(This was adapted from a post on December 29, 2008.)
A week ago I went shopping for a new snow shovel. A storm was heading our way and our trusty at-least-30-year-old shovel broke that morning while Kathy was shoveling the driveway. After she headed to Racine to help her mom with some pre-holiday tasks, I headed to the hardware store. On the drive back home the radio was tuned to a local station playing non-stop holiday music. When a Christmas song came on by some unlikely rock group, I laughed out loud and said, “It seems like everybody’s written a Christmas song!” I guess their fans expect it. I’ve never been the least bit interested in writing a Christmas song, but, having no fans, there’s no pressure.
A little after 11 PM I realized I was in danger of falling asleep to David Letterman so I went to bed. As my mind began to settle a bit, I was hit with an idea for a song: a Christmas song! In just a few minutes I had the first verse finished in my head. After wondering if I’d remember it in the morning, I got up, grabbed a notebook, and wrote down the lyrics. It came complete with a melody, but I can’t write music so I ran to my computer and recorded it to help me remember. I jotted down ideas for a second and third verse and then went back to bed.
The next morning, when I looked at the lyrics, I was pleased to find that the melody came back even without the help of the computer. Over breakfast I finished a draft of three verses. Later in the afternoon I sat down with my guitar and my draft lyrics and, after a short while, I had some simple chords worked out. I sang it a number of times on and off the rest of the day and continued to refine the lyrics. Then I went back to the computer and recorded it with guitar accompaniment.
It was nice to have a new song, but the problem was, when would I ever get a chance to sing a Christmas song? About the only time I play for people is on vacation on Washington Island in July. I don’t think I’d feel much like singing it then. As it turned out, however, the wild winter weather gave me an opportunity. Since Christmas Day was the only day of the week with decent weather, Kathy’s family, the Leuker Clan, decided to come to Madison and have a Christmas lunch at our house. After lunch I explained the situation and they all sat down, some willingly, and listened to my Christmas song. It’s called The Wonderful Things About Christmas.
Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah or Season’s Greetings for whatever holiday you are celebrating.
May 2026 bring you health and happiness!