((((((((((((((TONY OoOOooOOooOo))))))))))))) God I have missed you. I have killed most of my maters this year (and most of everything else too for that matter) because of not being able to haul hoses. But on a good note...I am going to the docs for my legs and back day after Christmas and hoping to be back in the garden come spring time. God love ya my friend! CindeeEEeeeeeEEeeEEeee

For those who've already celebrated the holiday, I hope it was a very happy Hanukkah, and I wish the same for those anticipating Christmas. Linda Lou, that sounds very wise. I overdid it this year; I think next year I'll follow your plan. I am heading next door to the neighbor's. She's an elderly lady who can't eat anything with seeds, so I'm taking pear preserves and raspberry jelly. I did bake a lot of cookies, but salsas and non-sweet things are proving to be great gifts for those whose diets limit sugar. Thank goodness for canning. Carol

Beautiful pictures, Mark! Your Gus-Gus reminds me a lot of a cat we had yrs ago named Pebbles. He was a handsome guy like Gus-Gus! MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and yours!!

It was the only check I have ever truly bounced (where the bank sent it back to the recipient). I was 18, Aimee was 3 and I needed a new car. I was a property manager for a large apartment complex in a poor neighborhood in Oakland, CA. The newspaper ad said it was a 1964 Studebaker. Original owners, good condition. $300. from a nice part of the city. The car was meant for me. It was a root beer color, not a dent and the interior was perfect. The older couple was in their 60s and very nice. I gave them a check and drove the car home. I was mortified when I got the notice in the mail from my bank. The check had bounced. I must have messed up my checking account! I immediately called my bank, then found the nice couple's phone number. "I am so sorry! The money is there now. I will bring you cash this minute!" "We will not hear of it. We understand that money is tight. You have such a lovely girl and you are so nice and such a good mom. We do not want your money. You may have the car. We insist!" I drove to their house anyway, cash in hand. They invited us in and politely refused my money once again. "We don't need the money and no longer need the car. We are thrilled to see the car go to someone who needs it so badly. I am sure you have other things to spend your money on. We insist." That really happened. That car lasted me another 6 years. I called it my Merced-a-baker because the front grill resembled the mercedes of the day. I will never forget that wonderful couple and my humiliation of that bounced check.