2014 Christmas Song Countdown: You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch

The deep, resonating bass voice of Mr. Thurl Ravenscroft as he hurls insult after insult at the hateable Grinch during the animated version of Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas is usually one of the earliest signs that the holiday season is upon us.

It's easy to be grinchy, actually, and some years I find it laughably easy to be bitter and humbugish about the whole holiday season. The songs have started too early, the stuff has shown up too early, etc.

This year that is not the case. The appearance of decorations in the stores bothered me a little, but not enought to run the other way like a vampire faced with a head of garlic.

When the seasonal songs started being played on the oldies radio station I listen to in the mornings and at work, I was fine with the music.

I even loaded my seasonal playlist onto my iPod before Thanksgiving Eve.

I can't explain why but this was just one of those years where the normal stress and agita just don't seem to be affecting me.

The Grinch just isn't there this year; my heart seems to be an appropriate size.