January 30th 1993
We had a quiet little Christmas this year. There was only a day of snow this season and it was several days before Christmas Day. Maris, quite more festive this year than she normally is, purchased a snow cone machine and had the gardeners crank out shaved ice to pack along the walkway to resemble snow. I felt sorry for them. They received arm cramps from cranking that little ice shaver.
We rang in the new year with a soiree at our house. It was composed mostly of Maris' friends which made it especially difficult when she retired to her bed early from exhaustion of watching the servants catering to the door as the guests arrived.
Speaking of gardeners, it was our gardener's birthday last week. Yoshi turned 38. Although Maris wanted to go with a more practical gift, I didn't think a new pair of shears would do. Dad suggested something called a "Chia Pet", which to this day, I have no idea what that is, let alone what a "Chia" eats and if it can be house broken. Instead, I purchased a Bonsai tree for him. He was so proud of it. He said that he would put it on the back of his lavatory tank to remind him of us at all times.