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.
