What's For Dinner?

 Traditionally traditions very from family to family and even more so from country to country but the common denominator is food,of course the meals vary just as much as the traditions. In Sweden and other parts of Scandinavia Gubbrora is often served at Christmas,it's a seafood concoction and salad consisting of mainly eggs and anchovies. 

In China Christmas isn't widely celebrated though a tradition of giving carved apples,called Peace Apples is relatively new tradition. 

In the UK Spotted Dick is essential as a Christmas desert,it is a steamed pudding but looks more like a cake. 

Japan as with China doesn't really celebrate Christmas though their tradition for the day is eating KFC. 

The holidays in Russia feature a seafood dish called kulebyaka which is a salmon pie puff pastry. 

Back to Scandinavia another traditional part of the holiday feast is smalahove,a smoked and dried lamb's head. 

In Portugal a dessert made to look like the popular lamprey eels,Lampreia De Ovos, is often found on holiday menus. 

The last place on our tour of holiday meals is South Africa where they enjoy Mopave worms,though they are actually caterpillars of the Emperor Moth. 

Simple as Red and White

 A 58 year old man in India grew tired of wearing white so when he turned 18 he begin wearing a red tie. He got so much attention he vowed to wear only red and white the rest of his life. His wife of 25 years agreed to go along with his obsession and not only dressed their two children accordingly but also decorated their red and white home. He also feels strongly about the number 7 since he was the 7th child in his family and his name means 7. His clothes have seven buttons and seven pockets and the number 7 is featured on the lapels of his suits,license plate of his red and white car and the car's headrest,plus he speaks 7 languages. His original intention was to be noticed and he has succeeded at that purpose. 

Have a Blast!

 Unlike some folks who claim to be brilliant business people the mayor of Atlantic City,NJ really is. Mayor Marty Small Sr. is auctioning off the opportunity to virtually push the button to demolish the shuttered former casino owned by Trump. Proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City,he hopes to raise at least a million dollars. The property is under different ownership now and is planned for redevelopment. The virtual button pushing is planned for January 19...hmm,I wonder if it means anything that is is the day before the inauguration? 

Christmas Karens

This particular Karen seems like the year round Karen type but since she was complaining during the holidays I decided to call her Christmas Karen. It seems Karen was a bit intolerant about her neighbors decor which started out with a gargoyle named Frank. She wrote a note saying Frank was inappropriate and not in the Christmas spirit,she expected the problem to be rectified. So Frank donned a Santa hat and things kind of snowballed from there as she started adding other things not really Christmas related but decorated for the season. Karen was not amused and came back with another threat to notify the home owners assn. and mentioned she knew someone in the mayor's office. Meanwhile back on the porch,Frank gets more company everyday as it should be during the holidays! 

The Little Dears

 Normally I would mention this happening in Florida as further proof of that state's over abundance of weirdness,but when it comes to dogs enjoying smelly things that is universal behavior. Brenda and Bianca decided to make a break for it and go for a dip in the neighbors septic tank,luckily the neighbor noticed and called Animal Services. When the Animal Services officer arrived the dogs were tiring from swimming and not being able to climb out so she knew she needed to act quickly. She didn't want to go in after them so she looked around and saw a ladder which she used to get the duo out. She is one devoted public servant! Now I know it's Florida,but why was the neighbors septic tank exposed? Surely even Florida has laws about keeping septic tanks covered. Brenda and Bianca were later reunited with their mom and everyone is fine. 

Clever Disguise

A woman in England was missing her 13 week old kitten,Moon. After a thorough search she sat down and stared into the Christmas tree and noticed two eyes staring back at her,Moon was either attracted to the white stuffed animals on the tree or was simply being a cat. She goes into the tree every chance she gets but her owner retrieves her so she doesn't fall or knock down the tree. I thought this was the best of both worlds,finding the hidden object and cute kitten pictures. 

Bad Sex Award

 Who knew that the Literary Review has been giving out a Bad Sex Award since 1993? But the award was cancelled for 2020 since there was an over abundance of bad associated with the year. The award is given for poorly written sex scenes in otherwise good novels and most winners are males,in case that means something. Some examples:"slither slither slither slither went the tongue,""the pained frenzy of a bulbous salutation." The award is to literature what the Razzie is to film. The award will be awarded again in 2021 barring nothing unforeseen.