Howdy, Sorta off-beat and pre-seasonal, but let's join 49er Howard C. Gardiner for Christmas, 1851 at Secret Ravine: "From Christmas to New Year's Day it rained constantly. During the whole time I was alone in my cabin, and did not see a human face....The lack of society so depressed me at times that I was led to exclaim with Robinson Crusoe, 'Oh, solitude, solitude, where are the charms That Sages have seen in thy fall?' ".....At intervals, when it held up, I would bring in a supply of wood and keep the ruddy flame glowing in the fireplace. On Christmas Eve, mindful of the occasion, with thoughts busy with home and home associations, I resolved, though alone to enjoy the festival day. "'It is Christmastide, my boy! Let's you and myself enjoy it. Let us eat, drink, and be merry. Tomorrow Lucullus shall dine with Lucullus - Pile on more wood, the wind is chill But let it whistle as it will We'll keep our Christmas merry still, And hail with uncontrolled delight, And gladstone voice the happy night, That to the cabin, as the crown Brought tidings of salvation down.' "Though prepared by myself, it is perhaps a pardonable pride that impels me to extol that Christmas dinner. Taking the surroundings into consideration, it was indeed a grand spread-out. I had procured a tin of canned turkey and a couple of bottle of Bass's ale. The turkey, with boiled sweet potatoes, good light bread and butter, doughnuts of home manufacture, strong black coffee, and the ale, with a post-prandial[dinner] pipe at the finish, formed a dinner fit for the gods, at least I thought so, and enjoyed it accordingly." An early Merry:-)) Bob Norris in Dallas BNorris16aol.com>