The state of the world, pension crises, the housing bubble, job losses, the war in Iraq, destruction of the planet, one party rule and such, are unimportant during holidays. The house is cozy. The food is delicious. There is laughter and the sound of people talking in another room. There is the click clicking of a ping pong game in the bonus room. The piano plays or a guitar from time to time. The world's harshness and our day to day realities are shut out, leaving only a joyous contentment. For the moment at least, we are well. There are photos and birthday gifts and two whole more days to postpone the world. Ha!