Possumblog

Up here in balmy RI (5 inches of snow yesterday, single digit temps overnight, 20-30 mph winds) where we're visiting, Miss Kathie made lamb roast, steamed shrimp, Italian version of baked potatoes, and creamed spinach for her 3 sisters, one nephew and me.

You got one, Steevil. Greens for paper money.

Happy New Year just the same.

You had me all the way up to creamed spinach.

Reminds me of a particular disturbing nursery school lunch incident.

I speak as your elder -- don't do that, Terry.

He has no corn for gold, or peas for pennies, or sweet potatoes for gold, or hog jowls for joy, or rice for riches -- he might pass on fish for silver.

Let him have the spinach. Besides, I like spinach in any form. Regardless.

Oh, he can have all that creamed spinach he wants, Miss Janis. I wouldn't begrudge him a single forkful. It's just I still have a twinge of queasiness from what was a very bad episode. Funny what effect childhood memories will do to a fellow.

Thankfully, I did manage to get where I enjoy collards and turnip greens and mustard greens and non-creamed spinach.

Well, low teens up in Lawn Guyland, so I did what any real man would do.

Made burgers on the outdoor, snow-dusted BBQ. They were quite good, too.

I decided to stay inside because it looked cold outside. I think it was all the way down to 50 degrees or so.

Belated Happy New Year! I ate tacos for taxes yesterday. I'm concerned how Obam-abs is going to try to make his mark in his first hundred days, as he'll join Congress and the Senate to throw around another trillion. What's a little more debt to the new guy?

Ah, let's not put a damper on the extended holiday. Can you feel the effects of too much family together-time? Or is there such a thing as too much? It will be good to get back into the "routine" on Monday. Are you cheering for the Gators next week and staying loyal to the SEC, or is too much to ask for?

(Hope this comment gets past the sp am filter - have not had much luck the past few posts.)

Marc, did you eat corn tortillas with those tacos? Did you use lettuce? Then you'll have some charms for the new year.

I hope he can cheer for the Gators. We cheered for (gulp) Ole Miss in the Cotton Bowl, and now for (gulp) Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. Though if Alabama blows out to Utah, hey, that's how the chips fall, Handsome Nick.

Well, damn, Utah beat Alabama. When's the last time a Mountain West team beat an SEC team?

Nick, oh, handsome Nick, what have you done?

No, Marc--I've enjoyed my time off, the kids have been pleasant, and I've gotten to sleep late every day (mostly). But I am ready to get back to work (mostly).

As for Florida, I'll see how they do. If they beat the stew out of Oklahoma, I'll say I was pulling for them. If not, I'll say they deserved to get whipped.

AND AS FOR BAMA, I have to say I was pulling for them, despite the best efforts of all the obnoxious fans this year who acted like they used to and seem to have quickly forgotten the travails of the last few years. But, since they did lose, I do hope it makes the obnoxious ones shut up for a while. (Not likely, as they'll still have Auburn to look down on for at least another year.)

I haven't paid attention, so what was the deal with Coach Tubberville?

Well, he either resigned and suckered Auburn out of a $6 million buyout, or he "resigned" and Auburn paid him $6 million so he wouldn't drag them into court.

In either case, I don't hold out a lot of hope for next season.

Nothing like low expectations!

We seem to have found a quarterback in Jefferson. Maybe next year will be better for yellowshoes.

Luck to the other Tigers, except for one particular game.

Happy New Year! I hope 2009 is a great one for you and your family.

Kathy! Been awhile since you dropped by--many thanks for the kind wishes, and I hope you have a wonderful year as well.