Pam Stone

Now, as a columnist, as when I hosted my radio show, one cannot commit ‘payola'—meaning, one cannot proclaim a certain product or company to be superior, hoping to gain a kickback in perks or cash. Only politicians can. Ask Qatar.

You have horses, so I'm hoping you can help me understand my wife's hobby. She used to ride as a kid until she went to college, and now, as an empty nester, she bought herself a horse. I didn't think that much about it; I like animals. She paid for it and ridden it across town, but now I swear she'd rather hang out at that barn all day instead of home with me.

As I have inadvertently caused many of you to be as amped up as a Jack Russell trembling at the sight of a squirrel, I have changed tactics this week on my holiday food ‘must haves.' But I do stand by my early Christmas stollen treats and it's not my fault if any of you decided to devour them in one sitting.

Dear Aunty Pam, It's that time of year again that I don't look forward to at all. The place where I work does Secret Santa every year, and I just dread it.

Here's a warning for those of you looking forward to becoming grandparents next year…

I've just come home from visiting my daughter and three-year-old grandson and am so hurt that I've been in tears all morning.

It's fair to say I have an affinity for ancient appliances and the environment. This means, in practical terms, that I am loathe to discard a fridge, iron, or eggbeater just because, with age, it begins to display a few hiccups.

Hey Aunty Pam, It's that time of year again. I've written to you before and am writing again because my husband and I are having our annual fight over the Christmas tree.

Here we are with the holidays upon us and Christmas music, generally secular, surrounds us as we shop, entertain, and attend the obligatory office party. This year, Hanukkah also begins on December 25th, but except for Adam Sandler's ‘The Chanukah Song,' we rarely hear any selections from the Festival of Lights, although there are many from which to choose: Ma'oz Tzur, Oh Hanukkah, and a personal favorite of mine from Peter, Paul and Mary, ‘Light One Candle.'

You know how it is around the holidays, the little stocking stuffers that friends and colleagues sweetly leave: the festive mug filled with a pouch of gourmet hot cocoa mix on your desk, the Christmas cactus on your front porch, the trough of Prosecco—sorry, too much information. I'm quite happy with a single bottle.