I’m not quite there yet, but I’m getting there. The Sounds of the Seasons audio satellite channel helps, especially when it’s Perry Como singing “Home for the Holidays” or Bing Crosby doing “Christmas Is a-Comin’ (and the goose is getting fat).” For that matter, B.B. King’s version of “Please Be Home for Christmas” is right up there.

Getting some shopping done is bringing me along as well. I’ve done a bit in the stores, but more on line. It’s not as if the local shops are losing my business when I shop on the web, though. I’ve always shied away from crowds, especially this time of year, but when I know what I want and where to get it, I’m not afraid to wade through the humanity. I’ll do as much wading this year as any year.

The biggest factor, at least so far, in my march toward the spirit of the season is the fact that today is Friday. Tomorrow being Saturday doesn’t hurt, either. Last week was short, and I think that made this week feel that much longer. Today was quiet and productive, which kind of lets me off the hook. I might still try to work ahead over the weekend, but at least I don’t have to run in place just to catch up.

I got my first Christmas card today, and even though it was from DirecTV (and the Hallmark Channel, by some symbiotic coincidence), it still cheered me up. We don’t have snow here, but images of snowflakes and snowmen and snow angels still mean the holiday season to me. Santa still wears a fur-lined red suit even in the tropics, so why can’t I go on an imaginary sleigh ride, even though I’ve never been on a real one?