This is what Advent Calendars are for, and all the other things that help us count down the time until the season begins. It’s a multi-cultural season these days and becoming globally generic. We have Hanukah trees now, and for many people SC has displaced or doubles for JC. There are other, multiple contenders for SC, not so much for the One whose birthday we celebrate.

In Iceland the 13 Yule Lads, who used to be wicked, not merely mischievous but thieving, greedy and not too safe to be around, are now considered to be an overage group of Santas. I am told that It is a custom in Iceland for children to put their shoes - one shoe per child- on a window sill, starting on the eve of December 12 , in anticipation of a gift of candy or some little toy —nightly until Big C Day.

There’s still lots of time. Look up the Yule Lads (Jólasveinar) while you wait. You’ll find, if you don’t already know, what each of them, in order, is known for: pot-licking, spoon-licking, door-slamming, skyr-gobbling, and other nastier habits. They’re trolls, of course.

But Yule enjoy them.

Do you all know about Seasonal Affective Disorder? We, no—I—am in the midst of it right now, heading for the shortest (darkest) day of the year.

People denigrate Winnipeg because it’s so cold but they don’t look any further. Yes, it’s cold but it’s also bright.

I miss Winnipeg sunshine.

More anon. I have to swim now. Habit is returning.

But my muscles are taking a little longer. I was stiff yesterday afternoon because I do exercises in the pool as well. I’m past my due date.

That’s why I bought a Light—to be used in the dark of early morning to fool my brain into thinking—what?—that there’s no winter? Hah! That I’m in Florida? Nope. That it’s summer? Not likely. Well, just that for the thirty minutes I sit in front of the light, all’s right with my world. It helps.

A bit.