Merry Christmas Eve

It's Christmas Eve. This is the night we open presents and tell each other what a Merry Christmas this year is. My wife's family does the same, which always strains things as we do the every-other-year thing. It actually works out fine now that we're all adapted.

Last night we were talking about our favorite gifts. I've had so many that I can't write them all, but here are my top three.

#3 - A compact disk player: I can't remember what year I got it, but I'm sure it was three to five years after every other kid had one. Mine was a Pioneer one-disk player. I still have it in the basement. Though it's not hooked up, I'm sure it still works just fine.

#2 - Moon boots: Remember moon boots? I do. To be honest, if they were still available, I'd probably see if they had a size thirteen. Moon boots were the most comfortable boot I've ever wore. The foam form fitted your foot. And when the foam lost it's contribution to warmth and protection, the bread sacks you mom stuffed in them worked just fine. Wonder bread bags worked the best.

#1 - A green trapper-keeper: The trapper-keeper was the best invention ever made. Alright maybe not the "best," but certainly not far from medical stents. My paternal grandmother gave me the trapper-keeper right before she darted off to California for the winter. True to form, her gift had utility. Now that I think of it, her gifts were always more useful than fun. Funny thing is, looking back on it, the gifts that had utility were the most valuable. That's probably why the green trapper-keeper is #1 on my list.

Merry Christmas Eve!