December, 2025

"This Just In..."

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We wanted to end the year with a poem or piece of music. Something that would set your hearts aglow. And then we found this Christmas Tree in Northern Lights and thought...this could work.

We wish you the happiest, healthiest holiday.

We've filled your digital stocking with a bunch of goodies and one or two surprises. We do hope you enjoy it all.

“At the far end of the room was an easel on which lay a painting, not quite finished, depicting the Empire of Flora, the original of which was by Poussin. The painter’s palette and brushes were left beside the painting. Above it, on a piece of paper, was a red chalk drawing of the painting. …

I examined all of this, both from afar and up close, without finding anything worth dwelling on; but my surprise was unparalleled when, upon trying to take the drawing, I discovered that it was all a fabrication, and that the whole thing was a single painting entirely in oil. …

If I were in a position to possess this painting, I would gladly give ten thousand francs for it.”

From Charles de Brosses,1836. The painting was Antoine Fort-Bras’ 1686 Le Chevalet du peintre, now at the Calvet Museum in Avignon. 

Since we’re talking tariffs…. As the U.S. tariff act of June 6, 1872, was being drafted, planners intended to exempt “Fruit plants, tropical and semi-tropical for the purpose of propagation or cultivation.”

Unfortunately, as the language was being copied, a comma was inadvertently moved one word to the left, producing the phrase “Fruit, plants tropical and semi-tropical for the purpose of propagation or cultivation.”

Importers pounced, claiming that the new phrase exempted all tropical and semi-tropical fruit, not just the plants on which it grew.

The Treasury eventually had to agree that this was indeed what the language now said, opening a loophole for fruit importers that deprived the U.S. government of an estimated $1 million in revenue. Subsequent tariffs restored the comma to its intended position.

What? A desert with lakes?

Yes. It’s in Brazil.

It is the Lencios Maranhenses National Park. Fabulous place. No, we haven’t been but, we’re contemplating going. Here’s why: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biGJ_5t30Lk

Late 19^th century, early 20^th Rudd Water Heater. Gorgeous, no?

Doesn’t have to be this old. Any water heater 15+ years old is a ticking flood. Or maybe just a very cold shower. If you think your water heater is on borrowed time, perhaps a call to Daniels is in order. Why? Well, Rinnai for one.

We have Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters that use 40% less energy. On-demand hot water – that doesn’t run out. Ask us about one – and never run out of hot water again! Interested? Give us a call at 860 813 9122

We suggested that you read this, at least five years ago. We promised a good read. Amazing book on President Garfield’s extraordinary rise and tragic assassination.

Now there is a 4-part series on Netflix with the title: Death By Lightning. We highly recommend it for those who value a good history story on cold December nights. If you want a shorter version of the story here’s how PBS treated it: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/garfield/

It’s the holiday season. So we are trying to give you the gift of ease. No pressure. Just tell us who this guy is and you may get a gift card – juuuuust in time to celebrate Christmas/Chanuka/Kwanzaa/Pagan Festival Week. Last month 66 of you and Charles L John Matuszak (Sloth from Goonies).

Fred T, Lois P and Michele G and 71 of you recognized Deep Space Nine actor Armin Schimerman. Jack T and only 14 of you were able to translate the visual pun quiz: “You can bet your last bottom dollar that you will see Garfield defeated by Hancock.”                 

As always – thanks for playing and good luck.

So, you know the movie, “A Christmas Story,” with Ralphie and the Red Ryder BB gun and sticking your tongue to a cold flag pole. Well, here is the author, Jean Shepard as he told the basic story – on the radio on Christmas Eve, 1974. Enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkicEleOiTM

These are the finalists – I’ll post the winners if they are announced prior to our Dec. 1 pub date – for the National Book Award

Here are the five finalists for Fiction

Here are the five finalists for Non-Fiction

And…here are five we like a lot:

You know that we make every effort to keep politics out of “This Just In…”

Makes sense. There really are good people on both sides. However, this movie trailer for the film, “Librarians” made us shudder. Would love your thoughts if you’ve seen the film or if you’ve experienced some of the controversy personally. Tell us here, please.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ykll4MWltsQ&t=148s

If you are a fan of Goodfellas. Or Casino. Or Kundun, Taxi Driver, Gangs of New York, Wolf of Wall Street, Age of Innocence and the Last Temptation of Christ – to name a few;



If emersion in worlds as diverse as the mean streets of New York in 1840’s, 1970’s or 2000’s, Italian and/or Irish mob families, manic music makers, the Christ story, Oklahoma in the 1920’s or the inner life of an independent woman – well, Martin Scorsese has created a world for you.

And now, on Prime is a 5-part documentary that will bring all of that – and more – to life. From alter-boy to auteur, this is an amazing life. Enjoy.

Just our yearly reminder to please make sure there is a clear path to your oil or propane fill pipe, so on those cold, grey days with a ton of snow on the ground our hard-working delivery guys can easily find it. If you have an inground tank – now is the time to put an identifying steak in the ground to help us too. We thank you.

On the first day of Christmas …..

How many times – so far this year – have you heard that song? Here’s your special quiz: How many total gifts would David Daniels been given over the 12 days of Christmas if you gave him exactly what the song's True Love was given?

We want the total number of gifts. Tell us here and well….win a special gift this year. (and, come on - don’t look it up!)

Every year we went through the same question. What could we get for the hard to get-a-gift-for person we actually liked. If you are in that same situation this year….here are a few off the wall ideas:

Custom Face Sweatshirt For Christmas from Digiprint-usa.com

Put your face all over your sweatshirt. Or better…maybe the face of someone your love.

Your Christmas Family Animation from

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MimiuDigitalArt

Watch the family come alive as Mimiu transforms your photo into a heartwarming 3D animation that captures the joy and love of the holidays.

Face Swap Wall Art from Lookalikey.com

Be a King, Queen, Superhero or Time Magazine’s Person of the Year!

A Balloon Dog Speaker by Jeff Koons – from Lexon-design.com

Inspired by Koons Balloon Dog – it is a fully functional music speaker – and it is personally signed by the artist himself!

A Bobble Head Doll – With Your Face! – From CuteBobble.com

We’ve done this one – it’s a lot of fun and it’s something no one expects or rejects!

Get Ugly – With an Ugly Sweater from Tipsyelves.com

Yes, some are of questionable taste, but others well…you be the judge; you’re wearing it!

Parlor games were played throughout Christmas during the 12^th Night celebrrations in Jane Austen’s era. One favorite at Godmersham Park was…Bullet Pudding. As described by Jane Austen’s niece in a letter to Miss Chapman:



You must have a large pewter dish filled with flour which you must pile up into a sort of pudding with a peak at top. You must then lay a bullet at top and everybody cuts a slice of it, and the person that is cutting it when it falls must poke about with their noses and chins till they find it and then take it out with their mouths of which makes them strange figures all covered with flour but the worst is that you must not laugh for fear of the flour getting up your nose and mouth and choking you: You must not use your hands in taking the Bullet out.  

Or maybe just a hot toddy and a nice book?

Christmas Cookies reflecting Global Warming

We always get each other ironic gifts, my little sister killed it this year