The rio, rib roast and Ralphie

DATELINE NEWLY RENOVATED MOTEL 6, TOM BODETTE'S PLACE, DOWNTOWN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS --- The past few recognized American holidays have seen Don and I in several funky spots (the northern Dakotas near Can-Am line was sort of exotic, though), supping on turkey or ham or red meat or chocolate bunnies or roasted pumpkin seeds, depending on whether the occasion was to mark some pilgrims, a rebirth, birth or drug store costumes. This month's 24th and 25th were no exception.

    Wintering in Hondo, Texas means being less than an hour from San Antonio, a wonderfully diverse city that embraces Christmas with gusto. They string lights along the River Walk and decorate a giant tree in front of the Alamo. I decided we would celebrate at a recently renovated Motel 6 downtown. Compared to the dive flop houses of yore we generally prefer, Tom's people have gone swank for $43 bucks a night. Imagine a regular size room that screams walls and bedding swathed in Creamsicle-meets-Orange Julius colors, accented with a few George Jetson furniture pieces and a mounted 32 inch flat screen t.v.

     After tossing a strand of small holiday lights on top of the t.v., changing into sweats and x-mas fuzzy socks, Don and I prepped a 5 1/2 pound prime rib and roasted it to perfection in our makeshift kitchen/banquette area where the mobile convection oven lay. The entree turned out perfect and was accompanied by fresh asparagus, scalloped potatoes and the requisit brown liquor on ice.

    The journey and its repast were the presents Don and I exchanged. Thumper and Bob didn't have to wait too long for their wrapped gifts. Santa or the wise men and women spoiled these young ones with a pile of new stuffed toys and tennis balls. Don and I gave them each a rib bone, which were promptly inhaled. The remainder of the Tex-Mex adventure had the dogs eviscerating cheap stuffed snowmen while bounding from bed to bed, the four of us watching Ralphie's pursuit of the elusive Red Rider BB gun, strolling through the ghetto to find a bodega that sold tomato juice and generally being professionally lazy and festive.

    All in all, it was an excellent time. It's back to the workshop in Hondo to build the toys for next year and see which rallies in this country have been naughty or nice. In 2013, we will surely visit and vend at both.

Happy New Year all, and to all, a good night.
Hol-Ding-Thumper-Bob