"'Cough, cough, sniff, sniff, achoo, achoo"--this is what I've been doing all day today, that and pretty much staying covered up in my lounge chair either being cold or being hot.  This was NOT a fun day, but I think perhaps I am improving, slowly, but surely.

Obviously, I didn't get out today, and we had planned a trip to Baton Rouge to pick up a couple of items that we still need for Christmas.  Since these are for us, if we don't get them before Christmas, it's no big deal.  Maybe we'll get a chance to do that tomorrow!

In just a couple of days, we are celebrating the birthday of Jesus, born of Mary in that stable in Bethlehem more than 2000 years ago.  I wonder what HE would think of all the gift-giving that goes on at this time of the year.  Except for occasional "run-ins" of people being in too much of a hurry or bumping into one another, I think this season DOES demonstrate the love that Jesus intended.  There are more good wishes to be heard everywhere, and thank you and please are being heard everywhere as well.  It's too bad these attitudes cannot be seen or heard throughout the year.  What a wonderful gift to our Savior that would be!

Because I don't know if I'll be getting back to the computer tomorrow, I just wanted to make sure that I wishesd everyone of you a wonderful Christmas, where all the blessings of this beautiful season are yours in abundance; I pray that the New Year brings you all things good, and that health, happiness, and laughter follow you every day of your lives.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

"I doubt if there is in the world a single problem, whether social, political, or economic, which would not find ready solution if men and nations would rule their lives according to the plain teaching of the Sermon on the Mount."                           --St. Paul