Hoop Cheese, Please!

An old friend (actually, he is not only an "old", as in friendship of 20 + years, but "old" as in 89 years) just stopped by for their annual Christmas visit. He and his wife always bring us some old-fashioned hoop cheese, a rarity to find today, except in some of the old country stores. He used to buy it at an old store about 6 miles out in the country but that has recently closed so he has been combing the country for more. This year, he was unable to locate the regular old hoop cheese and brought us mountain-made sharp cheese. I will miss the flavor of that delicious old cheese that my dad used to bring home for the family at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Ah, things are always changing and this is just one more change that I don't like. Perhaps next year, I can go out searching for some and be fortunate enough to ask for "hoop cheese, please".

Don and I had a great anniversary dinner last night, just the two of us. I actually was able to keep him out after dark and see him enjoy the Christmas lights and decorations along the way. And, I will get the opportunity to keep him out again tomorrow night when my siblings are going to meet and enjoy a evening together. I'm looking forward to that since we only get together twice a year, in April at our reunion and for a Christmas dinner. Isn't the Christmas season wonderful, remembering Jesus first, then enjoying family and friends.