Tradition

I got the tree up Thanksgiving day and yesterday put some lights in the window, so today I guess I will get out the decorations and do the tree. We put up the decorations at the church this afternoon and no one remembered where anything went. As we were making it up on our own, someone said' but this isn't traditional'. I love tradition, but maybe we sometimes need to look at a new approach and view.
So it is with my tree. I think I will do something different to it this year. But one thing must stay. The black devils claw. Dad always put it in the tree to aggravate Mother. We have always put it on our tree since they died and I will always have it there. Some traditions are too precious to give up. Anyway, decorations are not what make Christmas. Remembering the reason is the thing.

Nearly December

I am always anxious for December to arrive, but alas, it leave too soon. So much to enjoy, the Christmas lights, the decorations, church services, music, pure joy and excitement. Family, friends, 2 birthdays, Jesus and me! Each year I vow to do better and take some time to simply enjoy the season and the month. Each year, I get stuck in work and busy stuff and then it is gone before I know it has arrived. This year will be different. I will get to see Amy and Becky and her boyfriend. I will really miss not seeing Joey and Rachel and Tim and Tom, but I will be thinking of all of them a lot. Perhaps it will be a month of making a start on fixing our church. I know that today I need to find a way to make the new music box play Christmas music on the sidewalk, work on a couple of Christmas projects, and perhaps do a bit of shop work and get the statements in the mail. Then perhaps I will make my Christmas shopping list. What a busy month. I need to make a start.....so I am off with the resolution to enjoy the month.

After Thanksgiving

Wow!! I love this day. Christmas music from my computer to drive all the employees nuts. Christmas music in the car. Christmas music on the street from my speakers. I love that part, people just dance down the sidewalk and wave. Music is great. The big window has said goodbye to the turkey and fall leaves and the gingerbread men and lights take their place. It is not so crazy busy with customers today and I can enjoy the thoughts of the season. I even have my tree up at home!! Not decorated, but ready. I need my decorating buddy, Rachel, for that. May the best of the Christmas season be yours and may it begin today (if it hasn't already).

Thanksgiving

I may eat too much tomorrow to remember this. But Happy Thanksgiving!!! I am thankful for all of my family. I have been so blessed to have such a great bunch of folks to call family. Bill, who has been a good and kind and loving husband for these 51 years. Doug who keeps me on the straight and narrow and watches out for my stupid tricks and has always been a sweet and loving son. Amy who makes my heart sing with her sweet spirit and strength of character, she is my hero. Joey who is kind and considerate and always surprises and delights me. Becky, with her sweet and loving ways always has a wonderful hug and smile. Rachel the spirit of light and joy with great talent and wit. Tim who is my son, and in all the ways he can, makes me glad to be a Mom. My precious brother Tom who is always there for me. Martha the neice I can depend on and enjoy. All of my extended family that I have enjoyed all my life. I thank God for each of you and wish you happiness and joy in the coming season of Christmas. May all the good things in life be yours and may you enjoy each other and make the most of this wonderful world in which we live. Happy Thanksgiving.

Internet Purchase

I don't buy a lot on the internet, but sometimes I have no choice and that seems to happen more often than not. Given a choice of the box store north of town and the internet, I will choose the later.
The boom box we got last Christmas for the shop broke a month or so ago. Now that I want music on the street for the holidays, I don't have any. I ordered a cd player that I think will work with my speakers, but I haven't seen it yet. The girls remember I did place the order, but I can't find any record of doing that. I always print out a confirmation and if I did I can't find that. So, do I get another one so I will have it for this weekend? If I do, surely the other one will arrive the next day. If it does, then I will have a spare when the next one breaks. I don't like buying from the internet, but it is better than the box store. I need to get with the program and live in this century, I guess. My, life was easy when I could just go to Kresses, Lintzes, The Dixie and Western Tire. Pretty restricting, but easy. Cash on the barrel head for anything they had. If you didn't find it, you did without. Good shopping

Sheep and Goats Day

Todays sermon was Sheep & Goats. Mercy, I have always been fond of goats, but I guess I should not want to be one. In all seriousness, I realized that we must be diligent about knowing when bad things happen to people in this economic crisis we face. We are so used to people being able to take care of themselves, that we will have a hard time realizing that people we know can be hit hard by the events of the world. And if we don't know it and take care of them, we will become goats and maybe not even know it. So strive for sheepdom. That reminds me, I must send the book about the sheep around. Advent will be here next week and that is a time of hope. So we should all have hope.

Charles Dickens

I don't know if it is my age or if it is true, but Dickens seems to be ageless. His writings seem as impressive and as pertinent today as they were in his day. People used to flock to read his latest chapter in the newspaper, like people flock to see the latest soap opera episode. Both of which seem to be a telling commentary on the day. Seems to me that his spoke to the social ills of the world while soap operas speak more to the moral ills. (Truthfully, I have not seen one in probably 20 years, but I bet I would recognize the characters and the situations.)
What brought this on? You may well ask. Last night I went to see the Duncan Little Theatre's performance of A Christmas Carol. It was very well done and all 30 of the cast did a good job. Clearly they had a good time as did the audience. But I never tire of the renditions of old Chuck's work. He understood people, the era, the problems, the humor, the fears, the hopes, the dreams, the realities, the faith....he just had a wonderful insight into the world. There are not many authors today who can do that job as well. My hat's off to you, Mr. Dickens. Thank you for a warm and pleasant evening and for always stirring our conscience. God Bless Us Everyone!!!