I love this time of the year. The south Texas weather is cooler, not cold, but cooler. I may have to slip on a light jacket if it’s early morning. So far, it still is short sleeve time. The sun is much lower on the horizon. It rises later and sets earlier. It’s still setting much earlier than it does in the northern areas of the U.S. My neighbors have decorated their homes for the holiday season. I mean decorated them with tree wraps and lights strung across the top of their houses. I already have my tree up and a few outdoor decorations. There will be lots of families in south Texas getting together to make tamales. It’s a long cultural tradition. Tamales are as much a part of the holiday season here as Christmas lights. The holiday season can be fun if we keep a tight grip on the stress leash. Don’t give in to things that crank up the stress. When you feel it cranking up, take a step back, brew a cup of tea, and find a nice spot to relax for a few minutes.