They hate the hoopla between
Thanksgiving and Christmas
splattered all over the TV—

schmaltzy, syrupy romantic
comedies, musical specials
(Although the ones on PBS

really are special), and all the
advertising evoking (might I
say exploiting?) emotions and

what for? Ratings and money,
money, money. They used to
let the whole thing go by and

even enjoyed some of it, but
that was before, before tragic,
premature death. Now, the

old customs and rituals and
ads and TV programs leave
them cold in the late fall, so

they warm up by planning
unique rituals that don’t cost
much of anything but serve

up a feast of affection fit for
a festival or Thanksgiving or
Christmas, like “I love you.”