A woman with a diagnosis of terminal cancer mentioned it online and requested Christmas cards at the same time, expecting to get ten or fifteen. She got more than that.

In the third hour Santa Claus was here. How did we know he is the real Santa? He played the ukulele and sang songs, so of course he was.

In good news we heard of a group in India that restores bodies of water, and of a secret Santa in Idaho that gives money to people who are in need.

Rachael Shelton was in the studio, with the traditional Christmas gift of magnesium. We learned proper etiquette expected of one attending a dinner party.

Betty Reid Soskin was the oldest serving park ranger. She died yesterday. Wallace Bain still lives, but he announced his retirement.

Mark Mozena brought us space news.

Dr. Pete talked a lot about baking cookies, which does not require years of vet school to do. That was followed by the less appetizing topic of vitriol in dogs' eyes. We also heard about what treats to leave for reindeer.

In good news we heard that the Australian fellow who recently disarmed a shooter at Bondi Beach was the recipient of two and a half million dollars raised via gofundme. We learned a fellow known only as John helped catch the man who killed two people at Brown university and one at MIT. There was also a story that would probably make a good movie, of a pet that was reunited after years and many miles of separation from its family.

Alex and Rosemary had the same movie pick of the week: Is This Thing On?

We wished Phil in Sarasota a special happy birthday.

In good news we learned of a project in Australia to restore forests lost in their terrible wildfires of a few years ago. We also heard of a program to connect people with real grandmothers for chat on any topic.

Gary Shapiro reminded us of the vast body of work from Rob Reiner, discussing several of the movies he directed.

Jeff Manke participated in the annual Christmas count of birds again this year, just yesterday. We got a rundown of the results, as well as recommendations for Christmas gifts for birders or aspiring birders.

Rosemary was back in the studio today, and shared the story of her adventure in the hospital in recent days.

Operation Thunder took place in 134 countries. Many animals and animal parts were seized. Ben Burns had a lemonade stand and gave have the take to VCUM. JM Brown raised money for the natural history museum.

Jaime Smith had lots of good ideas for hors d'oeuvre, including getting them at Costco.

Gary Shapiro read Scott Brogan's book Judy Garland: The Voice of MGM. It gives a look at lots of what went on behind the scenes.

Susan O'Connor-Fraser filled in for Rosemary today. Rosemary anticipates returning tomorrow.

CNN's heros of the year includes a Chicago couple helping young people stay on the straight and narrow by growing and selling flowers, as well as a man with a corgi in a backpack who cheers up others.

Rachael told another of her serpentine-pathed stories. It began somewhere near cookie dough-induced food poisoning and meandered past her uncle dying on Christmas day, but found its way back.

John Laird's household is being terrorized by two young cats, holding his Christmas tree hostage. Of course he also spoke of the housing going up in the area and the controversy around that.

Dr. Pete taught us that when a dog's ear is irritated and it shakes its head, it is less often due to an infection and more often due to allergies, which can also be treated. We learned that dogs and cats can carry and spread the flu. We also heart about Nystagmus.

Good news was exciting. There are bunches of dinosaur footprints in Bolivia and a giant underwater wall in Brittany.

Rosemary's movie pick of the week was The King of Color, a documentary. Alex agreed, but had several picks, including multiple horror movies.

Charlie Keutman talked a little bit about bare root roses, as it is the season. He talked a lot more about Christmas gifts for gardeners, as it is that season as well.

In good news, we heard of an animal that has gone from extinct in the wild to merely endangered. That is the scimitar-horned oryx.

In more good news, Jonny Fabulous was with us in the studio. He shared music and stories with us, as he always does. He let us know he is working on a Christmas album. He's doing his annual Christmas sing-along at the Sand Bar in Capitola on the 17th. That is always fun.

Mari Segura filled in for Rosemary today. She and Jaime Smith talked of buñuelos nad champurados.

We enjoyed disco Christmas songs for the bumper music today.