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Well, here’s to the weirdest time of the year, that week in between Christmas and New Years.  That week where nobody’s working, even if they’re supposed to be, and nothing really gets done.  Christmas is over, but there’s still one more holiday left before everything goes back in the attic.  It doesn’t really feel right to have Christmas music still playing, but it hurts to put Frank, Bing, and Dean back in the closet till November.  Let ‘em stay a few days longer and treat us to some Christmas crooning.

Those who have relatives staying for the holidays may have reached that point where conversation has gotten thin and tends to run towards topics that happened years ago, yet were never completely resolved and there may be additional, unplanned trips to the liquor store needed.  

Or, perhaps you’re getting ready for that New Year’s Eve party.  Relatives may not have been at your house for Christmas, but they’ll be there for the party.  Last year the tree went up in flames because Uncle Del got too close to the tree with the cigar you asked him not to smoke in the house.  When the tree went up in flames, it was because, “You obviously didn’t keep the thing watered like you should have.”

You may be debating whether to play that game at the New Year’s party where you attempt to keep the balloon up in the air by separating guests into teams.  But then you remember that whatever team your niece, Dedra, is on always wins.  “No one blows like that woman,” Rusty said last year, slurring his words.

One thing’s for sure.  Home for the Holidays will be a blog tradition at Christmas in the future.  Folks seem to enjoy the series like a Perry Como Christmas album or a favorite Christmas movie.  Something for everyone, just like Lucinda speculated.  And a big thanks to those of you who saw fit to donate to the cause at the conclusion of the story on Christmas morning.

HairlessB29 even dropped by the CMC World Headquarters above the Ben Franklin and dropped off a gift.  Imagine my surprise when Becky downstairs let me know there was a box downstairs with my name on it and it was from Bring a Trailer!  Turns out it was a die cast BaT Limited Edition 1972 Chevrolet K10 Tow Rig and Trailer Combo with a 1960 Ford on the trailer.  Just when you think it can’t get any better . . . BAM!  It looks great on my desk and provides inspiration when cranking out a new story every day. The Bald Bomber does his best to make everyone think he’s a cold, heartless bastard, immune to human emotions. But then, out of the blue, he’ll drop the most thoughtful gift on you that shows his true spirit. I needed a moment after opening the whole thing and getting it set up to enjoy, as my allergies suddenly kicked in.

(If you know where I can get a pair of 1:18 scale fender skirts for a 1960 Ford, let me know in the comments below.)

Speaking of stories, I was amazed at the proliferation of comments and memories generated by the story on the Jeep Cherokee I bought in ‘94.  I had no idea there were so many followers of the blog out there who had also fallen under the spell of that particular model.  Seems to have had an almost universal appeal, not unlike Home for the Holidays.

The 600th CMC blog story will be posted on Tuesday. Who’d a thought?  It will be the first story of a trilogy that I think you might enjoy, Bad Choices Make Good Stories.  Believe it or not, it’s based on fact.  “Truth is stranger than fiction,” Lucinda likes to say.  Sister Thelma says “It’s hard to say where one stops and the other one starts.”  Of course, my feeling is it doesn’t really matter, as long as the story is worth reading.  And any time you can work a Bentley Bentayga W12 Signature Edition into a story that takes place in Fort Stockton, well, it’s got to be a good one.

It’s been a good year for the blog.  Readership has doubled.  All of a sudden, I’m big in New Zealand and Italy is coming on strong. Enough people have kicked in enough donations for it to remain advertisement-free. The stories have been read over a quarter of a million times.  But, of course, the things I’m most grateful for, as are you who enjoy the blog I’m sure, are the kids and grandkids who you got to see throughout the year, a little time in the barn or garage with an old car that brings a smile to your face (especially if it’s wearing fender skirts), and the fact that you’re able to stand up and remain vertical in the morning.  None of those things are to be taken for granted.

Happy New Year to each of you, and thanks for playing along.

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