I know you guys will understand...

[IrishAyes]

7. When you folks are feeling low,

try to remember how much you're loved and valued, especially here but doubtless elsewhere as well.

I'm sure you can understand why I celebrate Christmas by a complete withdrawal from the outside world and intruding electronics. Well, I do listen to James Earl Jones reading the Bible, but no tv or internet that day. Sometimes I receive welcome phone calls from friends far away, but basically I just roll up the sidewalk that day. I'm unwilling to spend Christmas at the home of my few local friends because if they're home, that means all their crazy relatives will be there with them, and that I can do without. It's damn near impossible to celebrate a holy day in good conscience by cussing out some slug, which I don't believe in doing in someone else's home anyway. Those cross-forum friends who also belong to the DU loners group will understand this readily.