Christmas season dawns with the troops at Ready-alert.  No, its not Appomattox, nor Manassas, nor any of those other sites from the Civil War.  Its not even Iraq or Afganistan or however you spell that.   Its the Battle of Fredericksburg.  And the battle may go down in history as one of Virginia's bloodiest.  Two of the auctioneers at the Auto Auction complained to management concerning the smoke coming from me cooking ribeyes claiming it was bothering their vocal cords and making their eyes water.  Please take a moment to think about that one.  There are sixteen lanes of cars going thru the auction for approximately five hours.  Many are putting out an incredible amount of exhaust.  But the smoke from my grill is bothering people.  Does the term prima donna ring a bell? Anyway, management, through an intermediary, asked me to move.  From the middle of all the action, I moved down on the end away from the action.  My sales fell to an all time low with less than two loins sold for the day.  In truth, it was the week before Christmas and I wasn't counting on much of a day.  But that was ridiculous.  And, of course, several people were complaining about the smell.  This time from the exhaust fumes. The bright spot in all this is that management also said that I could come up with some type of permanent arrangement if I desired which would get Peggy, Laura and me out of the weather.  But, if I'm not selling anything, how can I afford that? I'm willing to give it a couple of weeks and see.  I'm sure this week will suck just as bad as many of the dealers will stay at home, I'm sure.  But, after the first week of January, when things should be back to normal, I may be forced to gather the troops, rally my generals and lieutenants, come up with a plan, and attack!  Oh, Georgie, you'll be jealous when I have to fight. Needless to say Thursday was awful.  Laura and I had trouble staying awake.  Peggy stayed home.  Something about an upcoming holiday.  I'm not sure what she has in mind. Friday and Sunday, I set up at the Walmart in Staunton.  Friday it snowed.  Sunday it rained.  Nice week. huh? We're having Christmas at the farm on Christmas eve including bringing mom home from Heritage Green.  Afterwards, I'll head to Harrisonburg probably getting in about midnight, to spend Christmas day with Peggy and family and  her grandson's first.  Then its back to Fredericksburg on Wednesday and a quick trip home on Thursday night to get ready for Winterfest.  Hopefully after that, I'll get a couple of days off.  That's when my holiday will start. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous New year.