It was Christmas, beginning to end. A lovely sun-bright day and cold! And Santa came. And we feasted and played, worked and rested. Walked to the river. Beheld the freeze and the thaw. Loved the river in all its ordinary brightness. We opened our doors. Guests came, we laughed and played. Danced with the electronic Santa who stands in the front hall. And there were loud voices of children and calm voices of grandparents. And there was cleaning of kitchen and the fine china and eggnog for my father who is only here in spirit. And there was peace in the house. And the dogs had roast beef and salmon scraps and they were glad.