It’s Christmas Eve and the temperature is five degrees when I wake up this morning. A hot cup of coffee will warm my spirits I think as I turn on the kitchen faucet, but the pipes are frozen solid.

When the temperature is in the single digits you expect a winter wonderland scene to warm your holiday spirits. But there’s nary a cloud in the sky, and the frigid sun seems to be mocking me.

Usually, a leisurely drive without a destination in mind will calm my spirits, but I’m afraid that if I turn on the ignition my car won’t start, and my melancholy mood will only stiffen.

Writing is therapeutic even if it means typing a silly little essay that will benefit only me, but already my despondent soul is beginning to thaw.

Princess my dog sits by my side as I put the finishing touches on this article, and her moans and sighs of contentment as I pet her finally melt my heart. Merry Christmas to all my readers, may your pipes never freeze, and your spirts never languish. May you always have a dog, a cat or a loved one to help brighten your Christmas mood.