Today’s post is a departure from the normal in that I want first of all to wish all a Merry Christmas. Second, I want to thank all that over the this year and other years have provided some of the gems that I was able to pass along. Third, I want to thank all of you that continue to access the blog – over 279,000 views to date – that provides the motivation for me to keep posting. Another, I think somewhat different stat, is that viewers have come from over 100 different countries.

In this both troubling and substantially different holiday season, Dee and I reminisced that this was the first time in over 50 years that we spent Christmas Eve alone. Generally we would have one or both of our children and one or both of our Grandson’s. We also talked about how this is a one-of and are looking forward to future holidays that will be better. To show you how different this Christmas Eve was, after attending church on-line (another holiday first-time experience) and dinner, Dee and I watched Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. Let’s face it not a typical holiday flick, but for us ABBA fans it provided just the right light-hearted touch that helped lighten our somewhat deprived feelings or to put it a better way, the other PMS – The Poor Me Syndrome.

Again, Merry Christmas and looking forward to a not only new but substantially different New Year.

Loren