Normalcy

Today is the 2nd of January. We're back to normal. Oh, there's still some decorations up. There's a fair amount of Christmas food and snacks hanging around the larder. I bought another fruitcake, so I'll have fruitcake until, oh, next Christmas, the way it lasts. It's the Spam of the holiday table, right?

All that said, I think that we may have the Christmas season backwards. The Polish observe Christmas through February 2nd, which is in the Church calendar Candlemas, the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. Take that, Groundhog Day.

The Polish are onto something. Before Christmas is just that: before Christmas. It hasn't come yet. We're singing carols and getting gifts wrapped and having parties and family get togethers before the actual reason for the season has occurred. We really ought to be doing those things after December 25, oughtn't we?

Ah well. Things feel like normal now, and that's okay. It's high time I tried normal anyway.

Glitz up for Groundhog Day

It's the First of February! And as I've already taken upon myself to create new holidays (remember Christmas Eve Eve? Of course you do! Well, Ron might not) I declare this Groundhog Eve. So, Happy Groundhog Eve everyone!

And it just so happens that I've developed a list of Groundhog Eve decorations, right on time for this festive occasion. Do you have you Groundhog Tree up yet? How about Groundhog garland for around the handrail of your staircase? And of course your home would not be complete without the Groundhog wreath garnishing you front door.

Just talk to me and I guarantee you'll get the best, low prices. But hurry: the money that I'm getting from that Nigerian prince won't pay itself back. Perhaps you could join me in the effort. We'll split the proceeds evenly, exactly His Highness promised to do with me.