We are 12 days through December. Once the next 12 days pass, it will be Christmas Eve! On that happy note, let’s begin with the latest Thursday Rundown…

Mary – Netflix debuted “Mary” last Friday. The movie, which was released right at the start of Advent and just prior to the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, is a perfect way to prepare for Christmas. The film takes some liberties and throws in some extra action, but I was overall pleased and inspired. My prevailing thought is that “Mary” does a decent job of presenting the holiness of our Blessed Mother. When our Catholic Young Adult group became aware of the movie in early November, I think some of us were a little concerned at what direction the film would go. But as one of the wiser members of our group said, we should just be thankful that Netflix believed the story to be worth telling.

As you prepare for Christmas, make sure to watch “Mary” on Netflix.

Gift Wrapping Philosophies – One of my favorite holiday-themed blog posts I have ever written is from three years ago this month. In that entry, I contrasted the gift wrapping philosophies of Sid and I. We differ greatly when it comes to texture, design, and technique. Who has it right? Well, let’s just say it isn’t me who always gets complimented when someone observes their wrapping job.

If you can look past the baby gate we had up to keep Beau from ripping off all the ornaments on our tree, you can see presents wrapped entirely by Sid. (photo from December 2021).

Christmas Pop-Its – Throughout 2024, I have chronicled the different holiday-themed “snappers” distributed by TNT. Once reserved only for the Fourth of July, the company has made special Pop-Its for other special occasions like Valentine’s Day and Easter. Well, how could they pass on Christmas? Folks, let me introduce Exploding Reindeer Poop (as found at the Safeway right next to my house). If you buy some, just make sure not to throw them at Santa when he is coming down the chimney.

Safeway has stocked the different season TNT Pop-It’s throughout 2024. They currently have Christmas-themed “Reindeer Poop.”

SantaCon – Sloan and Beau have had a few encounters with Santa this season. It started with a Halloween meeting in October, a quick “hello” at the City of Spokane Tree Lighting at the end of November, and then a “meet and greet” at the Spokane Valley Breakfast With Santa event in early December. Which Santa pulled it off better?

The kids with a few different Santas.

DRONES – It has been a crazy week in the news with the apprehension of the UnitedHealthcare CEO murder suspect, the verdict in the Penny trial, and Bill Belichick accepting an offer to become North Carolina’s head football coach. But the story that rises to the top of pure craziness, at least in my opinion, is the drone sightings in New Jersey. Large drones have hovered over the Jersey sky since November and no one knows who they belong to or where they are coming from. Experts can’t pinpoint where they are taking off from nor where they are landing. Russia, China, Iran, U.S. Military, and even ordinary citizens have all been identified as possible backers of the drones. Although it is a fascinating mystery, I also find it a bit unnerving. I would like to know more.

These mysterious drones over Jersey are a little concerning.

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I opened my rundown with the movie “Mary.” It is worth mentioning that today is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Our Blessed Mother appeared to Juan Diego in 1531 and subsequently 10,000,000 people converted to Christianity. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us! Don’t Blink.