finska kakor, russian teacakes, almond crescents, coconut macaroons, lemon lassies, spritz, fudge, english toffee, chocolate-mint bars, glistening snowflakes, fresh-picked persimmons on the dryer ripening till Amos is standing tippy-toe to snatch a sweet treat, oranges fattening up on the tree, lemons looking gorgeously perfect in the foggy morning light but sour, sour, sour to my taste buds, the giant crepe myrtle letting loose of her last few orange and rust-hued leaves, the nightime breeze instantly chilling me to the bone as i walk to my car after work - my December Christmas is here