Greetings from Des Moines, IA . . .Joe, Tarka and I are huddled in our hotel room while outside it is a wintery mix of cold rain and wind.

We respect the tradition of the annual tree lighting with vermouth, ladders and pork. . .We, however, are skipping the Annual Cursing of the Light Strings because Sterling would have the tree down on the floor faster than we could put it up. While I am all for entertainment for the cat, I prefer the fuzzy fake mouse-type toys, not the full-sized tree variety.

So enjoy the trees and lights and all the childen's wonder and joy. . .we will bask in the glow of our monitors this year.