I guess I didn’t always abhor the ‘holiday season’.  I certainly remember being swept up in the merriment, (I was a featured performer in the Noble Elementary School Christmas Pageants of 1953, ’54 and ’55 after all), I relished the extended school vacation, and I had relatively normal expectations for Channukah gift fulfillment, (even if the silver, Star-of-David cufflinks and the motorized erector set fell miles short of a pony).  There were, (and ARE), many Pavlovian food memories; latkes roasting, actually deep-frying, by an open fire, (aka stove); Mom’s cookies and cakes; fried chicken, (we probably didn’t have fried chicken, but I’ve decided to remember it anyway); and…did I mention latkes?  We always had a festive, family gathering, and I had, (HAVE), a very cool and diversely interesting family, old and young.  Frenzied shopping and decorating were, (ARE), not part of my experience and, thankfully, I’ve managed to remain aloof and un-engaging despite badgering by intimate, avid participants.  I’ve had an odd career arc wherein several of my most successful musical endeavors have been Christmas themed, (I haven’t checked, but I may hold the record for the sheer volume of Jew-produced Christmas music).  And…since moving to Saratoga Springs, I’ve met and become quite friendly with both Santa and Clara Claus…really!

So, maybe ‘abhor’ is too strong a word.  I was trying not to use ‘hate’, yet wanted to express my dislike and disgust of the overly commercialized chaos at year’s end, but…maybe it’s due to just finishing up a week with my remarkable 91-year-old mother, or the sun streaming through the clear light windows of the Detroit Metro Airport on this snowless, late December day, or the fact that this was going to be a list of the worst things I could think of and it took on a life of its own and went the other way, (Xmas miracle?)…I’m just going to go with…WHAT’S UP WITH FRUITCAKE!?