It started drizzling this morning and the drizzle built into a steady rain.  The soil here is a fine clay that forms choking dust when dry and heavy, slimy mud when wet.  The ground is already saturated and the gravel spread out all over base to keep the dust down is now sinking into the quagmire.   Once firm ground now feels like walking on a sponge.  I think the rainy season has officially begun.  If the temperature drops another ten degrees we could even have snow. 

Despite the weather spirits are high and good cheer prevails.  We had a party last night complete with stockings for everyone.  They were stuff full of candy and a great new leatherman tool.  But best of all, the matching sock came with it!  I now have a second pair of white athletic socks that comply with regulations on PT Uniform wear.  Cool.  I can now enter the DFAC (Dining Facility) without fear of being challenged by the ruthless mess hall guards.  Around midnight some of the battalion staff drove out to deliver hot drinks and sing Christmas Carols.  From what I’ve heard, some were more appreciative than others but no carolers were shot or otherwise injured.   I made my rounds before midnight so I personally missed the event. 

As on other holidays, the DFAC put together a big spread for dinner to include turkey, shrimp, hen and the requisite pork product which was ham today.  Oddly, pork and pork products are forbidden to be mailed into the country but we usually have at least three forms of pork offered every meal.  Humm…  Then again, before I boarded the plane to fly over here I was actually wanded with a metal detector to ensure I had no weapons on me while I held a handgun.  Anyways, it was nice to gather with everyone for awhile before heading back out into the rain.

It was a very good day.  We are still safe and amongst friends.  In only three months Iraq will be a memory.  We took a few pictures of our crew together before calling it a day.