I love Christmas so much that I am writing this article in October! We were raised poor, about the same as our neighbors, put poor! When we put Dad’s and Mom’s house on the market and hosted a large garage sale, I claimed a couple of items that we kids had given Mom for Christmas when I was attending Whittier Elementary. Two glass figurines of cows and two figurines of deer are on my office shelves and two glass figurines of ducks and two of chickens are in the parsonage. If I remember the story right, Ruth Anna, our older sister, earned the money baby sitting and we all (at least four of us) went to the “5 and Dime” to pick them out and complete the purchase. Mom cherished them and kept them for at least 50 years, until she left Dad to go to Heaven. They are not worth much except to we who remember their value!

I wish to share with you 10 free gifts for which we will not even have to shop!

First, the gift of LISTENING – Why not give this valuable gift to someone who lives alone? There are several people like that in Port O’Connor who would enjoy having you come by, BUT, we must truly listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning our responses – just LISTEN!

Second, the gift of AFFECTION – We must be generous with our hugs, kisses, and gentle squeezes of the hand. Let these many actions demonstrate the LOVE we have on the inside that are often passed over and never expressed.

Third, the gift of NOTES – It can be a note as simple as “I love you” or as creative as a sonnet. Place those notes where they will surprise that loved one and it will be even more than just a NOTE!

Fourth, the gift of LAUGHTER – We all know that laughter is like a good medicine, so learn to laugh loudly and long! Just cut out a cartoon, save a clever article. Remember a good joke and be sure the punch line is in its proper place. Our gifts will say “I love to LAUGH with you!”

Fifth, the gift of a COMPLIMENT – A simple “Wow, you look good in red” or “I like your new hair-do,” or “I think you outdid yourself on that meal” can be of greatest value to those who may feel they are being taken for granted.

Sixth, the gift of FAVOR – How much better would all year long be if each of us would simply help one another. There is nothing wrong with doing someone else’s dishes, or helping someone clean out their garage. How helpful would it be for us to help run errands.

Seventh, the gift of “LEAVE ME ALONE” – There are times in everyone’s life where we want nothing better than to be left ALONE, given some space. People often feel smothered so we must become more sensitive to those times and give the gift of SOLITUDE.

Eighth, the gift of a CHEERFUL DISPOSITION – We must work on being cheerful around those we especially love. Even if our day has been extra stressful and met with many disasters, why bring that gloom into another’s life?

Ninth, the gift of GAME – How long has it been since we offered to just sit down and play our loved one’s favorite game. Maybe it can not be done sitting down, but it is the game that they really want to play. Even if we lose in the GAME, we will be a winner.

Tenth, the gift of PRAYER – There is nothing more powerful than praying for those on our Christmas lists and letting them know that we are praying for them. Praying for someone is a way of saying, “You are so special to me that I talk to God about YOU!”

Christmas is usually a financial burden on most budgets, but there are some ways that we can give a unique gift that will be appreciated all year long! When we lighten a load for someone, we will find that we have given the greater gift to ourselves!

“The Way I See It” is an attempt by the columnist to enlighten readers on a subject as he views it, and does not necessarily reflect the views of this publication.

Democrats and “Democracy”?

There are three major points necessary for any “Democracy” to succeed, or even to survive: Secure Borders. Honest Elections, and Equality Before the Law.

04/02/2018, Newton, Mass., District Judge Shelley M. Joseph was conducting a hearing on Jose Medina-Perez, arrested on “a drug charge”. She, the Prosecutor, and Defense Attorney had a sidebar conference, all wanting to release Medina-Perez pending trial. Newton is a Sanctuary City, and there was an ICE detainer attached to the case, and an ICE Agent in the Courtroom. And Mr. Medina-Perez also had a Fugitive Warrant for drunk driving in Pennsylvania, and had been previously deported in 2003 and 2007. He also had 2 known aliases. The 3 decided to release him anyway. The Judge forbade the ICE agent access to the Detention Area, and when Medina-Perez was moved there he was shown to a back door and allowed to climb a fence and escape.

Sanctuary City “rules” are Illegal immigrants will not be held solely on “Immigration Status violations”. Interfering with an ICE agent by denying him access & releasing the the subject is a violation. Releasing the subject when he was a ‘known flight risk’ is also a violation of normal procedure. And PA had “dibs” on him for the DWI. Why would a Judge and 2 attorneys “Willfully, Knowingly’ & Intentionally” conspire to break several laws? I suspect the Triumph of Lib-Prog Ideology and rabid Anti-Trumpism over greatly diminished Common Sense, Respect for the Law, and their Oaths as attorneys and Officers of the Court. All should be fired and permanently disbarred.

Elections by citizens are a standard in Traditional Democracies, but being perverted here. As I reported last month registering Non-Citizens to vote is becoming “almost standard” in some “Democrat Party” States and Counties. Ballot security and counting has become a joke. In Broward County, 83,000 ballots were “discovered” 2 days after the polls closed. The Broward Count Supervisor of Elections Office has a long history of corruption and fraud. Brenda Snipes was appointed when the previous Supervisor was removed for Fraud. She had numerous charges (14?) of vote fraud/ tampering against her going into the 2018 elections. It is good to be the one counting the votes if you want to hold an Elected Office. In disputes over Provisional ballots by known Non-citizens, Democrat Party attorneys insist they be counted. How can this be? California is a hot-bed of “Vote Harvesting” by Dem-Soc Activists. Having easy access to “Absentee Ballots” and Mail-In Ballots is an invitation to Fraud.

Why should States that try to have honest Elections, tolerate Congress seating representatives in Congress elected by fraud and non-citizens? And representatives apportioned by numbers including Criminal Invaders? Criminal Invaders that are systematically protected by Left-wing Marxists that now openly declare their intent to overthrow our Constitutional Republic? And replace it with what? Subjugation to a One World Govt that wants to criminalize even the criticism of “the Human Right of Mass Migration”? The UN passed a “Non-Binding Resolution”, on 12/10/18, against the objections of 16 nations, for “Mass Migration is a Human Right”. It was approved by 160 member nations. Estimates say some 250 million people are “migrants”, or want to be. There will be another vote 12/19, then “after they pass it, we can see what’s in it”. Our Media is not saying much, but with weak enforcement of ridiculously loose laws, and a lush Welfare State, the USA will be the prime target.

Our Media is overwhelmed by claims of radical Dem-Socs that Trump will be impeached, but their charges have been proven false. The Cohen/Stormy pay-off was a legal “Non-Disclosure Agreement”, and proven Trump paid out of his personal money, NOT Campaign Funds. In the last 10 years, over $17 million in Taxpayer funds has been paid out by Congress in “Hush Money” for actual “Sexual Abuse Crimes” by members, mostly Democrats. I think the Voters need a complete accounting for that! The Dems may vote an Article of Impeachment, but without any real charge or evidence, winning a conviction in the Senate trial is ludicrously unlikely, but provides endless false propaganda. American Voters are understanding this, those that don’t speak English and don’t care, not so much. The Dems are not paying attention to Equality Before the Law, only their Agenda. If we don’t fix the Broken Immigration Policy there will not be a “Secure Democratic Election” in 2020.

Nothing quite says Merry Christmas in Texas like a prime rib served as the main dish of your Christmas meal! When it comes time to prepare your prime rib this holiday season, be sure to reference Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s Path to the Plate’s tips and tricks to ensure that the meat is cooked thoroughly and properly.

With beef production being the largest sector of the agriculture industry in Texas, it is both fitting and appropriate that prime rib act as the centerpiece of the Christmas meal. According to Dan Hale, Ph.D. and meat specialist with Texas A&M’s Department of Animal Science, it is estimated that Texas produces approximately 60 million pounds of prime rib per year. Most commonly referred to as ribeye roast, beef rib roast or standing rib roast, prime rib is typically sold as both bone-in or boneless in stores. Despite its name, prime rib does not have to be from beef graded as USDA Prime — it is primarily from beef graded as USDA Select or USDA Choice. It should be noted that beef with higher USDA grades often produce a more desirable eating experience due to the higher amount of marbling present in the roast.

After purchasing, prime rib must be thawed and stored at a temperature below 40 °F to minimize the growth of bacteria. When cooking, it is traditionally prepared with a mixture of seasonings, then roasted under dry heat for 2-3 hours, depending on its size. When using a conventional oven to prepare your prime rib, follow these instructions:

• Preheat oven to 300 °F
• Season the outside of the roast as desired
• Cook, fat side up, to an internal temperature of 145 °F for medium doneness, which may take 20-25 minutes per pound. Use a thermometer to check the internal temperature
• Let stand 15-20 minutes before carving

When determining how many mouths your prime rib will feed this Christmas, keep in mind that a full prime rib is seven ribs, meaning that it weighs anywhere from 15 to 18 pounds. A prime rib this size can feed a family of 16 or more people, depending on the size of their appetite’s. Smaller prime rib options are available, including those that weigh five pounds which can serve up to six to eight people.

Because lean beef cuts such as prime rib are considered nutrient rich with low amounts of calories and fats, Hale says this particular cut of meat acts as an excellent source of essential nutrients such as protein, Zinc, B12, Iron, B6, Niacin, and Selenium. Nutrition facts for 3.5 ounces of broiled USDA Choice (lean only) prime rib are as follows:

• 205 Calories
• 28.9g Protein
• 9g Fat
• 3.4g Saturated Fat
• 3.6g Monounsaturated Fat

In search of other ways to spice up your holidays or family mealtime? Head over to dinnertonight.tamu.edu or beefitswhatsfordinner.com to explore the wide variety of recipes offered for prime rib!

For the last 22 years, Grace Episcopal Church has hosted a Christmas party for the orphans of The Bluebonnet Youth Ranch. This year, on December 8th, will be the 23rd year for this event. Children attending can number up to 38 kids ranging from tots to teenagers.

Each year the community responds with support of funding, gifts, tours…whatever the individual or company can contribute. These offerings come from donors as different as The Olephins Unit at Formosa to the Port O’Connor Service Club. Santa is always there, along with Sister Two and Larry Robinson singing Christmas carols.

The event is a mission of Grace Church and its members, sponsored by my wife Cherre and me. The kids have pizza and gifts, along with a terrific Christmas cake for the holidays
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One family of five brothers and sisters we specifically remember as being placed there ten years ago by child protective services. The youngest came to visit me three years ago. He is married and has his own family now. He said he will always remember the Christmas Party at our church in Port Lavaca and how it was something all of the kids looked forward to…touring around the sights of Port Lavaca, the chemical plants, Indianola and Magnolia Beach…then… pizza, presents…songs and Santa.

Thank you for taking the time to read this story of people touching the lives of others at Christmastime.

Russell and Cherre Cain
Grace Episcopal Church at 213 E. Austin in Port Lavaca, TX 77979

Cooking is an art and a science. If you don’t follow the recipe it might not taste right, but if you don’t experiment and try new things you will never know how good some new thing might taste. I once made lemon bars with my son who measured lemon zest in T for tablespoons not t for teaspoons. The lemon bars tasted like insect repellent. Ugh! I also stumbled upon my favorite spicy sweet recipe when the lid fell off the cayenne pepper and added more than a pinch to my recipe. Life is just the same. Everyone needs sweet and spicy, savory and sour to make life more complete. We need to sense it all to make sense of it all in life.

Your family recipe for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year may be very different than mine. Maybe you like your Christmas tamales fiery hot and your Christmas family visit peppered with drama from Aunt Amy and Uncle Aaron who often fight and then makeup. Or maybe you like traditional turkey with simple salt and pepper and hope the only drama at your family gathering is when Aunt Barbara can’t find her new false teeth at dinner time. No matter which, spice it up your way and have a Merry Blessed time with those you love and hold dear. Then, don’t be afraid to try something new and spicy in the new year. Maybe you never cooked with Curry but when you do you discover you love love love Curry. Sometimes it just works that way.

I can tell you from personal experience that my new spice this year turned out to be spice-alicious. I added a little farm in the big oak treed area of south Texas to my life and Little Oak Tree Acres in Live Oak County has become my new very favorite thing. After over a decade of fulltime POC living we are sharing time with acres of oaks, chickens and cows and a big ole garden I just love. I miss POC but get back often to see those I love and miss. I have discovered several other new favorite things in my oak grove that I never would have discovered if I had been too afraid to take a risk. Like cooking without a recipe, moving was not in the plan. It did not follow the recipe. But, when we did, it made the perfect dish.

So, follow the recipe for old favorites but take a risk, dare to dream, chance it, venture something new…! What you create or discover might just be the best new unplanned thing you never had the recipe for before. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year full of Blessings and Love and Joyful Crazy Cooking with new spices and new things in 2019!