When I checked the mail, I found I had a package!! The postal clerk brought it out and I opened it up right there on the counter. Blogger Jeri (elderjane) had sent me four Christmas themed place mats and four large beautiful napkins. How exciting it is; what a thrill to open a package with Christmas so near.
Those mats and napkins are on the table right now, with warnings to guests not to mess them up. Wipe your mouth on a paper towel, but the mats and napkins are just for show until some of the newness wears off!

Jeri also sent a book, Gypsy Songs, poetry about gypsy life, accompanied by vividly colored illustrations. I read it sitting in the car. Thank you so much for those moments of happiness.

As a Bah Humbug person, I wasn't gonna do gifting etc. but stopped by the general store yesterday and realized I must do something for Bob who works there. All through the year, no matter how frequently I stop at the store, Bob drops everything--other customers have to wait--to check the air in my tires, and adds some if needed, and reassure me those low profile tires he put on my car are not really flat--that's the way they're supposed to look. Always friendly, kind and helpful. He checks things under the hood. I trust and like him.

On impulse, right there in the store, I asked if he had a pocketknife (after seeing a display). He said no. So I had him pick out a knife and gifted it to him right there. I wanted to get him a Swiss Army knife--he's a deer hunter--you never know when a pocketknife might come in handy some way. But he chose another one he liked better. I'm glad he had the chance to choose what he wanted.

Now I have to get a small bottle of Southern Comfort liquor
for Dottie--it's a tradition. She makes it last an entire year, using a little for a cocktail when her bones are hurting bad. She also adds it to her sweet potato casserole, which is perhaps the reason her family always asks her to make this dish for family gatherings!

Bye y'all from cold deep south Mississippi....susil