Howdy!

In another sign that Christmas is coming the first of several Thanksgiving celebrations was noted this week with Canadian Thanksgiving – a North Pole tradition.

Missing, of course, was Santa who loves this event and any other kind of Thanksgiving celebration.

“I’m sure, wherever he is, Santa is celebrating Thanksgiving,” Mrs. Claus said.

The continued absence of Santa at the North Pole still has folks here nervous.

In a way, they feel a little gypped because this is the time of year they normally get to see quite a bit of Santa.

He’s usually very absent for much of November and December as he visits with the children of the world in various locations.

Then right after Christmas Santa usually takes a bit of a break with Mrs. Claus and we don’t see much of him.

In the spring he’s busy with gardening and we do see him as that’s when he holds a lot of planning meetings and such.

But then he takes off for quite a while to vacation and visit relatives in far away places.

He’s usually back for Christmas in July and he keeps pretty close to home until November. The Halloween Party is also kind of a see-you-later party for us with Santa.

Well, he’s been gone since July 25th. And we’re missing him and we are worried about him.

Not hearing from him is the real problem. We just want to know that he is okay.

But Mrs. Claus today was smiling and didn’t appear concerned at all.

That’s so unlike her!

— Elf Ernest