Things I’ve learned recently

President Bush has quick reflexes!

- Monday’s post-shoe throwing news broadcasts

The star on the state flag of California comes from the lone star of Texas.

- State Flags II Quiz, encarta.msn.com

As of 6:45am Wednesday, Oklahoma City had been below freezing for 66 hours.

- David Payne, KFOR meteorologist

As of Wednesday morning, 37 states had had weather advisories issued this week.

- Al Roker, Today

A child has been saddled with the name Adolph Hitler Campbell, and a bakery refused to put a swastika and “Happy Birthday Adolph Hitler” on the cake for his third birthday. His siblings are named Honszlynn Hinler Jeannie Campbell (named for SS head Heinrich Himmler) and JoyceLynn Aryan Nation Campbell (whose name the bakery also refused to place on a cake).

- Many, many news broadcasts and postings

Unlike last year, I am not the Person of the Year.

- Time magazine

Mittens will not remain on the hands of a thumb sucker, regardless of the temperature.

- Personal experience

A six-foot-tall inflatable palm tree is not an easy and fun party decoration in 40-mile-an-hour wind.

- Personal experience

My friend Deb can take something I would pass by with an “Eh…” and create something lovely.

- Personal experience

–oOo–

In the early 19th century nog was a strong of beer.

- Holiday Foods: Do You Know What You Are Eating? quiz, encarta.msn.com

Plums are not an ingredient of plum pudding.

- Holiday Foods: Do You Know What You Are Eating? quiz, encarta.msn.com

The story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was created in 1939 as a holiday promotion for Montgomery Ward.

- Merry Mythmas Quiz, encarta.msn.com

President Theodore Roosevelt was a conservationist and did not approve of cutting down trees and didn’t allow Christmas trees in his home, including the White House.

- Merry Mythmas Quiz, encarta.msn.com

From 1659 until 1681 it was against the law to publicly celebrate Christmas in Massachusetts.

- Merry Mythmas Quiz, encarta.msn.com

It is very difficult to decorate a Christmas tree with a 15-month-old in the room, even when there are two adults.

- Personal experience

If Samantha is Christmas shopping in a store that has mirrors on the floor and propped against the wall, she will walk up and kiss the baby. A lot.

- Personal experience

–oOo–

My next column won’t appear until after the 25th, so…

Merry Christmas to you, and may the blessings of this holiday be yours!