Seasonal Overlap Syndrome (also known as S. O. S.)
Having chased tinsel all year, I have finally come full circle. Off-season tinsel is a symptom of the household disorder called Seasonal Overlap Syndrome, better known as S. O. S. These silvery ghosts of Christmases past appear out of nowhere throughout the year, taunting me on Valentine’s Day, Easter, the 4th of July, and, yes, a silver strand waved at me from my potted palm as I set out candy for Halloween this fall. No doubt there are strands of tinsel in my house dating back to the 1970’s, lurking in my closets, clinging to the underside of the sofa, and crouched beneath the easy chairs, just waiting to emerge with their silent “Boo!” Sometimes, it isn’t just the tinsel connection that blurs the lines between the holidays. It also has to do with time-slippage. I will explain. This year, while I was waving goodbye to Thanksgiving guests, Advent slipped in.…