Here come the holidays

I can't help myself. I love Christmas. Always have. To be honest, I've made it more hectic than it probably should be, but its a rush of excitement that I look forward to every year.

Many of my friends proclaim me as the local "Clark Griswold" of holiday lights. Personally, I think I have a ways to go ... but I do have make a pretty bright spot on our block, though I like to think its still tasteful. And yes, with the passing of Halloween, the boxes came down from the rafters and the testing has begun.

One of my other favorite traditions are the holiday specials. The old ones. Yeah, maybe because I'm showing my age, but the Simpson's Christmas doesn't do it for me. Gimme Rudolph, Charlie Brown and the Year without a Santa Claus.

Does anyone remember "The Homecoming"? It was actually the movie on which the TV series, "The Waltons" was based? Or how about "The House without a Christmas Tree" with Jason Robards? And movies? Well, "Its a Wonderful Life", of course, along with "Miracle on 34th Street" and the musical version of "Scrooge" are among my personal favorites. And yes, I have to watch my Christmas Idol, Clark Griswold in "Christmas Vacation" at least once... as well as what my wife calls 'the shoot your eye out movie'-- "A Christmas Story".

Come on and join me -- tell me your favorite specials, shows and traditions. We'll share them on the show as we move ever closer to another Christmas holiday.

Let me be the first to wish you a Merry Christmas this year! Now, off to check some more lights!