YEAR END REFLECTIONS....Day 6

It’s the final day of 2020!  Good riddance to this year and prayers that next year will be better.  This is my final blog for the year.  Tomorrow I begin again; a new year and new goals.  

Generally I’d do a poem about the end of the year, but I have not as of yet. Doesn’t mean later today I won’t though. 

As I again think of goals I did not see through I wonder if I need to make short term intentions as I previously mentioned. I’m thinking by making one new goal each first of the month, you may find it easier to keep.  Perhaps on January first you decide to go on a diet; sticking to only one goal for thirty-one days would perhaps be good as by February first you’ll hopefully already be sticking to that diet goal and it is now routine. So on February first you decide on something else; by March first that should be routine.  Now I’m not telling you how to run your life but a suggestion. I’m going to try this; will let you know by February first how my first goal fares out.  I’m not making my goals public at this time, but do have my first ready to begin tomorrow.  

Today is National Champagne Day and today’s holiday word.  Actually it was pulled out of the word pile previously but the word puller told me he put it aside for today.  Not sure if he’ll be doing this task again for me as I’d love to have done something previously with this word but today is fine I guess.  I was curious on why ships are christened with a bottle of the bubbly. Found out suppose to be lucky.  Now is the bottle a cheap bottle for under twenty dollars or more expensive? Now this triggered a funny memory of a boat and champagne.  

My first husband and his two friends went together to buy an inflatable boat. All I remember is them buying a cheap bottle of champagne to christen it. Of course they could not hit the side so they popped the plastic cork and poured the contents over the boat.  I can’t recall the name they called the boat but I think it was something like the Minnow Titanic (of course after the great ship and the boat from the tv show “Gilligan’s Island) but I laughed so hard about the christening.   Funny they even kept the champagne chilled in a cooler which I found dumb as they weren’t going to drink it.  

So as I read ships are christened for luck then I thought maybe that’s why we do a toast with champagne for the new year.  If so, let’s hope we all drink enough to rid us of 2020 and hope 2021 will be a better year. 

I did the TOASTING CHOICES on what the narrator might consider a better drink to welcome the new year.  

So to each and everyone one of you I wish you a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year; thank you for reading ‘Ramblings’ this year.  Look for more ‘Ramblings’ in the new year. 

I usually say until tomorrow.......but........... 

Until next year....if venturing out to celebrate please be careful and enjoy; and as always Stay Safe. 

🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾

             LUCKY BEVERAGE....MAYBE

A sparkling bubbly expensive wine 

  synonymous with the rich 

Considered a luxury beverage

Mostly associated with celebrations 

Engagements, weddings, New Year’s Eve 

Ships christened with a bottle of the bubbly 

       for good luck

Perhaps that’s why it is a beverage for 

    toasting the new year 

If so we need lots of champagne to ring in 

       2021

🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾

               TOASTING CHOICES 

Champagne costs too much

     Gives my poor head a rush

When I indulge in a glass or two

Give me a shot and a beer 

    So I can then cheer 

The end of this year and start of the new

Keep your bubbly sparkling wine

     I’ll be just fine

With a glass of Chardonnay or Chablis

To me it doesn’t matter

  In fact I would rather

Toast the new year with a Long Island Ice 

         Tea 

YEAR END REFLECTIONS....Day 5

It’s odd that the word HOLIDAY is pulled as one of the last few for the month. Only one word left for tomorrow.  

No reason why I wrote the acrostic but it appears always people think of just Christmas during December; yet there are other holidays in December.  I wonder if that’s why people do say Happy Holidays.  I had time to think about it during this December; yes I do hear Merry Christmas closer to the day but I wonder if people feel they need to include all December holidays in one message.  I actually began to say Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays this year.  In the past I never did.  

The card verse I composed, I’ll probably use for next years cards or e-cards I post/send. 

I think back to the past year and realize I began an on-line journal; I down loaded an app but see I never posted or used it after a certain date.  I realize my entries were boring.  What was I thinking?  I never make resolutions but good intentions, goals and aspirations.  I will say this I will be keeping the positive journal in 2021.  I think I’ll use a journal and write down a positive each day. 

I am not sure about other goals for 2021, but I need to make goals one month at a time. It may work out better this way. 

I’m looking forward to this year ending not cause of COVID but because it sure was not one I’d want to repeat. 

One goal I kept was to do a blog each day although I did not begin to post it daily until in April.  I may cut back for awhile during the blog in January to get other things in order.    

Today is New Year’s Eve Eve.  I’m debating if I will attend the Senior Citizens Early Bird party tomorrow or not. Either way I need to pick up a bottle of Spumante or champagne.  

Until tomorrow....enjoy the last Hump Day of 2020 and as always Stay Safe.  

🟠🔵🟤🟢🔴🟠🔵🟤🟢🔴🟠🔵🟤🟢🔴

                             HOLIDAY 

Happy holidays, season’s greeting, Yuletide 

         blessings 

Of course many just say have yourself a 

       MERRY CHRISTMAS

Lot of ways to convey glad tidings for a 

     wonderful time of year 

It is the month with many days of 

       celebrations....so HAPPY HOLIDAYS 

December is not only the month of 

        Christmas 

As Hanukkah, Kwanza, St. Nicholas Day

Yuletide, winter solstice, New Years Eve and 

      a few others celebrated also 

🟠🔵🟢🔴🟤🟠🔵🟢🔴🟤🟠🔵🟢🔴🟤

                       HAPPY HOLIDAY 

                         (A Card Verse) 

Glad tidings of joy we convey

By saying to everyone Happy Holidays

To one and all Yuletide greetings

May this Christmastime be a wonderful 

    season 

Healthy and prosperous for the coming year

Wishes for family and friends far and near

Hope happiness and good fortune come 

     your way 

Season’s greetings....have a joyful holiday 

YEAR END REFLECTIONS....Day 4

 

Why is today’s word FRUIT CAKE; because there are few words left for holiday words of the day and fruit cake finally got picked. Only a few words left and it seems appropriate to have them in days coming.  

Too bad this word wasn’t word of the day for day fruit cake celebrated or on the tossing day.  Fruit cake, yuck, like sweet potato pie and mince meat pie and pecan pie.  My friend Fran likes fruit cake so I dedicated today’s history verse to her.  I’ve never seen fruit cakes shaped any other way then like a loaf but seen pictures on the internet made in bundt pan.  Perhaps if I had a piece soaked in spirits I’d enjoy it but seriously doubt it.  Why waste good spirits that way. 

I remember the first time I had fruit cake.  I was eight years old.  Of course it was this time of year.  My step-grandma Kate did not make it; it was store purchased in a box.  She cut slices and put on the dessert plate with the cookies, nut roll and poppyseed roll all which were home made.  I thought it would taste good seeing the dried fruits and nuts. Well I took one bite, gag!  Yuck! Horrible!  I thought who could make such a terrible thing.  Over the years I’ve tried it again even ones that someone home made; again yuck.  Perhaps it’s an acquired taste.  

As I think about this past year I am trying hard to think of positive things that did happen.  I can’t think of any as it seems the bad keep taking over the good.  Yesterday a friend posted something on social media.  It was to take an empty jar; each day write down one good thing about the day; fold the paper and put it in the jar.  Then after the year ends, open the jar and read the slips of paper.  It did not mention if you are to date the daily papers, but I’d say you do so. Now I’m thinking of doing this in a journal type book for 2021 instead of the jar.  This seems like a good idea to do; no matter how you do it, give it a try.  

I guess you can say it’s New Years Eve Eve Eve.   

Until tomorrow....have a good Tuesday and always Stay Safe. 

🔵🔴🟢🟤🟠🔵🔴🟢🟤🟠🔵🔴🟢🟤🟠

             HOLIDAY HISTORY VI....FRUIT 

                           CAKE

    (For Fran Marron-Harper, Who Likes 

                  Fruit Cake)

Fruit cake is a seasonal treat

   (well for some)

A rich and moist baked good 

Made with candied or dried fruit, nuts 

    and spices 

Optionally can be soaked in spirits

Various recipes available to prepare 

Mostly baked like a loaf 

   But a bundt pan can be used 

Fruitcake can be iced or plain

   Some even dotted with candy on top

       depending on the baker 

Many do not enjoy fruit cake

   (I for one)

  A few can not wait for Christmas to enjoy

In a monologue Johnny Carson once 

   mentioned about it being the worse gift 

         ever 

A town in Colorado has an annual fruit cake      

      toss

Fruit cake dates back to Ancient Rome

  becoming a holiday staple in the 1800’s 

Celebrated December 27th 

  While the great toss of the baked item

    December 28th

Today it’s the holiday word of the day....why?

     Just because....I say 

 

YEAR END REFLECTIONS....Day 3

 

Holiday Word of the Day.....MISTLETOE 

It’s Monday, the last one of 2020.  In a few days we’ll be celebrating 2021 and pray it will be a better year.  

Today’s holiday word is MISTLETOE.  I did the acrostic on the word KISS; how under mistletoe people kiss. I know a few who confuse holly and mistletoe.  I know I did for years; did not know the difference. As for the other piece, it focused on keeping imitation mistletoe hanging all year. The couple will kiss entering and exiting the cottage. It’s one of my lake pieces I guess. 

As I reflect about the past year, I remember New Year’s Eve of 2019. The Amvets post where I’m a life member started this a few years prior.  It’s an early New Years Eve party from 2:00pm until 6:00pm. They provide live entertainment and those attending are asked to bring finger foods.  This event is for those who want to celebrate the end of the year but don’t want to be out after dark.  Actually I find it a good idea; I’m usually calling it a night by ten as I’ll go to bed and read.  At midnight in my neighborhood people shoot off fireworks. Well I attended this event last year.  I stayed until four thirty; went home for crab cake dinner and enjoyed the evening reading while sipping Spumante. There was a half way decent group who came out for what my husband now calls the ‘New Years Eve Early Bird Party’ or ‘Old Farts Party’.  Thinking about it, it’s a good name.  One thing it’s finger foods not a costly meal; second it’s a veteran’s club, only members and their guests not the general public; thirdly you can still head out elsewhere if you desire after this event ends. As I said, I left early.  Now this year again, there is such an event, but being advised that social distancing will be enforced as well as anyone entering inside will be required to have their temperatures taken.  Many I’m sure will be masked.  I wonder how this will play out.  I might just stop by for an hour but then again perhaps not; better safe at home. I can sip Spumante or champagne in the safety of my residence.  

As I grew older, let’s say in my forties, I did not actually care to head out on New Years Eve.  Some people call it amateur night for people who don’t really go out all year except maybe on December 31st.  I found it’s better to be home off the roads.  

Do you have plans for celebrating the end of 2020? 

Until tomorrow....hope you have a great day and as always Stay Safe. 

🔴🟤🔴🟤🔴🟤🔴🟤🔴🟤🔴🟤🔴🟤🔴

                             KISS 

Kissing someone under the mistletoe 

It is a Christmas holiday tradition

Some confuse mistletoe and holly 

Seasonal plants look the same to many 

🔴🟤🔴🟤🔴🟤🔴🟤🔴🟤🔴🟤🔴🟤🔴

                      A SIMPLE GESTURE 

We kiss under the mistletoe 

  that hangs over the door 

Sharing kisses as we exit and enter

The plastic plant remains all year long 

  above the doorway of the cottage at the 

        lake

It’s our reminder to keep the holiday feeling 

 of love, joy and happiness in our hearts

   each and everyday 

   

YEAR END REFLECTIONS....Day 2

 

HOLIDAY WORD of THE DAY....BOW or 

        RIBBON or WRAPPING PAPER

It’s the second day after Christmas.  The word or words today are: bow, ribbon or wrapping paper.  

Wrapping gifts is something I am not good at doing.  I would purchase gift bags when possible.  They are reusable for the recipient and people do use them again a second or third time.  I knew people who saved bows from year to year.  Gift bags and tissue paper covering the item inside now that’s my idea of wrapping.  

I wrote BOW as an acrostic; the ribbons and bow are accessories to make the gift look good.  The RIBBON piece explains gift wrapping to what it is; trappings to mask what is inside a box.  The gift giver puts a lot of thought to making their present as beautiful as could be.  I thought about Christmas morning for PERFECT PRESENT.  The floor littered with paper, ribbons and bows.  The person cleaning it all up of course the mother.  She also has to get breakfast, lunch and dinner on the table for the day.  While it’s a holiday for everyone, she’s still working.  Her perfect present would have been a day of maid service. 

I’m staring the year end reflections for 2020.  Each year I begin with the intention of keeping a journal. Well it didn’t happen.  I never make resolutions as you’ll hear me repeat or see repeated; I make good intentions, aspirations or goals.  You get the meaning. 

This year I did keep one good intention, I blogged more.  Actually I think I blogged every day since April. My posts might just be short or even a reflection but I did post. 

I kept my aspiration to National Poetry month and doing a poem a day. 

Even days I had pieces prepared for events such as Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day and Memorial Day, even though I did not read at ceremonies due to COVID, I posted my writings.  COVID put a big damper on many events I would’ve attended.  With shutdowns of our veterans clubs and wearing of masks most places, my year was not as I hoped.  This was not the best year for anyone but maybe the manufacturers of masks, hand sanitizer and products to kill germs and let’s not forget the manufactures of toilet paper.  More people shopped online causing a big problem with shipping and delivery of packages.   

Think about this and how it affected your life.  As you reflection back over the past twelve month, how did things affect you. Until tomorrow....enjoy your last Sunday and as always Stay Safe. 

 🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢                  

                              BOW 

Bow and ribbon of satin on the package 

Oh how beautiful it looks under the tree

Wrapping paper needs accessories 

🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

                           RIBBON    

Ribbon of red, bow and colorful wrapping 

                paper

It dresses up the gift hidden inside the box 

Beautiful wrapped and given to the 

      recipient

But what’s under the fancy trappings of 

    ribbon, paper and bow 

Only the one giving the gift can answer  

Nevertheless it will be a surprise once 

           unwrapped 

🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤

                  PERFECT PRESENT 

Wrapping paper, bows and ribbons 

    litter the floor

All the gifts have been opened 

   Christmas Day underway

Children play with their new toys from Santa

Mom picks up torn paper and discarded 

     bows

It’s a holiday from school and work except 

   for mom

She still has meals to cook,

   cleanup after each

If only Santa gave her maid service for one 

       day 

 

YEARLY REFLECTIONS....Day 1

 

    Holiday Word of the Day.....JOLLY

Happy Kwanza! Happy day after Christmas! 

I had a nice quiet Christmas Day.  My husband and I enjoyed staying home watching movies and reading.  It was different from years past as we did not go out.  In fact I did my act of spreading holiday cheer on Christmas Eve for Christmas Day.  

Today is another short blog day. I used the holiday word of the day JOLLY and did acrostic on how Christmas goes quickly and we are already looking ahead to the next holiday.  The other is whimsical about my believing in Santa.  It just popped in my head and was fun to compose. 

Now that Christmas 2020 will be a memory, we will be concentrating on New Years.   

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and enjoy the remaining holidays ahead. I celebrate the holidays until the 7th of January which is Orthodox Christmas.  

Today I begin my yearly reflections; in the coming days I’ll be blogging about my year in review and things that occurred and should have if COVID was not around. 

Until tomorrow....enjoy your Saturday and as always Stay Safe. 

🔴🔵🟠🟢🔴🔵🟠🟢🔴🔵🟠🟢🔴🔵🟠

                           JOLLY 

Just yesterday Christmas we observed 

Oh how the day seem to end so soon

Like every year, we prepare weeks for a few 

       short hours 

Looking ahead now to the next upcoming 

                holiday 

Year’s end....celebrating that 2020 will 

            be gone 

🔵🔴🟠🟢🔵🔴🟠🟢🔵🔴🟠🟢🔵🔴🟠

   NO REASON WHY....JUST BECAUSE 

The jolly man in the bright red suit

Visited me again....like every year

He came in quietly like a thief 

Ate my pretzels and drank my beer

Through the door he did enter 

Patiently waited till I was sound asleep 

Left me a few gift cards in my stocking

And I never heard  a peep

The jolly man known as Santa

Kris Kringle, St. Nick or Mr. Claus

Some say he’s is only a myth 

But I believe in him, just because

 

SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER....Day 27

 

SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER 

     DAY 27....Tell everyone Merry Christmas!  Do one of the previous acts from the month.

HOLIDAY WORD of THE DAY....NATIVITY  

Today is Christmas!  Merry Christmas to all.  

My blog today is a short read. 

The spreading cheer today is to tell everyone you see Merry Christmas; also repeat one day of the past acts from this month. 

Nativity is the holiday word. I did a simple piece on how I feel about the Nativity scene.  I own quite a few Nativity scenes.  The piece is just a simple opinion of how I feel. The other verse I wrote, I’m thinking of using for a verse card next year.  

Hope you all have a truly wonderful day.  Please remember those who are in the military and can not be home for the holidays.  Also remember those who are working today and not home with family to enjoy the day. 

Until tomorrow....Merry Christmas and as always Stay Safe.  

🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

                     A BEAUTIFUL SIGHT 

The Nativity is the most beautiful sight of 

       the holiday season

It’s is the reason we celebrate Christmas 

The Nativity reminds us of that first

   Christmas when the Christ Child was born

  Into humble beginnings he came into the 

      world 

Born in a stable among the animals....laid to   

       sleep in a manger 

Of all decorations associated with the 

    season of peace on earth and goodwill 

       towards one another

The Nativity is the most wonderful of all 

🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🌲🌲🌲🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

       MORE THAN MATERIAL THINGS

Christmas is more than the man in the bright 

      red suit with white fur trim

More the food we eat or what we drink

  more than the holiday movies       

       shown twenty-four seven on television 

          and the seasonal songs we sing 

It’s not the glittery paper, satiny ribbons and   

        bows

   and not the card sent or received 

Christmas is a feeling of peace within      

        ourselves

        Love within our hearts

           and joy we see on faces of others 

Christmas is a magical time of year for both 

       young and old 

May the season of Christmas bring 

   peace to your soul

    love in your heart

      and joy to you and yours

      

SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER....Day 26

 

SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER 

         DAY 26....Buy a holiday beverage for 

              someone 

HOLIDAY WORD of THE DAY....EGGNOG

It’s Christmas Eve.  Today let’s buy someone a holiday drink whether it’s a coffee, water or spirit, just buy one person or two a drink.  I’ll probably stop at one of my veterans clubs as I usually do Christmas Eve since I’ve moved to Florida.  There will probably buy one or two guys a holiday drink.  Some people don’t have family close by and they are alone. Letting them know someone is thinking of them is an act of kindness.  

Yesterday I did do the candy canes to few people but took a bowl of chocolates to pass out at my VFW post.  I celebrated FESTIVUS along with the bartender.  

I’m not giving any memories today but do think about the Christmas Eves of the past.  My best were after I met my second husband.  I loved the family tradition where everyone gathering for the meal of baked fish, breaded fish, fish sticks for the kids, fries, pierogis, coleslaw, veggies, dessert (a no meat dinner) that was a tradition of my current husbands first wife’s family.  We had dessert, drinks and exchanging gifts.  Christmas Day we all did our own thing.  Jimmy and I would have a ham, potato salad, macroni salad, baked beans etc.  Breakfast consists of eggs and kielbasa and bagels.  Odd breakfast, but we’ve done it for years.  

We still do the same here in Florida except cut down on what two will have for a meal.  It’s generally some type of seafood and then on Christmas a small ham.  One thing we must always have is chocolates on hand.  That goes back to when I grew up.  What I do is take them over to one of the veterans clubs having a meal for those alone. 

 Now see a memory is triggered.  One year we had our Christmas meal at home; went over to the VFW where my husband is a member. (I belong to different VFW.) They were having a Christmas meal.  On Christmas Day the post officers tend bar to give the servers the day with family.  I took two boxes of Whitman Samplers (got a good deal); buy one get one free.  We walked in and found two places to sit at the bar. I took the candy over to the dessert table.  I opened only one box and put the other next to it.  A woman (who I never saw before) asked if the candy was for anyone to have.  I said yes anyone can have the candy.  Evidently she took it literally.  About ten minutes later I notice this woman walking out of the VFW with two to go containers of food and the unopened box of Whitman Samplers.  As I said she took my answer literally anyone can have candy.  

The following year, I got smart.  I now open both boxes, put four pieces from each box on a dessert plate.  That way no one can walk off with the whole unopened box.  Both hubby and I chuckled.  Found out no one knew her.  Many thought she was with another member who came in at the same time. They asked the member and he said he thought she was looking for her key card when he walked up to the door so he when he opened the door she walked in with him. She never purchased a drink but people said she walked back to the food area and took a to go box plus the box of candy.  No doubt she used the candy as a gift; but then who knows. 

Today’s word is EGGNOG as it’s National Eggnog Day.  Again being curious on how this drink came about I researched.  I like eggnog plain and spiked.  I purchase a brand from the local liquor store that has four different spirits (brandy, whiskey, bourbon and rum).  You need lots of ice with it; and only one four ounce glass.  

Every year I use to do a whimsical night before Christmas about me and a visit from Santa.  I had not done one in years and was asked why.  I would send them in Christmas cards.  I guess sometimes things go astray.  Well I woke up one night in November about 3:00am and typed something up and posting today.  I’ve included it.  Actually it is appropriate for this year.  

I hope everyone has enjoyed reading my blog about Christmas; and doing the acts of spreading holiday cheer for Christmas.  

Until tomorrow....have a wonderful Christmas Eve; if you need to venture out to the stores hope you don’t have any issues.  The last few days I’ve found grocery stores a mad house; and as always Stay Safe. 

🎅🧑🏻‍🎄🎄🎅🧑🏻‍🎄🎄🎅🧑🏻‍🎄🎄🎅🧑🏻‍🎄🎄🎅🧑🏻‍🎄🎄

                  EGGNOG HISTORY 

Eggnog, egg nog or egg-nog 

Does the spelling matter?

      NO!  

Also known as egg milk punch or

    milk punch 

Originating in Great Britain 

  the components are eggs, milk/cream, 

     sugar, spices 

Rum, brandy, whiskey and bourbon can be 

     added for more a potent drink 

Sometimes only one spirit 

    and sometimes all four 

      depends on the individuals taste

Eggnog is filling 

   only a glass or two suffices 

Like mulled wine and wassail a beverage of 

      the Christmas season 

We raise a glass today....cheers to 

            Christmas Eve 

🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

                         EGGNOG

Everyone doesn’t like eggnog 

Guess it’s a required taste 

Glad because more for me to enjoy

No other holiday drink compares

Of course it must be spiked 

Great paired with gingerbread cookie 

  🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

                   PARTY TIME

Eggnog and gingerbread cookies....yum 

A pairing I enjoy during the holidays

Some like to have pumpkin pie with theirs

Of course it does depend on the type 

Plain eggnog with a dessert 

 Spiked with a cheese platter

 and appetizers at a holiday party

Plain or spiked.....

     over ice....

             or no ice....

                  or frozen like a shake 

Enjoy National Eggnog Day 

      

🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅

               SANTA’S YEARLY VISIT

               © Scottie-ann Murphy

            (Written November 24, 2020)

                 (2020 Christmas)

The night before Christmas we’re still 

       quarantined

Hoping this year St. Nick does makes the 

      scene

Every Christmas Eve, at 9pm, I  wonder

       where is he at

Decked out in my ugly sweater with Sylvia, 

     my fluffy white cat

Eggnog, coffee and juice I have ready for 

        him

Cookies, snacks and his favorite, spicy Slim 

          Jim’s

On my TV,  “A Christmas Story” is playing 

       out

I can hear Ralphie’s father as he does

     scream and shout

Oh how I laugh at the crazy prize that he 

   won

Thinking FRAGLIE is Italian, he sure is so 

       dumb

Now I’m curious if Santa will be wearing a 

     mask

Will he stay for a visit like he’s done years in 

        the past

Will he be like Fed-X and leave my gifts out 

     by the door

Should I leave his snack there also, as he’ll 

      be hungry I’m sure

What will he bring me this year, I just have 

       no clue

Perhaps hand Sanitizer, face masks, a roll of 

      toilet paper or two

Maybe Santa will just skip his yearly night 

     run

Traveling wearing a face mask can’t be no 

       fun

  

Oh, Santa just texted finally I  got my answer

He’s up at the North Pole drinking with 

       Prancer

He said 2020 really stinks, stanks and 

      sucks

He said Merry Christmas to all tonight I’m 

     getting drunk

SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER...Day 25

 

SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER 

        Day 25.....Pass out candy canes

HOLIDAY WORD of THE DAY.....SNOW or

   SNOWMAN or SNOWFLAKES

Today is FESTIVUS.  I also call it Christmas Eve Eve.  I’ll be out celebrating today by doing fun still to celebrate.  I’ll be doing my spreading cheer today by passing out candy canes and miniature Hershey’s.  

Yesterday again we let people in front of us in-line.  Murph did at the deli area of the store; me in line ordering lunch at our favorite pizza restaurant.   

Today’s word is either SNOW, SNOWMAN or SNOWFLAKE.  

I used all three in the verse about the couple on a snowy evening. I guess I can call it my winter lake series.  

I did compose a new FESTIVUS piece for this year as well. 

As it’s Christmas Eve Eve, we have few last minute items to pick up at the store.  We avoid if possible the going to a store on Christmas Eve.  It’s always packed and sure this year won’t be different.  Stores have been crowded the last few days.  

So only two days till Christmas. 

Until tomorrow....hope you have a Merry Christmas Eve Eve; Happy Day 3 of Yuletide;

Happy Festivus and as always Stay Safe. 

🔴🟠🟢🔴🟠🟢🔴🟠🟢🔴🟠🟢🔴🟠🟢

                       FESTIVUS 

I was a big fan of the “Seinfeld” show.  I have quite a few episodes I really enjoyed.  One is the “do you have a square to spare” and the also “no soup for you” episodes.  But, I have to say during this time of year, I love the FESTIVUS episode.  A few years ago I researched the day.  It was enlightening.  I put it in my daily holiday countdown. Over the past few years I came up with what would be a FESTIVUS cocktail; Bosco, milk, shot of vodka and Kahlua.  Also I added giving away something to people that day, even though no gifts exchanged. This came about one year when I had left over giveaways from the prior year.  That year I had two dozen legend of the wreath ornaments left.  I happen to be at my Amvets post.  Taking the ornaments with me I passed them out telling people “Happy FESTIVUS for the rest of us.”  No one seemed to realize what I was doing except one veteran who happened to be a snowbird. He asked if I made a donation to the Human Fund and I said yes.  

He too was a fan of the show.  

The following year, he was at the Amvets post again but that year I was giving candy canes.  He and I had a drink to celebrate and that’s when I decided on the FESTIVUS Cocktail. Unfortunately I’m not sure about Bosco but I guess you can use any chocolate syrup; although I did find Bosco can be found online.  

The third year the snowbird veteran did not visit our area for the winter but I again passed out candy canes. 

So today I want to say a Happy FESTIVUS for the rest of us. 

Yes, I decorate an aluminum pole outside in my driveway with garland and a few ornaments.  My mailman asked about it the first year.  I explained what was happening.  The following years, I guess he just took it for granted.  

I decorated yesterday for today.  

Today I’ll be out and about passing out candy canes and/or miniature Hershey chocolates. 

I’ll probably order a meatloaf dinner from someplace for supper as we don’t want to have leftover food going into the holiday.  

As for airing grievances that and feats of strength up in the air; but yes I’ll donate to  the Human Fund “money for the people.”

So everyone enjoy the day. 

🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

                 CELEBRATING FESTIVUS 

Get out that aluminum pole

Decorate with garland of silver

Make that tasty meatloaf dinner

Serve on a bed of lettuce

Wear your puffy shirt

The formal wear for the day 

It’s the holiday of FESTIVUS 

December the twenty-third

Now air all your grievances 

Before you sit down to eat

Toast one another (my own tradition)

With a FESTIVUS holiday cocktail

 Bosco, milk, a shot of Kahlua. 

  And vodka (my concoction)

It’s the holiday of FESTIVUS 

December the twenty-third

After dinner all gather round

For the feats of strength 

Make sure you pin the family head

It’s the thing that you must do 

No presents do you need to give one 

        another 

Just donate to the HUMAN FUND 

In the name of family and friends

And enjoy the holiday for the

   REST of US.....FESTIVUS 

December the twenty-third 

🟠🟠🟠🟠🟠🟠🟠🟠🟠🟠🟠🟠🟠🟠🟠

                          SNOW 

Snow of pristine white

Not everyone enjoys shoveling 

One day a year it is nice to see 

White Christmas Day of course 

🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢

 

            LETTING THE SNOW FALL 

Snowflakes fall gently without a sound

Soon it will make a lovely white carpet

A snowman we will build with a carrot nose 

  eyes and grin made from coal

On his head a fedora and a red plaid scarf 

        around his neck

Let it snow....we have no cares 

This evening we sit by a roaring fire 

        in the cottage at the lake 

            as it snows throughout the night

On the dark green sofa side by side

  covered with the old red afghan 

    sipping Merlot, munching on popcorn

     listening to holiday tunes

The lights from the tree only 

        illumination we need 

Chatting about the holidays 

    how we will celebrate 

Not only this year 

     But.....years to come 

    

   

SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER....Day 24

 

SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER 

       DAY 24....Let someone ahead of you in 

             line 

HOLIDAY WORD of THE DAY.....STAR⭐️⭐️

Today let someone go ahead of you.  Funny as we did that yesterday.  Guess I can do it again today.  These days it’s conquer and divide at the grocery store; my husband goes one way and I go another, then we meet up to check out together.  Murph let a man ahead of him yesterday.  The guy only had three items, bread, milk and eggs.  I thought it funny as we live in Florida and definitely not expecting a snow storm.  So he thanked Murph for letting him go ahead.  Next, as we put our groceries on the checkout counter (we each had a basket) I told the cashier we were together and I’m paying.  Evidently the cashier misunderstood and said how generous it was to pay for someone’s order for the holiday.  I laughed and said no that is my husband all these items are going to the same household. 

So today be nice to let another ahead of you. 

Today’s word is STAR.  I did a few acrostic pieces; two I’ll use as a card verse for next year if not this year. 

Just a few days remain till Christmas Day; the hype of buying gifts, sending cards and over indulging in food and drink will be over. We will forget the true meaning of the holiday.  

Today as I type up this, I’m listening to music on a music TV station.  Some songs can trigger memories.  

On my daily holiday countdown I noted today is FESTIVUS Eve. 

Until tomorrow....enjoy your day and as always Stay Safe. 

🟠🟠🟠🟠🟠🟠🟠🟠🟠🟠🟠🟠🟠🟠🟠

This is triggered by a song.  A wonderful memory of being a kid anticipating Santa.  

Christmas 1958 I was in second grade.  I no longer lived with my uncle and family.  I did miss them though.   My mother, who I only saw on weekends, till I went to Chicago, had ended moved to Illinois.  She then took custody of me. She had a job at a trucking firm and resided in a small apartment. It was just the two of us. After school the landlady watched me till my mother came home.  I actually had a key to get into the apartment which you can say made me a latch key kid. That year we had a small table top Christmas tree.  Santa brought me a doll and a record player that year.  My very first 45RPM was the song “The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)”.  

Santa also gave me my first 33LP which was Frank Sinatra’s  “Come Fly With Me”.  I guess that made me a fan of Frank; but I think the album was really for my mom.  I loved playing my childish records on the blue and white record player. I even learned how to change the needle.  Unfortunately the record player was taken away when my mother married my step-father.  Step-granny Kate felt a person my age should not own such an item as it was frivolous.  It ended up becoming family property and only used by adults.  How I hated everyone. Just because the step-siblings did not own a record player why should I be punished for owning one.  

Personally that Christmas of 1958 I enjoyed as I spent it with my mother. We did go to my uncles that day and I always loved being around my cousins.  It was the last year it indeed was a Merry Christmas till I was in my thirties.  

As I write this the Chipmunk Song came over the TV music channel. It gave me a smile to remember that Christmas sixty-two years ago. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

                        STAR I 

Star led the wisemen to the stable

That held the manger where Baby Jesus laid

Angels sang in the heavens on high 

Rejoicing the birth of the Savior

                      STAR II 

Star or Angel on top of the six foot tree

The decorating dilemma each year 

Always I  decide on the bright silver star

Realizing the Angel fits best on the smaller 

                       STAR III

Star of Bethlehem guided the shepherds 

     and wisemen to the stable

The gifts of the gold, frankincense and 

       myrrh they presented 

A spiritual meaning each gift did have

Reason we celebrate the season, birth of 

     the Christ child 

                       STAR IV 

Santa will be coming soon

Time to hang up your stocking

And jump into bed early

Remember to leave him a snack 

SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER....Day 23

 

FOOD BOX DAY 25.....Deliver your food box 

SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER 

     Day 25.....Buy a holiday bouquet or 

            poinsettia for someone

HOLIDAY WORD(s) of THE

    DAY.....YULE LOG or YULE

🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢

Today is the day to deliver your food box to a local food bank, food pantry or even a church that is collecting food for charity. 

It’s a small gesture to help others who may not be as fortunate.  

Today’s cheer is to buy a holiday bouquet or poinsettia for a friend or neighbor. You can actually be a secret Santa and call a florist to deliver it with a message card with MERRY CHRISTMAS.  I’ve done that one year and I know the recipient was happy.  Mostly I just pick up a small bouquet or holiday arrangement for someone.  

This has been an interesting December by way of researching. I learned about quite a few holiday words, other celebrated days in the month and why certain things are done. Today is another informative day.  I knew nothing about Yuletide.  I’ve heard of it and heard of a Yule log but never knew much else.  I know that desserts are made to resemble a log but never knew where it originated.   The log cakes I’ve seen have been decorated beautifully as well as just dusted with powdered sugar to look like snow on a log.  Personally I’ve never tasted one.  

I did the acrostic on the dessert.  The YULE piece explains the holiday in four simple lines.  I did yet another history piece about Yuletide.  

Today is the first day of winter and what they say is shortest day of the year.  

I’m adding a funny memory today from when I was in first grade. It comes to mind every time I see this one commercial.  

It’s Monday so have a good beginning of Christmas week. 

Until tomorrow....enjoy your day whether you’re celebrating Yuletide day one; the Winter Solstice or first day of winter and as always....Stay Safe.  

I added a bonus piece as one wacky holiday today is HUMBUG DAY. 

🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢

There is a commercial I see every year at this time.  When I first saw it for some reason it triggered a childhood Christmas memory.  I recently told this to my friend Fran who laughed.  I decided to share it.  

It was my first Christmas in Chicago.  At the time I lived with my mother’s brother and his family.  I was in first grade and not yet converted to Catholicism.   My uncle had a daughter ten years my senior and five sons. One son, John, was my age and the youngest Bill was eighteen months not quite two. He was being potty trained at that time. 

Well we had gone to Sunday night services at the church before Christmas.  Christmas was few days later. Our Sunday School classes participated in the program.  Each child had an opportunity to see Santa afterwards.  He gave the kids over four years of age a bag of Hershey miniatures.  Kids four and under got a bag of Hershey kisses.  My cousin Billy got those. No one 

could pry the bag of candy from him.  We arrived back home and Billy says he has to potty.  One of the older boys puts him on the toilet.  He’s still clutching the candy.  It seems everyone forgot about Billy.  My aunt began to ask where he was and was told on the pot.  Well she goes into the bathroom only to shriek.  There was Billy unwrapping each Hershey kiss.  He threw both candy and wrapping in the toilet.  The whole toilet bowl was covered; floating not only with poop but Hershey kisses.  Of course hearing my aunt’s outburst had us all running.  Billy now is standing in front of the commode pointing to it saying poopy. There was no way to dig out the candy so my aunt flushed. Thank goodness my uncle was a plumber.  Everything went down without a problem.  After seeing that, it freaked me out as well as my cousin John. For years whenever I saw a Hershey kiss all I could think of is poop.  When I got them in my stocking I was more than happy to give them to Dee and Jay.  In fact step-granny Kate used them on occasion on cookies which I could not eat. I was in my teens when I began to eat them again.  Funny how I can remember that story.  I think of this story during this time of year due to the commercial.  I did begin to eat granny Kate’s cookies only after I took the kiss off of it. 

I think certain things can trigger a memory or two.  

So one Valentine’s Day few years ago another friend and I went in on the purchase of a larger Hershey kiss for a guy we know.  All I could think of that day again was this story. 

🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢

                         YULE LOG 

Yule log is a dessert made to resemble      

           a log

Unbeknown to many the French thought of

    it 

Lest known information is they call it 

   Buche de Noel

Edible Yule logs can be simply decorated or 

     elaborate 

Like all the holiday desserts it’s delicious 

Overall I’d find it hard to pass up a piece

Goodies during Christmas I can’t resist 

🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢

                                YULE 

Yule begins today on December twenty-first

Understand it will conclude on January first

Learning new holiday information always 

      interesting 

Educational December, this has been for me

 🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢        

             SEASON HISTORY V 

Yule or Yuletide is twelve days long

Beginning on the first day of winter

Depending when winter starts the

  begin and end date varies

This year the holiday begins December 

        twenty-first

Ending on January first....New Year’s Day

Folk lore is that the Yule log a whole tree 

      burned twelve days in the hearth

Many ways to celebrate Yuletide I 

       researched

Interesting it’s one of the oldest winter 

     solstice celebrations 

Like Christmas, gifts are  exchanged

   trees decorated, meal prepared from 

           harvested food

All in all it’s another holiday during 

         December 

Happy Yuletide one and all 

🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢

                       HUMBUG 

Bah humbug says Scrooge

Bah humbug others say 

They are definitely not a fan of the holidays

There was a time I use to feel the same

It took years to reverse my thought

To me Christmas was another day the true 

      meaning I forgot

But now I am no longer a Scrooge 

As I embrace all the December holidays 

 My spreading of holiday cheer begins day     

     after Thanksgiving 

Continuing through to Christmas Day

Then I do reflections of the year to end

So Season Greetings from me to everyone 

 Happy Holidays wishes to all I send