Feeling good today after time with friends, and time and music with friends earlier in the week. Today I had the gift of a slightly long ride with a truly musical fellow, and we mostly just played CDs and really listened to them. Most people start yapping halfway through the first song.

I'll be honest, the holidays have been annoying to me for quite a few years, since the wonderful big-family get-togethers of yesteryear have gone away. This year I don't expect much, but I will get some get- togethers with music and homemade singing, and I love that, so much better than some avalanche of presents and hurricane of baking and cooking. Let us be merry in whatever way we can.