Good, Grief!

It's been a wild bunch of days around here! First, thanksgiving, then the immediate move into Christmas, something I can never understand. I have to agree with Squanto on the Peanuts tv special: "The Mayflower Voyagers" 'There are some customs I am still not aquainted with.' You'd think that would be a celebration worth a few days, but Christmas has to get closer every year. We're not even out of November yet, and people are running each other down in the stores. Literally! We've had three or four deaths on what has come to be known as "Black Friday." You know, you have to feel for people like that that have to get the latest gadget, so much so that they trample other people in the stores. The good thing about this is that my dad brings home the latest Christmas cd's, and I can burn them to my computer. My favorites are the Trans- Siberian Orchestra, and the Manheim Steimroller.
My dad's birthday is today. I purchased some race tickets at the Texas Motor Speedway a few weeks ago, and gave them to him as a gift, belated of course. The race is in April. I don't mean to be tootin' my own horn, but it's the first time I've done anything like this.
We decorated the tree today. It hardly seems like a year has passed since we last did this. Well, thank goodness for the four- day Thanksgiving break. It more or less ushered in the start of Christmas which is now 25 days away.
In the middle of your hustle and bustle this Christmas '08, don't forget to stop and ponder the reason for the season:

Charlie Brown: (shouting in desperation) Isn't there anyone out there who can tell me what Christmas is all about?
Linus Van Pelt: Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you. Lights, please. [a spotlight shines on Linus]
Linus Van Pelt: "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the lord shone round about them, and they were so afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you this day is born in the City of Bethlehem, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men'". That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.- A Charlie Brown Christmas

Garfield: All right, you guys, just permit me one sentimental moment here. I have something to say: Christmas. It's not the giving, it's not the getting, it's the loving.- A Garfield Christmas