Dreary warm Christmas week

Greetings, readers. I know that the calendar says that it is Christmas week, but today the temperature is 56 degrees and tomorrow it might hit 60. Now, I know that we have global warming and El Nino, but I think 60 degrees is pushing it a bit much. It is also raining all day with grey skies. As much as I hate snow and ice, I do like a white Christmas, for it reminds me of good childhood memories. It was much colder in those days.

My girlfriend and I are going to continue the Christmas Eve lights ride tradition, which we are both looking forward to. The Zipcar rental has already been procured, and even though it might rain, at least it won’t be freezing rain. As of this moment, the light ride is a go. Other holiday traditions which I’m indulging in are the lighting of scented candles, and listening to plenty of Christmas music. Tonight, or tomorrow night, I will watch A Christmas Carol, as I always do, and, if I can find it on YouTube, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. I know I had two opportunities to see Rudolph, but they were both shown on Tuesday evenings when I’m not home.

Christmas morning, I’m going to see if there are any parades on, and then Traci and I have a full day of visiting her family. I’m looking forward to that, because I’ve not seen her sister Roni since high school; she was in my graduating class. I can just imagine all the wonderful food and pleasant conversation we’ll have.

The day after Christmas is always a downer for me because it is the beginning of what I call the dead season. Shortly after New Year’s the town’s outside decorations come down, and without leaves on the trees, the whole area looks dormant. Sometimes I suffer from my depression at this time, but I’ve already taken steps with my therapist to help me this winter. I don’t think it is going to stay warm all winter, but every warm winter day is one day closer to spring.

On January 2nd, I’m going to watch the Penn State bowl game. I was a little disappointed by how the team finished the season, but we are going bowling, and that is good for the school.  A few days after that, I think all my Christmas decorations will be taken down and boxed, and the business of the new year will begin.

I bid everybody a happy holiday season. Take care, have a good day, and happy reading.