Keep in mind today is December 23

Continuous rain makes it look anything other than a wintery landscape, but it feels at least like Christmas Eve.  But the fact is today is Monday, December 23.  Which means we are two days out from the big day of the year.  Already, however, some of our favorite restaurants and most of the government agencies we deal with are beginning to scale their work schedules so that their employees, like the rest of us, can be at home or on the road to enjoy the holiday with our friends and families.  Most of our favorite stores will keep their doors all the way open until late in the day tomorrow, to be positioned to sell those last minute Christmas gift buys.  Here are some specifics about the next few days:  The offices of the Oconee Chamber of Commerce are closed Tuesday through Thursday this week; All Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests offices and ranger stations are closed Tuesday and Wednesday.