and

from California!

What a wonderful time of the year!  In some parts of the world, the landscape is covered in white; in other parts of the world, people are in bikinis soaking up the sun on the beaches.  It is my hope that this Holiday season brings you peace and pleasant times and that the New Year proves to be rewarding, healthy, and prosperous for you and your family!

Up until recent years, I had printed my holiday card around "Season's Greetings" in many languages.  Below is listed just that.  Unfortunately, I have not figured out how I can put the appropriate accents in as yet but, never fear, I will figure it out someday and will add them where they need to be (hopefully by next year's edition of my Holiday page).  Below that are those languages that I have collected through the years (in alphabetical order according to language) since I first started back in 1972, followed by some that do not have regular alphabet letters.  There is a lot of animated objects embedded, so it may take a little time to download (about two minutes depending on your computer), but I hope it will be worth the wait.  One of these days, I will try and put in parenthesis where some of the more obscure languages are spoken.  Until then, enjoy!!!
 

Cahuillo Indian:  at-tai ta-man or at-tai pai-i-pa
Carib:  Sirito kypoton ra'a
Carrier:  Zoo dungwel and Soocho nohdzi doghel
Carolinian:  Ameseighil ubwutiiwel Layi Luugh me raagh fee
Catalan:  Bon Nadal i felic any nov!
Cebuano (Filipino):  Maligayong Nga Paskua or Malipayong Pasko ug Bulahang Bag-ong Tuig!
Chamorro:  Filis Pasgua & Filis Anu Nuebo
Chaha:  Bogem h n mh m & Boxem as nana-h m
Chamba:  Wi na ge nyare Su dome Krisimass
Chavacano (Filipino):  Pelices Paskuas
Cherokee:  Danistayohihv & Aliheli'sdi Itse Udetiyvsadisv
Cheyenne:  Hoesenestotse & Aa'e Emona'e
Chichewa:  Moni Wa Chikondwelero Cha Kristmasi
Chiga:  Mwebare khuhika - Ha Noel
Chinese (Cantonese):  Gun Tso Sun Tan'Gung Haw Sun or Sing Dan Fai Lok or Seng Dan Fai Lok, Sang Nian Fai Lok
Chinese (Mandarin): Kung His Hsin Nien Bing Chu Shen Tan
Chippewa Indian:  o-nish-shi-shin niba-ana-ma=e-gishig
Choctaw Indian:  a-chuck-ma to-fah-pi or a-chuck-ma ou'na-ha or Yukpa, Nitak Hollo Chito
Church Slavic:  Veselu Novu Leto
Comanche Indian:  Tsaa Nuusukatu Waa Himaru
Cornish:  Nadelik looan na looan blethen noweth
Cree Indian:  Mitho Makosi Kesikansi
Croatian:  Sretan Bozic
Corsican:  Bon Natale e Bon capu d' annu
Cree:  Mitho Makosi Kesikansi
Creek:  Afvcke Nettvcakorakko
Creole/Seychelles:  Sretan Bozic
Crow Indian:  Ka-Hay
Czech Republic:  Vesele Vanoce

Efik (African):  akan nde nyin andiyana ye ufan
Egyptian:  Colo sana wintom tiebeen
English:  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
English (Middle):  Glad Newe Yeer
English (Old):  Gloed Nuve Gear
Eritrean:  Rehus-Beal-Ledeat
Eskimo:  ukshuk kuv'larstok
Esperanto:  Gajan Kristnaskon & Bonan Novjaron
Estonian:  Roomsaid Joulu Puhi ja Head uut aastat
Ewe:  Blunya na wo
Ewondo:  Mbemde abog abyali nti!  Mbembe Mbu!
 

Faroese:  Gledhilig jol og eydnurikt nyggjar!
Fali:  Use d'h Krismass
Farsi:  Cristmas-e-shoma mobarak bashad or Sal'e no mubarak
Fijian:  Me Nomuni na marau ni siga ni sucu dei na yabaki vou
Finnish:  Hauskaa Joulua or Hauskaa Joulua - Onnellista uutta vuotta
Flemish (Belgian):  Een Prettig Kerstfeesten een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar or Zalig Kerstfeest en Gelukkig nieuw jaar
French:  Joyeux Noel et Bonne Annee!
Frisian:  Noflike Krystdagen en in protte Lok en Seine yn it Nije Jier!
Friulian:  Bon Nadal e Bon An Gnuf
Fulfulde:  Jabbama be salla Kirismati
 

Gaddang:  Mangamgam Bawa a dawun sikua diaw amin
Galician:  Bon Nadal e Bo Ani Novo
Gari:  !Soalokia God i gotu vasau, mi lao ke ba na rago vanigira ara dou i matana!
Gciriku:  Mfiyawidi yaKrisimisa & Marago ghaMwaka waUpe
Georgian:  Gilotsavt Krist'es Shobas & Gilosavt akhal ts'els
German:  Frohe Weihnachten or Froliche Weihnachten und ein gluckliches Neues Jahr!
German (Old High):  Fro Niuwi Jar
Gikuyu:  Gia na Thigukuu njega Na MwakaM weru wi Gikeno
Gitskan:  Hisgusgitxwsim Ha'niisgats Christ gankl Ama Sii K'uuhl!
Gothic:  (Hlas) Niujis Jer
Greek:  Kala Christougena or Kala Cristougenna Ki'eftihismenos O Kenourios Chronos
Greenlandic:  Juulimi Ukiortaassamilu Pilluarit
Guahibo:  Pexania Navidadmatacabi piginia pexaniapejanawai paxainaename
Guambiano:  Navidadwan Tabig tugagunrrigay
Guarani:  Avyaitete ahi ko Tupa ray arape qyrai Yy Kapyryin rira
Guarayu:  Imboeteipri tasecoi Tupa i vave! & Ivve ava Tupa rembiaisu toyuvirecoi turpi oyeaisusa pipe!
Gujarati:  Natal ni shub kaamnao & Saal Mubarak
Gwere:  Osusuku Omusa & Masuke Omwaka
Gwich'in:  Drin tsal zhit shoh ohlii & Drin Choo zhit zhoh ohlii
 

Han:  Drin tsul zhit sho ahlay & Drin Cho zhit sho ahlay
Hausa:  Barka da kirsimatikuma Barka da Sabuwar Shekara!
Hawaiian:  Mele Kalikimaka & Hauoli Makahiki Hou
Haya:  Waihuka na Noeli & Waihhuka n 'Omwaka
Hebrew:  Mo'adim Lesimkha.  Chena tova
Heiban:  Ati kalo gathje uwa gigih
Herero:  Okresmesa ombwa Ombura ombe ombwa
Hiligaynon:  Malipayon nga paskua & Malipayon Nga Bag-ong tuig
Hindi:  Shub Naya Baras or Christms Ki Hardik Shubh Kamaian
Holo:  Seng-tan khoai-lok!
Hmong:  Nyob Zoo Xyoo Tahiab
Hualapai Indian:  gi-ki:sma-m mi-diyay-ya
Hungarian:  Kellemes Karacsonyi Unnepeket es Boldog ujevet! or Boldog Karacsonyi
Hungduan:  Maphon au nitungawan.  Apo Dios Kituwen baron di toon
 

Iban:  Selamat Ari Krismas enggau Taun Baru
Ibanag:  nga Pascua
Icelandic:  Gledileg jol og farsaelt komandi ar
Igbo (African):  bik'o cukwu or Ekelere m gi maka Keresimesi na ubochi izizi afo ozo
Ikiribati:  Te Mauri, Te Raoi ao Te Tabomoa nakoimi nte Kirimati ao te Ririki ae Bou
Ilocano:  Naimbag a Pascua ken Naragsac nga Baro nga Tawen!
Iloco (Filipino):  Maligayon Nga Paskua
Imgongu:  Gotenga malo Jisasi Karaist
Indonesian:  Selamat Hari Natal & Selamat Tahun Baru
Inupiaq:  Annaurri Aniruq & Paglaun Ukiutchiaq
Inupiatun:  Quvianaq Agaayuniqpak
Invit:  Quviahuklune
Iraqi:  Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah
Irish:  Nodlaig mhaith chugnat or Nollaig Shona Dhuit
Irish Gaelic:  Kade Melda Falta
Iroquois:  Ojenyunyat Sungwiyadeson homungradon nagwutut & Ojenyunyat osrasay
Italian:  Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo
 

Japanese:  Shinnen omedeto.  Kurisumasu Omedeto
Javanese:  Wilujeng Taun Enggal or Sugeng Natal Ian warsa enggal
Jerriais:  Bouan Noue et Bouan Annee
 

Kabyle:  Assegwas ameggaz
Kadazan:  Kotobian Tadau Do Krimas om Toun Vagu
Kahua:  Na vagevageha surireua na Kirisimasi ma na harisi naoru
Kala Lagaw Ya:  Ngi ngayka Koei trimal Kaz
Kambaata:  eman haaro wegga illisholce
Kamba:  Ithiwa na Kisimsi Kiseo & Na Mwaka Mweu Museo
Kannada:  Hosa Varushada Subhasayagalu
Karelian:  Rastawanke Sinun, Uvven Vuvenke Sinun
Kaqchiquel:  Dios tik'ujie' avik'in
Kashmiri:  Christmas Id Mubarak
Kawalib:  Amirnar Krismas Gi
Khasi:  Krismas basuk & Snem thymmai basuk
Kinyarwanda:  Umunsi Mwiza
Kiowa Indian (Wyoming):  tu-se-now tuh or tu-se-now tip-ho-i
Kirundi:  Noeli Nziza & Umwaka Mwiza
Kiwomi/Keres Indian:  la-o-wa ti-etz or la-o-wa nah-cai-a
Kom:  Isangle Krismen & Isangle beng i fue
Konkoni:  Khushal borit Natalam
Korafe:  Keremisi ewewa
Korean: Chuk Sung Tan or Koo Ju Syung Tarn or Sung Tan Chuk Ha
Kosraean:  Tok Tapeng & Engan ya sasu
Koyukon:  Denaahto' Hoolaank Dedzaanh Sodeelts'eeyh
Krio:  Appi Krismes en Appi Niu Yaa
Kuanua:  A Bona Lukara na Kinakava
Kurdish:  Seva piroz sahibe u sersala te piroz be
Kwangali:  Kerekemisa zongwa & Erago moMumvho gomupe
Kyrghyz:  JangI jIlIngIz guttuu bolsun!

Macedonian (Yugolavian):  Cestiti Bozicni Denovi or Srekan Bozik I Nova Godina
Madura:  Pada salamet sabhala bengko areja
Makassar:  Salama' Natal & Selamat Tahun baru
Malay:  vesel gracium
Malagasy:  Arahaba tratry ny Krismasy
Malayalam:  Christumas Mangalangalangal & Puthuvalsara Aashamsakal
Malayan:  Selamat Mari Raja Natal or Selamat Hari Natal
Maltese:  Il-Milied It-tajjeb or Nixtieqlek Milied Tajjeb u Sena Tajba
Mandarin (see Chinese)
Mandobo:  Mepiya Pagasaulog sa pagka-otawni Jesus aw maontong kaling Omay!
Mangyan:  Mayad paq Pasko kag
Mansaka:  Madyaw na Pasko aw malipayong Bag-ong Tuig kamayo, mga lumon
Manx:  Nollick ghennal as blein vie noa
Maori:  Meri Kirihimete or Koa Kirihimete or Kia orana e kia manuia rava i teia Kiritimeti e te Mataiti Ou
Marathi:  Shub Naya Varsh
Margi:  Use aga Kirismas
Marshallese:  Monono ilo raaneoan Nejin & Jeramman ilo iio in ekaal
Mataco-Mataguayo:  Lesilatyaj ihi Dios ta i ppule ye, Letamsek ihi wichi ta Dios ikojejthi ta i honat e
Maya/Yucateco:  Utzul mank'inal
Medlpa:  Enim Mutuiyo!
Meithei:  Krismas Hlomum & Kumthar Lawmum
Mingrelian:  k'irses mugoxuamant & axal ts'anas mugoxuamant
Mongolian"  Zul saryn bolon shine ony mend devshuulye
Monegasque:  Festusu Natale e Bona ana noeva
Moro:  Nidli pred naborete nano
Moru:  Medu amiri ovuru Yesu opi amaro
Muskhogean Indian:  Afanckuse Nettv-cako-rakko
 

Naasioi:  Tampara Kirisimaasi
Naskapi:  miywaaitaakun mikusaanor & kiyaa maamiyupiyaakw minuwaach pipuun
Navajo Indian:  Ya'a't'eeh Keshmish or Merii Keshmish
Ndjem:  Mbeya mbeya Ebiel & Mbeya mbeya mbu
Ndogo:  Esimano olyaKalunga gwokombandambanda! & Nombili kombanda yevi maantu e ya kokwa!
Ndonga:  Okrismesa iwa & Omude Mupe wa Punkkwa
Nepali:  krist Yesu Ko Shuva Janma Utsav Ko Upalaxhma Hardik Shuva & Naya Barsa Ko harkik Shuvakamana
Newari:  Nhu Da Ya Vintuna
Nii:  Nim Ono
Kiuean:  Monuina a Aho Kilisimasi mo e Tau Foou
Northern Cheyenne Indian:  Epa ve she dovv yah neve
Norweigan/Bokmal:  God Jul og Godt Nytt Aar
Norweigian/Nynorsk:  Eg ygskjer hermed Dykkk alle ein God Jul og Godt Nyttar
Nyanja:  Kristu akhale ndi inu munyengo ino ya Christmas
Nyankore:  Mukhulukhe Omwaka
 

Occitan:  Polit nadal e bona annada
Ojibwe (Chippewa):  Niibaa' anami'egiizhigad & Aabita Biboon
Old Norse:  Gladr Nyr Ar
Oneida:  Wanto'wan amp; Hoyan
Oriya:  Sukhamaya christmass ebang khusibhara naba barsa
Orokaiva:  Keremisi javotoho
Oromo:  baga wagaa hara isinin gaye
 

Pakhto (Pushtu):  Mu kal da mobarak shah!
Palauan:  Ungil Kurismas
Pampango (Filipino):  Mayap a Pasco
Pangasinan:  Maabig ya pasko & Maliket ya balon taon
Papiamento:  Bon Pasco i Feliz Ana Nobo
Papua-New Guinea: Bikpela hamamas blong dispela Krismas na Nupela yia i go long yu
Pashto:  De Christmas akhtar de bakhtawar au newai Kal de mubarak sha.
Persian:  Wholula Sala Naw Rah Ba Shuma Tabrik Maygoyam!
Pohnpeian:  Peren en Krismas & Peren en Parakapw
Polish:  Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia or Wesolych Swiat i Szczesliwego Nowego Roku
Portuguese:  Boas Festas e um feliz Ano Novo
Punjabi:  Navi sal di mubaraka
 

Q'anjob'al:  chi woche swatx'ilal hak'ul yet yalji Komami'
Quechua (Peruvian):  Sumac Huata or Sumaj kausay kachun Navidad ch'sisipi & Mosoi Watapi sumaj kausay kachun
 

Rapa-Nui:  Mata-Ki-Te-Rangi.  Te-Pito-O-Te-Henua
Rarotongan:  Kia akakakaia te Atua i runga i te rangi Teitei, e ei au to to teianei ao, e kia aroaia mai te tangata nei
Rengma:  Anu keghi Christmas nu amapi kethighi wa salam pi nthu chupenle
Rheto-Romance:  Bella Festas daz Nadal ed in Ventrivel Onn Nov
Romani:  Bachtalo krecunu Thaj Bachtalo Nevo Bers
Romanian:  Sarbatori vesele or suka hati bebason or Craciun fericit si un An Nou fericit!
Rongmei:  Mei kathui nata neila mei Khrisrmas akhatni gai mei tinkum kathan tu-na arew we
Roviana:  Mami tataru Kirisimasi koa gamu doduru meke qetu qetu vuaheni vaqura ia
Russian:  Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom
Ruthenian:  Veselyja Svjatki
Rwandese:  Umwaka mushya mwiza
 

Saamia:  Muwule Omwaka ESalar:  YangI yilingiz gotlI bulsIn!
Sambal:  Maligayang Pasko at Masayang Ba-yon Taon!
Sami:  Buorrit Juovllat
Samoan:  Ia Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou or Fiafia Kirisimasi
Sanakirja:  Iloinen Joulu
Sango:  Gloire na Nzapu na ndouzou aho koue, Na siriri na ndo sesse na popo ti ajo so amou nguia na Lo
Sanskrit:  hrsta navya- vatsara
Santali:  Raska nawa Serma
Saramaccan:  Nuan wan suti jai o!
Sardinian:  Bonu nadale e prosperu annu nou
Scandanavian:  Lystig Jul
Scots Gaelic:  Nollaig chridheil huibh or Nollaig chridheil agus Bliadhna mhath ur!
Secoya:  Sihuanu'u Ejaerepa aide'ose'ere & Sihuana'u huaje ametecahue
Semandang:  Selemat gawai Natal
Seneca:  a:o'-e:sad yos-ha
Serbian:  Hristos se rodi or Sretan Bozic.  Vesela Nova Godine.
Serbo-Croatian:  Ve Selo Bozic
Setswana:  Ngwaga o' mosha
Shawnee Indian:  oui-sah li-nou-e-ni or oui-sah wah-pah-keh
Shoshone (Salt Lake):  at ta-min or at ach-a-cusht
Shqyp (Albanian):  Gezuar Vitin e Ri
Sicilian:  Bon Natali e Prosperu Annu Novu!
Singhalese (Godina):  Subha nath thalak Vewa.  Subha Aluth Awrudhak Vewa
Slavey:  Teyatie Gonezu
Slovakian:  Vesele Vianoce a stastny novy rok
Slovenian:  Sretan Bozice or Srecno Novo Leto or Radosten Narodzenje Kristovo
Soga:  Mwisuka Sekukulu
Somali:  Farxaanad salaan or ciid wanaagson iyo sanad cusub oo fiican
Songe:  Kutandika kua Yesu kuibuwa! & Kipua kipia kibuwa!
Sorani:  Newroz le to Piroz be
Sorbian:  Wjesole hody a strowe Nowe leto.
Sotho (North):  Mahlatsi a Matswalo a Morena le Ngwaga o Moswa
Sotho (South):  Litakalerso Tse Monate Tsa Kere Semese Le Mahlohonolo a Selemo Se Secha
Spanish:  Feliz Navidad y Prospero Ano Nuevo
Sranan:  Wan switi kresneti nanga wan bun nyun yari!
Subanen:  Piak Pasko Pu Piag Bago Tawn
Sudanese:  Wilujeng Natal Sareng Warsa Enggal
Surigaonon:  Malipayon na pasko sanan bag-on tuig
Swahili:  Swa Uul Ja or Krismas Njema Na Heri Za Mwaka Mpya
Swedish:  God Jul Och Gott Nytt Ar

Tagalog (Filipino):  Malagayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon
Tahitian:  Ia ora i te Noere e ia ora na i te matahiti 'api
Tagakaulu:  Madyaw Pagsalog sa Pagka-otaw ni Jesus & Aw mauntong na bago Umay
Tala Andig:  Maayad ha pasko daw bag-ong tuig
Tamil (Ceylon):  Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal or Sunthosamana Perunaal
Tanaina:  Natukda Nuuphaa
Tayal:  Pqaquasta ta.  Pquasta hentang na Jesu
Telugu:  Christmas Shubhakaankshalu & Nootana Samvatchara Subhakanshalu
Thai:  Sawadee Pee Mai or Suksan Wan Christmas lae Sawadee Pee Mai
Tlingit:  Xristos Khuwdziti kax sh kaxtoolxetl
Tok Pisin:  Meri Krismas & Hepi Nu Yia
Tokelau:  Ke whakamanuia te Kirihimahi & Tauhaga Fou fiafia
Tonga:  Kristo abe anduwe muciindo ca Christmas
Tongan:  Kilisimasi Fiefia & Ta'u fo'ou monu ia
Toraja:  Salama' Natal & Selama' taun baru
Trukese:  Neekirissimas annim oo iyer seefe feyiyeech!
Tswana:  Keresemose o monate le masego a ngwaga o montsha
Tubetube:  Yayaliyaya Yesu sikabi kaiwena
Turkish:  Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun or Isa' nin dogum yortusu
 

Ukranian:  Srozhdestvom Kristovym or Veseloho Vam Rizdva i Shchastlyvoho Novoho Roku!
Umbundu:  Natale, Natale, Oyo O Natale & Eteke Lio Bowano, Illimo Ciwa
Urdu (Pakistan/India):  Naya Saal Mubarak Ho or Bura Din Mubarak
Uvean:  Italo fa ide tau fou nei eseke
Uyghur:  YanghI yiling ahlqIs bolgey!
 

Valencian:  Bon Nadal i millor any nou
Vespi:  Rastvoidenke i Udenke Vodenke
Vietnamese:  Chung Mung Giang Sinh or cung.chuc.tan.xuan
Votian:   Yvaa rashtagoa! & Yvaa uutta vootta!
 

Waray-Waray:  Maupay nga Pasko ngan Mainuswagon nga Bag-o nga Tuig
Warlpiri:  Miri Kirijimiji ^ Nyuntunpa Ngurrju nyayirni yapa
Welsh:  Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda
 

Xhosa:  Siniqwenelela Ikrisimesi EmnandI Nonyaka Omtsha Ozele
 

Yeruba (Nigerian):  rere odun
Yiddish:  Gute Vaynakhtn un a Gut Nay Yor
Yoruba:  E ku odun, e hu iye dun!
Yugoslavian:  Cestitamo Bozic
Yuma/Mohave Indian:  a-hote-kah oo-cher or a-hote-kah qual-a-yoque
Yup'ik (Central):  Alussistuaqegcikici
Yupik (Siberian):  Quyanalghii Kuusma & Quyangalleq Nutaghamun Aymiqulleq
 

Zarma:  Barka da Issa hay-yan hann & Barka da djiri barey-yan
Zaza:  Newroz'a tu Piroz be
Zia:  Kerisimasi wosewa
Zima:  El ma ka bar vra aso vei Lu & El ma ka kim na mireu
Zulu:  ASinifesela Ukhisimusi Omuhle Nonyaka Omusha Onempumelelo
Zuni/Cibola Indian:  cok-shi o-lok-i-yev or cok-shi ich'-e-toi-thli

. . . and to all a good night!

The recent announcement that Donner and Blitzen have elected to take the early retirement package has triggered a good deal of concern about whether they will be replaced and about other restructuring decisions at the North Pole.  Streamlining was appropriate in view of the reality that the North Pole no longer dominates the season's gift distribution business.  Home shopping channels and mail order catalogues have diminished Santa's market share, and he could not sit idly by and permit further erosion of the profit picture.

The reindeer downsizing was made possible through the purchase of a late model Japanese sled for the CEO's annual trip.  Improved productivity from Dasher and Dancer, who summered at the Harvard Business School, is anticipated and should take up the slack with no discernible loss of service.  Reduction in reindeer will also lessen airborne environmental emissions for which the North Pole has been cited and received unfavorable press.

Rudolph's role, however, will not be disturbed.  Tradition still counts for something at the North Pole.  Management denies, in the strongest possible language, the earlier leak that Rudolph's nose got that way, not from the cold, but from specific substance abuse.  Calling Rudolph "a lush who was into the sauce and never did pull his share of the load" was an unfortunate comment made by one of Santa's helpers and taken out of context at a time of the year when he is known to be under executive stress.

As a further restructuring, today's global challenges require the North Pole to continue to look for better, more competitive steps.  Effective immediately, the following economy measures are to take place in the "Twelve Days of Christmas" subsidiary.

The partridge will be retained, but the pear tree never turned out to be the cash crop forecasted.  It will be replaced by a plastic hanging plant, thus providing considerable savings in maintenance.

The two turtle doves represent a redundancy that is simply not cost-effective.  In addition, their romance during working hours could not be condoned.  Their positions are therefore eliminated.

The three French hens will remain intact though they will now cluck in English with only the hint of an accent, thus reaching a broader market share audience.

The four calling birds were replaced by an automated voice mail system, with a call-waiting option.  An analysis is underway to determine who the birds have been calling, how often, and how long they talked.

The five golden rings have been put on hold by the Board of Directors.  Maintaining a portfolio based on one commodity could have negative implications for institutional investors.  Diversification into other precious metals as well as a mix of T-Bills and high technology stocks seems to be in order.

The six geese-a-laying constitute a luxury which can no longer be afforded.  It has long been felt that the production rate of one egg per goose per day is an example of the decline in productivity.  Three geese will be let go, and an upgrading in the selection procedure by personnel will assure management that from now on every goose it gets will be a good one.

The seven swans a-swimming is obviously a number chosen in better times.  Their function is primarily decorative.  Mechanical swans are in order.  The current swans will be retrained to learn some new strokes and, therefore, enhance their outplacement.

As is known, the eight maids-a-milking concept has been under heavy scrutiny by the EEOC.  A male/female balance in the workforce is being sought.  The more militant maids consider this a dead-end job with no upward mobility.  Automation of the process may permit the maids to try a-mending, a-mentoring, or a-mulching.

Nine ladies dancing has always been an odd number.  This function will be phased out as these individuals grow older and can no longer do the steps.

Ten lords-a-leaping is overkill.  The high cost of lords plus the expense of international air travel prompted the compensation committee to suggest replacing this group with ten out-of-work congressmen.  While leaping ability may be somewhat sacrificed, the savings are significant because there is an oversupply of unemployed congressmen this year.

Eleven pipers piping and twelve drummers drumming is a simple case of the band getting too big.  A substitution with a string quartet, a cutback on new music, and no uniforms, will produce savings which will drop right down to the bottom line.

We can expect a substantial reduction in the number of assorted people, fowl, animals, and other expenses.  Though incomplete, studies indicate that stretching deliveries over twelve days is inefficient.  If we can drop-ship in a single day, service levels will be improved.

Action is pending regarding the lawsuit filed by the Attorney's Association seeking expansion to include the legal profession (thirteen lawyers a-suing).

Lastly, it is not beyond consideration that deeper cuts may be necessary in the future to stay competitive.  Should that happen, the Board will request management to scrutinize the Snow White Division to see if seven dwarfs is the right number.

(The "Report from the North Pole" was forwarded to me some time ago and was actually written by Professor Victoria L. Sork of the Department of Biology at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.)

Have a very happy Holiday season and a wonderful and safe New Year!  Or, In Finnish: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year =  Hyvää Joulua ja Onnellista Uutta Vuotta!
 
 

Kwanzaa is a celebration of African-American heritage, unity, and values that takes place from December 26th through New Year's Day.  Originated by Maulana Karenga in 1966, Kwanzaa, meaning "first fruits of the harvest" in Swahili, is a nonreligious ceremony that strives to promote a feeling of pride and cultural awareness.  Each of the seven days is assigned a principle which is explored on that day.  The principles are known by both their English and Swahili names: Umoja (unity), kujichagulia (self-determiniation), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith).

Each night, a candle is lit on a kinara, a seven-branched chandelabrum, as a way to mark awareness of the principle.  After the candle is lit, the prescribed part of the evening is over.  As with most of Kwanzaa, it is up to the individual to decide how he or she would best like to explore the principles, and the festival as a whole.  Some give examples of the  principle at work on their daily life, others read stories or poems by African or African-American authors, and still others play music or dance.

Fruits and vegetables are an important part of Kwanzaa, as they symbolize unified effort, as in harvesting.  Other tools of the festival include ears of corn to represent every child in the family, and straw mats that stand for respect for tradition.  Sometimes, the items are displayed through the week on a Kwanzaa table.

The week is also highlighted with special African or African-American foods, such as black-eyed pea salad, Yassa (chicken marinated in onion sauce), groundnut soup, sweet potato pie, collard greens, brown rice, cornbread, fish, and African stew.  Sometimes, parties are given, particularly on the last day of Kwanzaa.

With popularity, of course, comes a measure of commercialism.  While giving small gifts is sometimes part of Kwanzaa, traditionally, Christmas-sized gifts such as Nintendo sets and bicycles are now being given to children.  Also, there has been an attempt to give Kwanzaa its own Santa figure, called Nia Umoja.  Meant to represent a wise man, Nia Umoja travels around asking children about Kwanzaa.

Though it more closely resembles the Jewish Hanukkah with its candles and its duration, and the American Thanksgiving in tone and theme, many people incorrectly assume Kwanzaa is meant to be an alternative to Christmas.  While it does take place during the same season, Kwanzaa is in no way meant to usurp Christmas, and many people celebrate both events.

Meaning "Dedication", Hanukkah (or Chanukah) is a Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem in 165 B.C.  The eight-day "Festival of Light" or "Feast of Dedication" begins on the 25th day of the Hebrew month called Kislev, which usually falls in late November or December.  Because Christmas and Hanukkah occur around the same time of the year, many people think of Hanukkah as a sort of "Jewish Christmas," but that is far from the case.

The meaning and significance of Hanukkah is individual, steeped in Jewish tradition and experience.  What the two holidays do have in common, however, is a complex history, and the use of ritual symbolism in their celebration.

In a nutshell:  Upon the defeat of the Syrian army at the hands of the Maccabees, the Jewish people were able to reclaim the Temple of Jerusalem.  When worshipers went to light the Temple lamps as part of the rededication ceremony, however, they found only enough undefiled oil to burn for one day.  Miraculously, the lamps burned for eight days, which was enough time to prepare new oil.  The eight days of Hanukkah commemorate this miracle.  But this is only part of the story; there is much more to Hanukkah, its symbolism and traditions.

On the first night of Hanukkah, one candle on the candelabrum (called a Menorah) is light by the shamash, or servant, the ninth candle that lights all others.  Eight night after the first, an additional candle is lit, until all eight are aglow on the final night.

Food is not the only entertainment during Hanukkah.  The dreidel, a top with four raised sides, is by far the most popular Hanukkah toy.  Each side of the dreidel contains a Hebrew letter representing the words in the sentence "A great miracle happened here."  As the top spins and comes to rest, nuts, sweets, or pennies are traded among the players.

Money given during Hanukkah is called Hanukkah gelt.  In older times, this money was given to children so they could buy a gift for their Hebrew school teacher.  These days, however, they are allowed to keep most, if not all, of the money for themselves.  Hanukkah gelt remains one of the more popular Hanukkah gifts.

Katowes are popular among older children.  These brain twisters are puzzles and riddles of sorts; all of the answers to these puzzles must be in numbers that equal 44, which is the total number of candles lit during the Hanukkah festival.  Adults may pass the time playing checkers or chess.  (There are chess sets that pit the Maccabees against the forces of Antiochus.)

Over the course of the eight days, families usually entertain friends at home, eating, drinking, singing, and generally being merry.  Songs echo through the halls, and small gifts are exchanged on many nights.  Depending on the family's preference, the custom of giving one small gift per night can be modified to one or two larger gifts on only a few nights.

Hanukkah observances in the synagogue consist of reading passages from the Torah on each of the eight days.  Psalms 113 through 118 and the prayer of Al Ha-Nissim may also be read.  Though not the most important holiday on the Jewish calendar, Hanukkah stands out as a time of great merriment.  Hanukkah is important to the Jewish people as a reminder of a miraculous time in their history, but it can be a valuable reminder to all of the potential of the human spirit.

My Holiday webpage awards (thank you very much):