Here We Are As In Olden Days

It's only Dec. 5, too early to get overly sentimental about Christmas yet. But the big day's coming! And since it is only one day -- 24 hours like any other -- we have to stretch it out by observing it way early, just so we can do it justice.

So Christmas is on my mind. The gifts. The stockings. The cherry chocolates. It's the time Baby Jesus got mad at the Wise Men: "Gold, frankincense, myrrh? What, no cherry chocolates?!" There's certain things you gotta have! And come to think of it, I haven't had a cherry chocolate yet.

The olden days traditions will soon be upon us, like in the song, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas": "Here we are as in olden days, happy golden days of yore." We see it on the old world Santas, which we have a few of. The Coca Cola style Santa is OK, good, and nice, but I prefer the ones who look like they just creeped in from an all night toy-building bash at a monastery. The old Santas look like the all-knowing, little-saying wise man, who is a wise man indeed, who eats cherry chocolates kids leave him.

I'll be hanging up my little sock. And hoping the olden days Santa doesn't leave me any sticks. I can get all the sticks I need out of the yard. And of course I don't need any. That's why they're still in the yard.

And I'm sure a few people will be stopping by, for some eggnog, coffee, and other goodies. I'll probably have to slice up a summer sausage before the season's over.

And I'm sure I have a bunch more Christmas music to listen to. Including the song mentioned. It's a forlorn thing, but optimistic, in a sort of "Forget it till New Year's" kind of way.