“The world of our sense experience is comprehensible. The fact that it is comprehensible is admirable.” – Albert Einstein

Some of you may agree with Albert’s words or some of you may wonder as I do what Albert means. And some of you only have time to think about Christmas, the most stressful time of the year. This year is no exception. It’s not just shopping, for me it’s the zipper on my winter coat has given way.

I stopped to see the Mapleview seamstress last week, and she demonstrated how to make sure the zipper catches, then it worked. But by the next day, it was out of control. I stopped by Monday to drop it off, and there was a car track circling the front of the building and no footprints. It looked dark inside as I walked up to check the door and discovered that she wasn’t open on Monday.

This was followed by the falling of snow and speculation that 21 inches of snow might be heading this way that would certainly make for a white Christmas and good sledding for Santa.

It was about this time in December or a little earlier when Max and I would sit down with the Sears/Roebuck Christmas Catalog and make our Santa lists. Then we didn’t think about how many Santa Claus letters were sent to the North Pole. I thought Santa and the Mrs., along with their helpers, were busy making a lot of the presents. Back then, there weren’t all the toy stores that there are now at least in Austin, and some of the smaller towns around, but there was always Christmas. Then I used to leave a snack for Santa on the dining room table that he always had time for.

I bet Santa Claus doesn’t use a cell phone either. I suppose if he did and kids got a hold of his number it would never stop ringing.

The snowflakes are getting smaller. Maybe that’s a good sign.

We had an early partial Christmas the other day when our daughter was home for an overnight. She had traveled to Eau Claire to pick up her brother while I drove to Moorhead to pick up her other brother. He described an interesting conversation he had with a college friend on the drive back.

Lydia picked up another Kafka book in Dinky Town of letters to friends, family and editors. In one of his letters Kafka concludes: “Wonder upon wonders and all conjured up by you. I warm myself on it in this dreary winter.”

I could use something like that. I suppose winter can be seen as something other than dreary. I don’t mind shoveling except when it’s “colder than a Billy goat.” That was the case when the first pile landed. Thankfully, we share a driveway with our neighbor. Unfortunately I still live in the pre-snow blower days and the same for mowing. I have two “engineless” lawn mowers I do our yard with. It’s amusing to get the looks of adolescent drivers pass by watching an aging soul push something they have never seen before. Sky is willing to use one out back, but not in the front yard. He is willing to assist with the snow shoveling in front though.

It’s good I believe that a health bill is going to pass. Of course I don’t understand it. Today I heard mention on the radio that Paul Wellstone used to express concern when legislators didn’t take time to read ‘the bill’ before voting. The health care bill is something that has been unsuccessful since Harry Truman’s presidency. Of course, if I were in office I would probably resist reading a bill 2,000 pages long.

The attacks on our President frustrate me too. Earlier today I ran into a former classmate visiting Austin from Chicago at the post office. When we figured each other out we talked for a while. We both expressed pleasure with Obama and the job he has done so far, including his willingness to listen and willingness to take action with our allies against opposing forces.

It doesn’t hurt to have a president who can articulate what he is saying and who attempts to bring people together and is willing to set limits where limits are required.

I’ll close with a fresh Betty Benner Haiku titled “Christmas 2009” that reads:

Candles on my table/Lighted wreath in my window/Sky written with stars.

Mele Kalikimaka!