Those who live in the extreme northern latitudes of America and North America tend to put up Christmas lights earlier than those who live in the south. People who live large blocks of life in the dark enjoy the extra light, the cheery twinkling brightness, of Christmas season lights just a bit longer than is usual for most.

Not only does the Sweet family put our Christmas lights up on Thanksgiving. We leave them up just as long as we can get away with and still avoid ridicule. After all, even though the official winter solstice has passed, it's still dark when we get up in the morning, then the short winter day is distinguished here in western Washington only by a slightly paler shade of damp grey, and finally the slight daylight gives up and plunges us back into total darkness about four…