A Christmas present recalls memories of a Christmas past.(The Orlando Sentinel)

Byline: Ed Hayes

Dagwood's neighbor Herb asked if he'd come over, help string up his Christmas lights. Sure enough, the hapless duo wound up girdled in a tangle of wires.

You probably saw the "Blondie" cartoon over on the funny page, and cracked a smile. Like most effective gags, it hit close to home.

Well, my wife and I didn't exactly end up bailed together in wires, but we did have a modicum of dilemmas while occupied in the simple chore of hanging a Christmas wreath on our cottage door.

This could easily have been a jiff job for your average man of the house, but my wife's the local artistic director and a hands-on overseer, to boot. …