Merry 5 a.m. Christmas!

Have yourself a merry little Christmas...

(the Baroness, Courtesy of the Indiana Historical Society)

Wishing a very Merry Christmas to all of my readers. I appreciate your support more than you can imagine, and I look forward to 2025.

Well, I look forward to some of it, anyway.

I understand many of you spend this day reading your favorite 5 a.m. Stories aloud, which I think is wonderful, especially those of you who choose to act out the Baroness stories and dress up in costumes like the one above.

Thank you for sending me the photos - some of those gowns are remarkable!

(Enjoying the 5 a.m. Stories aloud. AI generated photo)

I am happy to report that since I put up my paywall just seven months ago, reader subscriptions have channeled more than $2,300 to assorted charities, many of them in animal welfare. More details on that later.

Enjoy this special day. I will return on Sunday, with a brand spanking new story.