand .  So there was that. Anyway, it was great fun and put me in the holiday mood.  The only downside was the program began at 2 PM, the exact time my Terps tipped off in Stillwater against the Cowboys. But that's why God gave us the DVR, wot? I tried to get Merrily to bet with me, but she was unwilling to accept the consequences of winning, and even less eager to be the loser.  This game was a very important test for us; the first real road game this year, and the bookies made us 9.5 underdogs, even though we are ranked 17, and the Cowboys are not at all.  And, we take very seriously our new responsibility to the B1G and wished to help atone for, well,  these embarrassments.  Turns out it was a piece of cake, and I have finally accepted that this team have the ability to contend nationally. Eggnog all around!