Published on: December 23, 2022
MNB is on a holiday hiatus …
As usual at this time of year, I'm looking forward to hanging out at home with my family, having time to read (I have a stack of books, including an advance copy of the new Gray Man novel by Mark Greaney, "Burner," to work my way through), watching movies (can't wait for Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, plus my annual screening of Love, Actually is on the agenda), cooking and eating and drinking and taking long walks with the dogs and even do some jogging (albeit a little more slowly than a year ago).
I like the holidays, at least the parts that have less to do with shopping and more to do with connecting to the people and places that are important. I always like to cite "Silent Night," the last novel by Robert B. Parker; some of the last words he wrote before his untimely death pretty much capture how I feel about it:
"I liked the myth elements of Christmas. The way in which its origins reach back far beyond Jesus, to the rituals of people unknown to us. The celebration of the winter solstice. The coming of light in the darkest time. And with it the promise of spring to come and beginning again. I liked it better than Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."
Plus, I figure at some point during this break, the Mets are going to sign yet another premier player who will make the days seem warmer and brighter.
I was delinquent in getting a Christmas card together this year; here's the pic I would've used if I had been more on the ball:
I hope you have a wonderful holiday, and safe and happy New Year … stay healthy … stay warm ... and I'll see you on Monday, January 3, 2022 with a fresh supply of news and hand-crafted commentary.
Sláinte! And, Nollaig shona dhuit!
