Anyone who has read or watched an adaptation of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" gains a sense of it's underlying theme- at the heart of Christmas is sensitivity to the want of others, the virtues of a Samaritan spirit, and the benefit of celebrating your fellow man.

Such sentiment overflows this season of the calendar, but I know a place where it happens spontaneously, 365 days of the year! It's a non-stop exchange of hand-made gifts for the eye and a celestial carol of well wishes accented by encouragement and assistance freely given known as the SBIG imaging discussion group.

I've sung with this chorus for two years and have never seen anything its equal during my thirty nine (okay, fifty) years on this planet. Yes, this virtual gathering of singers knows how to keep the spirit of Christmas well, if any group or assembly ever possessed the knowledge. So, Merry Christmas today and Merry Christmas next June 27th- by the membership's own selfless acts and attitudes to each other, time, there, is meaningless.

Now, in the sprit of the season, I hope you have a moment to step out of the cold and slip into my kitchen for a bite of something I've prepared especially with the discussion group in mind- a raspberry holiday pudding with citrus drizzle icing and sugar sprinkles! For a moment, forget your diet, at least have a taste (and please try to be forgiving if you find it's too sweet).

...and may the spirit of this holiday continue with you and your family throughout the year!

(okay, fifty one :>)