Merry Christmas: e-card

... because Kodak messed up the real one. :)

Not like I'm well known for my cards. I'm not very good that way--haven't sent any out in years, but that'd another blog. I was gonna break with my evil ways and actually send Christmas cards this year. But alas it was not meant to be. Here is what it would've looked like if Kodak hadn't given me a black eye and black bangs:
Look for it next year. :) Yes, I returned them asking for a new set, even though I knew they would never arrive in time.

On a funny note, I'm about to begin my Christmas pies, and I thought I wanted some Christmas music to put me in the mood. So, I go to iTunes radio and pick religious category and "Abiding Radio," which dubs itself, "Conservative, Sacred, and Traditional Christian Music." So far, so good: the first song was partway through--a kinda obscure but nice Christmas song (not what I would've classified as sacred, though). Would you believe the next song was JINGLE BELLS??? I had to laugh. Hope you got a chuckle, too.

Merry Christmas!

Controversial post--read at your own risk

Well, I'm kinda bored. Having to literally sit down by Ri to make sure she does her homework (that's another fulmination in the making), so, why not blog? Something that's been bothering me and I've been considering blogging about it, but now, well, boredom has forced me to it. Enjoy (or not).

Allright, no one (well, Christians in particular) don't like the secularization of Christmas. I'm right there, brother. But recently, it's gotten almost nasty. If anyone doesn't say "Merry Christmas," or says "Happy Holidays" it's like they're God-hating pagans or something. Well, I'm sorry, but I sometimes like to say "Happy Holidays." So sue me. It acknowledges that there's a season, not just a day, and it includes New Years. That's all. I'm not slighting Christians (since I am one); I'm not anti-God; I'm not part of the problem. Well, this one anyway. And I don't like having to feel guilty about using a shortcut for the long name "Christmas" either. And you know the one I'm talking about. I occasionally use it--on a list or secret file--where no one can see how heathen I've become.

Well, now that I've got that off my chest, let me say that I love my Christian brothers, but sometimes, well, they can be difficult to get along with. And if I get perturbed about some of this stuff, how about those that don't give a hoot about Christ or Christians. In standing up for our rights, let's not stand on someone else's. Can't we all just get along? :)

"Jingle Bells" and other inane things

Have you ever really listened to the words to some of the secular Christmas songs? Now, don't jump to any conclusions about them having some sort of satanic message. They actually have no message at all. Inanity, inanity, all is inanity. Take, for example, my anti-favorite that is always requested by children: "Jingle Bells." Just go through the lyrics in your head. Go on. I'll wait.

Have you ever ridden in a one-horse open sleigh? Most of you have not, I'll wager. Well, I have ridden in a one-horse open carriage. And it's really not all that fun. It's pretty cold. Maybe a closed carriage would be better, but I digress.

I guess the reason this bothers me is that, in working with children, I bristle a bit when this song is requested over and over again by church kids who don't even know all the words to just the first verse of some of the traditional Christmas songs. What are we teaching kids when that is the song they want to sing most, and they have no desire for the substance and beauty of the old Christmas carols about, oh, I don't know ... Christ??

Regarding the inanity of my anti-favorite Christmas song (which I refuse to sing, btw), in a way, I'm glad. If that's the best the world can come up with as a substitute for the real reason we celebrate Christmas, then that only points to the bankruptcy of the alternate.

As the song says: good Christian men, rejoice!

December miscellany ... and, yes, snow

OK, as you can see ... not much snow, but snow nonetheless. :) Enough for a 2-hour school delay anyway.

And finally got our Christmas tree up and some gifts wrapped:

And to top it all, here's the funniest Christmas thing online, imo. :)
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1249591262

Enjoy!

Lots to fulminate about, but it'll have to wait. I hope your December is coming along nicely.

OH, one more thing ... Ri is the top speller in her class and will be put in the school spelling bee. I'll keep you posted as to how she does.

Green Santa

So, do you know your carbon footprint? Mine is around 21 tons of CO2/year. Guess I should pay some group $117.32 to "offset" it. Umm, yeah. Is it just me, or does this sound ridiculous? Allstate Green, carbonfund.org, "Green Santa" ... OK, haven't we taken this green thing far enough? Now, not like I've got anything for Santa or anything, but I liked him a lot better red. And maybe he wouldn't have to have such a thick layer of fat if the north pole ice cap began to melt. Maybe he could have a paved runway ... wouldn't that be less hazardous? I mean, if iced wings are dangerous on a plane, I hate to think of the hazards when we bring reindeer into the picture .

Let's be sensible people ... be good stewards, but keep a good head on your shoulders, too. Reduce, recycle, reuse when you can ... but pay carbonfund credits? I don't think so.

Addendum (12/3/07): SIL Ruth sent me the following news article that just shows the illogical conclusion this kinda thinking can take one to. I couldn't have imagined. Truth really is stranger than fiction.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2007/11/survival_of_the_stupidest.html