Dimon Kendrick-Holmes: Merry random thoughts

How about some random thoughts? After all, you probably have some cards you've got to sign or a gift you've got to go order online, or maybe something you've got to take out of the oven.

In other words, you might not have time for more than a random thought or two. Come to think of it, I may have to cut this off at any second. Like when somebody tries to steal my Christmas tree.

Hahahahaha.

In case you're wondering, my tree is uglier today than when I wrote about it last week. But it still smells great.

It's more likely I may have to run to take some sausage balls out of the oven. I don't generally bake, because baking is a science. (Maybe chemistry? That's a science, isn't it?) Grilling, meanwhile, is an art. At least, I keep telling myself that.

But for more than a decade, I've taken sausage balls to the newsroom because they're popular and because they make anybody look like a culinary genius. I mean, how can you go wrong with a recipe that calls for only sausage, cheddar cheese and instant biscuit dough?

Co-workers say, "Man, I've got to get your recipe!"

And I say, "It's kind of a family secret."

A secret that someone apparently discovered and put on thousands of boxes of Bisquick.

Maybe Sheriff Mike Jolley should investigate. I bring up the Harris County sheriff only to segue into another important holiday observation.

Oh, sorry, I mean Christmas observation. (I'm going to need to drive through Harris County at least a couple of times over the holidays -- I mean Christmas season.)

Anyway, I've observed lately that an awful lot of people have been wishing me "Merry Christmas" in public places. For example, in the last couple of days it's been the woman who cuts my hair, the guy behind the counter at the gas station, and a man wearing a military uniform.

And this is just to name a few.

When I hear "Merry Christmas" from somebody who doesn't know me, I wonder if that person doesn't care what I think and is wishing everybody "Merry Christmas" or if I just look like the kind of person to whom it's OK to wish that sort of thing.

Which I am, so good guess, everybody!

But one question: Since when did uttering the name of our most egregiously commercialized holiday make somebody a religious zealot?

Wait! I don't think it has.

Though while driving through north Alabama on the way home from Thanksgiving, I did see a Baptist church with "Happy Holidays" on the marquee.

Surprising, to say the least.

Speaking of organized religion, I have a word of advice for Auburn football fans.

Actually, make that two words of advice.

As you may know, the Tigers have earned a berth in the prestigious Birmingham Bowl, held at state-of-the-art Legion Field. (Sarcasm.)

First, be careful out there.

Second, I went to the Birmingham Bowl a couple of years ago, and it was a really big deal.

But that's because I'm a Vanderbilt fan, and we'll probably never go to another bowl again.

The good news, Auburn fans, is that you'll be in a much better bowl game next year. Or you'll have a whole new coaching staff.

So "Merry Christmas," "War Eagle" or salutations in the name of whomever you root for.

Dimon Kendrick-Holmes, executive editor, dkholmes@ledger-enquirer.com.

This story was originally published December 18, 2015 at 10:12 PM with the headline "Dimon Kendrick-Holmes: Merry random thoughts ."