I saw a hummingcicle at the feeder, glad it was thawed out. Meanwhile, the grey whales have snuck past Washington, Oregon, and northern California. I guess they know what they are doing: my HEAVENS it's cold!

Our infobabe informed us last night that "three tycoons are trying to circumvent the globe." And good luck to them, say I. It reminded me of the noon anchor who was explaining once that "the linoleum in the sheep's wool" is good to keep skin supple.

I messed up last week's soap-and-news taping, darn it. This means, however, that I've caught up to Meet the Press of last Sunday.

It was an interesting morning. Rich brought down the wastebasket full of Lego bricks and we spent the time sorting them by color and some functions (like the kitchen cabinets, the tiles, and the slabs.) Now I have two full bins and the Hallowe'en bin, and a box. On the TV is a decorated Lego tree with a silver package and two Santas. Bernadette took her medieval set out, and I have never opened the Boeing 777. We threw away the wastebasket, after only 20 years or so. Things never last any more.

Then I went food shopping. I have three fancy dinners in a row to accomplish here: tomorrow the Polish Christmas Eve meal, a pork roast on Friday, and then Saturday we're celebrating a late Christmas with turkey and trimmings. $120. Ouch.

Bernadette put the Christmas towels out, and I decided I'm not mopping the kitchen floor (after all, I had the important work of sorting the Lego) so we're ready for the weekend.

Rich and Bernadette DROVE with the dog to the high school and threw an air ball between them playing keepaway with him. He was really upset at the end when he couldn't find the nonexistent ball he'd been chasing.

For the first time this Advent, we finally lit the wreath, and sure enough, Sailor sang along with "Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel."

Then, to complete his wonderful day, we went "trolling for lights", Bernadette's phrase. We looked at a number of the spectacular displays described in the Bee as well as our own neighborhood discoveries from long ago. We saw a great Dr. Seuss house, Santa and Mrs. S. out waving at people, and went to one court with magnificent displays. We were walking Sailor along that one, and he kept wanting to lift his leg and short out the lights. We saw a former classmate of Monica's and her family. Also, a very VERY long limousine came along. There were 8 people who came out of it and strolled along the court. I didn't ask who they were, but I would guess it's a radio station prize. (And one I wouldn't mind having! Then we could circumvent Sacramento!)