Hello m'friends! How are you?
Me? I'm feeling an odd mix of joy and terror.
I've been thinking about Traditions. Rituals.
Unlike Tom's extended family ties, nothing in particular stands out. More often than not, my father was at his second shift security job. (Yes, holidays meant triple pay.)
The only constant? Despite her reluctance to drive, each Christmas eve my mother made sure I got to the skating rink. I was no Dorothy Hamill, but it was my favorite place.
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| 1955 ............. 1975 |
Over the years I/we've dabbled in ethnic dinners, this-n-that. But nothing stuck.
They say. sometimes in different seasons of our lives we have to change traditions. Well, this year is different for sure!
Totally out of character, but I'm just going to sit back and see what unfolds.
Granddaughter #1's trifle bowl
Speaking of traditions .....
Towards the latter part of her life, mother always gifted me a bottle of Chloe'. In turn, I'd buy her favorite Jean Nate.
Have you noticed lately, all the fragrance commercials playing out, one after another in prime time? I've not worn cologne in years -- and don't know anyone who does? Do you still spritz?
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| Gr'grand-dog Molly Jane This reminds me of Gayla Peevey's "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas." |
(So that's what I'm singing!)
Greeting cards!
Like some of you, the last few years I've sent fewer and fewer greetings. This year, however, I'm feeling a bonanza coming on. Maybe even a corny Christmas letter for the elderly lady who used to babysit me ..... perhaps 'that' cousin who eschews all forms of social media ..... even my high-school beau who sends the occasional 'UN-Facebook' update.
Great expectations. And yet, here I sit with sparkly stuff all over my lap, shaking my head. No wonder Hobby Lobby reduced their after-Christmas card selection by 50%! Nuh-uh. There's no-one I dislike enough to send glitter greetings. (*smile*)
BTW, if you'd like a card from Coosada, please shoot me an e-mail (myra.guca@gmail.com) with your address. Thanks!
Stay warm ... stay safe!
Hugs,
Myra
Pretty tree! We had traditions as a family growing up and then had our own traditions with our kids when they were growing up. Now I'm stepping back and letting son/family come up with their own traditions for the holidays. I know every year my sister/her family would take off from the Washington DC area to go to her hubby's parents home in Boston which involved a car ride in horrible weather sometimes, etc. She said a few years back that it would have been nice to have some Christmases at home and not have to travel. So even traditions can not be great ones, right?
ReplyDeleteHow cool with the ice skating!! Bet they won't be setting up the ice skating rink in the Cityscape area here this year.
betty
I agree. It's easier (and kinder) to pass the torch onto the next generation.
DeleteSadly, this year will be a memorable one for many people. And not in a good way. But we must celebrate the birth of our Lord. It is a sign of hope foe better times ahead.
ReplyDeleteWe have put out the Christmas lights outside our house as a sign to neighbours that this is, and should be a beautiful time despite a bad year we have had.
We usually gather as a big family at Christmas. I doubt it this year.
As for Christmas cards, luckily, last year I sent out Christmas cards with all the dates scribled at the back: 2020, 2021,2022 and so on for five years so that the recipients can keep the same card and save me money in purchases and postage.
Since you ask, yes: I do use after-shave lotion. I make my own consisting of garlic and onions soaked in vinegar for a month. It keeps mosquitoes away and most people too.
I think Christmas and birthday presents should be edible. If it is not edible it is not worth having. Pizza and Guinness will do.
Keep smiling my dear friend.
God bless.
I'm laughing about your multi-year Christmas card. Someone (?) in my father's family used to send these huge, elaborate (expensive) cards. My mother saved them and displayed atop the piano year after year.
DeleteCute candy dish idea with the elves! I sent you an email about cards. Traditions have changed drastically, especially this year. Sigh. Love ya!
ReplyDeleteSigh ... indeed. Love you, too!
DeleteMy family had many traditions which I mostly upheld until after my parents passed. Some were just a little much but I still incorporate some things. I really should do a post about them before Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI haven't worn cologne or even worse perfume in years and can't stand when I'm around anyone who still does, it's so overpowering. I use lightly scented body lotions these days.
Love your holiday photos, makes me happy to see you are getting in the Christmas spirit! :)
I hope you will share a post like that!
DeleteOur tradition now is Andy putting the Christmas tree on the roof (up on the land) so the lights can be seen on the road across the valley. He's almost 86, so that one won't last forever. 🙂
ReplyDeleteHow I'd love to see that!
DeleteNice Tree, Sherry is missing her little ceramic tree, misplaced somewhere. We really do enjoy the snippets of your life. Just love your mom by the things you relate. My mind still goes to the Indian Village. Yes this yer will definitely be different, I think you have the right idea, just let it happen. I like that line.
ReplyDeleteLove you lady. Hug Santa Tom a little for us.
Sherry & jack
Aw, thanks! Love y'all, too!
DeleteYour tree looks pretty! Like you, I don't feel like we have a lot of traditions. We used to, but my dad was the undisputed king of keeping traditions. Family and tradition were everything to him. I tried to keep things going, but as the years went by, the kids grew, and Mom remarried...an awful lot of it fell by the wayside and. As the kids grew up and began their own lives they weren't terribly interested. Our son who is still not talking to us, obviously still isn't interested. I honestly don't think he and his wife even bother to create any for their kids...holidays are all very "whatever" with them. Our daughter shows some interest, but only in things from her memory not the ones from way back. A sign of the times and the way technology has changed families, I suppose. By the way, I shot you an email.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm wishing I'd paid better attention to my parents when they'd reminisce about their own childhood traditions.
DeleteTried and true holiday traditions often fall by the wayside - or at least change - as we get older (not that we're old, mind you).
ReplyDeleteMy father also often worked during the holidays - and admittedly it was better than having him home causing trouble....
I have so many dark and haunting holiday memories, which I'd like to share on my blog - - but I don't want to sound too depressing.
I laughed when you mentioned the glitter greetings! I have some VERY old cards that still get glitter all over the place. It's an endless trail of holiday joy.
I still like the tradition of sending snail mail cards. I seldom do it now, however, because postage is expensive and it's too much trouble to mail things now that I live in the wilderness.
I'm impressed that you ice skated. I'm too clumsy and accident-prone to be anywhere near ice.
Believe me, I was VERY clumsy and had the 3 sprained wrists to prove it. I still remember my mother painting this vile solution (HEET) on my wrist.
DeleteI remember HEET. My father used for backaches.
DeleteI bought Mother Charlie and she bought me White Shoulders or something Gardenia that i can't remember. i stopped wearing perfume/colonge about 20 years ago, and now have allergies to all of it and if someone spritzes i can't breathe and have to move away. we had a few traditions, one was Black Friday decorate the tree and mother hung from every surface something chrismtas, including lamp shades and light fixtures. I am busy trying to figure out how I could beam Molly Jane here. I love her painted coat. so precious.
ReplyDeleteI stopped sending cards years and years ago, can't remember when but at least 15 to 20 years. at first i did the list, then i sent one back to all who sent one out of guilt feelings. this year there has been so much talk about sending cards, i tried to guilt myself into sending and joingin the list like yours. i just can't do it.. i don't GET cards sent to people I email.blog.text with daily.. to me cards were before interent when no one got mail and could not afford phone calls. so far i have had 3 cards come and felt guilt each time. yet I am not doing cards....
I can't not smell gardenia and think of my mother. Oh ya, I know the guilt - been there, done that!
DeleteI don't bother with fragrances these days, Myra, although I certainly used to, and I recall the ones you mentioned here. Christmas cards? You bet! You'll be getting one from me this year, my friend. Should you want to reciprocate, my return address will be on the envelope.
ReplyDeleteThis is a new and different Christmas season, that's for sure.
Blessings!
Of course I want to reciprocate. (*smile*) Thank you, Martha!
DeleteLovely Christmas pictures in your post today. How cute your grand dog is. You have some wonderful memories. I still love Jean Nate. I use it all the time in the summer, but for the holidays I'm wearing Red Door. I'm trying to keep merry and bright so really appreciate your holiday post today !
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ma! I hope we can do whatever it takes to maintain one another's morale.
DeleteYESSSSSSSSSSSSSS....AND I LOVEE GLITTER!!! LOLOL---I love that Elves in the Trifle Bowl, lolol
ReplyDeleteIf we lived closer, you and the hubby would be over for Christmas Eve and Christmas dinner---oh the imagine the trouble we could get in. BAAHAHHAHAHAHAHA
You've no idea how much I'd love that!
DeleteFor the last fifteen (?) years I've spent Christmas with friends in Brooklyn and settled into some nice traditions. For a variety of reasons (moving, job changes) this might have been our last year and I'd be pretty sad about it. This year has brought so many changes that I'm more able to accept change. I'm wrapping presents and definitely doing cards. No changes in these last traditions. Take care.
ReplyDeleteUsually I'm resistant to change; but then, we've not had much choice this year. Little things, then, are comforting.
DeleteLove the picture of the grand dog with a hippo and also the elves. How cute are they!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cathy!
DeleteI wear "Inis", an Irish connection. It is light and easy to wear.
ReplyDeleteYour elves have a good life!
Oh my goodness, I love your photos. What memories. I use to wear Oscar de la Renta. He will always be a favorite of mine. The only cards I could find that were the true meaning of Christmas were a single box from DaySpring at my Walgreens store were laden with blue glitter. I am sending cards and had a request from a gal I know. Her dad recently passed away and his wife is having quite a time a time adjusting without him. She asks us that she knows to send her a card. Her stepmom lives about 20 minutes from me. :-)I have a list of encouragement people to send and everyday a trickle of cards come in. Love that trifle bowl. I love the elves but not that creepy elf on the shelf. He'd be in a dumpster not my house. Creepy little thing. HUGS to you XO XO XO
ReplyDeleteI sing the Hippo song to my hubby cause it drives him crazy. HaHaHa! What a sweet pup!I have been absent from commenting so each day I try to catch up.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how it happens, but glitterly cards always cause a glittery face!! Enjoyed visiting today, Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThat was nice of your mother. My mom never drove. That's sweet about the colognes. Yes I do when I'm going out. I use Philosophy Falling In Love. Doesn't bother my lungs. I did love Tova for years from QVC. I plan on doing cards.
ReplyDeleteIt's all good. Whatever we can manage to do this year, we need to do it. We've been deprived of fun and games and family all year...and we need to connect in whatever safe way possible. I'm just getting a slow start with shopping, etc., but I will get caught up eventually. I don't wear cologne, perfume or any scents except I use a lavender scented face soap/bath soap, but it is very mild, homemade goats milk soap. I am very "SCENTSItive. Can't stand strong scents...makes me have headaches and nausea, so I avoid them as much as possible. I am trying to get started on my cards, but I limit them mostly to people I DON'T communicate with via email, facebook, blogging all year. There aren't too many left who don't do that, but there are some and so I send them a Christmas letter with a card. then if I have time and energy, I send cards to those I can who don't need the letter to fill them in on our lives. LOL. Whatever you do, do it with JOY!!
ReplyDeleteNo spritz here - everything is UNSCENTED due to allergies. I'm one of the ones who wishes fragrances would be banned. I can tolerate peppermint essential oil and lemon essential oil and that is about it. I love the tradition of your mom taking you to ice skate!! I love sending and receiving Christmas cards!
ReplyDeleteI like that tradition of you ice skating on Christmas eve each year and of your mom driving you. I am still putting up a tall Christmas tree this year as usual, well, in my 4th year of being a widow my adult sons buy it and set it up. The look is so cheery. I am sending out pretty many cards, no glitter you will be glad to hear.
ReplyDelete