Worldwide we are all observing several religous/ cultural holidays; Christmas, Channuka, Rammadan,Kwanzaa and the winter solstice to name a few. I get to observe them all through my many friends in this strange land called California. The high priority of good food at a certain deli ( especially after observing the fast for the first week of Rammadan) has allready "fattened" the PSK under my PSK. What I noticed this year is the ancient theme and miracle of survival. The lamp oil lasts longer than a lithium battery, depriving one activity hightens appreciation for others and the ancient earth cycles,though explained and recorded are still a source of wonderment and lessons.