Only my Gulf Coast friends will get this. Long before I became a decent cook, my mom would usually have a minor – or major – depending – meltdown during Christmas because she wouldn’t ask any of us louses to help her in the kitchen. I feel her spirit chuckling close these more recent Christmases when I find myself doing the same. Me to The Partner: “All you have to do is talk to well-wishers on the phone or cue up another gruesome nature special – YOU THINK YOU COULD COME SLICE AN ONION OR DO YOU THINK THAT’S TOO MUCH TO ASK??” I couldn’t believe when I came across this photo online. Estelle never had any meltdowns, but we all knew it was right there under the surface – the fact that SHE was the real cook – Connie B just talked about it. Hell, I can talk about football, doesn’t mean I can play it. Merry Christmas everybody – Merry Christmas Connie B and Estelle – wherever you are!