Bells are tinkling as the draft horse makes its way through downtown, carrying passengers in its pioneer-style wagon, a fixture at Christmas and New Years’ in Louviers.  Cars clog the streets, people dance along the sidewalks balancing parcels and shouldering bags, patisseries and boulangeries are full-to-bursting as people pick up their mini, moyenne, and grandes bûches de noel, and shellfish platters seem to walk alone down the street, so huge they hide the person carrying them.  Soon, organ music will flood from the open church doors. Tonight is the big night.

In this spirit of smiles and best wishes, I want to wish you the warmest, liveliest, togethery-ness holiday season.  And, as Thomas Edison liked to say as he looked up from yet another experiment:   “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”

Hear Hear!

Happiest of Holiday seasons! See you in 2016, here or there!