They told me that, because of the Christmas holidays, the presses will be shut down on Dec. 22, until after New Year. So my last column of the year must be submitted on Monday, Dec. 20. Normally I have a week between columns; now– just three days. They’re only short pieces– one of my photographs plus 400 words of commentary. But because they’re short, they’re very exacting to produce.
I have to find a picture that seems appropriate; then I have to figure out what I’m going to say, and then the way to say it. Then I have to look at the combination of picture and words and see if it works. Often I have to change both parts several times to make it something worth reading: sometimes really strong, sometimes just OK; but anyway something good enough to print.
Three days isn’t long enough to do that. If I tried to rush something out now, some reflection appropriate to the season, the result would probably be a mess– embarrassing to me, and boring to the reader.
So, this time, just a two more happy holiday pictures from the FU Christmas parade: Merry Christmas! See you next year.