December

It's the "I've forgotten what it feels like to be warm" time of the year.

It's the dry skin time of the year.

It's the chapped hands time of the year.

It's the runny nose time of the year.

It's the shovel-your-driveway time of the year.

It's the find-presents-for-everyone time of the year.

It's the good-luck-trying-to-find-a-parking-space-anywhere time of the year.

It's the fruitcake-in-the-mail-from-distant-relatives time of the year.

It's the play-Sleigh-Ride-in-concerts-every-weekend time of the year.

It's the finals, papers, and juries time of the year.

It's possibly the most stressful time of the year...

And yet still there seems to be a consensus - which I certainly share - that it's "the most wonderful time of the year."



Because, you see, it's the family and friends time of the year.

It's the curl up on the couch with a mug of hot tea time of the year.

It's the Christmas cookie time of the year.

It's the deck-the-halls-and-trim-the-tree time of the year.

It's the wrapping-gifts-for-those-you-love time of the year.

It's the music everywhere time of the year.

It's the Glory to the Newborn King time of the year.

[And playing Sleigh Ride for the millionth time? It's really not so bad.]