Way back in the earliest years of Rachel and my marriage, her brother, Rich, and his wife, Goose, lived in San Antonio while he did his medical training at Wilford Hall on Lackland Air Force Base. It was great having them here while it lasted. Occasionally, when Rachel's mother, Jane, came to visit, Goose and Rich would have us all over for dinner. Sometimes that included my parents.

One such time that Mom and Dad joined us at Rich and Goose's house was for Christmas dinner shortly after we were married. Not only had Jane come to visit from St. Louis, but Goose's parents also joined the festivities, visiting from Charlotte, North Carolina.

Goose is a very good gourmet cook. Dining at her house is a major event. That Christmas, she made a huge punch bowl of eggnog. It was the best eggnog I have ever had. It had a ton of liquor in it and whipped cream clouds floating all over the top. I drank several glasses, but realizing it was strong stuff, sipped them slowly.

My poor mother did not realize the strength of the eggnog. She really liked it- A LOT. Now, let me tell you that Mom was no teetotaler. She enjoyed a drink now and then. She even had a few favorites such as shandies, Campari and bitters, sweet wines, pina coladas, frozen daiquiris, margaritas and cold duck. But, in my entire life time, I never once saw her even buzzed. That is, until that Christmas.

By the time we gathered in the dining room with its beautiful china and crystal place settings, Mom was lit up. She kept fanning herself and saying how warm it was. It was downright cute. She reminded me of Lucille Ball in that hilarious scene from Yours, Mine, and Ours. She never got out of hand or did anything to embarrass herself. She just enjoyed Christmas Day happily smashed!

Somehow, that event came up in our conversation last weekend while we were in St. Louis. A day or so later, Rachel and I went down into her Aunt Mildred's basement to look at some boxes. We found several of Jane's photo albums that were based on our family. One was all about our oldest, Joshua. One was all about our youngest, Jared. Another seemed to chronicle the early years of Rachel and my marriage. While flipping through it, I came across the photo below. Coincidentally, it shows Mom, Goose, and Goose's mother standing near that wicked bowl of eggnog! Goose is grating nutmeg into Mom's cup. Now, I can't tell you whether it is her first or fourth cup. Cheers!