In This Season Of Chrishanukwanztivus...

"I have an idea...."

Ah, yes, when TheSpecialOne says "I have an idea..." I never know what will follow, only that it will be something which piques my interest.

It was, in fact, one of these conversations which led to us spending both Christmas and New Year in Sicily last year. She had, unbeknownst to me, located members of my extended family who remained in Italy when others came to America in the early 1920s.


If you've read this blog for any period of time you may know that I don't normally buy Christmas gifts. In fact, I don't buy gifts any time they're "expected" because I give, generously, as and when I choose.

We won't be traveling far during the Chrishanukwanztivus season this year, not even to La Alegría, my plantation in Costa Rica, but there is one thing we have planned, to visit Al's daughter's family, including my new Goddaughter, in White Sands, New Mexico. I couldn't think of a better reason to break with tradition and indulge in the holiday shopping bonanza.


I've been working on the long-delayed final installment of the Last Road Trip, which I last looked at when we were in Sicily, before setting it aside, and haven't felt much holiday spirit. TheSpecialOne suggested that instead of simply forgetting about decorating at Black Squirrel Run that I might consider simply doing the mantle.


It was a good compromise, I thought, and felt her idea of doing it in fuchsia and silver would Work, so here you have it.

It was a good compromise, I thought, and felt her idea of doing it in fuchsia and silver would Work, so here you have it.


In closing, if you're on Facebook I invite you to "like" Happy Chrishanukwanztivus. I wish you much joy throughout the season and hope you'll have a great New Year. Cheers!

Have you ever tried Amish Mustard Eggs? I first sampled them when I visited my buddy in Ohio.

I've long been a fan of picked eggs, but they, truly, don't compare with Amish Mustard Eggs.

I have a batch in my refrigerator at the moment, they'll be ready tomorrow afternoon. I may let them sit until Thursday, though, and have them for breakfast. Ah, yes, Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale and Amish Mustard Eggs...the breakfast of champions. Ho Ho.

If you'd like the recipe for Amish Mustard Eggs you can pick it up at Stark County, Ohio News and Views....

My Final Resting Place

"Die, v.: To stop sinning suddenly."
-Elbert Hubbard

There have been few moments in my life which were more twisted, more perplexing than when I heard my buddy Al's wife say, "Where should we spread the ashes?" Life made more sense when I was eating mescaline than at that moment.

The thing I am thankful for, looking back, is that I was stone-cold sober when I had to wrap my head around that one.

Al, you see, was one of my best friends, who days before had put a .357 in his mouth. I had expected to see him, we were planning a road trip, to points unknown, but I hadn't expected any of This. I didn't know, nor did his wife, that his cancer had returned and the prognosis was not good.


What followed was The Last Road Trip. The Master Baiter and I hit the road to find the Right place to spread Al's ashes. It took us 39 days to travel through 10 states before we found It, Al's final resting place. It was at Wind River Canyon, Wyoming that we spread Al's ashes.

One thing I've known for a long time is that I'll be cremated when my time comes. I'd never given a thought, though, to what would happen afterward. That is to say, what will happen with my ashes.

I met with my attorney after returning from The Last Road Trip in order to make modifications to my will. One of the things I made a point of doing was to arrange an admittedly extravagant party for the family and close friends I leave behind. The subject of my ashes came up Momentarily, only to be passed over to be dealt with another time.

I've spent a fair amount of time over the past year-and-a-half wresting with the question of what will happen with my ashes. Earlier this morning I made a final decision.


Neptune Memorial Reef will be my final resting place. Neptune Memorial Reef is a man-made reef off the coast of Miami, 3.25 miles east of Key Biscayne, built in the image of The Lost City of Atlantis.

Check it out...



"A cigar is as good as memories that you have when you smoked it." -Raul Julia ...and, with that, friends, I'm going to pour a tall glass of Johnnie Walker Blue Label, sit back, in the quiet calm of the morning, smoke a Corona Especial and enjoy memories of a time gone by which I shared with a great friend.

Cheers!