“Greeting cards have all been sent, the Christmas rush is through.” –
The Carpenters, “Merry Christmas, Darling”

So here it is, Boxing Day. And here I am, at Phoenix Sky Harbor airport, free wireless humming nicely, as I wait for my cross-country trek back to friends and family in Massachusetts. Although making rather merry yesterday (to coin a Bob Cratchit phrase), I still have enough energy to clear out the remaining junk from under the Christmas tree:

* Was hoping to see some snow while back there, but given the funky weather pattern this winter – Las Vegas getting snow before Boston its first – it don’t look promising.

* Even though Christmas Day was just a scant six hours ago, I guarantee that on the classical music station in Phoenix (which I’ll admit does a nice job increasing its Christmas selections right up to and including Christmas), it’ll back to the usual fare. I always find that funny – if you steadily increase your Christmas music prior to the holiday, why not steadily decrease it in the days after? After all, there are the 12 Days of Christmas, you know. It’s almost as if they can’t wait to get rid of it.

* “A Christmas Story” is, hands down, the best Christmas movie ever.

…But Alastair Sims’ Ebeneezer Scrooge in 1951’s “A Christmas Carol”, is a close second.

…And don’t get me started on that Patrick Stewart version I tried to watch the other night on TNT. Don’t get me wrong – I loved the guy as Captain Picard, but his Ebeneezer was pathetic.

…But both George C. Scott’s and (believe it or not) Henry Winkler’s American, Depression-era version are excellent interpretations of the classic.

* The Chieftains “The Bells of Dublin” and Loreena McKennitt’s “To Drive The Cold Winter Away” are two unheralded fine Christmas music CDs.

* “Once in Royal David’s City” is my favorite Christmas carol – whenever I hear it done well, it brings tears to my eyes.

…And “O Holy Night” runs a close second. (BTW, Rickie Lee Jones’ version on the Chieftains’ album is a stunner – I kid you not.)

* One of these days, I’m gonna get me one of those ’50s-style aluminum Christmas trees with accompanying Colortone roto-wheel like my grandparents had while I was growing up. Truly retro.

Well, it’s almost time to get in line and see what this traveling day brings; this time of year, ya never know. I hope everyone had a great Christmas, and don’t let that sudden absence of Christmas music over the airwaves get you down – there’s still plenty of holiday cheer to be had in the days ahead. The Goodboys will help me see to that.

Peace and blessings to everyone.