"Well, it's my sister's turn to host Christmas dinner this year. So we'd be going to her house-- her name is Kathy. She's not married, but she teaches home ec at the high school so she does a lot of cooking."

Kathy was the best cook of the family, really. Maxine could make a serviceable meal, but Kathy's food took the proverbial cake. "And my brother Tim and his wife Alice and their two kids, Timmy and Mikey will be there. My nephews. They're great."

She smiled. "And then I usually stop by Joe's little sister's house, and visit her and her husband and my niece Patty- she's adorable. Just turned two."