Christmas 2021 - Omicron version

Ah, what it was like to work every Christmas because you were the young single guy and you hoped that at least one Chinese joint in town was open. Otherwise you hoped that 7-Eleven had something out on the rollers, and that was hit or miss.

Wishing you all a merry one, or happy whatever you celebrate.

 

Two responses. First, I remember Christmas 1987, when Mark Blaudschun of the Globe and I were the only two reporters covering the Pats preparing for their final game at the Dolphins at Dodgertown in Vero. Pats had a huge Christmas dinner for team, front office, families, etc. and did not invite us. We had dinner at the buffet at the Vero Beach Holiday Inn. A table for two with two thirtysomethings reduced the average age of the full dining room's customers to about 83 from God knows what.
2. Family all here for Christmas. Son and wife and my daughter. It's all good. Tree trimmed, presents under, my childhood Lionel trains around the tree (they still work! They're 60 years old! There's no American railroad left from the engines and cars!). We spend a lot of time planning meals, and tomorrow morning I will go with my daughter, internationally certified wine expert, to pick the libations for Christmas Eve and Christmas. Menu already planned. Christmas Eve: Crab cakes and Florida-themed sides. Christmas Day: Roast goose and Dickensian trimmings. Might be a little champagne squeezed in at cocktail time.

 

Figgy pudding or GTFO!

 

I’m impressed by your dedication. Goose costs well north of $100.

 

I liked working Christmas. Many of the office assholes were nowhere to be found.

 

That's funny. Sounds like Christmas at Drip's house too.

 

Apparently my entire family hates key lime pie, and has turned their noses up at my suggestion that Key Lime would be one of the pies I make for Christmas Eve Dinner.

My family is stupid.

 

More for you!

 

In the March Madness of Pies, key lime would be the No. 1 overall seed and would have a direct bye to the Final Four. Lemon meringue is probably a No. 1 seed too.

Pumpkin has grown on me over the years, but it still should be in a play-in game.

 

We won’t go until we get some.

 

Pumpkin is like a safe, unspectacular choice. It's usually "good enough," and never, ever "great."

If I'm naming four pie No. 1 seeds, I'm going with Key Lime, Lemon Meringue, French Silk, and good old Apple.

 

The four No 1 seeds:
Key Lime
Atlantic Beach (lemon with a unique crack crust)
Pumpkin
Pecan