The Legend-News

The Longest Night
In case you hadn't noticed, the winter solstice occurs this week, on 22 December, the longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere. And there's a full moon, too. So this Wednesday night, stand outside in your yard, freeze your butt, and admire the sky. Then go inside and have something hot to drink.

With the exception of ListBot shirking its duty again -- I'm moving the Other Wild Places list, I swear -- nothing's been happening. Out in back of my house, only a quarter of the pond is ice-free, but that seems to be enough space for the few geese that are visiting.

And on Saturday, well, you know what that is. If the guy breaking into your home is wearing red and white, don't shoot.

From the staff of TechRen Enterprises -- all five of us -- Merry Christmas.

Song A’ Th’ Week
It's funny. With all of the hyperbole about Christmas, you'd think that people would be slowing down and stopping to smell the roses. (Okay, so roses are rare in winter.) Travelling to see family and friends, or just spending some 'quality time' at home.

But it never seems to work out that way. Instead of relaxing, you're rushing mall to mall, trying to find a gift for the one person that you almost forgot about. Or you're coming home from work, dashing through dinner and then over to the church for caroling practice. Some peaceful season, eh?

A hint: Christmas is not about gifts; you don't need to bankrupt yourself just to please some brat-in-law that you can't stand. Christmas is not about producing a show for the neighbors; they can entertain themselves without you. Christmas does not require a tree in your house. Christmas is about family. Spending time together doesn't require a high-limit credit card.

Sing Silent Night

(C.W. McCall, Bill Fries, Chip Davis)
From the album Rubber Duck.