Opinions

I preach against cynicism during the Christmas season. And then, shortly thereafter, I fall victim to it. After receiving more than my fair share of Christmas cards this year--which is such a delight--I must confess that I am completely opposed to the computer generated, one-size-fits-all Christmas letters which tell of the tremendous successes of every family you ever met.

Susan H. Lincoln celebrates the holiday season by releasing her second book, “When the Pink Clouds Come Out,” a collection of newspaper columns spanning the decades. If you’ve enjoyed her columns featured within this newspaper, you can purchase a copy through Amazon.com.

It is an unusual living situation, in many ways. My husband, Peter, and I spend almost half the year down in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. We had a terrible experience in another town (an absentee American owner with a filthy rental) and we came running back to San Miguel, desperate to find a place to stay any place that was clean and halfway affordable. And that is how Jorge found us.

Recently announced as the next Border Czar, Tom Homan, 63, has the look of someone not to be poked. Incoming 47th President, Donald Trump, saw something in the Big Dutch he liked, years before he took office. It was Barack Obama who first hired him in his administration.

We didn’t travel to Colorado to snow-ski or to Aspen to enjoy the view, but we did make a six-hour trip to Birmingham, Ala., to visit relatives in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.

It’s that time of year where we take a moment to give thanks. We reflect on the many blessings that God has sent our way (and we also gorge ourselves on turkey!). This Thanksgiving season, I am especially thankful to God for what he has done in and through Tabernacle Baptist Church.

The year has flown by and now Thanksgiving is here. I hope you have a meaningful Thanksgiving with family and friends. The election is over, basketball is starting, and the sentimental feelings of fall have turned into the blah of winter. Many already have their Christmas trees up, and this week delicious turkeys will be the centerpiece of our tables. Actually, our celebration to give thanks was created in the United States in 1863, as President Abraham Lincoln wanted to promote unity and for all Americans to show their gratitude to God. Thanksgiving eventually became a national holiday in 1941, but what about counting our blessings every day?

My husband, Peter, told me about the unlikely friendship. When we stay in Mexico, Peter walks the same route up to the environmental preserve every day. It’s a steep climb to the park, which is filled with wildlife and rare plants. Because Peter walks the same streets daily, he has gotten to know a lot of the people who have homes on the way up. The whole thing started with Reacher, an exuberant 75-pound Belgian Malinois, and his American expat owner, Anita. The Belgian Malinois is a dog often trained for search and rescue. You might have seen videos of them scaling walls. Peter never saw Reacher actually climbing any walls, but he never doubted his ability to do so if the need arose.

Interesting week for those seeking information on who might serve on the cabinet of presidentelect Donald Trump. This season of transition following an election normally is known as “to the victor go the spoils.” The victorious new president gets to form his own leadership team. But not with today’s Democratic Party.

“Do you have grandchildren?” I asked with a kind and lilting voice, after being introduced to my newest cousin (by marriage) when we gathered in Alabama for Thanksgiving.