When Life Gives You Lemons in December:

Ah, the age-old saying, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." It's a phrase we've all heard countless times, and usually, it's just a platitude to uplift us in times of hardship. But what happens when life decides to throw lemons your way just five days before Christmas? Well, dear reader, let me share my personal story of slipping on those metaphorical lemon peels this fine December 20th early morning and how I've managed to turn a sprained ankle into a refreshing glass of lemonade.

My Unfortunate Encounter: Picture this: the sun barely peeking through the chilly December morning, and me, in my not-so-graceful moment, twisting my ankle just as I was stepping out the door. A flail of arms, and a sudden thud later, there I was, cussing up a storm, ankle throbbing in pain, seeing stars and about to pass out with dreams of a cozy holiday season slightly derailed. All caught on camera!! Yay Me !!!!

The Lemonade Recipe:

1. Festive Netflix Binge:

   • When life hands you a sprained ankle, it's the universe's way of telling you to take it easy. What better time to catch up on all those holiday movies you've been meaning to watch? Popcorn, cozy blanket, and the entire collection of cheesy Christmas Lifetime TV shows – consider it therapy for both body and soul.

2. Uber Eats Extravaganza:

   • With mobility temporarily limited, culinary adventures become a bit tricky. Enter the beauty of food delivery apps. Turn your kitchen into a culinary hub by ordering a feast of your favorite dishes. No stress, no mess – just delicious indulgence while your ankle gets the pampering it deserves.

3. The Gift of Pampering:

   • Forced to slow down, I've come to appreciate the simple joys of self-care. A sprained ankle calls for a spa day, complete with soothing foot soaks, comfy socks, and a good book. Who knew a little inconvenience could lead to such relaxation?

4. Creative Gift Wrapping:

   • Being laid up isn't a roadblock; it's an opportunity for creativity. Embrace the challenge of gift wrapping with one foot elevated. Who knew a sprained ankle could add a touch of whimsy to the holiday presents?

Conclusion: So, there you have it – a sprained ankle five days before Christmas transformed into a delightful glass of lemonade. Life may throw unexpected twists our way, but with a dash of humor, a sprinkle of creativity, and a whole lot of positive attitude, we can turn even the most inconvenient lemons into a sweet, refreshing beverage. Here's to a holiday season filled with laughter, joy, and a few unexpected slip-ups along the way! Cheers! ~RS

Good afternoon. It's Wednesday, Dec. 20, and we're covering conflict in a key international trade route, a settlement in an antitrust case, and much more

Business & Markets

> US stock markets close higher (S&P 500 +0.6%, Dow +0.7%, Nasdaq +0.7%), with S&P 500 0.6% away from surpassing its record close in January 2022 (More)   

> US court orders cryptocurrency trading giant Binance and former CEO Changpeng Zhao to pay $2.7B and $150M, respectively, to the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission to settle money-laundering probe (More)

Politics & World Affairs

Colorado Supreme Court disqualifies former President Donald Trump from state’s GOP primary ballot, citing 14th Amendment clause barring those supporting government uprising; decision stayed until Jan. 4 to allow US Supreme Court appeal (More) | Read the ruling (More)

 Lava flows from a Monday night eruption on Iceland's Reykjanes peninsula currently moving away from nearby town, smoke plumes unlikely to disrupt air traffic (More) | See photos (More)

 Senate negotiators say package combining Ukraine aid with US-Mexico border security measures unlikely to pass before end of year (More)

 Immigration groups, El Paso county sue Texas over new law allowing local police to arrest and deport migrants accused of entering the country illegally (More)

In Other News

1.A new California law, going into effect next year, allows employees to take leave following a reproductive loss, such as a miscarriage.

2.The State Department announced that passport application wait times are finally back to normal following several years of backlogs and “unprecedented” demand.

3.Ireland might become the first country in the European Union to grant constitutional rights to nature.