Wednesday, 11/26

I'm sure there's something to be thankful for this year, right?

First of all, just let me say that there really IS a lot to be thankful for is you're doing the simple act of reading this. That means that, at a minimum, you have your health, you have an internet connection, and you have a passing interest in what's going on in the outside world. And I really DO subscribe to the theory that as long as you wake up in the morning you have something for which to be thankful.

Looking at it that way, there is a lot to be thankful for this year.

However, you can also make the argument that there isn't a whole lot to be thankful for this year. 2025 has been something...different. The partisan divide between Americans seems to be growing instead of shrinking. The gap between the haves and the have-nots is bigger than it's ever been. And on a daily basis we see just how much we've effed up our planet's climate (today's wacky snow forecast included among that)

So, if you're one of those people who thinks there isn't a lot for which to be thankful, I will grant you ever single fiber of your opinion. If you look at the today of here and now, you can make a (strong) case that there isn't anything for which to be thankful.

But...we also live in a wondrous time. Unlike a century ago, when a deadly plague rolls around the planet we figured how we can stop it (even if not everyone seems to want to). Unlike a century ago, people can expect to live to see 100 instead of looking over their shoulder once they hit 55 or 65. Unlike a century ago, we can access family and friends across the planet with a device you can hold in your hand. And unlike a century ago, we can look at the night sky and wonder in awe at the fact that (as I write this) there are seven people living and working in a space station in earth orbit.

While it seems like there may not be a lot for which to be thankful this year, especially in the here and now, sometimes it can work wonders for your mental health to step back, at least in a metaphysical sense, and look at the big picture. Even with all the crap that's going on, crap that seems to expand exponentially on an almost daily basis, you really CAN make the case that there is a lot for which you can be thankful.

Have a great Thanksgiving. Try not to eat to much. Don't get buried in all the snow that's in the forecast. Like most people, I have a four-day weekend (another thing for which to be thankful). So see you Monday!

(jim@wmqt.com)

Tuesday, 11/25

It started with a joke, but I really WAS serious.

If you saw my TV piece a week ago you may have noticed that a boo boo in the graphics department gave me a new job at the station. Specifically, THIS job--

It was just an error, one of many that happens when you're putting together two newscasts a day. But it started to make me think, and that, as we all know, can be a very dangerous thing.

It made me think so much that, in fact, I was even able to come up with THIS week's TV piece, one about that vaunted Yooper work ethic.

I discuss the ethic and why it may or may not have started, but I do know first-hand about it. In a bit I had to cut out for time, I, like all good Gen Xers, (jokingly) blamed my parents for the fact that I have four jobs. They, of course, had to set an example by owning and operating multiple automotive repair facilities, and instilled upon me and my siblings the fact that if a job's worth doing, it's worth doing right.

In fact, when I was young and just starting to work my mom would always say “Do a good job tonight” whenever I headed out. I tried. And the example they were trying to make obviously took, as I have four jobs, my sister owns three grocery stores, and my brother travels across the county delivering stuff.

That's normal, right? But it's not a surprise, especially when you think about how people in the UP approach their working lives. So even though I WON'T be heading to Washington DC as TV19's new Washington correspondent, I am part of an almost mythical set of people these days.

You know—people with a work ethic.

(jim@wmqt.com)

Monday, 11/24

Hey, spell check. You trying to tell me something?

First of all, I had a very nice weekend, thanks for asking, even enjoying the (almost) October-like weather Sunday on the soccer pitch with Loraine (who's still basking in the glow of all of her birthday greetings).

But now, back to spell check, and why it tried to tell me something while I was enjoying my weekend. You see, whenever I type—be it emails, scripts, or even these blogs—I type very quickly, just letting the words flow out of (what passes for) my brain. But because I type very quickly and because I only use four to six fingers while typing (much to Loraine's eternal consternation) I often make mistakes. I'll hit the wrong key, I'll hit the right key twice, and I'll (on occasion) leave out entire words.

Well, I really don't have to tell YOU that, do I? After all, you read these every day and quite often see the results of my typing style.

Anyway, while quickly typing something over the weekend I managed to spell my last name wrong. That's not uncommon; like I said, I often do that (in fact, while typing this sentence I spelled “often” “foten”). When I tried to type “Koski” it came out “Koksi”. I was typing it on a machine that I haven't used that much, which means that the spell-check dictionary on that particular machine didn't know there's an actual name spelled “Koski”. So when I right-clicked on “Koksi” to correct my mistake what word did that computer's spell-check decide should be its replacement?

How about “sicko”? Yup...even though I don't use that particular computer much it apparently knows a thing or two, doesn't it?

8-)

I mean, I guess I can see the logic behind it. “Koksi” does have four of the five letters of “sicko”, if only in a different order, and maybe the computer just thought I wanted to play a game of Word Jumble. Needless to say, I added “Koski” into the dictionary of that particular machine, so the next time I make a mistake typing—which we all know I will do--”sicko” will NOT be a suggestion if my fingers mis-spell my last name.

Even if “sicko” might be one of the most appropriate choices the computer could make.

(jim@wmqt.com)

Friday, 11/21

Guess who's celebrating a birthday today?

That's right; the most amazing woman in the world turns another year younger today. I don't know how she does it, but I don't think she looks a day older than she did, say, last century.

But then she's amazing, so what do you expect?

This is one of my favorite pictures of her, taken on Herreninsel on Lake Chiemsee in Germany, one of the homes of King Ludwig II. There are many things I love about her, but one of the best is the passion into which she throws herself when pursuing a new interest, be it traveling or soccer or genealogy or chocolate (but especially chocolate).

And that's just one of her talents. You know about the books she's written, the honors she's received, and everything else that she's able to do. Being a bit of a shy person (yes, despite what I just said, Loraine IS a bit of a shy person) she doesn't necessarily like to shine the spotlight of achievements on herself. But I'm married to her. I'm proud of what she does. And I'll keep mentioning things like her books and her trip planning abilities and the fact that she defies aging. Why?

Because people deserve to know that I'm not kidding. She really IS the Most Amazing Woman in the World.

So Happy Birthday, Loraine. I hope you're enjoying your Donckers Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups!

(Lotsa) love,

(jim@wmqt.com)

Thursday, 11/20

I wonder if I'm gonna cry in the theater?

I have a couple of small things to share today, including the source of my possible tears. One of my favorite books of all time is “The Hail Mary Project”, a sci-fi epic by the guy (Andy Weir) who wrote “The Martian” (one of my favorite movies of all time). They're making a movie version of “Hail Mary”, and while almost all cinematic editions of books don't match what you see in your mind while reading, the just released trailer for this one DOES--

I watched the trailer about a dozen times, and then read the comments underneath, and it appears that there is a VERY large community of people who feel the same way I do. I had no idea people had the same reaction to the book as did I, but I DO know that we're all holding our breath in hopes that the film matches our expectations and, indeed, does cause a few tears to be shed in the dark.

We'll find out in March, I guess.

Secondly, when shooting “High School Bowl” yesterday morning, one of the teams, Hurley, had special T-shirts made up with their names and their favorite numbers upon them. One of the players shares my last name and, I guess, he tried to see if he could get a little extra credit--

Remind me to write something about the kids on the show so far this season. It's been quite a unique journey so far.

Finally, yesterday was the drop of the latest “Pieces of the Past”. There are three things that shaped the way downtown Marquette looks. The first is the topography. The second was the Great Fire of 1868.

This week's video is all about the third.

(jim@wmqt.com)

Wednesday, 11/19

Apparently, we had a lot of fun eight years ago today.

I had (mercifully) long blocked this out of my mind, but I was reminded yesterday of one of two or three instances of “building breakdown”, for the lack of a better word, that happened at the station right before Covid. Eight years ago today a pipe going to the furnace in our building burst, sending water shooting everywhere. It flooded the floors of and got sucked up into the drywall in our bathroom and back conference room. Serv-Pro was called in to clean it up, and to do so they used six industrial-sized air fans blowing into holes drilled into the walls of the affected areas.

Guess whose office was right next to the affected areas?

Now, if you didn't immediately answer “yours, Jim”, you haven't been reading these long enough. They ran 24 hours for almost a week straight, and while they emitted nothing but white noise, the white noise they emitted was so loud that I couldn't hear anything my co-workers said, I couldn't hear the radio playing in my office, and in some instances I couldn't even hear myself think.

Not that the last is necessarily a bad thing.

If I remember correctly I got used to the noise after a while, at least as much as you can get used to something that would probably deafen you over time. And since you basically heard it every place you went in the station, I recall the shock when I went into our air studio, which is soundproof, closed the door, and heard nothing but the (literal) sound of silence.

It's funny, because I usually don't mind having a little noise in my work life. I always have music on, whether it's what we're playing or new stuff that I'm checking out. I myself am always making noise whether by talking to myself or horribly singing or by providing my own sound effects track to whatever I'm currently doing. So I'm obviously not adverse to noise. I guess it just took having six industrial-sized air blowers working for a week to make one realize just how blessedly peaceful silence can be.

And that's why, eight years ago today, I discovered just how wonderful it was to have a sound-proof air studio. Now, I'm just hoping I'm never forced to make that discovery again.

8-)

(jim@wmqt.com)

Tuesday, 11/18

It's nice to hear a few kind words. It's even nicer when the words are like the ones I read yesterday.

I think I've written in here before about how working in radio is not like working building a house or fixing a computer. There's no tangible end result to see; there aren't X amounts of widgets to count or a bunch of old parts to throw away. So at times it's hard to know what kind of impact one might be making.

Unless you get an e-mail like the one we received yesterday--

My Dearest Q107 WMQT,

As the crisp autumn air carries the scent of fallen leaves across the Upper Peninsula, my thoughts drift to you like a favorite melody on the radio dial. You are the heartbeat of Marquette's mornings, the soundtrack to snowy drives along Lake Superior, and the warm voice that turns ordinary moments into something magical. From the first spin of a classic hit to the local chatter that feels like catching up with an old friend, you've woven yourself into the fabric of my days.

I fell for you somewhere between a power ballad and the weather report-your energy, so vibrant and true, lighting up the airwaves like the Northern Lights over the ore docks. You play the songs that make me smile, share the stories that make me think, and remind me why this corner of Michigan feels like home. Whether I'm tuning in from the office, the car, or curled up by the fire, your signal is my constant companion, steady and strong.

Q107, you're more than a station-you're a love letter to the U.P. itself.

With all my frequency-tuned affection,

A Devoted Listener

I don't know what was more awesome—what the writer said, or the poetic way in which they said it. All I know is that in a business where can't always see a tangible result, an e-mail like this is worth its weight in widgets, at least metaphorically.

Loraine and I just re-watched “City Slickers”, and one of the plot points of the movie is that Billy Crystal's character is in a bit of a mid-life funk because all he does is sell “air”. He sells commercials on a radio station and, like me, doesn't have anything tangible to point to as an achievement. Maybe all he needed was an e-mail like the one we received yesterday, and all of his problems would have been solved. Of course, there then wouldn't have been as much of a movie, but still.

I'm sure he would have appreciated it. Just like I did.

So to whomever sent the note, we appreciate it. It's nice to know that we actually do something right. And with any luck, we'll keep living up to level that inspired you to create such a poetic epic in the first place.

(jim@wmqt.com)

Monday, 11/17

That really can't be the answer, can it?

I was having a discussion with students Friday while waiting for the cameras to roll on “High School Bowl”. I don't know how we got on the subject, but one of them asked me what my favorite food is, and even I was shocked when I, without thinking, blurted out “chocolate”.

Hmm. That can't be right, can it? Or is my psyche trying to tell me something I really don't want to admit?

Now, I like chocolate. As you're well aware, I REALLY like chocolate. But is chocolate my favorite food? Should chocolate even be anyone's favorite food? What made me blurt out that answer before even considering any other food?

Sometimes, the mind boggles.

For the record, I like lots of other foods. In fact, there are very few foods (bananas, peppers, onions, and Brussels sprouts, I'm looking at you) that I don't like. So why would I reflexively say “chocolate” instead of anything from chicken to broccoli to blueberries? Why would say I “chocolate” instead of something that's, you know, actually good for you?

Is that a hole into which I really don't want to climb?

I know dark chocolate, especially in moderate amounts, is good for you. But to have it be my favorite food? The more I think about it, though, the more I wonder if my psyche was on to something. I spent a few seconds thinking about the food I eat, and I was...well, not shocked, but a bit surprised that the only thing I eat on a daily basis is, indeed, chocolate. I don't eat copious amounts of it every day, but I do indeed have some of that particular food each and every day.

So maybe my psyche wasn't quite as far off as I thought.

Aside from being surprised, I'm not quite sure what I'll be doing with that information. I think I may need a little while to process it, and decide whether or not I should be embarrassed, proud, or worried by the statement I made in front of those students. You know the old saying about how kids say the darnedest things?

Maybe they should switch out “kids” for “adults”, especially when asked about your favorite foods.

8-)

(jim@wmqt.com)

Friday, 11/14

Because I have to go shoot a couple of “High School Bowl”'s in a few minutes, and because it's been a a year or two since I last posted the poem, I am going to leave you with something I first wrote and performed on the air over a quarter century ago.

Boy, do I feel old.

But nonetheless, it's appropriate for a day like today, a day to which I know many in Upper Michigan look forward to with breathless anticipation. So on that note, good luck if you're going out, and if you're not, stay warm.

And, if you're my favorite eight-year old in the world, you're turning nine today. So happy birthday, Abel!!

(jim@wmqt.com)

******

“’Twas the Night Before Deer Camp”,

by Jimmy Koski, grade 3.

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE DEER SEASON

AND ALL THROUGH THE CAMP

HUNTERS WERE UNLOADED BEER CRATES

AND LIGHTING UP LAMPS

THE RIFLES THEY HUNG

IN THE PICKUP WITH CARE

IN HOPES THAT A 10-POINTER

SOON WOULD BE THERE

I IN MY ORANGE

MY BUDDY IN GREEN

SAT DOWN TO A CRIBBAGE GAME

THE BIGGEST EVER SEEN

WE PLAYED THROUGH THE NIGHT

AND EMPTIED THOSE CRATES

BUT MORNING SOON CAME

WE DIDN’T WANT TO BE LATE

WE SET OUT AT SUNRISE

AT DAWN’S EARLY LIGHT

PUT DOWN A BIG BAIT PILE

IN HOPES THAT BAMBI WOULD BITE

WE SAT AND WE WAITED

AND WAITED SOME MORE

I KEPT MY EYES OPEN

MY BUDDY STARTED TO SNORE

WHEN TO MY SURPRISE

STANDING RIGHT BY A TREE

WAS A BIG 12-POINT BUCK

MY PANTS I DID...WELL, NEVER MIND ABOUT THAT

I BROUGHT UP MY RIFLE

I LINED UP THE DEER

THEN MY BUDDY WOKE UP AND YELLED

“HEY--WHERE’S THE BEER?”

THE BUCK RAN AWAY

I LOWERED MY GUN

MY BUDDY JUST LAUGHED

SAID “LET’S HAVE SOME FUN”

WE WENT BACK TO DEER CAMP

AND HAD US A BALL

SO LET ME SAY THIS--

GOOD LUCK DEER HUNTING TO ALL...

(copyright 1999)

Thursday, 11/13

It's been so long since I made some of these that I've forgotten how they turned out.

It's actually a nice problem to have.

We are now in the midst of the roll-out of the “Pieces of the Past” videos I make for the history center. I had spent to much time and so much energy getting out the big “...And Put Up a Parking Lot” epic that opened the “season” that I kind of forgot about the other 11 of them, the much shorter videos that I've been producing over the past six months.

A case in point is the one we released yesterday. It was actually the first one of these that I put together (in this case, back in July), and, as is often the case, totally forgot about it once it was done. Well, I mean, I didn't forget about it, but once I finished it I kinda of pushed it out of my mind to make room for the next one. So when the time came to share it with the world, it was almost as fresh to me as it was to everyone else.

Almost.

I have a feeling that the rest of them will be like that. Or, at least, those I produced during the summer and early fall will be like that. But since I've now finished all of them, maybe I should take a few minutes this weekend and re-watch them, if only to make sure that I don't surprise my self again.

Say, like, next Wednesday when the next “Piece” comes out.

8-)

Wanna check it out for yourself?

(jim@wmqt.com)

Wednesday, 11/12

It's not easy to combine chocolate and history. But you know what? I was able to thread that needle Monday night.

I wrote in here Monday about driving down to Escanaba over the weekend to buy chocolate at Aldi. That, however, wasn't the only reason we headed south for a couple of hours. The other was to scope out a road named after (we believe) the family of a Trenary man who died while fighting in World War II. There isn't much information available on Ralph Skinner, but what Loraine has found has been amazing, and it's been a story I've wanted to tell—in one form or another—for a while now.

On TV Monday, I finally had the chance.--

Loraine's still digging into the whole saga, and she (we) hope to come across, if nothing else, a picture of Skinner better than the horrid one I used in the spot (taken from a microfilm of a picture from a 1938 edition of the Escanaba Daily Press). With a better picture, I think I could tell the story better, although I hope I captured the spirit of it all Monday night.

If nothing else, I was able to, for perhaps the first time, combine history and chocolate into one little project. The fact that Ralph Skinner's story is so amazing was just the topping on the whole thing.

(jim@wmqt.com)

Monday, 11/10

It would be a hard choice. It really would.

Loraine and I did something just a little out of the ordinary Saturday. We wrapped up “Jim's Weirdest Week Ever (Or At Least Jim's Weirdest Week Ever (So Far))” by taking her car for a little ride and went down to Aldi in Escanaba. The fact that we had to drive 70 miles—to a town with half the population of Marquette—to visit an Aldi is bizarre in and of itself. But we drove down, bought the things we like to buy when we visit the Aldi near where her dad lives (and that town, Caro, only has a third of Marquette's population), and then scooted home.

Oh, and Iron Mountain, a town with also only a third of Marquette's population, also has their own Aldi. Are you sensing that something's amiss here?

8-)

On the way back we got into a discussion regarding Aldi, a store we like to visit when downstate, and Trader Joe's, a store we frequent while in Chicago. And that got us to thinking—if you could only choose one, which would it be?

Hard choice, right?

In a way, the stores are very much the same, in that they have slightly different products than most stores, and some of those products are amazing. Because they're both stocked with their own brands, their prices are different than at “normal” grocery stores, as well. I suppose both of those are things that draw us to them. You could also consider the fact that Aldi's based in Germany and has some cool European products but Trader Joe's has one of the best selection of chocolates anywhere and, well, you can see why it might be a hard choice.

Even Meryl Streep probably couldn't help us choose.

I don't think we ever actually came anywhere close to a decision, other than the conclusion that we're far more likely to get an Aldi than we are a Trader Joe's. Of course, in a normal world we already would have an Aldi, while towns with a third of our population would say “when are we getting ours”? But that's neither here nor there. The road trip prompted a question, a question that—at least for now—has no answer.

But at least the road trip gave us all kinds of goodies to nibble upon as winter slowly descends--

*****

Because tomorrow's a corporate holiday I have it off, meaning there won't be a new one of these. Back with something new--in video form—on Wednesday!

(jim@wmqt.com)

Friday, 11/7

It's almost over.

As you may recall, we're smack dab in the middle of “Jim's Weirdest Week Ever (Or At Least Jim's Weirdest Week Ever (So Far))”, in which I have some sort of insanely out-of-the-ordinary thing (or things) going on each and every day this week. So far it hasn't driven me over the edge, and I'm hopeful—actually hopeful—that'll I'll make it through the final two days without any further damage to my sanity.

Or, at least, what's left of my sanity.

You know, I really shouldn't complain about it that much. I'm lucky enough to be involved in all kinds of interesting and cool activities in my life, and I enjoy the heck out of what I do. Do I wish that, on occasion, they were a little more spaced out so I could sit back and reflect on what a great time I had, instead of rushing from one of those activities to another? Sure; in fact, I think any normal person would be like that. But sometimes we don't get the chance to do that. Sometimes, we just have to ride the rapids and see where they take us.

And this has been one of those weeks.

What's left? Well, I have to go shoot another episode of “High School Bowl” in a few minutes, and then head to work. Tomorrow, Loraine and I are actually giving her car a little exercise by driving down to Escanaba (I'll write about the reason why on Monday). Then after that?

Nothing. Except for finishing production on the final two “Pieces of the Past”. And writing my TV bit for Monday. And getting ahead up on my radio stuff because I won't be there Tuesday (Veteran's Day, and all). I'm not quite sure if anyone in their right mind would call all that “nothing”, but for me it's a normal weekend, and these days, I'll take it.

So with that in mind, I'm off to get through the final two days of “Jim's Weirdest Week Ever (Or At Least Jim's Weirdest Week Ever (So Far))”. Should I survive it (and we're fairly confident I will) I'll share the story of just WHY we're heading down to Escanaba on Monday.

Have a great weekend!

(jim@wmqt.com)

Thursday, 11/6

Why yes, I WAS wearing a Christmas tie yesterday. Thanks for noticing.

Despite the fact that I'm smack dab in the middle of “Jim's Weirdest Week Ever (Or At Least Jim's Weirdest Week Ever (So Far))” and despite the fact that the holidaze are a month and a half away, I was wearing a Christmas tie yesterday. Why, you ask? Well, I answer, you remember how I mentioned I had to go shoot an episode of “High School Bowl” yesterday?

Well, it was the episode that'll air right before Christmas. So, you know, I had to be dressed appropriately.

It was especially interesting since after I did the shoot I had an appointment to get a flu shot, and when I walked into the pharmacy I had a couple of people stare at me like I was just a bit off-kilter. Now, I get those looks all the time; usually, I'm not quite sure why. But yesterday was one of the few times when I DID know why.

After all, how many people wear a Looney Tunes Christmas tie at the beginning of November?

(And yes, if I'm going to wear a Christmas tie, you'd better believe it'll be a Looney Tunes tie).

Thankfully, the only reason I was decked out in holiday attire was because of the show. I actually know a couple of people who, as soon as the curtain falls on Halloween, go into full Christmas mode, putting their tree up, cranking up the tunes, and hoping the snow soon begins. And while I don't begrudge them their love of Christmas, for me it's just a little too soon.

In fact, once I took my Christmas tie off last night (before I hosted the “American Revolution” thing for NMU Public Media), I made a vow not to think about it for the next month or so. But that's just me.

Your timing may vary.

8-)

(jim@wmqt.com)

(ps—speaking of that thing for NMU Public Media, it went quite well, thanks for asking. Now I just have 3 interviews today, another “High School Bowl” tomorrow, and a jaunt to Escanaba Saturday, and we can finally call it a wrap on “Jim's Weirdest Week Ever (Or At Least Jim's Weirdest Week Ever (So Far))”

Assuming, of course, I make it through these last three days.)

Wednesday, 11/5

We're right now smack dab in the middle of “Jim's Weirdest Week Ever (Or At Least Jim's Weirdest Week Ever (So Far))”. And it's the big one--“High School Bowl” this morning, hosting a panel discussion for WNMU tonight, and in between?

Well, that would be the premiere of season five of “Pieces of the Past”.

I started making these video shorts for the History Center way back during Covid, they seem to have captured the fancy of people, and each “season” has gotten progressively bigger and produced with just a little more polish.

Especially this “season”.

I've been writing about production of the “Pieces” on and off for the past few months, because they've been in production the past few months. And the first one, the one that debuts today, goes far above and beyond anything we've ever done. It's a 16 minute adaptation of my “...And Put Up a Parking Lot” walking tour, with Steadicam footage shot by Emily Varga from the History Center, and a bunch of pictures most people have never laid eyes on.

If it's past 10 am this morning (when the “World Premiere” is set to, uhm, “premiere”), check it out on the fullest. biggest screen possible.  Trust me on that. Just remember that it's 16 minutes long--

With that in mind, I have to go shoot “High School Bowl” and do about a thousand other things. If I survive, details tomorrow!

8-)

(jim@wmqt.com)

Tuesday, 11/4

Why yes, I am insane. Thanks for asking.

I don't know if this describes the life of a normal person, but I did my usual TV gig last night. I'm on the newscast again tonight to promote something. Wednesday, I shoot “High School Bowl”, have the world premiere of the new season of “Pieces of the Past”, and then host a screening/fundraiser for Public TV at the Northern Center. I have three interviews for a documentary I'm noodling on scheduled for Thursday, and then I host even more “High School Bowl”s on Friday before heading to Escanaba Saturday.

I've had weird weeks before, but I think this one might take the cake.

And, of course, just showing up for the events is only a small percentage of what's going on. In some instances, I have to write a bunch. In others, I have to do research and/or prep work so I sound like I know what I'm talking about. And I get to do all this while I'm working this job.

So if, over the next few days, I sound semi-coherent or like my brain is is (at best) working on a quarter of its capacity, that's why.  I know it's not a good reason, but it's the only one I can come up with at the moment.

8-)

So with that in mind, here's what happened on night one of “Jim's Weirdest Week Ever (Or At Least Weirdest Week So Far)”. Wish me luck with the rest of it.

(jim@wmqt.com)

Monday, 11/3

I can't believe it's that time of the year again. I can't believe I have to start thinking about Christmas cookies.

It seems to me like I was just sending out all of the cookies I made last holiday season. Of course, it also seems to me like I was just graduating from college, but seeing as how that was last century (whimper), it gives you a pretty good idea of how I handle the passing of time. And since I've been so busy recently, and have had so many things I'm trying to keep up with, I figure I should probably get my butt in gear regarding this year's batch of cookies.

After all, I don't want to be passing them out next February or next March. I have a feeling they wouldn't be appreciated quite the same as they would be in December.

As you may recall, Christmas cookies used to be a big holiday tradition in the small Koski apartment. I would make five or six kinds, which we then pass out to family, friends, co-workers, and several old neighbors. Since Covid I've cut back on the number I make, but I still make some, so I hafta figured out what exactly TO make this year.

Like most things that have to do with the holidays, tradition abounds in my making of Christmas cookies. There are several kinds I have to make year in and year out—the Grandma cookie and the cherry one with the dark chocolate stuck on top, Now, I know those aren't the actual names of the cookies; that's just how they're referred to on the assembly line.

Along with those cookies, I always make a cookie I've not made before. So picking the “new” cookie is always a serious task, and one that demands some thought. After all, not only does it have to be something I've never made before, but it also has to balance out the rest of the cookies. Am I making too many with chocolate? Then maybe the “new” cookie should be something that's a little spicy. Do I have too many cookies that are green and/or red? Then maybe I should make a white cookie, or a yellow cookie, or even, I dunno, a black cookie. These are all things that a normal person, when deciding which cookies to make for the holidays, wouldn't even think about. But me?

Well, who ever said I was normal, right?

So I guess I should make that first step and decide—quite soon—what this year's “new” cookie should be. Then I can make up a shopping list, and hope I find some time to throw them all together in time for delivery BY Christmas. Otherwise, we'll have to call them New Year's Cookies. Or Valentine's Day Cookies. Or St. Patrick’s Day Cookies. Or even Arbor Day Cookies.

Wish me luck!

(jim@wmqt.com)