Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
It is now 1954 on Christmas Eve, and our family is doing the traditional Christmas Eve activity. First, some background is required.
Mom and Dad were married twenty years before I came along, and during these twenty years, Dad was known for his poker playing and drinking. So I pop up on the scene, and Mom lays down the law! “Paul (Senior), no more gambling or drinking or else!”
Dad is pretty smart; he took option number one…with a small caveat! Once a year, he could “gamble” (if you call playing poker with the neighbors gambling and once a year, he could have a drink!”
Now that the background has been explained, I’m going to the work Christmas Party on Christmas Eve. We would jump in the old ’53 Pontiac and drive the three miles to Dad’s boss’s home in the Cheviot Hills. Ralph was Jewish, but he hosted the Christmas party every year.
Ralph was a generous man who gave gifts to all his store managers. I was considered a “special” store manager.
We would arrive around 5:00 pm and celebrate until 8:00 pm, at which time we sent home sans one person; Dad stayed and really celebrated. Dad would stay behind and drink his beloved “High Ball”. A highball is a cocktail made with a spirit and a larger proportion of a carbonated mixer, served over ice in a tall glass.
The drink is simple, consisting of a base liquor like whiskey, gin, or vodka, mixed with a bubbly non-alcoholic beverage such as soda water, tonic, or ginger ale. The drink was typically served over ice in a tall, straight-sided glass, known specifically as a highball glass.
Dad, like me, enjoys a Bourbon and Seven!
Mom and I would go home, and a few hours later, the phone would ring. It was someone from the party asking if Mom wanted to pick up Dad or if someone should deliver him home.
Dad was a happy drinker; the more he had, the funnier he got. He would NEVER think of driving in that condition, so Mom knew he was safe.
Several times, Mom would admonish me to stay away from the presents under the tree while she went to get Dad. She would be gone about twenty minutes, and during that time I shook, rattled, and rolled every present with my name on it…that was quite a task! OK, I was an only child and spoiled!
The next day, Dad would wake up happy as a clam with zero handover effects. We would celebrate Christmas morning before going off to have Christmas dinner at Aunt Opie’s.
Oh, yes, gambling? Dad would go down the street to Knute and Hazel’s house on July 4th and play some serious poker. Penny-Ante poker was his game. “Penny ante” means minimal stakes or something trivial/petty, derived from putting just one cent (a penny) into the pot before dealing.
We got up at 6:30 am so we could visit with Robin before she flew the coop and headed out to do her weekend chores. We had coffee and discussed the plans for the day. We also planned out my birthday dinner on the 13th (just three days early). Robin departed at 8:00 am for a doctor’s appointment.
My wife is on a new diet. Coconuts and bananas. She hasn’t lost weight, but can she climb a tree?
We were in the TV room when all of a sudden:
Mama was in her kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.
The Hallmark channel was going strong
We awaited the meeting, fight, and falling in love.
When out on the doorstep, there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the lounge chair to see what was the matter.
Away to the front room window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a delivery truck, and 300 tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Amazon!
It was Santa at the front door, disguised as the Amazon delivery man, and his reindeer looked just like a panel truck!?
Early presents for a good little girl???
We worked on the house decorations until noon, then headed to the gym for our bi-weekly beating! After the gym, we attacked Ralph’s Market, stocking up on Christmas Eve and Christmas supplies. We never drink hard liquor at home, but when we poured our eggnog, we wanted to “fix it”. Search high and low, we had no Scotch, Bourbon, or Whiskey in the entire house. This problem was remedied!
What do you call a kid who doesn’t believe in Santa? A rebel without a Claus.
To save on gas money, we went to the cleaners to drop off my Tommy Bahama Christmas shirts. After Monday, I will have a stack of Christmas shirts to wear.
As soon as we returned home, we hit the remaining Christmas boxes with a vengeance, and we are now about 80% done. Mary did a terrific job setting up “Santa’s Village” and arranging the nativity scene. Tomorrow morning, we will complete the last 20% before our all-day events begin.
We called Colleen, and it was +14 degrees in New Hampshire!
Mary did pay me a compliment on my decorating efforts!
