The Coolest Gift

I often kid my girls that as a child I had both kinds of toys, a stick AND a rock. They always look at me with a mix of pity and disgust. The truth of the matter is most of my toys were hand-me-downs, but I did have one uber-cool toy all to myself, this:





I played with this thing for hours. Somewhere I still have the little green monster that hid in the trash compacter amongst the foam bits of "trash".

What was you favorite toy as a kid?

Doc

What Beer Goes With A "Lift and Seperate" Operation?

A dear friend of mine, Hot Lemon, has been inconvenienced. He has had to pick up and move, which is no minor inconvenience, but he was fortunate to have two very, very good friends. They not only helped to pack things up and transport them, but drove cross-country to do it. (N.Y.-Fla.) Not only that, but then they drove him and his things back to their place and took him in.

I deeply regret that I couldn't make the trip, but I am looking forward to visiting the three of them this coming weekend in upstate N.Y. It has been quite some time since Flannery and I took a road trip but the big plus is we won't be making it alone. Elizabeth and Raven will be joining us, and while we will only be spending 12+ hours with them, we aim to make it quality time.

I was trying to think of something special to mark the occasion, but all I could think of was a scene from "It's A Wonderful Life" where Mary welcomes the Italian family into their new home. She stands at the door and makes this little speech, "Bread- that this house may never know hunger. Salt- that life may always have flavor. Wine- that joy and prosperity may reign forever!" But I know for a fact that Hot Lemon is a beer drinker and I'm willing to bet that Norton and the Country Monk are too, so what do I bring to take the place of the wine? What beer says "Welcome Home" or "Best Wishes", or even "My Condolences For Your Loss"?

The salt is an easy purchase. I will pick up a bottle of "Jane's Crazy Mixed-Up Salt", which is great on popcorn, and pretty well sums up the reciever at this point. The bread is simple enough, as I have to work in the bakery the night we are leaving, so I'll just nab a loaf of "Country Italian" bread on the way out the door, but what beer should I give?

I'm in a quandry. Please help.

Doc