Saddest weekend of the year...every year. Thats the weekend that the Christmas lights come down off the house which officially closes out my personal Christmas season. Christmas season begins for me on November 1 and I'm lucky enough to have an understanding bride who puts up with this small quirk. Of course, this late in January means football playoffs and the also rans have been sent home...now it comes down to the Carolina Panthers and the New England Patriots. My money says Patsies...

Well speaking of sporting events, that goatrope known as the democratic primary season begins tomorrow and then the Presidential election will be truly underway. Smilin' Paul plans on a quiet day commemorating my son's distant cousin, General Robert E. Lee's birthday. This weeks recipe is going to be Pancho's Planicie Libre Texas Red chili so I'll be whipping up a pot of "Texas Red" tomorrow and some refried beans. We'll get that going early on so the beans can simmer nice and long and really soak up the flavors of the chorizo and that good Nevada ground beef can absorb all the chili and seasonings while it's simmering away. Should all be done around the time the first results come in from Iowa and I can post the recipe and my commentary on the democrat ground battle for Iowa. Smart money says it doesn't matter, G.W. Bush takes Iowa in November...see y'all tomorrow...

Smilin' Paul Villa U.S. Senate 2004
cyber-Congressman, R-Reno
Proud Member of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy and 2 SUV Family