The cold has taken Turkey Hollow, leaving no doubt that winter has arrived just in time for the holiday season. The wind chill has hovered at about 5 degrees for several nights, and that unmistakable cold northwest winter wind howls through the trees in the woods. My neighbor Wayne Keller posted his truck at the top of Turkey Hollow for the UPS and Federal Express packages, since the trucks usually can't make it down the dirt road in the winter. The drivers simply call and we pick them up from Wayne's pickup truck when we can make it out.

Only one week remains in the hunting season and so far so good for my clan. We are keeping our fingers crossed that all of our favorite bucks make it through the season. There are a lot of people up here in the southern Catskills that need the deer for their food supply for the winter. I only hope that if one of my clan falls, it will feed a family rather than hang on a trophy wall.

The holiday spirit has hit Turkey Hollow. I put my lights out on the pine trees and they look a little uneven, much to the dismay of my designer friends. Given the fact that maybe a grand total of 40 people might see them throughout the entire holiday season, I thought, hell, they look good enough!

In the house, the tree is up early since I have to have surgery just before Christmas. I wanted to enjoy it as much as I can. The fireplace is roaring and carols are filling the house. My buddy Steve Guy baked some pies and the house smells like a gourmet bakery on the best street in Paris. My favorite decoration is the musical stuffed Santa's and Snowmen that play carols when you push their plush stomachs. But everyone else hates them, even my cats. Steve keeps threatening to burn them if I push their stomachs one more time to hear "Silver Bells.”

There are dozens of ornaments on the tree and each has its own history. Every year for several decades, my sister Patsy has given me a new baccarat ornament and they all shimmer on the tree. There is a crucifix made out of pop beads that my mother made just before she passed away about 20 years ago. My dear friend Peter, who passed of AIDS in 1989, gave me toy soldiers for the tree so I would always have men in uniform on the tree. Then there are the home made decorations that my ex Patrick and I made on a houseboat in Amsterdam when we were cold and poor that year. I can sit next to the fire and stare at the tree and be filled with warm memories.

Winter comes with the holidays and we are preparing for a snow/ice event this weekend. That means we have to check the generator, get the salt ready, bring the shovels close to the porch and double check the snow blower. Brutal cold and howling storms never seem to respect holidays or travel schedules. We want the ambience of the snow but it always seems to come as you have to fly somewhere or while we wait for a visitor in the Hollow.

So, as you all in the southwest decorate your Palm trees and cacti, we will sit back and enjoy a classic winter wonderland with my Santa's and Snowmen singing "Silver Bells.” I love it.

Pictures taken by Steven Guy in Turkey Hollow