While my principal job here is editing Semper Fi, the Magazine of the Marine Corps League, I sometimes get a chance to write articles for some of our other publications, such as American Spirit. Fellow editor Jamie Roberts consistently comes up with interesting topics that combine my interest in history with a curiosity about how things work.

Right now, I'm researching a piece on how our modern calendar came about (and yes, I am past the deadline). Although the Gregorian calendar was formulated in the 16th century, it was not immediately or universally adopted. In fact, it was the middle of the 18th century before it became the official calendar of Great Britain, and, by extension, the American Colonies. The change made a number of days simply disappear, and researchers of all sorts, from historians and genealogists, have to keep calendar shifts in mind in their studies.

The topic of the calendar is particularly apt right now, as we approach the winter solstice on Dec. 22 and the New Year (which wasn't always January 1). Hammock's offices will be closing on Dec. 21 and will reopen on Jan. 2. Though we will be taking a good rest, we will also be checking e-mail and phone messages. And I will be finishing that article.

Until then, best of the holidays to you and yours!