Ta Da To Do Ta Da To Do

It's the most wonderful time of the year
With the kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you be of good cheer
It's the most wonderful time of the year

It's the hap-happiest season of all
With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings
When friends come to call
It's the hap-happiest season of all

There'll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for toasting
And caroling out in the snow
There'll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories of
Christmases long, long ago

It's the most wonderful time of the year
There'll be much mistletoeing
And hearts will be glowing
When loved ones are near

It's the most wonderful time of the year

There'll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for toasting
And caroling out in the snow
There'll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories of
Christmases long, long ago

It's the most wonderful time of the year

There'll be much mistletoeing
And hearts will be glowing
When love ones are near
It's the most wonderful time
Yes the most wonderful time
Oh the most wonderful time
Of the year

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Eddie Pola / George Wyle

Howz about a little seasonal upbeat on this dark and dreary day!

It's supposed to get better and then get worse, wet-wise, that is. 

Hardly a festive scene outside, but what the heck!  

It's a wonderful time of the year with lots of ta-da's and more than enough to-do's. 

Don't get the wrong idea.  

This is all fake cynicism but really am in an upbeat mood this morning, as long as I don't look out the window.

Picture taking is at a minimum right now, 'cept for the Christmas decorations slowly appearing around the place. 

My mind is feeling cluttered with all the different "to do" lists, many of which have gotten off to a slow start, but at least there's progress with the cards, the decorating, gift selections, etc. 

Lots more to do, though, along with numerous activities quickly filling up the calendar.  

We actually have a day next weekend with at least five major items keeping us going in five different directions. 

One of those:  Swiss Miss is coming, and we are excited to see and enjoy her visit over the holidays. 

This weekend, I'm hoping to attend one special event.  

It's the book launch for my longtime friend Gary Pietsch's 165-page collection of Sandpoint historical stories. 

Basic information:  book sells for $19.95.  

It's a paperback.  Gary will be at the Bonner County Museum tomorrow from noon-2 p.m. signing books and at Vanderford's next Saturday, Dec. 14 from 1-3 for another signing. 

www.amazon.com description:  A complete history of Sandpoint, Idaho, from wilderness to its settlement by Native Americans and later white pioneers, to the modern era.

As noted, Gary and I go back a LONG ways.  

Our personal history of friendship includes a few summers of my working for him as a feature writer for the Sandpoint News Bulletin. 

Gary gave me several fun assignments over those summers, including a series of features about the 1973 National Boy Scout Jamboree at Farragut, which not only resulted in a tabloid paper filled with pictures and text but also a husband. 

Yup, I owe it to Gary, first and foremost, for meeting Bill.  The rest is history and almost enough to fill a book of its own. 

Sandpoint certainly has some fascinating early history, and since Gary's family lived here through much of that, who better to document it!  

Gary is truly a "Pietsch" of a guy, always a gentleman, always generous with his time and truly deserving of accolades for all he has contributed to this community over the years. 

He also contributed to another wonderful asset for the world at large, his son Chris, a fabulous, creative and award-winning photojournalist in Eugene, Ore. AND a longtime, valued friend. 

Today is Chris' birthday.  

I know that factoid because this morning while scrolling through Twitter,  I spotted the photo taken of him on Eclipse Day in Oregon a few years back.

Of course, I noticed the lovely dogs in the photo first!

Just kidding.  One of Chris's friends posted the photo along with birthday greetings.  So, Happy Birthday, Chris.  Hope you have a wonderful day. 

Nice to see you IN the photos for a change!

And, good luck to Gary as he sets off on the journey of authordum.  It's a fun gig. 

Finally, another individual sure to make her mark in the world is celebrating a 14th birthday today.  

Happy Birthday, Terra.  Hope you also have a wonderful day.  

And, with that, it's off to do some more ta-da's and to-do's. 

Happy Friday.