A Monday Memory....

FIFTY years ago....

Photo: United Feature Syndicate

A Charlie Brown Christmas
 Oh yes, I can still recall the first time I watched this Christmas classic, on a black and white television set in my parents living room.  

I thought it was one of the sweetest, most wonderful shows I had ever seen. I still do.

"Back in the day", as they say, if you didn't watch a particular program like this when it aired, 

you missed it until it came around again in a year's time.
No recording it.  No DVD.  No DVR. No anything.

Thanks to technology, you can watch this wonderful show anytime, anywhere.
There is also an app: "A Charlie Brown Christmas - A Peanuts Holiday Classic Interactive Pop-up Book for All Ages By Loud Crow Interactive Inc. "       $5.99 in iTunes
My granddaughters absolutely love the one on my iPad!

It is written that Charles Schultz's main goal in writing this program 

was to focus on the true meaning of Christmas.

An article by Patrick Ryan in USA TODAY November 30, 2015, describes the work of the collaborators of this special this way:

"Linus' recitation of the birth of Jesus from the Gospel of Luke was Schulz's idea.'If we're going to do a Christmas special, we've really got to do it the right way and talk about what Christmas is all about,' " Mendelson says. "Bill and I looked at each other, and I said, 'There's never been any animation that I know of from the Bible. It's kind of risky.' 

Then Mr. Schulz said, 'Well, if we don't do it, who will?' "

I for one am very glad it was written exactly as it is.

Following Linus' recitation, Charlie Brown states firmly 

"I won't let all this commercialism ruin my Christmas."

I feel the same way, Chuck.  The same way.

Despite the passage of fifty years, sadly some things haven't changed I suppose.

A special anniversary program airs at 8pm est tonight on ABC, followed by the show at 9.

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Wednesday's Wisdom....

Tip for a Tuesday....

See it....like it....buy it

When it comes to gift buying this time of year, I've learned that if I see an item I think would be just perfect, I need to purchase it then and there.

Already this year, there have been a couple of potential gifts I spotted that sold out 

before I could make up my mind. 

With today's technology and the ability to simply "click" and buy, things move fast.

On the plus side, it is easier to shop around and compare prices on the internet, 

rather than going store to store.

But "he who hesitates is lost" or in my case, is without a particular gift.

So....

If you see something....you like it....then buy it.

Before someone else does.

A Monday Memory....

Growing up, it was just the five of us - Mom, Dad, my sister, brother and I - who sat at the table in our dining room and celebrated Thanksgiving.  All of my grandparents had passed away by the time my parents had married.  So we didn't travel "over the river and through the woods." But our small gathering was no less special than anyone else's.  

After watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade on tv, we would put on our Sunday best before sitting down to eat in the afternoon.  My mother set the table with her best china and silver, and cooked a huge meal with all the traditional dishes.  Her sausage stuffing and apple pie were the best I've ever tasted.  

When we were older, our Aunt joined us at the table after traveling out from the city.  At the end our meal, she and my Dad would enjoy reminiscing about years gone by in New York City, while my sister and I helped with the clearing up. The only Thanksgiving spent away from home was when my parents, sister and I flew out to St. Louis to spend the holiday with my brother who was at college in the midwest.  Though the restaurant we went to was quite nice, the holiday just didn't seem the same.

Years went by and eventually marriages and grandchildren increased our numbers.  We didn't know it then, but Thanksgiving 1982 was to be the last holiday we would spend with my Dad.  So the following year, my Mom said it would mean a great deal to her if we could always come to her house for Thanksgiving. I know she was very grateful that we were all able to do that for her for many, many years.

As our numbers grew, so too did the number of vegetables my mother would prepare.  If someone mentioned in passing a particular like, it was added to her list without question.  Hours spent peeling, and juggling pots between the stove and counter, were required to pull it off.  Putting on that big spread certainly became a major undertaking!

This year will be the first time that the Englishman and I will not be hosting our own little family in our house, as we did for the previous few years.  We will be dining at our middle daughter's house, though the Englishman will still be doing the bulk of the cooking. I will be baking an apple pie, using my mother's recipe. I've no doubt it will be a wonderful time for us all.

I just spoke on the phone with my mother's neighbor, who still lives across the street from my childhood home.  She said that when she gets down and misses my Mom and the years they spent together supporting each other as widows, that she thinks back and just remembers all the good times they shared together.  I must admit, I do the same.

It's the being together that matters, not the place.  

And, the remembering. 

Those precious memories -

of all the people we have loved 

and the many good times we've had together.  

Friday Fotos....

                                

What a wonderful visit with the wee ones and their parents last Sunday!

I snapped these photos while on our way out to lunch.

Miss M busy crocheting.  

Her Aunt L, who was taught by her Grandma, has been guiding her.

What a joy to see these talents passed down through the generations.

It brings back precious memories of my mother instructing me and all my girls, 

as well as some of their friends.

The girls and I filled in these feathers for a Thanksgiving project.  

Hard to read, but they state, in order:

candy

school

yummy food

my wonderful family

M and C

We're big on "gratitude" in our family. 

It puts everything into the proper perspective.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy weekend!

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

"From traveling in space and studying astronomy, I've learned that it's not all about me.  All these little things in life that distract you and frustrate you - whether it's something wrong with your house or car, or something that didn't go right at work - it's just not that important."

~ Eileen Collins

    Astronaut