Happy Holidays

'Truley, Autumn is my season," the scarlet beast chorted. "Spring and Summer and Winter all begin with such late letters! But Autumn and Fall, I have loved best, because they are best to love."

~Catherynne M. Valente

The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland

 In A Ship Of Her Own Making 

Thanksgiving is over, and it's time for all the worlds of autumn to come together! Christmas really should be the last party of autumn, as it belongs to winter for only a few days! It's always seemed to be that autumn got cheated by that, but to me, it is an autumn holiday, no matter what the calendar says! I tend to have all my holiday shopping done by December 20th, so I can spend the last few days before the big day to relax, and enjoy the decorations, and all that goes with the holiday, like baking yummy things.

We tend to celebrate Christmas Eve, with more enthusiasm, than Christmas Day. We make special snacks, play board games, or card games, listen to music, and sometimes get silly singing! Not necessarily Christmas songs, as actually there are very few of those I can actually stand, but any song that makes us laugh and enjoy! Then on the day, we do what most families do, we open our gift bags, and have a good time watching the furry people play with their new catnip toys. We are an unconventional family to be sure, but I bet a lot of families have more going on than we do!

I was born Jewish, but raised Methodist. So, Alan and I honor both holidays. I imagine there are a lot of families like ours that celebrate both holidays, which is why I find it amusing that anyone would claim that there is a "War On Christmas!" All these people who claim Christmas has become, too commercialized, and that saying "Happy Holidays" somehow takes the focus off Jesus, are just more people trying to, literally, sell you a bill of goods." They want you to buy their books about the commercialism of Christmas, which is amusing, but also infuriating at the same time, because year after year, we have to hear about the same old, non-existent war, for the sole purpose of demanding religious conformity, and yes, getting rich off fear and hate! 

Sarah Palin, Bill O'Reilly and Donald Trump, among others, have now all sold products aimed at putting the Christmas back in Christmas! With the first two, it was all about selling books that declared that there was a war on Christmas, being waged by anyone wishing you, or anyone you know, a "Happy Holiday." Also, the whole holiday is one big shopping scheme, created by companies, to take the Jesus out of the season! So be good, for goodness sake, and yell at the next person wishing you a Happy Holiday, and be sure to by another book that explains how you can help, by not over shopping! Because nothing says noncommercial, like a $40 "MAGA" hat that says "Merry Christmas" on the back! Because, now, finally, with Trump in office, we can now say Merry Christmas again! Whew! What a relief!

I'll just be frank here... these people are full of shit!

Especially President "Anything For A Buck."

There. I said it.

Christmas is about as commercial, as you personally choose to let it be! If you want to go out and lavish your family with gifts, go for it! If you want to stay home, and make handmade pillows or blankets, great, have at it, but don't hide behind your "Christianity" as a way to rob anyone else of their religion, their manners, or their joy, or simply, their traditions, during what should be, the one time of year that we can really reach out to one another, in kindness, friendship, and best of all love. We have it in us, but sometimes we have so much noise going on around us, and so many people trying to tell us what to think, that we can't hear ourselves love. Let yourself feel the love in the words, HAPPY HOLIDAYS, because it's up to you to decide if you want to hear with ears of love, or ears of hate.

That. Is. On. You.

Here's a bit of advice... Don't Let Hate Win!

#24 Leaf Of The Day

November 24th, 2017

Knight's Ferry, California

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

 

Cray-Cray For The Holiday

"Don't spoil Christmas Day by anticipating how it will be. 

Let it unfold as it does and be grateful for whatever comes."

~Toni Sorenson

Have you heard the drums yet? Oh I don't mean the little drummer boy playing his drum for the baby Jesus, I mean the war cry alerting us to the WAR ON CHRISTMAS! Be careful... if you aren't keeping up on these things,  you should know you will suddenly be crept up on, not by the Krampas, but by the invisible specter of consumerism, and good tidings expressed, that rob us of the true meaning of Christmas! Sarah Palin knows of this danger, as does the grandfather of jitters Bill O'Reilly. 

They both wrote the book on it dontcha-know? These are scary ass times people... be scared... be very scared... should a stranger wish you a fond HAPPY HOLIDAYS, because, Oh-GOOD-LORD-DONTCHA-KNOW, it will certainly one of those Heathen-Socialist-Communist-Liberal-PC-Considerate-Left Wing-Democratic-Tree Hugging- (And I don't mean an O'Christmas tree) -Weed Smoking-Obamaites trying to diminish Christmas by acknowledging your existence in a pseudo pleasant manner! WINK!

Don't BE FOOLED! Christmas is in DANGER of being destroyed by all the Happy Holiday's banners, and the subtle messages of that HOPE thing that can be found on the prettiest of wrapping paper and greeting cards. It's diabolical I Tells ya! Just stop into the Hallmark section of ANY Walmart store and you will see it right there! You know, I would like to see Sister Sarah and Brother Bill picket a Walmart and expose them for their hypocrisy!  I should encourage that! Everyone needs a little encouragement... right? You GO BILL AND SARAH!

 Don't Be Fooled! 

The WAR ON CHRISTMAS IS HELL!

There, I have done my part for the war effort!

Now, if we are all done with the cray-cray... 

I have a shitload of shopping to do!

Oh and well wishing to express!

Happy Holidays!

;)

And now, this tree hugger presents...

 The Leaf Of The Day

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

Wars And Rumors Of Wars... On Christmas! And The Real Battle!

"Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we're here for something else besides ourselves."

~Eric Sevareid



I have been waiting a long time for this rant. Three months from today will be Christmas Eve. I love Christmas Eve, perhaps more than I love Christmas Day! Alan and I have some traditions, all our own, that I look forward to all year! First we get up and have a light breakfast, then he leaves to finish up his last minute holiday shopping. Actually, it's not so much getting that last minute shopping done, so much as Alan Alone Time. LOL. It's fine, he more than deserves it. He works really hard, and he spoils me rotten, so how could I begrudge him some alone time?

I couldn't!

Last year we had presents under the tree. And the decorations looked lovely. But I felt NO spirit at all. I wasn't the least bit interested, even though I tried really hard to pull myself into the joys that surrounded me. Alan wasn't much in the mood either. You see, just about ten days before Christmas last year, the Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting happened. In the days that followed, the country could have come together as one, and to a good degree it did, except for the powers that be at the NRA! Why one interest group holds more power then the whole of the American people, I will never understand, but there it was... December 21st... 2012... and Wayne LaPierre vowing to do nothing to change gun policies to make things safer for our children, or for the person next to us. On Christmas Eve, instead of finishing up my own last minute joys, like baking cookies, or phoning friends to wish them a merry holiday, I spent my time crying for those lost children, and worrying about whether Alan was safe out in the world.

I hate being afraid.

It pisses me off.

So, the Sandy Hook shooting took place on December 14th of last year, on December 17th of last year I saw the above item, Old Carbine Tequila, for sale at Costco! Still on the shelf, still prominently displayed! Because nothing says MERRY CHRISTMAS like a shotgun shaped Tequila bottle, with a couple of free shot glasses included! Guns and Alcohol. Don't it go down smooooooooth? Goddammit! I wasn't over grieving for those the little ones, or the brave adults lost at Sandy Hook, before I saw that ridiculous Christmas gift idea in the aisle at Costco, and my tears turned to anger. With grieving, you have anger, it's built in. It's almost to be expected, but I couldn't believe Costco couldn't see how completely tacky that particular items was! Then, a few days later, December 21st came, and along with it, that stupid NRA press conference, vowing to do NOTHING! No, worse, vowing to fight any attempt to make things safer!

:::::::SILENCE::::::

Here we sit, almost a year later, and still nothing has been done.

Political JackASS Bill O'Reilly loves to falsely claim there is a "war on Christmas." How dare people wish someone a "Happy Holiday" rather than "MERRY CHRISTMAS!" Year, after year, the same exact bullshit! With nothing to back it up! His ire has nothing to do with God! It has everything to do with firing up his audience, the ones who gave up thinking for themselves a long time ago. The cowards who need a radio program to tell them how to feel. Money. Greed. Ratings is the King. If Bill O'Reilly were genuinely offended by the lack of Christmas, it wouldn't be about a greeting, it would be about making sure that NO child is ever killed 10 days before Christmas... or at any time... ever again... because of the worshiping of a false idol such as the gun.

When a weapon is held in higher regard than human life... it has become a false idol.

Period.

So, is there a war on Christmas? You bet there is! To win it, you have to put your weapon down, and think about your fellow man!

And by the way, Christmas isn't over commercialized. It is EXACTLY AS COMMERCIALIZED AS YOU CHOOSE TO MAKE IT! YOU CONTROL WHAT YOU PURCHASE, SO STOP SPREADING THAT CRAP!

Happy Holidays To You And Yours! I kinda dig the Holiday Tree.. don't you? :)



“Nor is it the spirit of those Christians - alas, they are many - whose ambition in life seems limited to building a nice middle-class Christian home, and making nice middle-class Christian friends, and bringing up their children in nice middle-class Christian ways, and who leave the sub-middle-class sections of the community, Christian and non-Christian, to get on by themselves.

The Christmas spirit does not shine out in the Christian snob. For the Christmas spirit is the spirit of those who, like their Master, live their whole lives on the principle of making themselves poor - spending and being spent - to enrich their fellowmen, giving time, trouble, care and concern to do good to others - and not just their own friends - in whatever way there seems need.”

~J.I. Packer, Knowing God

Mood: Reflective/Sad

~Me :)

Happy Holidays :)

"As long as we know in our hearts what Christmas ought to be, Christmas is."

-Eric Sevareid

For your holiday viewing enjoyment...



From our house to yours...

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!





-Carly, Alan, Dylan and Hendrix :)

Krampus... Is That You I Hear Rattling Those Chains?

From For Ellipsis

"Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days; that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth; that can transport the sailor and the traveller, thousands of miles away, back to his own fire-side and his quiet home!


-Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers, 1836



Imagine a cold, early December night. You are out for a stroll, when suddenly you hear the distinct rattling of chains. You know you heard them... or did you? You shake your head and continue on with your stroll, chastising yourself for being nothing but a nervous Nelly. After all, there is a big full moon in the sky to light your way, and you have walked in this park before, many times in fact. You can even hear the distant sound of Christmas music wafting from the charming Carousel in the park. There's nothing to worry about, and yet, that nagging feeling remains that someone, or something is watching you!


The air is bitter cold. Why did you even think to take a walk in the woods on this bone-chilling cold late autumn night? Why did this sound like a good idea? Do you even know how far you have walked? A lot of thoughts can pass through your mind when you are out for a walk, and your only companion is solitude. Perhaps it's time to turn back, and head back home for a hot cup of tea to warm your thoughts. As you walk you begin to smile as you hear the Christmas music playing louder, and you hear the sounds of the children laughing. You feel at peace and completely comfortable as you continue along that road back home.


You smile to yourself as you glance up the hill to see the beautiful holiday lights that surround the Carousel. So pretty. What could there possibly be to fear?


Suddenly from behind you hear something running toward you, and you turnaround to come face to face with the Krampus! Your mother always warned you to mind your manners because if you didn't, the Karmpus would appear and thwack you one with his hefty chains, and now he has!With a deep evil laugh, he strikes out at you, striking you on your bum, and without so much as a "Hi, how are ya," makes his way into the darkness!


As you stand there stunned, rubbing your freshly spanked bum, you now know... some legends are true!


Beware of the Krampus on the night of December 5th! The eve of the Feast of St. Nicholas!

LOL.

From For Ellipsis

Like my little cautionary tale? I hope so. I absolutely love the legend of the Kampus. I came across the it a few years ago, while looking for something new about the holidays. How can you not just thoroughly enjoy a Christmas legend that has just a hint of Halloween to it?

While America doesn't do much about Krampus day, in Europe it is a huge deal. According to Wikipedia, in the town of Schlaming, Styria, over 1200 "Krampus" (actually men dressed as Krampus, from all over Austria), attend a huge holiday gathering in honor of the mischievous fella, and carry with them chains, and sticks, and wave huge cowbells to warn of their approach. His purpose is to punish children who were bad during the year, by stealing their Christmas packages and spanking them on the rear. So, I suppose if you have been a good little boy or girl you have nothing to worry about... right? LOL. One day, I would love to visit Austria so I can see this festival for myself! Doesn't it sound like great fun?


Were you a bad boy or girl this year?


Will the Krampus be showing up at your house?


(Insert the sound of rattling chains here) ;)

-Carly

Krampus (Wikipedia)

Santa's Not So Little Helper (The Morning News)

Round Robin Challenge: Hometown Holiday Decorations

"Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles."

-Unknown

There is a marvelous exhibit of giant Christmas bulbs at 101 California street in San Francisco. That is the downtown area, right at the Business and Financial district, and it is a really, really festive and charming way to celebrate the season! It is such a nice change from the usual bland gray skyscrapers. A nice splash of color for the cold, days of late autumn. It is going to be really brisk and cold the next week or so. Just in time for the holidays. YIKES. Snow levels are going to be down to the 2500 foot level, which means the Bay Area peaks will see a dusting of snow. As much as I am looking forward to it, I know for some it will be a dismal thought. I imagine this bit of color will lift spirits, at least a little. :)

Lets see some other decorations I spotted around town and beyond...

Christmas Tree in Union Square, San Francisco

Holiday banners in downtown Berkeley

Cute little reindeer at the Holiday Fantasy In The Woods, Tilden Park, Berkeley

Holiday wreath, Old Sacaramento, California 2007



That's it for me... how about you? Did you play? If not there is still time. You can post your entry for up to one week from today, after that time the challenge will be closed. If you post an entry, be sure to come back and leave us your complete information. You can find all the details at the official Round Robin blog. :) Be sure to check on Sunday, for the announcement of an all new challenge topic!

Follow the LL to see what everyone else came up with! :)

Carly... Ellipsis
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Monica... Family Affair Photography


Karen... Outpost Mavarin
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Jama... Sweet Memories
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Martha... Menagerie


Marina... Milepebbles
Welcome New Member!

Sandra... Strong Chemistry


Suzanne R... Suzy Q421's Photo Blog
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Liz... Visual Counterpoint
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-rRose... Wait-NOTYET-MOUNTAIN RIVER WHISPERS


Connie... Far Side Of Fifty Photos
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Wammy... The Ellis Family Cincinnati
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Sherrie... Sherrie's Stuff
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Marie... Photographs & Memories
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Valerie... Rosemary's Other Baby
Welcome New Member!

Gattina... Keyhole Pictures
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Teena... It's all about me!
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Terri... Ways I See The World
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Kathee... Docu-diem
Posted! **Welcome New Member**

Happy Holidays Everyone! :)


"The Big Red Christmas Bulb"
San Francisco, California
December 11th, 2008
Noon