is this santa gargoyle the true spirit of christmas?

I spotted this on my way to work this morning. Attempting to walk off some of the merriment of the past few days I had a brisk and quiet stroll to the air station. I think this icon pretty much sums up my feelings about Christmas. How can one not enjoy a holiday that includes a phone call to the south part of the state and a conversation with your seven year old niece who tells you she misses you. In fact, she really misses the cat. But I told her how much Gris-gris enjoyed his Christmas presents from her. And she is only seven, hopefully in years to come it really will be me who she misses. And my brother-in-law assures me that she does talk about Mike and I all the time. We might have to book a visit soon.

Gris-gris enjoying the presents from his cousin

some potent catnip in this mouse

We had neighbors drop by in the afternoon bringing gifts of homemade kahlua  and biscotti. And we received chutney and jam the night before. I've come to appreciated these gifts as the true spirit of the holiday. The spirit is there, you just have to avoid all the before, during, and after Christmas sales. In fact the Rettie household did not do much for retail sales this holiday period, unless you count food. We did more than our part for that segment of the economy. Now if only I can figure out what day of the week it is (midweek holidays are hard on us working folk) I may make it to New Years.