I have no memory of my first Christmas. But from the few I remember in the late 40s it seems that no Christmas means anything without reflecting on Christmases past. And no Christmas without children, or even teenagers can be a fill fledged one.

Rosemary and I are lucky to have our immediate family here and in Lillooet (our eldest daughter). This Christmas was the first one where Rosemary and I did not exchange anything.  I am not too happy about this so next year I will surprise her with something even if small and inexpensive.

Bad luck in cooking happened but it did not spoil our dinner.  I always char the roast beef in the barbecue before I finished it in the oven. I pre-heated the barbecue and when I was about to place the roast (this year smothered in Kitchen Bouquet) I noticed that the unit was out. I placed the roast in the oven with the potatoes, carrots and onions and Rosemary baked her superlative Yorkshire Pudding. We had a tossed salad but refrained from dessert this year. It was pleasing, for once not to be completely stuffed.

Bruce, Ale and I had a bottle of red Spanish wine given to me by former Vancouver Poet Laureate George McWhirter.

The time for opening the presents happened but our older granddaughter was not too gracious in accepting them. We first took our important group photograph. Rebecca remindde me of it. Rosemary's cat Casi-Casi refused his red bow or posing. He seemed to lack the proper Christmas spirit. My Plata struggled but she is in the picture.

All in all it was a good Christmas and I hope that next year’s will be a better one. One thing that will not happen will be the barbecue fiasco. I am buying a second tank.