Deck the humbug with boughs of jolly

I've had a change of heart. That's right, MizMagee is overflowing with holiday spirit, humming Christmas carols and, with gay abandon, is flinging brightly colored wrapping paper over thoughtfully chosen gifts. Who'd have guessed?

Such was not the case back on the day after Halloween, when the best that could be said was that I was merrily snarling at the sight of the seasonal aisles at Fred Meyers which glittered in red, white and green tacky plastic Christmas kitsch, and I was left wondering whatever happened to Thanksgiving. Nor was it the case when I discovered that groups of Fairbanksans were wearing pins that said, "You may wish me a Merry Christmas." I had a sudden, deep desire to wear a pin that said, "You may wish me a Happy Holiday, but don't expect me to get all giggly about it."

But that's all changed since I attended the Tanana Valley Farmer's Market Christmas Bazaar. While ecumenical holiday music, played at a tasteful volume, floated overhead (a subliminal message I fall for every time), smiling people, clutching giant bags of carrots, bent over to inspect the handicrafts or gathered in small herds to chat with friends. There were booths of shiny beaded jewelry and warm, fuzzy hats and scarves. There were glistening baked goods studded with cranberries! And, invisible to me, there was a slight mist of holiday spirit drifting about in the air and - I breathed it! Plus, I scored a dozen local eggs, a nice fat winter squash, a big jar of honey and a bag of purple potatoes. Ho-ho-ho!

P.S. Title for the photo above is "Advent Colander." You may groan now. And did I mention I wish you a Merry Happy Holiday Solstice Kwanza Christmas Hanukka, whatever makes you dance, season? I hope its full of joy and possibly even purple potatoes!