Well, Thanksgiving is past and now Christmas is coming up -- the busiest time of all. You know, they say it's good for us senior citizens to “keep busy,” so let's get ready. There's lots to do at Christmas time!

No. 1, Christmas cards - Yes, I'm sending mine out as usual. It's that annual chance to touch base with folks near and far. Some write a family letter, others just a simple card. But they're all fun to get, as they're delivered by our faithful mailpersons.

No. 2, Christmas shopping - I know one father who takes his three young children out on Christmas Eve for this. “The stores are bustling!” he says, “and they love it. Later we wrap our gifts in the upstairs bedroom, while their mother is downstairs fixing cocoa. She puts on a great act of being very curious about the present wrapping upstairs.”

Other families do the shopping gradually - perhaps keeping an eye out during the year for likely gifts.

No. 3, Christmas baking - December finds our ovens almost overworked - with cookies, pies, cakes and turkeys being prepared. Later on comes “eating up!”

Of course there are also other holidays around this time - Hanukkah, for instance. Then comes New Year's Day - welcoming the year 2008 - wow! (Where did 2007 go?)

Well, enjoy your holidays, folks. Have fun, but don't eat too much!

Season's greeting to all!

DorothyNelson lives and

writes in Auburn