The hint from the Times-Picayune carrier who leaves a newspaper each day at the front of our house in New Orleans was simple but effective. Inside last Saturday’s edition I found that he had included Christmas card to us. It was included in a self-addressed envelope.

Such is life in a tipping culture. How else would I even know the name of this man who I’ve only seen passing by in his truck very early each morning, much less know his mailing address. Simple but effective.

And if it’s already Dec. 19th, it’s not too early for my annual viewing of A Christmas Vacation. Though I haven’t burned out on it yet, once a year is about right. Usually with a bottle of wine.

Soon it will be time to mount again those lying, SOB #&#%#! scales for comparison with the weigh-in I made at the first of 2008. Dismounted those lying, SOB #&#%#! scales with a vow that I would not have gained any weight when I remounted them at the beginning of ‘09.

Don’t they measure weight in the United Kingdom by stone? In which case, mine would exceed seven. Seven stone and change.

Between now and then comes my favorite day of the year — December 26.

And when I’m asked if I had a good Christmas, my reply is always: “I had all I could stand.”