XIV

Well folks, welcome to the final month of the year! November was non-stop mayhem and officially visitor month (11 in total + 1 monster, whee!), but it's December now, so bring it on the tinsel. This is one of my favorite months, not just because Santa's coming (SANTA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) and the Christmas season is filled with all kinds of festivities, but also because people tend to be nicer and more generous and charitable for these few weeks of the year. Peace on earth, goodwill to men!

Also, Christmas trees. And little brothers. And plaid pajama pants. (Which I wore all day today...hooray for R&R!)

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

(Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1867)

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day / Their old familiar carols play
And wild and sweet the words repeat / Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come / The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song / Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head: / "There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song / Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: / "God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail / With peace on earth, good will to men."

Till, ringing singing, on its way / The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime / Of peace on earth, good will to men!

Love, Howland