This morning, a brisk wind rattled the Christmas lights and banged them against the side of the house. Their rat-a-tat-tat was an errant percussion to the howling west wind. “Haven’t you heard?” they seemed to be saying, “it’s winter.”

Yeah, we’ve heard. It’s a little early, though, don’t you think? We’re not supposed to be this cold till January.

I liked yesterday’s upper 40s. A seasonable tang in the air, but still warm enough to bounce on the trampoline after dark.

In other words, I prefer winter lite. Just right for caroling, shopping and running holiday errands — but no single-digit wind chills, thank you very much!