Wow -- what a response to my discussion this past Sunday (12/18) and Monday morning (12/19) about poinsettia plants and their Christmas symbolism!  As a public service, and to let everyone know where I got my info, I'm copying below the "Legend of the Poinsettia."  Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Happy Kwanza, Happy New Year . . . . and everything else I can think of to cover all the bases!

(I'll be off this coming Sunday night, Christmas Day, 12/25, and back on the air the following Sunday, New Year's Day, 1/1.  Talk with you then!)

A charming story is told of Pepita, a poor Mexican girl who had no gift to present the Christ Child at Christmas Eve Services. As Pepita walked slowly to the chapel with her cousin Pedro, her heart was filled with sadness rather than joy. "I am sure, Pepita, that even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes," said Pedro consolingly.Not knowing what else to do, Pepita knelt by the roadside and gathered a handful of common weeds, fashioning them into a small bouquet. Looking at the scraggly bunch of weeds, she felt more saddened and embarrassed than ever by the humbleness of her offering. She fought back a tear as she entered the small village chapel.As she approached the alter, she remembered Pedro's kind words: "Even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes." She felt her spirit lift as she knelt to lay the bouquet at the foot of the nativity scene.Suddenly, the bouquet of weeds burst into blooms of brilliant red, and all who saw them were certain that they had witnessed a Christmas miracle right before their eyes.From that day on, the bright red flowers were known as the Flores de Noche Buena, or Flowers of the Holy Night, for they bloomed each year during the Christmas season.  Today, the common name for this plant is the poinsettia!

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It will be a busy night tonight -- a full two hours, prior to President Bush's address to the nation, which 630 WMAL will carry live, followed by a live special edition of "Danger Zone."  We'll discuss what has obviously been a busy week, with the Iraqi elections; the President's capitulation to Sen. John McCain on the so-called "torture" bill; and the revelations that the Pentagon has been gathering information on Americans in violation of domestic spying laws -- plus the New York Times' story that we've been monitoring communications by Americans without the approval of a judge -- which is required by law.  Join me -- it will be a lively evening!

We'll have short time together this Sunday, December 11th -- WMAL will be carrying the Maryland Terrapins basketball game beginning at 7:30, so we'll only have 30 minutes.  I'll be back for the full time next week.  And remember, we've begun making my show available "On Demand" -- scroll down for the link to my page on 630WMAL.com, and follow the directions to download last week's show.