deliriouslove1970. The life & times of Gary and Denise Flanders. (Free and worth every penny. If you would like to compliment the editor, send to garytheflan@deliriouslove1970.com. If you would like to complain, call your mother.)

The third Yule Lad, Stufur or “Stubby,” became a nuisance throughout Iceland at Christmas by stealing the household pans for the delicious crust that remained on them. From the 14th to the 26th of December, his appetite was insatiable.

While this may not seem like a terrible crime, historically, pots and pans were incredibly valuable in Iceland. The country had no iron reserves or a mining industry of its own, and such goods had to be imported and were very expensive. For some impoverished families, they were the only possessions worth anything that they had.

I recently had a brief moment to watch the banal excrement that American Television puts out for children to consume during Christmas season. Boyhowdy is it ever awful. I am staying with my Icelandic friends with their imaginative ancient tale of the trolls who come down out of the volcanic mountains and roam the city causing mischief.