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CharlyB's avatar

Our g-daughter keeps us honest wrt Christmas decorating. She was here last night, dragged out our 3' tree and plugged it in. As we were knee deep in making pizza, I negotiated a delay in finding the ornaments until family dinner next week. She agreed, and you know I best have those boxes out before they arrive, along with all the other things that get put out.

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John Merriwether's avatar

Please keep writing, I enjoy your prose, love of UVA, insights into your traditions and family, and your Christmas spirit, all of which are in short supply in this world, to varying degrees. If you are looking for more subject matter, I for one would love to hear more about your exploits in the Navy, from your earliest pull to serve your country and choice of military branch to your leadership growth and decisions to retire and beyond.

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Don White's avatar

Everything above Status Report: As I read, I heard this in what little remains of my mind:

"All Hands - Sarcasm on deck 3 between Frame 4 and Frame 22!"

I'm impressed that Rumpole lurks within your household...

About the Status Report: Что угодно лучше, чем ложь и обман.

Yes, there's nothing better than Old Friends and Shipmates.

...I became something of an editor over time; I blame the Naval Security Group and the journalism courses I took at UGa...

Froehliche Weinachten!

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Dave Ahl's avatar

keep writing,

I’m just not sure once I move away from politics and national defense, how interesting the stuff I put out will be.

turning into Andy Rooney May not that bad a thing

Do I remember correctly. his changes on World War II before being drafted think he was anti-war an isolationist?

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mike harper's avatar

Iffen you don't want to do "politics" at the Wahoo, Hang with Ward Carroll on occasion when the urge gets too strong. I had been wishing for some comments on the man proposed for Sec Def. I expect if you did your blood pressure would be off scale.

Your use of SWMBO reminded me of Pat Lang who has sadly passed.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._Patrick_Lang

His blog is still up "Turcopolier". Sic Semper tyrannis

SWMBO comes from the book by H. Ryder Haggard - "She". I read it as a child when my mom got a Bunch of books from a friend. Turned me weird it did. H. Ryder wrote from the late 1890's till the 20's. Ripping good adventure yarns.

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Dave lahr's avatar

Thank you for sharing this, I laughed out loud several times while reading - really appreciate that. I'm also working on not stewing in things I can't control. For me, that means when I get the urge to doom scroll, I find a wikipedia article about an astronomy topic and dive in. To each his own!

Have a great time on the vacation!

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Lisa Morgenthal's avatar

You could try brining the chicken for a couple days, might help. Have a wonderful time.

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Dave lahr's avatar

Good call! Maybe use a mallet to tenderize too? At some point though it stops being a vacation :D

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mike harper's avatar

Use a Pressure cooker like the Colonel did to get the cheap worn out layers tender.

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