"I think there must be something wrong with me, Linus.

Christmas is coming, but I'm not happy.

I don't feel the way I'm supposed to feel.

I just don't understand Christmas, I guess.

I like getting presents and sending Christmas cards, and decorating trees and all that, but I'm still not happy.

I always end up feeling depressed."

 

- Charlie Brown

 

Being neither pro or anti Christmas spirit, this time of the year is not as bad for me as it seems to be for Charlie Brown.

But having always been more fascinated by the dark side of human nature, the message of love, peace and goodwill holds little appeal for me.

 

I do enjoy a good murder mystery, though (the 1976 movie Murder by Death is an absolute favorite of mine that I re-watch every year). So when I had to make a gingerbread house of my own, it was inevitable that a slain body would somehow find its way under the Christmas tree.

 

Happy Holidays!