Dec 14, 2015 3 min read

That’s right, folks. Christmas is upon us. I know, I know, it doesn’t quite feel like it somehow. But the truth is, it’s only 10 days away. And not only have we not seen our first snowfall yet, but people are still mowing their grass!

At least in this part of the country, we were taught that snow is synonymous with Christmas.

So many of our classic songs are about the weather being frightful, winter wonderlands, sleds, sleighs and whatnot. But if we are waiting for that this year, Christmas might never happen. So maybe we need some updated lyrics that fit our current El Niño weather pattern to get us in the mood.

You see, I read this week that, while it may actually get cold enough to trade our flip flops for closed-toed shoes, we might not get any snow until after the New Year.

“Frosty, the snowman, went extinct in ’15. His corncob pipe and his button nose were the only things left at the scene.”

I also read this week that because of the warm weather, people purchasing real Christmas trees should check them for ticks and stinkbugs before bringing them inside. WPXI.com reported that deer ticks won’t go into hibernation until the weather remains consistently under 40 degrees, something we have yet to see this fall.

“On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, warm weather and some ticks in the tree.”

The warm weather has made farming easier, though I expect we’ll pay for it next spring. For now, the cows still want to pick at grass in the warmth of the afternoons, though they congregate around the hay feeder in the mornings.

My husband, who dreads the typical winter weather and the ice and cold that comes with it, is OK with the (temporary?) reprieve.

“I really can’t stay! (Because it’s not cold outside.) I have to haul hay! (Because it’s not cold outside.)”

We did finally get our tree up and decorated, and I began my Christmas cookie baking last night.

Four of the 15 or so varieties requested have been made and packed into the freezer. I might make some fudge and some peanut butter balls, too, if time permits. I may have to replace my jeans with sweatpants if I do all of that, but I think it might be worth a bite or two.

“Tank tops and shorts are our attire. Flip flops show off painted toes. Sweaters used to hide our eating desire, but this year, anything goes.”

I think that the one song that doesn’t need changed is actually “White Christmas.” Its often-dropped first verse depicts a lot of what is happening here already.

“The sun is shining, the grass is green, The orange and palm trees sway. There’s never been such a day in Beverly Hills, L.A. But it’s December the twenty-fourth – and I’m longing to be up North.”

And then the singer goes on to DREAM about a white Christmas. And dreams may well be all we have this year.

Laura Zoeller can be reached at zoeller5@verizon.net.