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BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas
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Subject: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: Rapparee Date: 06 Dec 12 - 06:19 PM In 2011 my uncle and my youngest brother died, one in January and one in March. In early February my wife had breast cancer. In October I had knee surgery, on December 7 I ripped my right bicep loose from the bone at the elbow and had surgery to reconnect it on the 13. For the first time in 38 years we celebrated Christmas in our own home because I couldn't travel. This year my Mother-In-Law is dying; we'll be traveling out to Silver Spring, Maryland on the 19th and will return on the 30th -- if all goes according to current plans. For the second year in a row I'm putting up a table-top sized tree and candles in the windows and that will be about that. I just can't seem to get in the Christmas Spirit and no, it's not Seasonal Affective Disorder. Just a sense of things slip-slidin' away. |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: Little Hawk Date: 06 Dec 12 - 06:28 PM I can well understand how you feel about that. I look for some spiritual and human side to Christmas and I pretty much ignore the rest. I try to be around people I genuinely am fond of. I don't do the "tree" thing, and I won't be buying lots of presents or sending out cards or that kind of stuff. |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: Bobert Date: 06 Dec 12 - 06:31 PM Man, I loves ya', Rap... That gotta mean somethin', right??? B~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: Jack the Sailor Date: 06 Dec 12 - 06:48 PM It is not the same if you are away from home. I wish you the best! |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: gnu Date: 06 Dec 12 - 06:50 PM I could commiserate on accounta it seems my forebears have a habit of leaving around Xmas time but that don't shed no sunshine on you or me except to try to say I am there too and that really don't mean squat. I guess I am sayin the same as Dan in my feeble attempt to connect with another human when I say... I am there.. I feel for ya. Hang tough. |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: Bat Goddess Date: 06 Dec 12 - 07:06 PM Life changes...and getting older is certainly no walk in the park. We still do a tree -- just a little one on top of a table -- because of tradition and the fact we like tree-shaped greenery in the house over the holidays. (Tried substituting a kissing ball one year when we were REALLY broke and it just wasn't the same.) It's not only that a smaller tree takes less out of a tight budget, but also takes less time and effort to decorate (and UN-decorate!). We don't do the entertaining we used to and we don't have any family close by. I haven't gotten the wreath on the door yet (grapevine with my old ice skates and a bow on it that I made before anyone else started hanging ice skates on wreaths) or scattered around the red and green plaid napkins under the Pan head sculpture or under lamps, or found a surface cleared off enough for the crystal 6" tall tree and iceball candle holders. Christmas cards get thumbtacked around the cellar door frame. There's a bit of a crisis going on in my family back in Milwaukee, a close friend is dealing with esophagal cancer and I just talked to a high school classmate back in Milwaukee and found out she just had a double mastectomy. But Tom hasn't scared the shit out of me since at least Sunday and I can start singing some of the seasonal songs I enjoy. We're of an age, I guess, where we seem to be losing more family and friends every year. This year so many friends have major health issues going on and it DOES take some of the carefree joy out of the season. But I think the tradition helps, whether you're religious or not. And friends whether they're close by or more further flung. Rap, I hope you have a comfortable holiday and that you can enjoy the time with people who aren't dead yet. Make every moment count and don't take anything (or anyone) for granted. Linn |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: Bee-dubya-ell Date: 06 Dec 12 - 07:10 PM I dunno, Mike. We just put Mom in her grave on Monday and I wouldn't be a bit surprised to get a phone call from one of my sisters telling me Dad's gone off to join her at any time. But, the offshoot of Mom's funeral has been re-establishing contact with a bunch of cousins and old family friends, some of whom I hadn't seen in forty years. And I feel more of a bond with my sisters than I have since... well... I was gonna say since we were kids, but I didn't really like them then. I sorta like 'em now. There's a definite positive flip-side to misfortune. I'm choosing to pay attention to that side, 'cause there's not a damned thing I can do about the other one. The bad's gonna come when it's gonna come, but I can make the good happen whenever I want to. |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: Ebbie Date: 06 Dec 12 - 07:23 PM I am so sorry but I just need to get past this. Please let me vent. Today I am seriously disappointed. Since losing my home – through an apartment house fire – I've been staying with friends. At this point it has been just over one month. For some time I have been signed on to a Senior Center complex and the fire 'bumped' me up to first place in the lineup. I have been told by the Housing Authority that once a spot opens up things will move swiftly, and that's what I've been counting on. Today I was told on the phone that they hope to get me into my 'new' home by January 1. I, of course, was hoping it would take place much faster. It is not that I am unappreciative or ungrateful to my friends. On the contrary. I am most grateful; I knew I had good friends- I just had not fully realized what wonderful people they are. I don't know if it's the water or the air or the isolation but Juneau, Alaska is absolutely full to the brim with fantastic people. For almost four weeks I stayed with a beloved Mudcatter; she and her hubby made me feel welcome to an uncommon degree. But I HATE to intrude in someone's family life. As a single person I am used to being alone and am very aware that other people have a routine to their lives, and even an ambiance that another person in the household inevitably negatively impacts. This week I am housesitting for another friend who is on business out of town. Next week I have been invited to housesit for another friend while he is out of town and he says I can stay until I get a 'permanent' home. But he too has a routine; I just cannot bear to intrude. So. I am bitterly disappointed. This news means that I will be in someone's home over CHRISTMAS, for pity's sake. And I don't 'do' Christmas. Am I just being unrealistic and immature? Do I really think the universe revolves around me? You may let me have it with both barrels. It won't make me feel worse. |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: Leadfingers Date: 06 Dec 12 - 07:25 PM Comisserations Rap ! I will be having lunch with my Old Mom on her 97th birthday , then spending Christmas day with good friends . Have a good one mate . |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: kendall Date: 06 Dec 12 - 07:32 PM Ebbie, I know exactly how you feel, if that helps. |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: GUEST,999 Date: 06 Dec 12 - 07:48 PM I have never liked the Christmas season at all. And ditto what Kendall said. |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: Amos Date: 06 Dec 12 - 07:51 PM The Great Garcia named his band "Old and in the Way" for a reason. Handing over the raw jets with which we once burned our trails through life to a younger, less wise generation is something that can go against the grain, especially since for many of us we had just barely managed to reach adulthood (after fighting it for thirty, forty, fifty or more years) when we start having to adapt to codgering!! It is just not right, and I join the general protest. Ebb, your consideration of others is laudable, but if you will be with them over Christmas, make it as merry and warm as you can for them. A |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: Bobert Date: 06 Dec 12 - 07:52 PM Awwww, Eb... It breaks my heart to read about all that yer going thru... It sucks... Truth be known, I haven't been in the mood of late either... I won't go into details but this Christmas just doesn't have much bling to it... Maybe it's the 70 degree days here in December... I've always had some snow by then... Maybe it's that we moved to be around the P-Vine's family and we hardly ever see them... I donno??? Any way, I'm gonna buck up and decorate and do the best I can... But it sucks reading about how some of my closest friends here are going thru such depressing situations... Sniff... B~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: Jack the Sailor Date: 06 Dec 12 - 08:05 PM Ebbie, I can't imagine you not being excellent company. Excellent company is a treasure over the holidays! Enjoy the season and your friends will enjoy you! |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: LadyJean Date: 06 Dec 12 - 08:07 PM I thought I had a beastly year. Yours is worse. Happily my sister is still well, and she quit smoking this summer, so she might stay that way longer. (I spent three days camping with her the week after she quit. That was NOT fun, but still.) |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: SINSULL Date: 06 Dec 12 - 08:08 PM Ebbie, I love Christmas but love it most when I am left to my own devices. I too live alone with some hairy friends. Sharing a space, mine or someone else's, is hard. Look forward to the new year and new beginnings. Do as much as you comfortably can to share your benefactors' Christmas. We have both lived long enough to know that the worm is always turning. Your turn will come to care for someone. And you will take your turn gracefully and generously. Until then, continue being a good guest. Mostly, know that you are loved and cherished for your own special self. Merry Christmas, Mary As to you, Rap! Get your ass in gear and put on a red and green tie. That should cover your seasonal responsibilities. You too are loved for who you are. SINS |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz Date: 06 Dec 12 - 08:23 PM Christmas memories have been both happy & sad...As the years go by we experience these tragedies and joys...Life goes on whether you like it or not...LOL But I offer you this consideration. Sid Caesar, the famous comedian & T.V. star commented that while he had EVERYTHING, the house, car, family, he just was not happy. He couldn't figure out why. Then someone suggested to him that happy was a matter of consciousness. That is, think happy thoughts and you become happy, DWELL on the unhappy things you are experiencing, and that will be the direction your mind takes you. As for me, when those sad memories of this time of year pop-up, I counter them with the memories of joy. Not easy mind you..but it helps. And doing good things for others during this time of year is another thing that brings joy.. Red Skelton was still the clown & comedian, although his personal life was in turmoil.. I wish all of you much happiness... |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: ChanteyLass Date: 06 Dec 12 - 09:56 PM Well for goodness sake, don't feel sad about feeling sad. You all have good reasons for feeling that way. And under lots of circumstances, these holidays can bring our those sad feelings. The media tells us that no matter what else has happened in our lives we are supposed to be jolly. Bah humbug! I think it's a healthy sign that you are examining and acknowledging your feelings. Do the best you can to get through the season, and consider telling those around you how you are feeling and why, just like you told us. And Mudcatters are here for you now and will be when you get to the other side of the holiday season. I'll bet your other friends will be there, too. |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: Janie Date: 06 Dec 12 - 10:31 PM I can relate, Rap. |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: Jack the Sailor Date: 06 Dec 12 - 11:30 PM I just posted this on Facebook. I thought I would share it with y'all. I'm thinking about you. It seems that every year I have at least one "sad Christmas day" I am reminded of deaths, natural disasters, family conflict and for many years for me, loneliness. It doesn't always happen at Christmas. But Christmas seems to magnify deep feelings, good and bad. I am so blessed now after 44 years single to be celebrating my 10th Christmas with a beautiful, loving wife. Today I have seen several friends express sadness for this season. I am not prescribing this for anyone else. But the Blues always picked me up, catharsis I guess. I also have a number of seasonal, not really blues songs that serve the same purpose this time of the year. A very pleasant movie thread here on Facebook today indirectly reminded me of one of those songs. Here it is. First Christmas - Stan Rogers |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: Jack the Sailor Date: 06 Dec 12 - 11:51 PM I also put this on the Facebook thread. And if you think that was a tear jerker... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNmQr118fio Jim Croce - It Doesn't Have to Be That Way Of course Gordo has a gut punching Christmas song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnS5M4Jvpz8 Gordon Lightfoot - Circle of steel Ya ever have the dinner burn black in the oven on Christmas Eve waiting for Dad to come home from carousing? And Joni, poor heartbroken homesick Joni. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCov0TYXBp8 Joni Mitchell ~ River Live Don't make your baby sad.... Ahhh lonely drunk college days.... Christmas and Willie http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqNFdFbo8cA Willie Nelson : Pretty Paper Does anyone else have one? |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: Janie Date: 06 Dec 12 - 11:57 PM Thanks Jack. It gives me perspective. I am blessed with a close and loving family, no matter it is shrinking. We have each other, still. |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: Will Fly Date: 07 Dec 12 - 04:17 AM My heart goes out to all who feel underwhelmed by Christmas. I'll think of my own mother, 90 this year, who's been locked into herself, unable to move or speak for over 10 years, in a nursing home 300 miles away. And I will think of my younger sister in Arizona, now living alone, whose bipolar son blew his brains out with a rifle about 5 years ago... And I'll spare some thoughts for people here... Rap and Ebbie... and others I know of. However, I suppose I really am one of the lucky ones in that I have a wonderful son and partner and two great grandsons - all of whom will be with us on Christmas Day, together with my mother-in-law from across the road. She's a little creaky these days but still as bright as a button and good company. There's quite a lot of music to be played in the days before Christmas - gigs to perform and sessions in my local pub - followed by some more of the same after Christmas. Then our bestest and kindest friend usually turns up to stay with us for New Year, and we always have a simple evening full of old-fashioned fun. There'll be good food and wines, laughter and friendship - like at other times in the year. So it's a mixed bag! I've never invested Christmas with any particular emphasis (being totally non-religious) so it's never loomed as large for me in the calendar as it does for some other people. Being retired now, it's even less of a significant break in the year than it used to be. Just the Earth turning round the sun as usual... |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: Keith A of Hertford Date: 07 Dec 12 - 04:46 AM I hate all the gifting and binging, but I love the real,added human warmth that is about at Christmas. I remember with fondness those who have gone, and enjoy the presence of friends and family I am still blessed with. I hope you are not lonely at Christmas, and may you feel a little of the joy as it passes. |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: Nigel Parsons Date: 07 Dec 12 - 05:04 AM Obviously, those who will spend part of the 'holidays' in church will remember the others in their prayers. It's easy to say "There's always someone worse off" but I'm reminded of the following poem, first heard many years ago: 'Timothy Winters' Timothy Winters comes to school With eyes as wide as a football-pool, Ears like bombs and teeth like splinters: A blitz of a boy is Timothy Winters. His belly is white, his neck is dark, And his hair is an exclamation-mark. His clothes are enough to scare a crow And through his britches the blue winds blow. When teacher talks he won't hear a word And he shoots down dead the arithmetic-bird, He licks the pattern off his plate And he's not even heard of the Welfare State. Timothy Winters has bloody feet And he lives in a house on Suez Street, He sleeps in a sack on the kithen floor And they say there aren't boys like him anymore. Old Man Winters likes his beer And his missus ran off with a bombardier, Grandma sits in the grate with a gin And Timothy's dosed with an aspirin. The welfare Worker lies awake But the law's as tricky as a ten-foot snake, So Timothy Winters drinks his cup And slowly goes on growing up. At Morning Prayers the Master helves for children less fortunate than ourselves, And the loudest response in the room is when Timothy Winters roars "Amen!" So come one angel, come on ten Timothy Winters says "Amen Amen amen amen amen." Timothy Winters, Lord. Amen Charles Causley |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: gnu Date: 07 Dec 12 - 06:19 AM I try my best to abide Christmas in various ways. I accept that I will hear the music everywhere I go and I even sing along to it rather than let it remind me of sad times. I remind myself it will be over by mid-afternoon on the 25th. I remind myself that the peace and goodwill part is what makes me feel warm and fuzzy so I try to be cheerful to everyone I meet, even my relatives (that's the deal about when it will be all over). I try to do "little things" all year round but moreso to take my mind off Christmas as it draws near. Like, yesterday afternoon, it was cold and very windy but instead of going for a walk in the warm grocery store just up the road to get some exercise and look at the ladies, I bundled up and walked in the parking lot, watching for people not dressed for the cold and for elderly people and returned their grocery carts to the store. When thanked, I wished them a Merry HO HO. Each replied with a smile amd a Merry Christmas to you too. Yes, normally the employees (and security) might cast a suspicious eye on such odd behaviour but they all know me because I walk about 20 km per week in the store. In the morning, I did go for a walk in that store. I spied 10 kg bags of Robinhood All Purpose flour for $7.99!!! and put one in my cart - hasn't been that price for nearly five years. I walk every aisle in the store three to six times on each walk. Not to everyone I passed but to a lot of them, especially little old ladies (and good lonkin middle aged ones with no ring, of course) I asked, "Did you see the price on the flour? $7.99!" and pointed to the bag in my cart. When they said, "I wonder what's wrong with it." I showed them how to read the manufacture date. When thanked... you know. Some of you know I used to cook very large meals and deliver hot plates to some elderly people in my neighbourhood but had to stop for a very strange reason that I won't get into here. I have been waiting for the annual Turkey War and it started at zero o'clock today. Turkey is $1.27 a pound and smoked pork picnic shoulder is $0.99 a pound. By luck, turnip and cabbage are $0.37 a pound and green beans are $1.99 a pound. I am away shortly to prepare for two weekends of delivering hot plates to the people I used to deliver to. Well, as many as there are left. With a MERRY HO HO!, of course. Gee, it's already past 7AM! I gotta get gone because the ham sale is "while quantities last" so that means they don't have a lot of them. Peace and goodwill to all. And... MERRY HO HO! |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: GUEST,Eliza Date: 07 Dec 12 - 06:25 AM To rapparee, Ebbie, and all those who feel very sad at Christmas. I do wish you well, and hope that you can find a way to get through it and out the other end. It's a mistake to feel that everyone else is superbly happy and having a great time. There are the sick, the bereaved, the lonely, the pressured, those stuck with folk they dislike, those in debt, those whose spouse is in the Forces in danger, those in poverty, addicts of various kinds, the list goes on and on, you aren't alone. I often think Christmas can be very cruel to all these people. A sort of "Ha Ha, we're having a lovely time!" It's over by Jan 2nd and then there's no need to think of it again for a whole year. I send you the kindest wishes and hopes for better times ahead. Eliza x |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: Ebbie Date: 07 Dec 12 - 01:53 PM Well I feel better today- and not just a little embarrassed. I have a great deal to be thankful for, and there is little call or need to feel weepy and self-pitying. I'll get through this, and so will my friends. A smile and a bit of cheer and it will be over. I do understand what Rapparee is going through- 2011 was a really tough year for you and 2012 hasn't been all that great either. Sometimes it seems that Fate is a schoolyard bully who piles on when somebody is already down. Thanks for all the good thoughts. |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: Little Hawk Date: 07 Dec 12 - 02:00 PM I'm glad to hear you're feeling better, Ebbie. I've found November and early December kind of tough to get through. Not enough sunlight and way too much darkness. Sometimes it really gets me down. I find if I can get myself in gear and play some music, it helps pick me up again. I did that first thing today after getting up and it did improve things considerably. |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: kendall Date: 07 Dec 12 - 09:22 PM I now see Christmas as a feeding frenzie for the capitalists pushing a pagan ritual at us and pretending it is unique to Christianity. Gift giving came to us from the Roman soldiers who celebrated the solstice by giving gifts. Long before the Magi. Jesus was not born on December 25 but they had to make it fit with that particular time of the year. HUMBUG! |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: SINSULL Date: 07 Dec 12 - 09:40 PM I see Christmas through the eyes of a child. If you are old and angry and sorry for the mess your life is, take a moment and make sure some little child has a gift on Christmas morning. It will make his/her life exciting and yours have a little meaning even if for a day. Toys for Tots, a local food pantry, the Salvation Army or a neighbor who needs some help. We have so much more than most. You too Captain. I found two gifts on my doorstep this week. Someone has taken to putting my trash can back in the driveway after the pick up. I don't know who but it makes me very happy to know someone cares enough. I also got a bag of fifth rate crap from my Secret Santa. Someone cares too much. Life is too short to hate Christmas. |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: gnu Date: 07 Dec 12 - 09:51 PM Well, I scored two 9 pound hams shortly after I left this thread earlier today. Limit 2. Went right back in a grabbed two more and went to the same checkout. The young lady said, "You know there is a limit of two for a reason, eh?" I said, "Yeah, but these are not for me. These are for the Susan Stultz Turkey Drive for needy families." She said, "These aren't turkeys." I said, "Shhhhh, I won't tell Sue if you don't." I got a Merry Ho Ho out of her! Kendall. I have been a terrible humbugger for many years but I got no choice except to accept the crap and try to ignore it and rise above it if I wanna make myself and others "happy". Yeah, I know. gnu... you shittin me? Nope. No shit. Makes me feel good to be a nice guy. I know you know the same feelin on accounta you been nice to me. Fact is, no matter how crusty us old buggers let on that we are crusty old buggers, all of us know different. You included. Merry Ho Ho ya crusty old bugger! |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: Rapparee Date: 07 Dec 12 - 09:53 PM Hate? No. I'm putting up some small Christmas decorations: our table-top tree instead of the two 7' ones (one upstairs and one down), the outside wreath, a candle in each window, a creche. It's just not the same and I wish it was; my wife is simply not into the "Christmas Spirit" at all this year. Hmmm...maybe...I have a thought about something that might help her. |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: gnu Date: 07 Dec 12 - 09:59 PM Rap... quite understanable uunder the circumstances. My heart goes out to you and ALL of yours. |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: GUEST,.gargoyle Date: 08 Dec 12 - 01:15 AM The Grenchy spirit can attack most anyone. A couple cures that have worked for me any single dose cant see through to next spring. 1. Volunteer an 8 or 10 hour day to man a Salvation Army kettle. Dress in your winter warmest. After 30 "God Bless yous " and 30 more "Merry Christmas" beginning with the first Grenchy spirited 30 "Thank Yous" something wonderful begins to bubble in the little red kettle as your heart thaws and a profound spirit of joy efferveces and the contagion continues into all who are within sound of the bell. They KNOW. 2. Say time and money are both short. And the "joy robbers" gave you an extra large bindle of "@#$%&". Take 5 bucks ...4 quarters and four ones. Take a walk and find eight different ways to give it away....free ....to eight unsuspecting folk. 3. Say your melancholy is profound....or your bounty has been blessed....do the same with five ones and three fives....or three twenties and four tens. Make it a game...promise yourself it will done in 3 hours...or two or one.... 4.Or go through a drive up fast food window. You must make the decision BEFORE entering the line that you WILL purchase the food items of the vehicle behond you...whether a VW Bug or a BMW....you should buy a 99 cent item,.when your order arrives hand over a twenty and explain you are purchasing for the dirrectly behind you....take the change and vanish with a quick escape route. 4. Or scrub your sidewalks or clean your closets,..AND PROMISE yourselfyou will give ten items away to charity BEFORE you have opened the door to look inside. 5. Collect recycle cans and bottle for an hour and give them to some unfortunate who "makes a living" doing the same. 6. Or plant some flower seeds ANYWHERE. No need water or tend...leave that to God. Sincerely, Gargoyle every USA letter to Santa is opened...volunteer to help out with your local postmaster............ The whole "secret" is to not focus on yourself and the woes that are all so common to the human condition. |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: KT Date: 08 Dec 12 - 02:25 AM Nice post, Garg - a pleasure to read. Thanks. |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: GUEST,Eliza Date: 08 Dec 12 - 04:15 AM Super ideas Gargoyle. Giving is infinitely more satisfying than gluttony, materialism and self-indulgence. As Tiny Tim said, "God bless us, every one!" |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: gnu Date: 08 Dec 12 - 06:42 AM Ditto KT & Eliza. |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: kendall Date: 08 Dec 12 - 07:34 AM I always give to the Salvation Army. Sins, my opinion of the capitalists for pushing Christmas before Thanksgiving is not unique to me. Many people complain about it.Making us feel guilty if we don't spend too much money on cheap junk from China has nothing to do with the spirit of Christmas. I will be spending that day with family enjoying the love and peace that is the true message of Christmas. |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: Midchuck Date: 08 Dec 12 - 08:03 AM Kendall is right (for once - HAW!) about Christianity having usurped the pagan Yule, and commerce then having usurped the Christian holiday - but there's a little bit of poetic justice there. We attended a small open mike at the local tiny Methodist church last night, and I sung The Rebel Jesus, which sums up my feelings about Christmas pretty well. I thought the minister might be offended, but she asked me where she could get the words. For myself, I'm alive and active, which is something I didn't know whether I would be, this time last year. And Kris is, too. And my kids are, and are prospering. I wish they lived closer, but knowing how many people have middle aged kids still living with them, 'cause they have no work, or drug issues, or both, while their school loans pile up interest, I can deal with that. So I feel a little more like Christmas than I have some years in the past. I'm still not going to spend the kind of money the business community wants me to. I wouldn't even if I could. Peter |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: kendall Date: 08 Dec 12 - 08:50 AM Another sane one heard from. |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: Rapparee Date: 08 Dec 12 - 01:22 PM Every year for the last 20 or more years we've sent a box of coats to friends in the desperate hill country of Kentucky. They see that they're distributed to those in need of them; the kids get to pick their own. I'm talking fifteen or twenty coats here. We contribute blankets for those needing them to the local Blanket Drive. Last year the Drive collected over 500 blankets. The local homeless veterans shelter is another place we contribute, as is the local homeless shelter. These last, and the Food Bank and St. Vinnie's, are year-around. We don't do it to make us feel good, we do it because we can help others. It's something we should do, an ethical thing, not some sort of "it's Christmas so I should do this." |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: Jack the Sailor Date: 08 Dec 12 - 01:25 PM If I am blue this time of year, this always picks me up. |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: GUEST,Eliza Date: 08 Dec 12 - 01:35 PM Oh yes Jack! The whole book is a pick-me-up from start to finish. I almost know it by heart! Popped in to Tesco's this morning, just for one or two essentials. I was in a cynical mood, and it seemed the whole place was cunningly geared to absolutely milking one of as much dosh as possible. Ghastly Crimbo music, shelves obscenely piled high with total rubbish, massive 'family' packs of stuff that will never get eaten, and people looking like death pushing trolleys filled to overflowing. The couple in front of us at the checkout got a total of £154!! We paid our £7 and got the hell out of there. Is all this necessary? NO! |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: Rapparee Date: 08 Dec 12 - 03:44 PM For Christmas this year I had the dining room table and chairs refurbished. It was my gift to my wife (and of course, myself). I played on my trumpet a bit last night, first time in many months. But it's still hard to get up a lot of Christmas spirit -- and I don't mean the sales and the canned music and "even stoplights flash a bright red and green." |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: Ebbie Date: 08 Dec 12 - 04:43 PM Rap, my daughter used to get seriously irritated at me- when Christmas was a week or so in the past I would start whistling Christmas carols. Just takes me awhile, that's all. |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: gnu Date: 08 Dec 12 - 05:07 PM Rap... I do it to make me feel good. Making someone else feel good is good, helps the out, and that's the way I was brought up. It's a duty. It's required. And, doing my duty makes me feel good and helping others makes me feel good. I do not do it JUST because it makes me feel good. If that was the case, there are places in town that I can "donate" to that would make me feel REAL good... but empty afterward. |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: kendall Date: 08 Dec 12 - 07:26 PM We also buy from Good will, and we donate to Good will too. |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: Jack the Sailor Date: 08 Dec 12 - 07:31 PM We bought some modest "Toys for Tots" at wally world today. Toy construction equipment (Catapillar Tracters and such for a boy, a baby doll for a girl and some blocks for a smaller one.) God Bless us everyone. I didn't thing to look for "made in America." But I doubt I would have found much. |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: GUEST,Eliza Date: 09 Dec 12 - 01:28 PM Jack, everything seems to be 'Made in China' these days. Nearly all the things on sale in Norwich for example, toys, decorations,clothes, even the Crimbo cards in Marks and Spencer, have arrived here from China. The containers piling up at Felixstowe (a large port on the UK east coast) are apparently crammed with their stuff. (You have to admire them, their economy is booming. But their human rights record is appalling and I can imagine how their workers are treated.) |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: Jack the Sailor Date: 09 Dec 12 - 02:36 PM This year I have bought some very nice wine glasses for presents, for a reasonable price that are US made. Gives one some hope. Be a long time before we are making toys again, I think. |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: ChanteyLass Date: 09 Dec 12 - 04:30 PM One of the best places to find locally-made gifts is at craft shows--the ones where the makers are at the tables selling their own works. Sometimes, though, you want to find a certain something for one or more of your recipients and can't find it at a craft show. Sigh. |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: gnu Date: 09 Dec 12 - 05:09 PM Craft shows are a must! |
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Subject: RE: BS: I Don't Feel Much Like Christmas From: GUEST,Eliza Date: 09 Dec 12 - 05:55 PM I adore craft shows, but have to restrain myself or the house would be overflowing. |
