Burnt toast.

Today's Tids Issue 4.548

Congress stole Christmas

While Republicans stridently beseeched,

Deaf democrat ears only heard impeached.

The sunny day became much more like rain.

This mess will not make America great again.

So, that’s that. Kevin McCarthy gave an excellent speech towards the end of yesterday’s battle of monotonous monologues. He didn’t stand up to praise Trump, but he did set the record straight -- It was a sham, planned and executed strategically by Lala-Pelosi since the first minute after Hillary went down. He said it well, but nobody really wants to listen. It is, a farce.

I found a pretty little piano piece by Renee Michele called “Beside You” from a 2015 album and album name “Seasons of the Heart”. It made life feel beautiful again. No words, but it says what you want your heart to know

You may find a few more typos this morning as I am typing with gloves on my hands. Brrrr.

The final vote on whether to go glossy or matte on new pictures was very close. In fact, it was a photo finish.

Shame on the Washington Post the headline, “Merry Impeachmas.” With “journalists” seen celebrating their victory over free choice national elections.

The Question:

On this day in 1950 General Eisenhower was named Chief of NATO. Another historic military event significant to America’s freedom also occurred on this day. What was it? Bonus; What US University is most successful at producing Billionaires?

The Headlines:

--Dems Vote To Impeach. Contributions To Trump 2020 Campaign Effort Soar.                                                    

--Impeachment Vote Has No Effect On Wall Street, As Stocks Held Steady In Advance of Opening; Nasdaq Reaches Record High; New Unemployment Benefit Claims Decline.

--McConnell Rebuts Pelosi.

--Tea Party Repub Leader Mark Meadows Says He Will Step Down After Term.

--Clemson Emerges As Leading Recruiter For Current Signing Day; Lands Top 2 Nationally Rated HS Prospects

--India Introduces New Fighter Jet With Supersonic Nuclear Missile Capability.

--Goldman Sachs May Admit Guilt In Their Role In Malaysia Corruptions Scandal And Pay Up $2 Billion Fine.

--Putin Calls Trump Impeachment Grounds “Spurious”.

--Coast Guard Seizes $312 Million In Cocaine From Smugglers Off Of San Diego.

Wall Street, it seems, has always considered impeachment as politicians playing politicians games.

Hanukah brings out the best in latkes. You know those delicious potato pancakes made basically of grated potatoes, onions, flour and eggs, a pinch of salt. And generally topped with apple sauce or sour cream. But, there are many ways to finish this traditional Jewish holiday favorite. Here are 8 days of toppings: 1-Salmon spread (Sour Cream, dill, capers, W/Chopped smoked salmon atop). 2- Spicy apple sauce (AS with cinnamon, cloves, chives). 3-Carnbury sauce (With chopped apples). 4- Herbed SC. 5- Chipotle Mayo. 6- Cinnamon SC. 7- Chapped apple, chopped onion, lemon juice and salt. 8- Asian Fusion (Soy Sauce, Ginger, Rice Vinegar, Asian Chili Sauce over Green onion Latkes.)

Latkes don’t mean football, but the NFL keeps on going regardless of Solemn holidays. We did pretty well last week, bringing our record to 149-72-1 (67.5%).  (Note: Buffalo did pretty much what they have been doing all year. In knew it but stupidly picked against them.)  Thursday night games are over, but we have three very good and meaningful games on Saturday. The Texans are trying to seal their Division title, but they will have to travel to beat a team Tampa Bay that has become hot with a QB Winston who is hotter. I’ll go Houston. Next on tab is a war between the Pats and the Bills. Buffalo has shown it is learning how to win close games, and this game should be very close. But, I think the Pats will find a way, even with stars Brady and Edelman nursing injuries, to win tier 11^th consecutive conference championship. And then there is the Rams versus the Niners. Huge! The Rams have been iffy but are still talented. Both coaches are inventive and solid. It is as close as two tectonic plates scraping below the surface, So I will pick the home team SF.

The Steelers still have shot at a wild card, so I’ll pick them over the Jets. Bengals v Dolphins is a tossup and it really depends on which team has given up the most. I’ll go Miami. I’d love the Browns to beat the Ravens, But I don’t see it happening. Another loser bowl has the New York Football Giants against the Redskins. I’ll pick Skins. I like the Falcons over the disheveled Jags and the Colts over the Panthers (But I don’t know why). Another key war should be the Saints against Titans. The Saints and Brees looked all world last week but the Titans are pretty tough and may need it more. I’m picking the upset. I’ll take the Chargers over the Raiders and Denver over the Detroit Lions. The Seahawks should take Arizona. The Cowboys versus the Eagles. Wow. Who will stumble less? I’ll pick Eagles. The Chiefs should beat the Bears, but this could be close. And then we have on Monday the Pack versus the Vikes. The Pack makes mistakes and so I’m picking the home team, the underrated 10-4 Minnesota Vikings.

One of the best ways to achieve success is to find something you enjoy doing.

I see where Nancy is threatening to withhold sending the Articles to the Senate in the traditional manner. (I. e. They should have walked them down the hall last night.) She says she will withhold until the Senate promises a “Fair Trial”. How would she know how to determine what is a fair trial? That statement alone just shows us all that it has just been one gigantic political partisan game. They play games in kindergarten.

And meanwhile, despite the shenanigans in DC, the USA keeps on chugging along, the people keep on falling in love, growing their families, and finding ways to help strangers. Sharing. They sit in homes big and small and enjoy cold winters and warm summers.  Living with others is the most important concern. Most people even with opposite opinions, are still people to each other when eyes meet eyes and smiles turn into laughs. Having friends is like gold.  Washington is basically a nuisance. Something for the media to harangue about. But easily put aside for most where real life is central.

Cats the movie will certainly be the talk of the town, because critics want it to be. Frankly I never understood the concept behind Cats. But people seem to like it. Like, I’m walking down the street and I think, Hey, I’ll write musical about worms. Nah, that might not go over that well. How about Cats, I say. Yeah a lot of  people really like cats.

There are two kinds of people: People who like mushrooms, and people who pick them out of there food.

The Answer:

Today in 1777, George Washington set up camp for is soldiers in Valley Forge Pa. Today’s weather here feels like the descriptions of that bitter cold Winter.  And, they didn’t have fleece. Bonus: The University of Pennsylvania is tops with 18. Next is Stanford with 13 (Silicon Valley) tied with Yale which is followed by Southern Cal (11), Harvard (11), Columbia (8), Michigan (7), Dartmouth (7), Duke (6) and at #10 – Cornell (5).

So, it’s less than a week before Christmas, and anybody with a half a brain should be looking forward to Hark! The herald angels sing. And dismiss, Snarky! Dem’s angles fling. [That was a stretch! :o)]

Play a soft tune and the watch the clamoring rhetoric disappear.