Nov 23, 2011 |
Tomorrow, we feast. The day after, we decorate and celebrate. Today, we gear up.
I’m going to brave the supermarket. (I already hear you, Jenn: WHAT THE HECK AM I THINKING?!). Jenn went to Wal*Mart yesterday and tweeted her survival, which received no small amount of heckling from me.
That’s okay. At least I’m staying in on Black Friday. The excuse of Unemployment and all that. (Actually, I just think the rest of you are crazy, so while you’re out in the crowds and the cold, I’ll be snug as a bug in a rug. And when I wake up, and you’re still standing in line, I’ll be drinking some hot coffee or cocoa while still in my jammies… Please tell me you aren’t like The People Of Wal*Mart and going out in your jammies. Please just give me that!).
Today I’m going to bake Pumpkin Spice cookies. Today I’m setting up my Nutcracker Village. Today I’m lighting my “Let It Snow” Yankee candle. Today I’m putting a log on the fire and baking up the first batch of my family’s old secret recipe, Holiday Doo-Dads (you know it by it’s current name, Chex Party Mix… but my recipe’s different. And more delicious. Just sayin’…)
And today I’m singing Christmas music. Loudly. In fact, I may broadcast it all the way across the states and then some. I do love me some Connick and Bocelli!
Today is the last day of the season before the Season. Every moment in the last few weeks has been pointing an arrow to tomorrow, flashing their neon signs screaming “THE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE! THE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE!” And I’ll be no exception.
We’ve got the meal planned down to the minute so we won’t miss a minute of the Packers-Lions game. And while I’m usually a Lions fan, I’m always a Packers fan, so I’ll be dressed in Green and Yellow and cheering with all the other Cheeseheads of the nation.
Friday is our annual Day After Thanksgiving Decorating Party. That’s a whole ‘nother blog for later. Right now, I think I’m all blogged out for the day.
In the words of someone famous (although right now, I don’t know who). “I’ve got places to go and people to see.”
And Franky, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Nov 22, 2011
Today’s weather warmed up with the sunshine, allowing the birds to come out of their cozy nests in search of the seed I’d placed for them. I saw my two scarce Cactus Wren leave the confines of their Joshua Tree and to my delight, two more were with them! My little family of birds is growing!
In keeping with this week’s post themes of Thanksgiving, I immediately thought “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” and that got me thinking.
That doesn’t really sound like I’m thankful for the birds in my bush. (Although I am). It sounds like I’m wanting more…
Well, realistically, who isn’t? But rather than spend all my efforts searching for more (two more in the bush), why not treasure the little bit that I already have (one in the hand)?
This Thanksgiving, I may not have much. But what I do have amounts to more than dreams. It’s real, tangible, heartfelt.
And the two in the bush? Well, that just leaves me something to strive for, and when necessary, enjoy from a distance.
Nov 19, 2011
I originally had a post scheduled for today in which I uncharacteristically vented my woes of unemployment. But that’s a bandwagon I really don’t want to jump on.
I like to think of myself as an optimist, and as hard as life can be at times, it can always be worse. And I don’t like to dwell in the dregs.
So, I deleted my uncharacteristically woeful post and have decided, instead, to announce all the things I am incredibly thankful for. On Facebook, I’ve seen some friends post their “25 Days of Thanksgiving” since November 1st. While I haven’t posted anything, I’ve enjoyed seeing the variety of what people find to be thankful for.
Here’s my list. (I’ll try to stick to generals, because if I get specific, this list will never end.)
1. Books, especially the Bible, Louis L’Amour, Little Women, Sherlock Holmes, and mafia crime.
2. My family: birth, church, writing, and FPTO.
3. The ability to write, and family/friends/readers to write for.
4. My kitchen and all the goodies that it holds and creates.
5. My cats.
6. My house, yard, garage, patio, trees, and herb garden.
7. Church. The people I’ve met at church. The ministry they offer. The peace it gives me.
8. Unemployment benefits, some people don’t even have that much.
9. My car and the ability to drive.
10. Dreams, hope, and wishing. In other words, a future.
11. A balanced checkbook and bills that are paid.
12. Two turkeys (thanks, Laura!)
13. Our Second Family.
14. Health.
15. Our fireplace.
16. Living so close to my mom and being able to have coffee with her more often than not.
17. Impromptu visits from and to friends and family.
18. Recipes.
19. Bunco.
20. The internet, phones, television and digital/electronic media that make research and writing easier.
21. My 100-year old Encyclopedia Brittanica library and typewriter that remind me no matter what, I was born to write.
22. Living in America.
23. Music. To listen to, to rest with, to sing with.
24. Imagination and the ability to share it.
25. Inspiration. From God. From family and friends and the world.
What’s on your list?
Nov 14, 2011 |
It’s ten days til Thanksgiving.
Ten days til we wake up early and head to the kitchen for a marathon cooking day.
Ten days til we stuff ourselves like no tomorrow, pack up some leftovers and sleep it off in the recliner.
And somewhere in the midst of all that, we’ll turn on the TV for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
For the past few years, the parade has been less and less of the quality and holiday that it used to be. Who can forget three years ago when the abundance of music was loud rock and rap? Or last year when NBC’s cameras so often caught a shot of the scanty Victoria’s Secret billboard… yeah, Santa. That’s really what I want for Christmas. To keep seeing some other woman’s perky boobs laced in red during Family Time. Thanks.
Now before you go calling me a prude, I will be the first to admit that in three days I’ll be standing for hours in line to catch the midnight showing of Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1. And it has nothing to do with Bella.
But that doesn’t mean I want vampires and werewolves around on Thanksgiving. There’s a time and a place for everything. And I just don’t think Macy’s is the place for, well, what it’s been the place for the past few years.
Last year, I had the grand idea to start a letter writing campaign: to let Macy’s, NBC, and New York City know that it’s okay to get back to the fundamentals of the season. To not promote celebrity for the sake of celebrity; but to honor talented individuals and groups. To hear them sing Christmas songs. To not be inundated with extravagant costumes and sales and bling; but to appreciate the gathering of people, the holiday cheer and good will.
How did it turn out, you ask? Well, I’ll tell you… it didn’t. It was one of those ideas that I didn’t write down, mention to anyone, or think I should even approach. So I let it go.
And now, here it is, almost time for the next Parade. And I’m holding my breath. Will Andrea Bocelli or Harry Connick, Jr. serenade us with holiday ballads? What Broadway shows will be featured? Will there be honors given to local heros? How high will the Rockettes kick this year?
While I know the opening and closing of the parade will be spectacular, and the High School Bands will be impressive, it’s the in-between stuff that has me wondering if I should even bother to watch. I’m certain to be disappointed, and possibly disgusted.
And the anticipation of that disappointment has me wondering… what would the perfect Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade be like?
If you were the planner/director person, how would you put on the parade? Would it have a particular holiday theme? What holiday elements would you like to see? Who would your performers be?
Leave your comments here. If this year’s Parade doesn’t hold up to standards, maybe I’ll forward this to Macy’s Social Department and see if our voices matter. (I think they do!)
Nov 7, 2011 |
Some of you saw the post title and are already nodding in agreement. And that’s exactly why I don’t care. Because you already know who I’m talking about. Because the world is so much more important than the Kardashians and their money-making publicity.
I think mainstream media does us a huge disservice by placing such stories in the “News” category. Since when is how high-maintenance a person is, news? Since when is someone’s paycheck (or lack there of), high priority knowledge for me and my family?
I want news to be news: What is the government doing to protect and serve us? What natural disasters are occurring worldwide? How are people helping other people?
I really don’t want, or need, sordid details of someone’s sex life. I could care less what people do in the privacy of their own home as long as it’s not illegal or immoral.
Yes, there are things we need to know about. So later, we’re not blindsided and say, “Where the heck did that come from?” Yes, it’s important to keep an eye on Politicians, the economy, and headliners.
But our current societal climate is making the economy the Celebrity. There are no great performers, no great actors or singers or athletes. It’s no longer about someone’s talent or offerings or goodwill. Now it’s just about their paycheck. And the bigger their money bags, the bigger their attraction.
Kim Kardashian can afford to be beautiful. She can afford to have her name in print every time I pick up a paper or glance through a magazine.
But where’s the news? While reporters and paparazzi are busy making Stars out of those who have money, the real stories are getting ignored and even pushed aside.
It’s almost Thanksgiving. It’s certainly the season to appreciate what you have, even if it’s not much. It’s the season to go beyond yourself and what image you want to project into the world; and instead reach out to those less fortunate, in need, and desperate.
The only thing I see Kim K. being desperate about is making headlines. And that just makes me sad.
I keep a photo on my fridge, but it’s not of her. It’s not of any celebrity. It’s of the first Thanksgiving dinner I had in my first apartment. My table was overwhelmed with turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, dinner rolls, sparkling apple cider, and pumpkin pie. That entire meal personally cost me 76 cents.
Why? Because I was blessed by people who wanted to contribute to my first “Big Holiday Meal”. Because I knew how to coupon shop. Because I bought a candle that cost 76 cents, with tax!
I keep the photo up year round to remind me that even when I don’t think I have much, I have far more than I need. I guess I’m more like Kim that I thought.
I wonder if I could get a sponsor to pay me just for being me? Maybe my family and I could be the official spokesmodels for Target or Wal*Mart….
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