It's the Christmas season. I suppose that I should capitalize it, the way it is done in old-time writing: The Christmas Season. However, I don't feel very 'Christmassy'.

I wrote in my other blog that it was the weather (it's been pretty warm here... more swimming weather than sledding weather), but I have to admit that the rampant commercialism has begun to fray my nerves.

Christmas music on the radio beginning November 1(!!).

Christmas merchandising that begins before the Halloween stuff has gone on clearance.

Frenzied parents, dashing here and there to get the latest 'hot' toys for their children.

I've seen very little of the peace that Christmas is supposed to represent.

I feel sad when I see the frentic pace. Our family doesn't participate in all that, we just stay home and enjoy a good meal, and spend time with one another after exchanging gifts (which are pretty simple - my children know: If it needs batteries, fuggetaboutit!).

Everyone who knows us knows not to get us anything. Be nice to us during the year, save your money. The best gift that you can give is affection, not stuff.

You know who loves you - and not because they got you something expensive for Christmas.

It is the day-to-day decisions that are made that build a relationship that tell you how someone feels about you, not a $50 planner.

Don't get me wrong, gifts are nice, but it takes something away from it for the gift to be mandatory... kind of like an invoice.

I don't really like bills. I struggle to have the right attitude about them; and it doesn't matter - even though I have the money to pay them, I still don't like them.

So you can imagine the difficulty that I have with mandatory gifts. Bleh! ['You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch' music playing here]

But I love the decorations, the food, the get togethers, and taking the time to spend with people that we haven't had time for all year.

I don't know... am I missing the point?