Seasonal Reasonals to be cheer full.

I love Christmas. Well actually, I enjoy the few days leading up to Christmas. Even though I don't myself celebrate the day, I do so love all the trappings. Well, all except the rabid consumerism that seems to whirl so many people into a tizzy. What makes me feel all toasty inside are the many kind, warm wishes and courtesies people extend to one another. The kindness glows especially warm on an island where there is a strong feeling of community and where just about everyone is a Christmas celebrant, if even in the secular sense.

I went to a south-end island singalong on Monday night. About 100 people joined in for singing led by a local troubadour who has led the way for 30 years. There was hot cider -- with a little something extra for the adults and an abundance of good cheer. I stayed for about an hour and then, with my tank full, I left "the south end hippies and their kids" to sing into the night.

Every day and night the town center is reverberating with the sound of carols playing from the fire station right in the middle of it all. Anywhere you walk you hear them. There is a huge Santa coming out of the bell tower and decorations of a subtle island kind everywhere, Tigger notwithstanding.

Every person I ran into this week was cheerful. People were moving a bit faster than usual, but for someone used to city life, it still seemed very slow. And everyone I interacted with said "Merry Christmas!" with sincerity.

A long, long time ago I installed a universal translator in my ear drum. When it hears "Merry Christmas!" it uses a sophisticated algorithm and feeds my brain "I am wishing you a wonderful few days of joy and peace and good eating with people you love sometime between now and when you go back to work in January." I love to hear it and return the sentiment using the western hemisphere-biased retort "Happy New Year to you!"

For all of you, turn on your own personal translator and receive my warmest wishes for whatever it is you desire to hear. Just know I am sending it with love. Ho Ho Ho.

P.S. For dogs, Salt Spring Island is the Iran of dental work and the Thailand of sex re-assignment surgery. Next time Scout needs work, we are coming up here and saving 60%.
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