Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 6:00 a.m. in "The City."

The current temperature is 36° under partly-cloudy skies that are forecast by the NWS to possibly become leaden with dense fog this morning. Today's high is forecast to reach 44° under mostly-cloudy skies. We still expect to see temperatures in the lower 40s for several more days, including today, Christmas Day. In fact, the current forecast calls for a high of 50° on Sunday, but with a 90% chance for rain. The rain is likely, that 50° is highly suspect.

The sun will rise today @ 8:15 a.m. and set later @ 5:14 p.m.

Yesterday was another one of those days that are part and parcel to being retired, but family and friends are never far from your heart. Mary, my love and best friend is here, while Adam and Steph may be miles away, but close in our hearts. Of course, our fur-children, STWD and Ginger, are here too, so I have everything that I want this year.

I was thinking earlier, back when I was a wee lad, Christmas was spent wanting and waiting for presents from Santa Claus, such as the one pictured here. My brothers and I received a similar battery-operated "Ray Gun" one year, but don't ask me what year.

I think the ones we received looked much like this one.

Another year, as a "Stocking Stuffer", we received a small wind-up car similar to the one pictured below, made by Shuco, a company founded in Germany in 1912!

Today, these are available from sites like eBay at what is a much higher cost.

I don't remember what year, but we all received a battery-operated Santa Claus similar to the one shown here. Naturally, not all of us thought they might someday have value. I believe that my "Little Brother", Randy, still has his.

I could go on and on, but the important thing to remember is that the real meaning of Christmas is not about what you get or give, it's about the memories that you make and keep. There is no price tag on those. Each of us carries with us memories that are priceless and which no one can buy, sell, lose, or take away.

Here at the manse, we have endeavored each year to add to our storehouse of memories and each year, I believe that we have been more successful than the last, if the "ornaments" on our tree are any indication.

Today, we will continue to add to our memories as Mary and I, well mostly Mary, slave in a hot kitchen making more of our own old family vegan recipes. I hope she also serves my long-remembered favorite, Ocean Spray™ canned jellied cranberry sauce. I fondly remember that Mary worked very hard one year to make homemade cranberry sauce from scratch, which was good, but which could never replace the one from the can.

Along with the kitchen activities, we'll read, listen to Christmas music and enjoy some time together. Tomorrow, life resumes as before.

So, I think I'll stop for now. Ciao.