For us, in the U.S., it is official.

The feast of the the Great Turkey has passed, fading into fond memories of the glorious repast and its many flavorful sides and trimmings. Carefully stored, the leftovers remain to help us happily through this first Holiday weekend.

As if by the ringing of a bell, throngs of shoppers threw off their aprons and rushed out last evening and early this morning to be the first in line for the blue lights specials that litter the aisles of Black Friday, the start of the annual migration of monies to merchants and vendors for toys, wearings and sweet treatings to share with others.

And, in the early dark last night, the sparkling, many colored neighborhood lights lining windows, doorways, walkways and roofs switched on to the cheering and waving of fans in cars cruising from meal munchings to shopping mayhems.

Christmas is upon us and we are none the more prepared than last year but all the more excited.

To ease you through this lingering Thanksgiving weekend of eating, malling and resting from meals enjoyed and acquisitions prized, packaged and placed beneath the colorful trees popping up in living, dining and den rooms all over towns, “The Goose and the Gander” are honking and pecking their applause and support on the Home page.

Please take a break, come in from the cold and join the geese, dogs, family and friends as we all welcome this bright, colorful and warm season of the year.

Have a fun and successful weekend and enjoy the lights,

Grandpa Jim