Merry Christmas!

      Here's the happiest and best of Christmas -- and other holiday -- wishes to you and yours, 

      As ever, I will gratefully accept (and return) whatever sort of seasonal good wishes you are comfortable sharing.  Practically every religion and culture has some kind of holiday on or about the longest night of the year (or shortest, for those of you on the other side of the Equator).  Parts of the planet that get serious winter weather have well-established traditions and rituals.  Nearly all of them include sharing hopes for a pleasant winter and year to follow, and only the meanest of souls would reject such an offering.

      Happy holidays is among the most inclusive sentiments, for all that some people get grumpy about it.  I don't care where, how or if you worship; I just want to wish you well.