We think the chicken was first with a certain bet the eggnog wasn’t far behind. Whether it is your taste for that tasty party drink that delights most and holds the diversification of ‘regular or unleaded’ (with or without spirits), eggnog is generally a hit at Christmas time.

Eggnog didn’t just happen recently. It began in Europe with a great push from many of our ancestors in the United Kingdom. Just how far back and from whom the beginning came could be up to much research. However, in England eggnog probably came around the seventeenth century. Eggnog literally meant “egg in a cup” as it was used as a toast for your health and the beneficial food quality of eggs.

Toast to your health didn’t seem quite lively enough for the jovial British. So they added a bit of strong beer they called noggin. Milk and eggs (the principal parts of eggnog) was quite rare for city dwellers as they had no farms so the drink became a treat for the wealthy.

Leave it to the movement toward America and eggnog began taking on new life. From ‘egg in your beer’ to cream or milk whipped with eggs, sugar, spirits if you desire, and a sprinkling of nutmeg or cinnamon tops it off. Actually, the spirits of several selections became necessary in olden times as there was virtually no proper refrigeration to protect the milk and eggs from spoiling. Just as in the current popular Baileys Irish Cream with a bit of brandy, That process was invented to protect the sought after Devon cream.

The father of our country George Washington served eggnog with a step away from beer and spiced up a bit with rum. Further down south the American taste by those that preferred a ‘splash of kindness’, bourbon became the choice side. However, old George had at his disposal his ownership of likely the largest distillery in the New World. His reason was clear that his products of a very large grain farming operation had to travel many miles to the east coast market. Much of the grain would spoil in route. On the other hand, the process of creating alcohol from corn or other grain would not spoil and was easier to sell along the coastal market.

It just doesn’t seem quite appetizing to say to your guest, “Would you care to drink a cup of egg (with the literal meaning of egg in a cup)”? Even some of the privateers no doubt preserved milk with grog. Therefore, the name egg grog didn’t sound quite as good as eggnog it would seem.

When it comes to the whispering winds of winter and the jingle of bells at Christmas, eggnog is still a popular hit. However, as in every case of party environment to partake in excess of anything that might be intoxicating is not only irresponsible but could be dangerous and is illegal as well.

One quite irresponsible jokester claims to have investigated statistical data of auto accidents involved in a bit too much eggnog at a party. It is believed that around one third of all wrecks were caused by overindulgence. Then he reported (with a slight hic) “You’d better watch out for the other two thirds causing that many more wrecks that hadn’t had any eggnog.”

Whatever is your desire; the gathering of friends at Christmas time is first of all, the celebration of the birth of our Savior and should be foremost in any and all activities. Then on these occasions there is an opportunity of self respect and respect for others. Whatever is your religion, remember that one of the greatest gifts of all is the gift of life and with it comes responsibility. Do so with a smile and you will be rewarded by one in return. Til’ then, cheers!

Bob Jamison is a columnist for several publications and book author. His columns are for entertainment and not necessarily as a documentary.

NEW AT THE LIBRARY: A way to go online and learn to become proficient in many of the computer programs now being used in various businesses and professions and just for you. Our main library in Port Lavaca is now making available to all residents classes online in the following software programs: Computer & Internet Basics, E-mail Basics, Social Media (Facebook, etc.), OpenOffice, Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Outlook. All you have to do is to visit our Library, sign up at the desk and then go online. What a painless and non-stressful way to learn!

It’s December and Christmas is approaching, which means, you’d better get out those wonderful cookie recipes and start baking. And it happened in my house that I was called upon to bake some “incredible chocolate cookies” by a young relative. Checking out our various shelves I found Mrs. Fields’ Cookie Book, which I immediately grabbed. Trying out some of the recipes on my better half who is not only a chocoholic but a cookie fiend, he gave Mrs. Fields not one but many blue ribbons. Her recipes are definitely worth trying as they do make a great impression on any man!

While shelving books once again, I hit the “Q’s” and wound up with a very interesting title, BLACK & BLUE by Anna Quindlen. The title describes the plot, one, that unfortunately, seems to be very common these days, of a husband’s violence towards his wife. And violence as many have learned is not just denoted by physical acts but also by horrific words. The writer handles a difficult subject with pure class; she brings out the terror suffered by the wife and her eventual escape in words that are very well understood.

Ms. Quindlen’s second book, RISE & SHINE is also one that deals with a somewhat current topic and staffed with extremely well drawn characters. The protagonist is a highly successful radio personality whose show is broadcast early in the morning. And one morning she makes a highly controversial statement thinking her mike is dead, or did she deliberately speak? I’m not certain if the author’s characterizations are better than the plot; both are very well done. These books are somewhat unusual in their story line, and very interesting.

And for kicks, I picked up a book by Nora Roberts, an extremely popular author at our Library. Titled BORN IN SHAME the book is set on the Western shores of Ireland in County Clare. Having relatives still living in the old homestead in Northern Ireland, Fermangh County, I became intrigued and hoped that the author would really describe so many of the unusual areas and vistas of that faraway country. She did give a few pages throughout the book of a an area with cliffs overlooking the sea, but not much else. This book, which is the 2nd in a series, is more involved with the romantic involvement of an American artist with an Irish native. Easy reading, but lacking for me.

We still have books for sale at the Library, thankfully, with donations from residents coming in regularly. Luckily for Shirley and me we have received a number of current books that cover a variety of subjects; even some for handcrafting special items. The monies received from these sales go to add to our DVD collection and to purchase additional books – many of those missing from a series. Do come and check them out! You won’t be disappointed.

Just remember:
“When an old person dies, a Library burns down”
Karin Gillespie

It’s been pretty rough for fishermen lately. Wind, cold and, thankfully, a bit of rain have made fishing a little uncomfortable. With the north wind the tides are low of course. For those willing to battle the elements the fishing has been surprisingly good.

Most of the fish have been in deeper water. Areas like the Army Hole and the various canals have been good for trout. Most folks have been fishing live shrimp under a rattle cork. Reds have been near the deeper shorelines and have preferred cut bait.

The ride to the jetties has been a little sloppy some days but once you get there you’ll find reds, drum, and sheepshead along with a few trout and flounder as well. Live shrimp has been best when you can find it but dead shrimp or cut bait will get the job done.

I have carried several hunters to Matagorda Island for the deer hunts over the last month. Most have had pretty good luck despite the conditions. Judging by the numbers of ducks I have been seeing the second half of the season should be real good.

Capt. Bob Hill – Port O’Connor Charters
(361) 983-4325 www.fishportoconnor.com

Well, here it is – the middle of December – less than two weeks away from Christmas – another year almost gone. As I reflect upon this past year, I think about what it has been like for the way the weather has been, the fishing and the duck hunting.

The weather has been tough on our area and the whole state with this lack of rain. Our bays need fresh water to help everything that lives in them. There will be no oyster season this year because of no fresh water and the red tide is still in our bays. I haven’t seen it this bad in a long time.

The good news is the fishermen are still catching lots of fish. I have had a good year on trout and redfish and have caught more flounder on rod and reel this year than I have in over ten years.
The duck season has been great. There are more ducks in our bays than I have ever seen before. My personal opinion is because of lack of fresh water and food on the inland ponds and fields. The ducks have had to come to the bays early this year for food. The inland areas that have water are holding lots of ducks on them. There are types of ducks here that we don’t usually see here – wood ducks and mallards in shallow salt water lakes and ponds. I talked to a local guide a couple of days ago who killed a surf scotter. That doesn’t happen very often in this area.

For those duck hunters who really do not like to get up at 4:00 or 4;30 in the morning and go hunting at 5:00 a.m., there is afternoon duck hunting. I have had as much success in the afternoon as I have in the mornings. Many hunters do not know that afternoon hunting is as good as the morning hunt. I am offering a reduced rate on afternoon hunts this year. If you would like to try an afternoon hunt, give me a call at 361-648-4539. I have openings for afternoon hunting.

I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and may God bless you.

Capt. Griff