Every year about this time I start to feel the "not-much-summer-left-blues".

How can it be August already? Cliche or no cliche, where the heck is time going, anyway? The changing of seasons is fun. Refreshing. Just wish they'd SLOW DOWN a little.

Reality hit the other day as we began our Christmas Gifts and Collectibles selections for SHOPSICLE (www.shopsicle.com). If it was May just "yesterday", does it follow that December is "tomorrow"? Scary.

Ah yes, Christmas...as one who loves the holiday (I can muster up some Christmas spirit any day of the year), I am one happy dude while researching ornaments. We found some incredibly lovely hand-made blown glass ornaments, which have been created by individual artists...divinely collectible and at the same time very reasonably priced. Perfect.

Anyone who shares my pixilated passion can view these ornaments by going into www.shopsicle.com and clicking on "Holiday" and/or "Collectibles". It's important to remember that these are artist-created, limited editions (just making them all the more valuable as collectibles), so don't delay ordering them. They sell out fast - once they're gone, they're GONE.

There's a serenity about discussing Christmas in August. From this vantage point, it's just an idea-construct. No pressure. A nice thought. Sugar Plum Fairies and flying reindeer. Somewhere in the future.

I've been slowly stashing a gift here and there, as the perfect ones pop up...have been attempting for years to de-commercialize the holidays by shopping slowly, over a long period of time, really thinking out gift choices, no last minute decisions. The objective is to have something terrific for each person on my list before December arrives.

For once I'd like to have time to enjoy the "good will" part: making merry with friends and family. I haven't aced this goal yet. Always end up with late selections - but am getting closer and closer...maybe this year!