Paradise Village has crossed some kind of calendar line that turns every wall and every open space into something that screams "CHRISTMAS."  Garlands are hung on every rail, and the nativity scene as big as life is set up near the front fountain, and in the small park in back of our building two deer and a white Christmas tree are supposed to make us old people remember places in our youth where there was snow and and and...  Margaret and I attended a concert in the auditorium this afternoon that featured women singing Christmas carols.  I'm worried that the reason for the season may be lost in all the decorations... but that's an old worry that won't go away when December 25th comes and goes.  The decorations are beautiful and fresh.  The figures in the nativity scene out front recall an important event in the history of the world.  The garlands are grand.

I am going to try hard to think about peace on earth during the weeks before Christmas... and I am going to appreciate the tired old palm tree on 4th Street  in front of the village... and I am going to think about peace especially for North Korea.  I am going to refuse to feel afraid even when the President goes on another rant about the people of that country and their president.