Where I live in the Berkshire Mountains, we have already received our first lasting snowfall. Daylight is disappearing earlier as we move toward year-end holidays with the winter solstice, marking the first day of the winter season, now less than two weeks away. If you love this time of year, your mind might be starting to fill with warm memories of friends, family, and cherished experiences.

Nights now seem darker and stars brighter. There is the distinct swirl of wood smoke drifting upward from stoves and fireplaces, carrying the sweet scents of cherry, birch, oak, and maple logs up and down the narrow roads in my neck of the woodland. In the distance is the area's highest peak. Streams of light mark trails for skiers and snowboarders as they slide down the slopes, snow spinning around them luminously.

Various parts of each day start getting progressively more festive now. Depending on where you live, this might be punctuated by early seasonal displays along the streets and in storefronts. Radio stations share a plethora of holiday music. TV stations report on stories that generate a positive vibe of goodwill. Performing arts centers tailor their events to the feel of the season. And suddenly the holiday vibe is everywhere.

Many heartwarming details steeped in

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