Christmas is..........& "Wind Beneath Their Wings"

"As long as we know in our hearts what Christmas ought to be, Christmas is."
~ Eric Sevareid (1912-1992), American newscaster.


Two days early...but...Merry Christmas Everybody!!



THREE YEARS AGO Christmas Day I POSTED MY VERY FIRST ISSUE ON THIS BLOG....
HERE IT IS ---12/25/06 Today, since I won't be posting again 'til after the holidays...I wanted to drop you a holiday wish----








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ALL IMAGE ENLARGEMENTS & TEXT LINKS OPEN IN A NEW WINDOW

Most always when I post photos of the beach areas around our coastline, I have the Gulf of Mexico in the lens' crosshairs...well, I thought I'd show you what is 'at our backs' when walking along the shore. These photos are the sand dunes. It was a beautiful day. The sky was a deep blue, the breeze was mild, but, as we walked a short distance, death loomed over the hilltops... and the road kill was somewhere closeby...several vultures were circling above. Plus, through our binoculars that we carry with us, I saw a couple of Crested Caracaras. They're gorgeous birds, tho they look quite callous and bad tempered because of their markings. And I wasn't prepared for any photography that day....armed only with the cellphone. So, the photos are at a LONG distance. I tried to zoom in on the Caracara, but it flew off just as I began to walk nearer....[you can enlarge these photos -the one on the bottom right is the closest I could get before it flew off]. By the way, on closer inspection beyond the dunes, Bud said he spotted a deer carcass on which they were feeding. Photo to top left is taken from the dunes looking toward the shore.







Online, this is one of my favorite photos taken by an expert...CLICK HERE...it's a hoot! The bird, the Crested Caracara, is typically called the "Mexican Eagle". In fact, when I see one soaring high above, my first glance makes me think it IS an eagle...a golden eagle. In all scientific instances tho, they are of the Falcon family. When finally I see the head and the under-markings, I know the difference; it's Caracara. As I said, they're very pretty. When I returned home, I was still enthralled seeing one as close as I did without a 'zoo' cage surrounding it... I did a pencil sketch ---





THE CRESTED CARACARA FACTS

PS...I found quite a few larger sea shells and brought them home. Will post photos of my 'finds' later; when I return to bloggin'...

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With all the work to be done in the next week or so, then, getting the house back to normal after the holidays, etc., and we are supposed to have Erik here next weekend thru to Monday, January 3rd, I'll be M I A from posting 'til then...


...in the meantime, have a wonderful love-filled holiday season! Wishes from my house to yours....
See you in 2010!!







Posted: Wednesday,December 23rd, 2009
12:05 A.M.
"Christmas Card" from Glitter Graphics

Santa's Got a Brand New Bag...

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It's not complete until the Big White Guy in his fancy, furry, ruby red garb carries his ever-so-filled gift bag down the chimney! What, no soot? Well, our chimney is clean! We, in the five years living here, have never used the fireplace. Besides, this "Papa's Gotta Brand New Bag" [about 3 feet tall, made of felt]....it's new! I found it at Michael's Crafts for half off...originally $2.99. Yep, I got it for $1.50!! Stuffed it with newspapers to 'fill' it and it's by the fireplace now. LOLOLOL Ho, ho, ho, Mer-r-r-r-y Chris-s-s-tmas!!










"Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood."
New York Sun [1897]: Yes, Virginia There IS a Santa Claus



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Also, to my surprise and laughter, I received this special holiday card from the OFA...altho, I really don't know WHO set it up. It really is a hoot. If you'd like, watch the video card ....
HERE











POSTED: Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009
12:05 A.M.

Inquiring minds wanna know...

Last Thursday for my post, I bit the bullet, and suggested that y'all ask me a question, any question. I feared I'd have a lot to answer, but thankfully, very few really took time to put forward any. In other words....I can handle this amount. You're all very gracious. Thanks....So, this will be a short one today. Of course I'll be as busy as a one armed paper hanger today getting things 'wrapped up' with house cleaning...packages under the tree....a bit of baking...and grocery shopping for the 'big day' ---


Beansieleigh asked:

My question for you, now that I've read through today's post is.. (drumroll)... What ever happened to the lizard? (or more specifically, the green anole, after you cleaned out your closet??)

LOL...well, before I started to tear everything out of the closet, Bud had taken a fly swatter in the closet to stun the booger and get him. But all he did was manage to break his tail off. Then, as you know it scurried back behind the shoe rack which entailed me to get everything taken out of there so we could catch him. I was armed with a shoe, Bud still had the fly swatter. After all the clothes were out, laying on top of the bed, the shoes went out next...then, the bottom of the two shelves above the clothes racks and shoe racks was cleared out. I happened to be going through the closet door to dump more stuff into the bedroom when above the door frame I spotted him as he watched me. And yes....he WAS stunned!! Bud just swiped him off the wall into a paper towel and took him out the back door. He was placed in the rose garden.

Karisma asked:
How about some advice for us mamas who are trying to raise hormonal boys?

I'm not sure if this was a question directed to me personally or a lead in to her own post on her blog, but I will add it here anyway. LOL Granted, I only had one son. And a daughter of course. Naturally, I dealt with raising each as an individual and had to guide them. I was raised by two great parents, and when both my kids became teens with rushing hormones, I followed my parents' lead---on how I was raised by them. I talked with Erik and Irene [when time called for it] about the do's and don't's, and then...I let nature and their common sense guide them. Each one was different. And each learned by their mistakes. That was the most important for me....allowing them to live the life they chose. In turn, we ALL learned. A parent's job is just to guide and be there if needed. I always figured, for us all, what goes around, comes around. Life isn't easy with teens nor is it a piece of cake with us as parents. Each day...let the chips fall where they may. Try not to stress over little things. Just be there for them. [Sorry I can't say any differently, 'cause as I said, each one is individual and they must be treated and nurtured AS an individual.]

Alice Audrey asked:
What kind of novels do you like to read?

Most of all, novels that keep me wanting to turn the next page to find out what happens next. I especially like historical novels of the Civil War Era, and classical like Dickens, Dumas, Hemmingway, Steinbeck. A couple of more modern writers that have kept me intrigued is Phillipa Gregory --Anne Boleyn and King Henry VIII...also the same genre; author Carolly Erickson. Both Gregory and Erickson turn fact into fiction. There is Gregory Maguire also...he has taken fictional characters such as the Wicked Witch of the West from Wizard of Oz, and turned them into adult fantasies...bringing them 'to life'. Maguire even has the Wicked Witch bear a son in a sequel...excellent!! But, ANY novel will do...action, adventure, historical. I can say more of the kinds I don't care for and that would be romance. Well, I do like a little romance in the historical novels, but none like what I see from the hack writers like Jackie Collins style. Oh wait...I remember one that I especially liked, but that was more historical than romance....and that was Auel's Clan of the Cave Bear...boy howdy, there was one section that I needed a cold shower after reading a certain part!

Pea asked:
As for a question for you....what is your very favourite Christmas memory?

That's difficult since I love 'em all. I want to say equally...I've loved 'em all equally. Let me begin by saying when I was single, my parents made Christmas a very special day. We always went to church on Christmas Eve so the actual day was family only. All day long. I loved waking up to the wonderful fragrances coming from the kitchen. Mom and Dad both would get up before daylight and begin cooking while we kids were still asleep. I shared a bedroom with my older sister. As the light of day would start peeking through the windows, the two of us would be heard giggling with anticipation of the day. [SHE was my Santa...what I mean by that is...when I was a kid getting gifts from the big guy...and I'd get out of bed and rush down the hall to the tree, the gifts from Jolly St. Nick would be there for me with huge tags with my name on it!! If I hadn't one time verbally recognized my sister's hand writing on the tags...I would still be getting presents from Santa!! I just KNOW it!] I guess what I'm trying to say is, I remember the year I found out all this. And on my own. No one came right out and told me...I figured it out and blurted that it was my sister who was Santa to me. That year, I got what I wanted too...a huge doll...a doll in a wedding gown I had seen at the store while shopping for other gifts. I wished for that for weeks before Christmas. I can still see the room where the tree stood in all it's holiday glory and beauty. The fireplace lighted and glowing and crackling it's warmth for everyone. I can still smell the turkey roasting...and doorbell ringing continually as other grownup brothers and their families arrived for the big day! Oh and by the way....I still have that doll!!! She's continually packed away with other 'toys' of mine. But, I know just where to find her...I brought her out of hiding just for you Pea!! By the way.........the year? 1958!! I haven't had Santa visit me for over 50 years and I still believe in him. Her...whatever.

POSTED: Monday, December 21st, 2009
5:50 A.M.

...from Christmas to New Year's and beyond

SUNDAY STEALING

1. What is your favorite holiday show/animated show?

I like 'em all. The most enjoyable for me is a movie, Polar Express. And the least enjoyable is Charlie Brown Christmas

2. What holiday character do you think you're most like?

Some days I can feel like Grinch or Scrooge, while other days I can feel like Santa!

3. What holiday character does your spouse think you're most like?

He thinks I'm a kid at heart...so, he'd probably say ==Virginia O’Hanlon; I'm the little girl sharing wishful secrets with Santa. [He should know]- - -It was a habit in our family that whenever any doubts came up as to how to pronounce a word or some question of historical fact was in doubt, we wrote to the Question and Answer column in The Sun. Father would always say, ‘If you see it in the The Sun, it’s so,’ and that settled the matter.
‘Well, I’m just going to write The Sun and find out the real truth,’ I said to father.
He said, ‘Go ahead, Virginia. I’m sure The Sun will give you the right answer, as it always does.’ - - -

4. Favorite Christmas/holiday song?

I like most all of them, O Holy Night being a long time favorite. And since my folks both are now gone [passed away], I L♥VE "I'll Be Home for Christmas...if only in my dreams". I've always liked it, but now it has a whole NEW meaning to me.

5. Most hated Christmas/holiday song?

Oh this is a definite HATE---I deplore, abhor, despise... "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer"....it's not even Christmasy...it's more a drunken redneck song that should never have been recorded. Personally, I think it should be condemned.

6. If you have an all holiday music radio station when do you start listening to it?

Mine's either played on C Ds, old records [the 33rpm kind] or when shopping...no radio

7. If you have an all holiday music radio station do you love it or hate it?

I can't say...I've never experienced a 24/7 radio station.

8. Have you ever wrapped yourself as a Christmas present?

Only MY Santa knows this answer...and we vowed to keep that secret

9. Who is Rudolf The Red Nosed Reindeer's father?

Ever hear of DNA? This question should be directed to Ms. Abby Sciuto.

10. Do you drive your neighborhood or one near you at night to look at other people's holiday decorations?

We have on occasion, but not recently.

11. When you see a heavily decorated house do you think, 'oh that's lovely'? Or do you think, 'oh criminy, that looks like Christmas threw up all over their lawn'?

I have been known to ogle at all the sparkles and glitter and animations and blinking lights....you bet, it's "Lovely".

12. Are you counting the days to Christmas with excited anticipation or dread?

Actually, both...Christmas day is always a good day...but when it comes to a close, I know that there will be work to do packing everything away.

13. When was the last time you had your photo taken with Santa? Did you sit on his lap?

Let me just add this: He really is spry for his age.

14. Do you make a Christmas list for your spouse or significant other or do you rely on them to pick your gift(s) without a clue from you?

I like being surprised.

15. When do you put up your tree?

Thanksgiving Weekend...during the Cowboys Football Game - for 40 some years.

16. Real or fake?

Artificial

17. When do you take your tree down?

I begin taking things down the day after Christmas...my way of thinking......Christmas is over the 26th, the house has been decorated for nearly one month... let's get back to our normal life...we're not 'big' on New Year's Day like most people are...so, it's the day after I start...it takes about 4 days total to get everything packed away and all the 'normal everyday things' back up.

18. Do you shop the day after Christmas sales? What do you shop for?

Nope...see #17

19. Is your work/office having a holiday party this year? Will you attend?

Don't Work

20. Do you have your New Year's Eve Plans set yet?

The only one we really planned was the Millenium [party beginning at 11 PM and it was still going after 9 a.m. the very 1st day of 2000 --some guests didn't leave 'til that afternoon ---they um.....passed out, and I left them there...safer than having them out on the streets at a gawd awful bright sunshiny day...hungover]...other than that...it's been to bed as usual times.

- - -Quote from "Yes, Virginia..." site linked above. Also, photo of REAL Virginia from 1897.




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UNCONSCIOUS MUTTERINGS


1. Interest :: Loan
2. Chase :: Manhattan
3. Itch :: Seven Year
4. Soothe :: Comfort
5. Lamp :: Oil
6. Tutor :: Teach
7. Nicole :: Kidman
8. Sloth :: Lazy -deadly sin [according to some]
9. Burn :: in Hell
10. Bug ::Volkswagen Beetle; Lady







POSTED: Sunday, December 20th, 2009
4:30 A.M.

BAD Kitty! Cute Kitty

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List of 2009 Photo Hunt themes by the week

PHOTO HUNT: FAST---[fast asleep]
CAMERA CRITTER


Combining the Photo Hunt's Theme and the other Saturday meme, Camera Critters I chose this photo. The theme for Photo Hunt is "FAST" which I will use this in a different sense of the term...FAST fast asleep! Winston, our cat, is doing a no no....first off he's not supposed to be on the dining room table...but he's also sleeping by the hurricane lamp while lit! Of course, I had to photograph him before I reprimanded him...awwwwww, but he was so comfy cozy!! [By the way the tablecloth was bunched up 'cause Bud was playing a game of solitaire and went outside to smoke a cigarette, leaving the lamp lit and of course, Winston took the dare and landed himself into trouble as Bud also got an a$$ chewing from me too-----shame on him....them!]





POSTED: Saturday, December 19th, 2009
5:30 A.M.

...Angels we have heard on high

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SHOW N TELL

Now, I confess, my mother in law and I didn't see eye to eye on most things, except when it came to loving the same man --She thought I wasn't 'right for her son'...I always KNEW that she wasn't the best mother around. In fact, only months after Bud and I married, that he realized the same, tho never mentioned it verbally. After he found out what good a family can be by being around my folks and them loving him like a son, we quickly came to the same conclusion. That doesn't mean we didn't go to see and visit his parents. No. We did. It was just more superficial than with my family. Especially his mother, she was 'high society-uppity' [that is the best, nicest, word I can come up with on such short notice]. But one Christmas, I believe it was our 2nd Christmas after we were married, Bud's mom actually gave me a gift. One I still treasure today. It was MADE by her very hands! If she was trying to impress me that all gifts are not always purchased, she did!! [That wasn't her style tho...but, she tried to make amends I think...dunno, never will know.] Anyway, the gift Anni. It's what you're viewing to the upper left right now. The continuation of this post has mouseover captions....




















The music is Silent Night. When I wind the mechanism, the music plays and the arch angels turn slowly. It's beautiful with firelight or even artificial light...oh how it sparkles! It's 'yellowed with time', and it's been repaired many-a-times over the years, but it still gives me a lot of meaning year after year. Yep, my mother in law made it by hand...all for me!








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FLASH FICTION 55




Bundled heavily, fur from his head to his foot
he waddled to the chair...
Tying shoelaces on his tiny black boot.
Heading outdoors for fresh snowy air
it hit him... he felt perplexed
O'er deliberations of what to do next!
Outside, there's fun, he wanted to flee...
But the urge came strong...he had to pee.












POSTED: Friday, December 18th, 2009
5:30 A.M.

What'll I do, Where will I go....Frankly my dear......

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THURSDAY THUNKS


Okay, so one of my favorite memes for the week has decided to take a holiday break from now 'til 2010!! How dare they?!! Party poopers! Just kidding...I think it's great that they are actually taking time off...to be sure. Tho, I'm really lost for a post. Thursday Thunkers have gone up and disappeared until the new year. What'll I do in the meantime? Guess I make up something. But I thunk and thunk, and puzzled some more, puzzled and puzzled 'til my puzzler was sore. I thought of making up ten questions for the meme to be a fill-in hostess. But that is out of the question...lordy. I could never come up with those fun kinda questions that really make one think and have fun at the same time. Then, I thought of bitchin' 'bout the weather down here. For months during the summer this area of Texas was in a drought! A deep drought. Remember the photos I took of the dried up lake at the Botanical Gardens a few months back? Well, now it's rained for days. I'm thinking of building an ARK. Seriously. In our back yard alone, we have a small pond that inches closer and closer to the foundation of the house. And the pond is NOT supposed to be there! My beautiful hibiscus and palms and roses have frozen from the last cold snap about a week ago. It's depressing. So depressing I won't even mention it. After that bitchin' post for an idea was nixed, I thought maybe I could have my visitors go to comment and ask me a question?!! Any question. I'll then answer the questions posed in front of me. How's that?!! Ya, that'll work. So Thursday Guests....if you wish, ask away. I'll answer the questions and post it Monday hopefully. Since the upcoming Thursday is Christmas Eve. I won't be here either.

To entertain you a bit today tho, I gotta tell you a short story. Won't take long. Honest. Last week a gecko [more specifically a green anole] was discovered in our master bedroom closet. I know where he came from....I had to bring in my patio plants to keep them from freezing, it was in one of those pots, I'm sure. Well, I called Bud to save the day. He accomplished breaking off its tail and it went scurrying behind the shoe rack. Of course that enticed me to strip everything out...everything, 'til he was found and back outside where he was supposed to be, before he got in my jeans or something and scare me to death when I dressed.... In turn, the closet was cleaned...short story....I took a lot of clothes and shoes to charity. While there, I have to walk to the back where you drop off your donations, through the store...seeing what's on their shelves that is for sale. I found these----





A cute Christmas Moose Antler/Candle holder
For $3.











Glittery Santa Glade Candle Holder
For $1










When it comes to holiday trinkets and cute stuff...I'ma sucka!!!



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Thursday 13

Just the facts ma'am....


1-I have a passion for holiday decorations.

2-I love to cook...but it's now difficult to cook for just two. What I do usually is cook a big meal, then divide it in thirds, freeze 1/3 and another 1/3 and take it out to reheat later.

3-I love to read novels.

4-I used to really enjoy movies at the theater. Not any more. The cost isn't worth the effort. Occasionally Bud and I go to an opening, but not like it was a few years back when it was EVERY Friday.

5-I love N C I S [I took a fun trivia test @ NCIS USA [scroll way down for the beginning of the personality test] the other day and the character I ended up close to was Ziva!! [her photo linked] I'm mysterious!!

6-I detest Rap music.

7-Speaking of fast food...my favorite is Jack In the Box!

8-I'm appalled that antique stores call things I grew up with...antiques!!

9-If per chance I splurge on consuming a beef steak...I like mine cooked medium rare.

10-I've been to all states in the USA except Alaska and Washington.

11-My favorite fresh fruit is tart apples.

12-I can sit and eat a whole bag of pistachios.

13-The four states I've lived in, each auto I drive is/was licensed with at least one number 8 on it!! [see comment #8]









POSTED: Thursday, December 17th, 2009
12:30 A.M.

Sleigh bells ring....snow is glistenin'

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It's not ALL Santas around here...


Just pretend we're flying over in a specially constructed Fort Collins, Colorado Balloon...and the person hidden in it is me with my digital. The scene takes place as I fly over the countryside and CNN is keeping a close vigil on my progress. Unbelievable, yes? Well duh...yes it is a pretty fishy, made-up story to be covering. If you don't want to trust that coverage....I'll be in a Goodyear Blimp then; just for you...

Oh what the heck...this is just a 'bird's eye' view of my little ceramic village!



It's a small village that everyone here knows each other. And it's snowy...only as snowy as we get in South Texas!! In fact the snow is nothing but leftover fiber stuffing I used to make my crocheted scarecrow a couple of years ago. Bud laid a snow blanket that we got at the store atop the chest in the dining room. Then, he took a hand mirror to make the icy lake. Covered it all with the stuffing and situated the homes, church [you just gotta have a village church, right?], school, restaurant, firehouse...even a lighthouse in this particular village. Add some animals, trees, snowman and santa along with the villagers and voilà.....







I've been flying way too long over the vastness of the countryside, night has fallen and lights are beginning to show, around town. The icy snow is sparkling in the moonlight and there is a blue frosty glow in the snowy dunes. Just look ---






---actually what we did was string out a white cord with blue mini lights, hiding them below the faux snow. At night, the village is illuminated with a haunting yet peaceful hue around everywhere. Some lights inside even....it's all a winter wonderland...







POSTED: Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
12:05 A.M.