Woa. Content in this group has sure gone to heck. Maybe we should
start labeling the stuff that is *on* topic rather than off. :-)

Must be December.......

Boating related seasonal greetings follow:

*************************

Fa, la, la, la; la, la, la, la, la


It's "that most wonderful time of the year," again. People who adhere
to a surprising variety of religious traditions will observe a period
of reflection and/or celebration as we approach the winter solstice.
Nearly everyone will be happy to finally "turn the corner" toward the
slightly warmer and longer days of late winter and early spring. With
the secular additions of magic elves, flying reindeer, and dancing
snowmen- the holiday season can be enjoyed by the non-religious as
well.

Diverse as our individual philosophies and theologies might be, during
the December holidays we tend to huddle around a figurative community
fire in a spirit of brotherhood not easily replicated during the other
11 months of the year. Call it what you will, ("Holiday Magic," or
"The Christmas Spirit,") there is no doubt that during the last few
weeks of the year we are brought closer together by our common
humanity. In the midst of the shortest and darkest days and with the
end of the year approaching, we have established this common season
for celebrating Light and beginning afresh.

When this issue is first distributed, the Seafair Holiday Cruise will
have just concluded and many of the lighted boat parades will be ready
to commence. For those of us who are lucky enough to be able to host
the developmentally disadvantaged during the Seafair ("Special
People's") Cruise, one of the most rewarding moments of the year will
be fresh in mind. Jan and I have long felt that the Christmas season
officially starts with this event. We seldom receive a material gift
that brings as much joy as the act of unselfish giving to this
community of people who struggle to imagine anything as magnificent as
a boat ride across Lake Washington. What is commonplace for us can be
almost miraculous for others.

Boaters in many locations will participate in lighted boat parades.
Our shore-bound neighbors will crowd the docks and beaches throughout
the Pacific NW to enjoy the dazzling display. Much like the Seafair
Holiday Cruise, a lighted boat parade is a gift from boaters to the
local community. There is as much or more joy to be gleaned from
participating in the delivery of the gift as in watching an amazing
spectacle of lights cruise across a cold, black seascape.

December is a wonderful time for a weekend cruise. Some of the
waterfront villages and towns surrounding our local waters offer a
refreshing alternative for holiday shopping. Why elbow through throngs
of bargain hunters at the warehouse store or shopping mall to compete
for the last "Tickle Me" doll or other over-hyped knick knack du jour?
Pacific NW artisans offer quality, locally handmade goods in shops
surrounding most of our regional marinas. Waters will be surprisingly
uncrowded, even though most weekends the weather is no worse than
typically encountered in fall or spring. With a source of cabin heat
and once fortified with a steaming cup of coffee or cocoa, a December
overnight cruise can be one of the most memorable excursions of the
year. No one should set out in dangerous conditions, but defying the
imaginary grip of the calendar is a form of high celebration. This is
the time for insisting that darkness will not prevail.

So regardless of your personal approach to the seasonal holiday,
everyone here at [name of publication deleted] wishes you a safe,
happy, and fulfilling experience. May the joys of giving and
receiving, caring and sharing, and linking up with beloved friends and
family be yours.

(December is also a great time for catching up on some periodic
maintenance. No one walking by "Indulgence" should be entirely
surprised to hear an aging Santa-esque ogre croaking, "Swab the soles
of teak and holly, fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la la...")