It’s December. Warm your hands, count your blessings

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By Edwin Folven / December 10, 2025

There’s a certain serenity to a December snow. (photo by Chris Erskine)

Random thoughts, while working on my new novel, “I Love You, I Love You, But Not Exactly Right Now,” my sequel to “Algebra Ate My Brain”:

Laughter is liquor.
Family always fits.
Christmas is a cuisine.
When Mt. Baldy looks like the French Alps, then it’s officially winter.
Next season, NBC should offer a “Festivus” holiday special.
When in doubt, drop a few bucks in the bucket.
When in doubt, take the field goal.
Like it or not, football plays a big part of America’s holiday pageant.
Best reindeer: Blitzen.
Best Santa: Ed Asner.
Best heavenly glow: Donna Reed.
FYI, I subscribe to Amazon Subprime. Packages arrive in two years, three towns away.
“I always count my blessings more than I count my money. I don’t work for money, never did.” – Dolly Parton
Need a break? So Cal beaches are merry and bright right now.
Could USC’s Jazzy Davidson be the next Caitlin Clark?
Sorry, but I’d rather lick the rust off an old bridge than watch a Clippers game.
Did you know Dolly Parton has her own cornbread mix?
And it’s good. No, I’m not surprised either.
Remind me again: How many times has Warner Bros. been sold?
Favorite holiday dish: partridge (in pear sauce).
Favorite dessert: a martini olive.
On cold nights, I warm my hands on Nat King Cole’s voice.
I still find serenity in a good December snow.
Sorry, but there is no discernible difference between a regular moon and a “super moon.”
Before they gave them microphones, NFL refs threw way fewer flags.
Sure, SoFi is tempting, but wait till UCLA sees the HOA fees.
What I really miss: record stores; Ed Sullivan; rom-coms set in London.

Top five holiday classics:

1.Wonderful Life

2.Planes Train and Automobiles

3.Elf

4.The Bishop’s Wife

5.Bears-Packers game in the snow.

As I’ve always said, Santa would’ve been a terrific nose tackle.
Is that Dodger gondola L.A.’s idea of mass transit?
Still, I like the idea.
For the record, I’ve never flown sober out of LAX.
And I used to be a pilot!
But seriously, folks, LAX just goes from worse to worser.
Best last-minute gifts: Books, concert tix, Dodger ornaments.
Support the storied Rose Bowl with a commemorative brick, available online.
FYI, none of my friends have indoor voices.
My kids, same thing.
Even our dogs don’t have indoor voices.
“Remembrance, like a candle, burns brightest at Christmastime.” – Charles Dickens
Favorite word to say: Bamboozled.
Favorite winter soup: French onion.
At least for me, a good workout is way better than weed.

Top five holiday songs:

1.Chestnuts

2.Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

There should be an entire town dedicated to Mel Torme.
Gordon Lightfoot too.
Great job in Mississippi, Coach Kiffin: You always leave ‘em wanting less.
Two words for those who think the Rose Bowl is too old: Fenway. Wrigley.
As they say, you can make a sound argument without making a lot of noise.
Well, maybe not anymore.
Dear Santa. Define “naughty.” Define “nice.”
“It will be a very traditional Christmas, with presents … doors slamming and people bursting into tears.” – Comedian Victoria Wood
Go Rams! (Sean McVay is still the best skipper in the NFL).
Go Lakers! (the most-interesting team in the NBA).
Go Kings! (where every power play reminds me of Tchaikovsky).
I could see all three winning championships, joining the mighty Dodgers.
Welcome to Titletown, USA!
Trivia time: What was Louis Pasteur’s major in college?

Top five places to celebrate the holidays in L.A.:

Something I’ll always love: holding hands.
And making snow angels.
Yep, if I were any sappier, I’d be a pine tree.
So?
“Excellence does not require perfection.” – Henry James
FYI, if UCLA ditches the Rose Bowl, I’m putting a hex on the Bruins that will make the Curse of the Bambino look like a kiss on the lips.
Trivia answer: Louis Pasteur, perhaps the greatest chemist of all time, majored in philosophy.
FYI, I majored in naps.
But look at me now!
Safe flights.