The Polish police found the ARBEIT MACHT FREI metal sign that was stolen by vandals from an entrance to the Auschwitz death camp. I visited that dreadful place after the collapse of the Warsaw Pact. I took many photos of that sign. It lust have been a job getting it down. It was made of iron and about 15 feet from end to end. The news report says the criminals cut it into three sections. They should be imprisoned in Auschwitz and forced to repair the sign.

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When the blizzard went up the east coast we were spared the effects. Saturday we got about an inch and overnight Sunday to this morning another half inch. I got up at 4:30 because my back was preventing sleep and I saw a salt spreader drive past. I only had three dollars in my wallet but I got it out and handed it to the paper boy at 5 a.m. and wished him a Merry and Happy. I explained that it wasn't much and that I am retired, so to speak. He tried to refuse it. I persisted. So I asked if he would like a hot cup of Joe and the kid said "Yes!" We sat out on the cold porch with our mugs and I got to know the young man. He is a senior in High School and wants to go to a military academy. He is high on the West Point appointment list that our Congressman is mulling over. I wished him luck and made a friend.

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My cats are really anxious for Christmas Day. They know the routine. I told them it is just a few days away and they listen like they understand. I showed them five fingers when I said it and counted the days. I wonder what they interpreted that gesture as in their little minds? "Is he giving us the finger?" "Is he describing the number of presents we will get?"

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I miss the old Christmasses. I live alone and have few social reasons to enjoy the season. I take my mother from her care home to a cousin's home on Christmas for dinner and to watch their extended family open gifts. I always take something for them. Usually I buy a gift certificate to TJ Willie's for dinners, but this year I can't afford it. So I am going to wrap up a small painting for them. It is the one titled "Poplars By A Pond," and you can see it on my web site - https://www.jondude.com/artforsale.htm

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My Cleveland Browns NFL team won their second game in a row yesterday. It is only their 3rd win this season, but it was good. The fans have suffered and they needed something for Christmas. They got to see Josh Cribbs return two kicks for touchdowns, his 7th and 8th of his career. That is the NFL career record! They also got to see running back Jerome Harrison, a fifth round pick a few years ago, run for 286 yards and three touchdowns. That yardage in a single game is third in the record books. Even a bad team can give a fan a thrill.

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Hobbie has a blog here on MyBloggers and he also has a Facebook page. He has a few friends and he posted a picture of him wearing a Santa mask. I wish he would stick it back on the window though.

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I love to read your posts about how you celebrate Christmas, what you do when you go shopping, and your recipes. I miss Barb's cooking posts. Barb, if you read this, let's read some delicious recipes!

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Joy. The Solstice is tonight. That means the Earth stops tilting away from the sunlight and will soon tilt back. I may start cleaning the golf clubs. One can dream, can't one?