When we visited Bismarck during the first weekend in November, morning temperatures dipped into the 30s, and by 2 pm it edged up toward 70 degrees. (What to wear, what to wear...I know.)
People were out jogging in shorts and tank tops, and those who had not winterized their boats and tucked them away under a tarp in the garage were out playing on the river. Except for those keeners who were...putting up their "Christmas" lights.
Apparently (and quite wisely perhaps) folks figured that because this could be the last weekend before the cold and wind set in, and despite the fact that Old Saint Nick would not be wiggling down the chimmney for many weeks, the time was right to decorate their homes and yards with a little luminescent "Christmas" cheer.
A huge fan of the holiday myself, I thought this was cool. Why not get a head start on this happy season?
Yesterday, an editorial piece ran in the Bismarck Tribune in which a local resident asked folks very politely to Please Turn Off Your "Christmas" Lights until after we'd all given thanks at Thanksgiving.
http://www.bismarcktribune.com/news/opinion/mailbag/article_307bc15a-f3a9-11df-ae40-001cc4c002e0.html
I read his editorial with a wry grin. Not because of what the author had to say, but because the daily newspaper dared to print the word "Christmas" in a headline. And throughout the piece.
I'm one of those Seattlelites who grooves happily with our PC lexicon except in the month of December. For unto us a child is born. Unto us, a son is given. While I love and embrace the winter traditions from pagan to pentacostal, I have always winced at the greeting "happy holidays." I love Christmas and I like to say so. Sorta loudly sometimes.
It feels good that next Christmas in Bismarck, I can wish my friends a merry one. Just like that.
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