Sing along with me- “Oh, the weather outside is frightful…let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.” Talk about wishful thinking, it's a shorts wearing 76 degrees, with maybe a jacket when it drops to a sun-setting brisk 65. And that, folks, is why we live in the vitamin D state. 

   The irony of snowing wishing while watching the annual DeLand Christmas parade debunks the notion of a one-size fits-all Christmas; it's my opinion Northerners, jealous of the South's winter heat, set the Santa story in a climate impossible to duplicate on our Boulevard. “Ba, humbug, to that,” we DeLandites say. Our Christmas parade is complete with Santa and reindeer sleigh, floats shooting out fake snow, and marching bands tooting out “let it snow “songs. This year's parade, shorter than usual, was a mere 1 1/2 hours of 4 H sheep, oddly looking like reindeer, the used auto parts truck blaring music, and a golf cart carrier, with 12 decorated carts. (Which seems appropriate since we're able to golf year round.) Marching bands, and every scout, dance, and church group rounded out the night's entertainment. It is seriously hometown, and seriously heartwarming.

   There's a temperature word again- warm. I think it's time we create a Southern Santa, riding on his pet alligator, led by 12 red-nosed manatee. Presents are left under a palm Christmas tree. The lanai will be laden with grits, southern cooking cookies, and a Southern Comfort cocktail.   Now that's a southern Christmas. “Oh, the weather outside is delightful...let it shine, let it shine.  "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a warm night."