Classic Style

  L et's hope 2021 is a damn sight better for everyone than 2020.  In the meantime, how about continuing to work consciously and conscientiously to improve our grooming  and attire as well as our attitudes and daily behavior, eh guys?  Looking around, many of us desperately need to do so.  So, how about making 2021 THE year to begin that journey? -- Heinz-Ulrich

  F rom all of us to all of you, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the von Boffke family. -- Heinz-Ulrich

  Sporting new specs and almost 20 pound of weight loss since the end of September.  Everything fits better!   V ery few selfie photos here lately of yours truly, but after snapping a quick photograph of my new glasses to share with my sister and step-father, our son, The Young Master, suggested I share one here too.   No tailored clothing today I'm afraid.  Classes for the semester ended last Friday, and I've taught asynchronous online from home since late August anyway, suiting up only for twice weekly office hours and brief weekly videos.   The attire shown above is pretty standard at home wear for the colder months, which is to say a tucked in flannel shirt (or rugby jersey), corduroy jeans (a rather orange-cinnamon-nutmeg shade today), chocolate suede camp moccasins sans socks, and a surcingle belt.   Casual and comfortable without straying into slob territory.  Hey, what if I must answer the door, walk to the mailbox, or pick up a gallon of milk at the super market?  Oh,

    S ince we are now firmly into the annual depths of the so called season of giving, it's important to remember a couple of points impressed on yours truly during my formative years by now late parents and maternal grandparents.   One, if you are invited to a holiday party or open house -- assuming you choose to throw continued social distancing and caution completely to the wind in late 2020 -- do not show up empty handed.  Too many do now. . .  typically along with extras in tow whose names were not included on the invitation.  Show a token bit of appreciation and respect for Pete's sake.  At the very least, bring a bottle or two of wine, or a seasonal flower arrangement as a host or hostess gift if someone has been kind enough to include you on the guest list.  Two, put a little planning and forethought into whatever gift(s) you might purchase for your spouse, partner, significant other, boyfriend, girlfriend, main squeeze, or whatever the preferred term is in 2020.  Noth