Thank you, Brent for this bit of history and a very Merry Christmas to you, Carol and the rest of your family! You, of all the people I know, will probably understand that I am just so happy to be alive for Christmas 2025. Ray and I are going to have Chili and local Grassy Bar oysters on the half shell. And yes, I put beans in my chili. I’m not in Texas! Actually, I’m using King City Pink Beans — an heirloom bean that John Steinbeck loved and mentioned in Tortilla Flat with a great broth. Makes me think about California’s history on this day, Merry Christmas to everyone on SB Current! And a big thank you to Bonnie Donovan and James Fenkner for all they’ve done for this truly independent Substack. And Merry Christmas, California! May you rise from the persecution of our Democrats and flourish in 2026.
Merry Christmas to Ray and you. To quote Satchel Paige, a baseball player in the old negro league "Don't look back as someone maybe gaining," to which I would add "It's always the next step that matters."
Nice compact history of Xmas celebration. My ancestor was in James town in 1740, married an Indian gal and then died a year later after they produced one son. Tough times in the colonies. But they remained thankful for their life and freedom from the crown.
Thomas, after a US Department of Labor told one of our employees that he was not an Indian, my research showed that there is no federal definition of who is an Indian. There are tribal ones for inheritance purposes. That case was so involved that I may write a piece on it.
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Brent. And to everyone who reads, comments, or simply follows along with SB Current, I wish you a very Merry Christmas as well. Your engagement, support, and thoughtful participation mean more than you know. And yes—about Polly’s chili: it truly is delicious and healthy, the perfect comfort food to warm both body and spirit this season. 🎄✨
Thank you, Brent for this bit of history and a very Merry Christmas to you, Carol and the rest of your family! You, of all the people I know, will probably understand that I am just so happy to be alive for Christmas 2025. Ray and I are going to have Chili and local Grassy Bar oysters on the half shell. And yes, I put beans in my chili. I’m not in Texas! Actually, I’m using King City Pink Beans — an heirloom bean that John Steinbeck loved and mentioned in Tortilla Flat with a great broth. Makes me think about California’s history on this day, Merry Christmas to everyone on SB Current! And a big thank you to Bonnie Donovan and James Fenkner for all they’ve done for this truly independent Substack. And Merry Christmas, California! May you rise from the persecution of our Democrats and flourish in 2026.
Merry Christmas to Ray and you. To quote Satchel Paige, a baseball player in the old negro league "Don't look back as someone maybe gaining," to which I would add "It's always the next step that matters."
Excellent advice. I’m still not good at twisting around to look backwards anyway!
Nice compact history of Xmas celebration. My ancestor was in James town in 1740, married an Indian gal and then died a year later after they produced one son. Tough times in the colonies. But they remained thankful for their life and freedom from the crown.
What did your ancestor’s wife go on to do? Did she marry again?
After 34 generations I’m 1/1,000 Powhatan.
You gotta say that while getting a beer like Liz Warren.
Thomas, after a US Department of Labor told one of our employees that he was not an Indian, my research showed that there is no federal definition of who is an Indian. There are tribal ones for inheritance purposes. That case was so involved that I may write a piece on it.
She was Powhatan, as were the local native Americans. Not much more is known.
Thank you, Brent, for a nice read to begin our Christmas Day festivities. A Merry
Christmas to all and may 2026 bring healing to our country.
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Brent. And to everyone who reads, comments, or simply follows along with SB Current, I wish you a very Merry Christmas as well. Your engagement, support, and thoughtful participation mean more than you know. And yes—about Polly’s chili: it truly is delicious and healthy, the perfect comfort food to warm both body and spirit this season. 🎄✨
Beautiful review Brent, gives us a good look at how Christmas evolved from how & where it started to where we are today.
Hope Santa brought everything everybody wanted and 2026 turns out to be a great year for all of us! :)
And to you and all.