Merry Christmas from Taking Note here in Drinnantown. As you no doubt have noticed, things have been awfully quiet here for almost a month now. That’s because COVID-19 finally caught up with me as I tested positive on Dec. 1. . . . It is just about behind me now — I hope — and if all goes well I will be back writing something in this space early in 2023. . . . In the meantime, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year and please stay safe, especially if you are on the highways and/or byways during these days of such uncertain and oftentimes nasty weather.