Season's gleanings

Janie -- the former Janie Loomis, whom Robert took to the prom in the Dark Ages -- came over for dinner the other night, along with Paul the audio guy and his partner Steve, who's the head of gay tourism here, and Robert thought we should have a seasonal centerpiece.

So instead of flowers, we went over to MARC, where they'd just sold the last of their 1,800 trees, and pulled a few huge remnants from the trash pile. Then on to Albertson's for fresh fruit and nuts. Then Ben Franklin for some little skewers. Then home to the drill, to get a few dozen nuts ready for sticking.

And a few hours later, voila. Martha Stewart, eat your heart out.