Before complaining again, I should perhaps note the curious family demographics occurring since my last entry. In these few months my mother lost four siblings to cancer or (some kind of) dementia. There were ten in her generation; with two gone previously only four are now left. As it happens, all ten were born over a period of 15 years. My mom bore my four brothers & me in 15 years as well, which presumably made her half as "productive" as her own mother.

Anyhow I originally intended to rant against "Xmas creep." Perhaps, with challenging times, merchants become more desperate & try pushing us to shop yet earlier. Well, this may not achieve the desired results. I think a little rebellion is in order. How about a great big Bah Humbug!?!

I may have meant to suggest at some point that the holiday season could be labeled "The 30 Days of Christmas"--or, at any rate, I'd been considering it until late last year, when too much, too early, told me to go with "The Twelve Weeks of Christmas" instead.