Happy holidays? Let's give it a try.

2016 was a full year. Much in the same way that a diaper might be described as full.

Over the past 12 months, I've lost faith in more people and more principles than I can count. I've come to learn that much of my country hates those that I love – because of how they worship, or who they screw, or the shade of their skin. I've watched the overriding principles of our nation grow mean and loud and dumb.

And yet.

On a daily basis, I find myself surrounded by kind people. People full of love and respect and, even still, full of hope. They've brought me into their fold, and I've brought them into mine. And together, even still, we're strong.

For the next week, anyway, that's what I'm going to focus on. The strength of my children, my family, my friends. The strength of the sun and the moon. The strength of what I know is inside my heart, even still.

Happy holidays.

5 reasons to give Xavier Rudd a try

There's been a voice in my head lately. The guy behind the voice (still in my head) looks a lot like Xavier Rudd. And he's singing Xavier's song Follow the Sun. While I'm not an expert here, I will say his entire collection hits a nice spot and would fit right alongside Donavon Frankenreiter, Jack Johnson and the other puka-shelled troubadours. I should mention, there are a few nature sound effects in the mix here. And a didgeridoo. The voice in my head doesn't care whether the world is on board with that or not.