Green Christmas

You all know the song "White Christmas." The first couple of lyrics go something like this: "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know." Living where I live, a white Christmas always seems to be a guarentee with the amount of snow we get. I can only rememeber one instance where we had green grass on Christmas day, and that was in 1994 (I even took video of that Christmas with the lack of snow). With only a couple of days left until Christmas day, it is beginning to look more and more likely that 2006 will also be another year without snow on Christmas day. Yes, Christmas isn't the same without any snow, but seeing that green Christmases are so rare around here, it's kind of a neat thing to experience which is why I'm not dreaming of a white Christmas this year.

I must admit, I have been annoyed by many of the local people, particularly those in the media, who are hoping for a white Christmas. Give me a break, people. There have been many winters where we've seen snow on the ground for five or six months, and this year, where we have green grass showing well into December and people are hoping that it snows for Christmas. Yes, I realize that tourism is suffering because of the lack of snow and Christmas doesn't have the same feeling without snow. But all it takes is one good snow storm to change things in a hurry. We still have a good three months left of winter where we could get pounded and have an above normal snowfall for the year. Believe me, I've seen it. Winter certainly isn't over yet. It's just off to a much slower start, and I'm enjoying it. Please, I'm much rather be driving on wet, clear roads than sloppy, slick, and slushy roads. At least I'm safe going to and from work. And with the slow start to winter, that means spring is that much closer. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. :-)

I am not sure if I will be able to write a blog between now and Christmas day. So I just want to wish all of my friends, family, and all blog readers out there a very Merry Christmas. Christmas is definitely the most wonderful time of the year and it often times is left in the commericalized dust. But don't forget to remember those that count in your life this time of year, including your loved ones. Sure, the gifts maybe nice but what really should matters is being together and enjoying the laughs, the conversation, and being together. I know there is family that I just don't get to see very often any more and it's sad. That's why I try to relish those opportunities to be with them as much as I can. You just don't know how much time we have left to be all together. And even though I'll end up working Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, I still won't forget those that matter to me.

Christmas sure is different from when I was little to what it is now. It seems like Christmas lasted much longer than compared to now. We enjoyed the holidays in school and held Christmas parties, gatherings, bazaars, Christmas programs, plays, etc. As soon as you graduate from school, you don't have those same experiences anymore, and I think it makes Christmas go by so much quicker. And when you work a steady schedule, you just don't have as much time off to celebrate the holidays. Yes, I do have three days off after Christmas, but it's pretty much after the fact. Christmas starts right after Halloween, but that whole time in between sure seems like a blur once it's all over. And in just a couple of days, it will be over for another year.

So once again, Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight! :-P