It hardly feels like Christmas coming. The weather is wintry enough for me; but otherwise it doesn\’t really seem like holiday time.

We all know the biggest reason for that: that notorious virus. Among other things, COVID-19 makes gatherings precarious. On December 25 I usually join the folks who lived down the block from my family when we were kids. This year, I don\’t quite dare.

Online shopping is another way in which it doesn\’t seem like any special day is on the calendar. Whether it\’s Christmas coming; or someone\’s birthday; or an anniversary, there\’s something cold and impersonal about buying gifts online. Children\’s tricycles; special goodies; just about anything we want to find, we don\’t have to go to a brick-and-mortar store. The excitement of looking for that special something gets lost.

Shipping gifts halfway across the country is a very different thing from tucking wrapped presents under a Tree. The sense of anticipation for unwrapping gifts with family simply isn\’t there. Besides, when we have to ship everything, most of us must put limits on the size and/or weight of each item.

My front room is so cold that I stay out of it as much as I can. It\’s tolerable for indoor riding, when the activity will warm me up; but even if I had room for it, a Christmas tree wouldn\’t be much fun. Not if I have to bundle up to go sit next to it!

I\’m now on holiday break; and don\’t have to return to work until January 4, 2021. It looks like the weather will be clear on the 21st, and hope to see the \”kiss\” in the sky. That would be a great Christmas gift!