[Cleveland Brown]

Originally Posted by Robert Pence

My niece dilly-dallied until Thursday afternoon about letting me know the timing of the family celebration, by which time I was able in good conscience to tell her that I already had made other plans. I didn't go so far as to tell her that those plans involved my big leather recliner, a good book, and a large mug filled (and refilled) with homemade hot chocolate, reinforced with Bacardi Gold. I don't have a television and I didn't turn on the radio,so I was spared the time-worn and often bastardized renditions of traditional Christmas music, too.

So, I managed to dodge the bullet this year, and had a pleasant, relaxed Christmas without boastful in-laws and noisy rugrats and ankle-biters.

And yes, the thought crossed my mind that she might have intentionally delayed inviting me, hoping I would have an excuse not to come. It's all good.

Sounds better than my Christmas!

Originally Posted by Robert Pence

I haven't tried a lot of wines lately, but I've heard good things about some of the Southern Indiana wines, where the vineyards have had time to mature and the wineries have been at it long enough to figure out what they're doing. Some Michigan wines have gotten good reviews, too.

I've tried some of the so-called better midwestern wines and still didn't like them.