"Saturday, in the park. Think it was the fourth of July"

(Chicago sang that, remember?)

Okay, since I KNOW you’re all dying to know... Yes, we managed to get in a round of golf today. And our Victoria, TX, public golf coures is located in Riverside Park. Hence my post title.

There. I hope you all feel better now, knowing. The sky remained cloudy and dreary all day, but there was no rain. Also very little wind, so the 60 degree temperature didn’t feel bad. Especially after the 40 of yesterday. Tomorrow should be sunny and even a bit warmer.

Well. Now you’re all caught up on the weather and our activities. So, what shall we discuss in this post? (Notice my use of the “royal we” in that sentence? I’m feeling very regal this afternoon. More regal than ducal. Hmmm. "Ducal." Is that a word? It sounded good when I thought of it. Oh well, if it’s not I’m sure my eagle-eyed daughter Joy Christina will call me on it.)

Everyone’s favorite question these days seems to be, “So, are you ready for Christmas?” How does one get “ready for Christmas?” I suppose they mean, “Are all of your gifts bought, wrapped, and delivered? And, are your arrangements made to get together with family and friends during the next three to four weeks for dinners and parties and fun times?”

If that’s what they mean, the answer is “NO.”

MOST of my gifts are bought (some were delivered directly to the recipients), but none are wrapped. We have NO party plans, and little family gathering plans. Some years, that’s just the way things go.

But if they meant, “Are you ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus?” well, yes and no. Carol and I are ALWAYS ready to celebrate various aspects of our Christian faith. And we’re not hung up on things like whether or not a Christmas tree is a pagan symbol (who cares?) and whether or not Santa in his red suit is Satanic (give me a break!). But neither do we wait for a particular day of the year to acknowledge the things we believe.

All of that said, my answer to the question “Are you ready for Christmas?” is almost always, “Yes.” I’m ready for the attitude of giving and sharing that accompanies the season. I’m ready for a few extra days off from work. I’m ready for the symbols of this season and the decorations, pagan or not. Christmas is (or is supposed to be) a joyous time and a time to be tolerant of others who may have different beliefs or values.

And I’m always ready for that. I hope you are, too.

Happy Saturday. Hope yours was as good as mine!