"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try and keep it all year"
                    Charles Dickens (1812-1870)

Mid-Atlantic Regional Weather Watch:  Fair and cool (1,2,3) with rain or snow (4,5,6). Remaining fair but rather cold (7,8,9) with possibility of flurries or light rain (10,11). Fair, cold (12,13,14,15); snow in the northern region and rain in the south (16,17,18). Fair and cool again (19,20,21,22,23)with some lake effect snow, windy, and colder temperatures (24,25). Fair and cold (26,27,28,29 and cloudy not as cold (30,31).

Full moon: December's full moon will occur on Wednesday, December 2nd. Native Americans referred to December's full moon as the cold moon (for obvious reasons!) but it also has been known as the beaver moon and sometimes ice-forming moon because beavers are quite busy trying to complete their dams and lodges before winter sets in and lakes and ponds freeze over with ice.

Special Notes: This year, make an effort to volunteer at a local hospital, nursing home, or community shelter. The good will that you extend to those often forgotten during the holiday season will make them (and you!) truly feel the holiday spirit!

Holidays: Celebrate Christmas on Friday, December 25th and have a wonderful and safe New Year! Enjoy family and friend during this festive time and try to keep that joyful and giving spirit alive throughout the coming year. Enjoy some quality time with family and friends and watch a classic Christmas movie such as Miracle on 34th Street, A Christmas Carol (the 1951 version with Alistair Sim is the best), White Christmas, or the very funny, The Christmas Story (written by humorist, Jean Shepard). New Year's Eve is Thursday, December 31st. Make plans to attend a First Night Celebration and enjoy family-oriented fun, food, and entertainment on the very first night of the year. Look online at www.firstnight.com/cities and find one nearest you.

The Garden: If you can get to them, harvest any remaining root crops. Be careful not to step on the soil as that will compact it and damage its structure. Rake up all leaves and place them on a compost heap. If left on paths they become a hazard when the colder weather comes. When cutting evergreen foliage from the garden for Christmas decor, cut just above a bud. This ensures that no spurs will be left to encourage decay. Start rotating your houseplants so they get equal light on all sides.

J. Grubers' Thought for Today's Living:

"To give of yourself is perhaps the most precious gift of all"