The Week Between

It’s that in-between time of year, when the weight of the previous months has piled up behind us. Most of the time, I like the idea of hibernating and doing nothing for that final week of the year. It’s quieter, for one thing. Businesses slow down, some even close for a break. Some stores might have an initial after-Christmas frenzy of sales, but even that screeches to a halt. Take it from me, there’s been a dearth of news!

 

The television networks have concluded their endless repeat of Christmas movies, themes varying with common titles like A ______for Christmas (insert family member of your choice, or label of significant other), Christmas in______ (insert geographical location), The Christmas _____ (insert sentimental item). The barrage of Christmas shopping ads had died down, too.

 

The debate in many homes usually begins about how long to keep up the decorations—if you’re of an orthodox bent, that day doesn’t come until Three Kings’ Day or January 6, which means you’re off the hook for another week. If you’re working, nobody gets much done during the last week of the year, and break rooms fill with leftover cookies and such.