For the record the remarkable picture that's the cover for this post was not taken by me.  Yes, it's my old house with my old Christmas tree.  But this was not staged by me, I need to give credit where it is due. Windy took this pic, and I get to use it.  She's good at that type of thing, very detail oriented.  And I like that. A couple of years ago, and for many years before that, my house would look nothing like that at the holidays.  - Nothing!  But things are better now.

As we all get ready for Thanksgiving and the Holidays, I am here to say I am far more ready for them this year than I have been in many years.  I learned over many, many years that when things are not really right in your overall personal life, the holidays are something you "get through" as opposed to really enjoying.  My professional life has always been good and fullfilling, but you gotta go home sometime and that was the tough part. I have always loved being with my friends and thier families over the years during the holidays, and I am eternally thankful to them for that.  Many friends in many different cities and states.

But last year, and now this year, I am really looking forward to this time of year. Things are different now.  I see this time of the year seemingly out of brand new eyes.  And even though I'm not a fan of the weather right now, that's nothing a golf trip to Florida in February for Superbowl weekend won't take care of. Plus a couple other jaunts Windy and I have planned.  I am ready for the lights, the food, the nights by the fire and a happiness that I have simply heard about, saw at a friends house, or in a smatlzy holiday movie on AMC.

Hope To See You At The Akron Zoo Wild Lights - Next Week!

Understanding that many can find this time of the year difficult, I will be thinking of you.  Better days and times are ahead, and I am living proof. 

I waded through the same waters, and there is a shore on the other side.