Saturday Story, December 31, 2022 - The Trail

 Saturday Story, December 31, 2022 - The Trail

He sat down, maybe for the thirtieth time today.  He was so tired.  

He had made this trip so many times in the past.  He knew he had.  But as he said, he just couldn’t be sure how many times.  600?  1025?  316? 

There was that time when the rain clouds blew in and he got soaked.  

And, that time when the deer ran across the path in front of him, but then stopped and watched at the end of the glade.  He had stopped to look at the deer too. It was an 8-point buck with a scar on the left side by the front leg.  Maybe the deer wouldn’t be afraid of him.  It seemed like ten minutes but it was probably only two minutes.  He knew he had to keep going.  And, as he walked on, the deer sniffed twice and stepped into the woods.  

Then the thoughts of the trips in the summer.  Why was it always so hot?  Some days he took his water bottle with him, but some days he had forgotten it. It really was a nuisance.  It kept one hand tied down while he walked, and most times in the end, he hadn’t even stopped for a drink.  He laughed at himself.  There was that day when he didn’t drink the water but dumped it over his head.  It was refreshing.  Sure he got everything wet, but it worked.

Twice he had met somebody on the trail.  The first time was the kid from the village, Mike? Tim? John? They had said “hi” and each kept going.  The second time it was the young woman.  He saw her in church every so often, but he didn’t know her name.  Kind of tall, with black hair, and black eyes - might be Hispanic.  Seemed to be nice.  She had stopped and talked to him about the woods and the trail.  

There was the trip when he didn’t take the trail, but a beautiful lady named Shirley, dressed in a white gown took it and he met her on the trail.,

And, after that trip there was Steve on the trail, running ahead, scaring rabbits; and Becky, walking hand-in-hand with him.

He paused again, heavy with the memories.  Shirley was gone, Steve and Becky didn’t acknowledge him and hadn’t seen him in twenty years.

This time, it was cold.  He had a parka.  It had been zipped up, but as he walked, he unzipped it when his body got warm.  It was his blue parka, not his brown one.  The brown one only came out when it was below zero Fahrenheit.  It was cold, but not bitter cold.  

Okay, time to get up and get going again.  He had to push himself up twice off the rock.  His knees just weren’t all that strong.  As he stood, he heard a creak and a little snap.  It isn’t much fun getting old.  He stood for five seconds to get his equilibrium, then took his first step down the trail again.  

There was the deer again -the 8-pointer with the scar.  How did the deer show up today?  Just luck?  Some kind of karma?  Happenstance?  This time the deer didn’t spook and didn’t run away.  Kind of some respect?  Did the deer know this was his last time on the trail?  Nay?  The deer was just an animal.  The deer walked before him down the trail, why did he do that?  

He cut across the glade and back onto the trail.  The trail would go left for a while, and then slightly uphill, and then right and climb again.  He knew.  The trail was etched in his brain.  

Most of the leaves were down as he went left.  December is kind of a barren time in the woods.  The Sumacs had turned red and yellow, but now they were bare branches again.

The train was generally prettiest in May.  Fifty, one-hundred, shades of green, some late buds and some early leaves.  Some of the bushes got berries in the spring.  The trees would produce their seeds - acorns, pods, the maple seeds that were like little glider planes twirling to the ground.  

On and on he went, around the turns up the hills, down the hills, across the old, mostly rotted bridge over the silent ravine.  There had been a few days when there was rushing water down that ravine, but not many.  

Would there be anybody to meet him today?  Probably not.  Just the way of life - over the hills and through the woods.  

It was down to 100 yards - the length of a football field.  He had watched too many football games - but he liked football.  He had tried to play football years ago on a junior high school team.  He was a lineman, and not very fast, not very good.  Now 50 yards.  At 20 yards he was in the “red zone” - pushing towards the end zone.  But there were no tacklers waiting for him, and he wasn’t carrying a football.

Then it was there.  His goal.  He sat on the rock on the left of the trail and took his last breath.  There was a tunnel with a bright light ahead of him.  The end of his last journey.

*****

The hospice nurse was there, watching the monitor.  His eyes had been shut, but the monitor was taking his pulse.  The monitor stopped.  She typed 10:21 into the laptop and checked the ‘heart failure’ box on the “cause of death” form. She knew there wasn’t any family coming to say goodbye.  She had read the hospice directive that Bates and Oakley would cremate his body and there would be a small service at the funeral home.  Maybe there would be six people there, but definitely under ten people.  In the six months, he had been in hospice, there had been one person that stopped by - a chaplain.  

*****

But, the nurse couldn’t see all the people that filled the room, maybe thousands.  It is hard to see angels that are invisible and take up no space.  One of the angels reached into his body and the soul came out holding the angel’s hand without a sound.  The nurse didn’t see this, didn’t know this.  Then the room was empty and the body was just there.  Ned was gone into the tunnel of bright light and welcoming arms.

*****

Friends, this is fiction.  I don’t know what happens at the moment of death.  We all will face it.  On this last day of the year 2022, there is both the end or death of this year and the anticipation of the new year.  

I remember a clergyman who added this prayer to his list of prayers, “And we pray for those that will die today alone”.  

And, I add my prayers for those who will die alone today.

*****

Goodbye, 2022, hello 2023.

Love wins

Karen Anne White, ©, December 31, 2022

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2022, SPIRITUAL THOUGHTS

 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2022 SPIRITUAL THOUGHTS

Creator of the University

1) “Astronomers have an estimate of between about 100 and 200 billion galaxies.”

2) “On 4 November 2013, astronomers reported, based on Kepler space mission data, that there could be as many as 40 billion Earth-sized planets orbiting in the habitable zones of Sun-like stars and red dwarfs within the Milky Way.”

3) “11 billion of these estimated planets may be orbiting Sun-like stars. The nearest such planet may be 12 light-years away, according to scientists. As of June 2021, a total of 59 potentially habitable exoplanets have been found.

*****

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the Earth” 

*****

For Centuries, man has lived on this planet and stared at the night sky.  Ancient man found planets and stars (as noted by their orbits, and light emission - planets only reflect light).  In the last five centuries, we’ve moved from fairly simple telescopes to very complex and accurate telescopes.  

Looking at the data - #1  - an estimated 100 and 200 billion GALAXIES; galaxies (like the Milky Way) can contain many stars, and stars may have planets that orbit them.  

From #2 - there could be as many as 40 billion Earth-sized planets orbiting Sun-like stars.  

*****

I am trying hard not to extrapolate and say “There are probably other planets with life on them.”  I don’t know.  My belief in an all-powerful, infinite, all-knowing God suggests that there might be other planets with life.  And, does that affect or alter my beliefs?

Actually, it does. It affects my Bible Study.  Since much of the Old Testament is about our Jewish brothers - Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, and the prophets - if God was to set up life on other planets - would it be the same?  Would Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob be there?  Would the Biblical books be there?  

Let’s be honest, I love the Bible.  I quote the Bible frequently.  It is my source of faith - ON THIS PLANET.  It comes with warts, good and evil, and a redeemer born as a human and God.   In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him, nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.  The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (From John 1) 

IF there were life on some other orb circling some other star, would it be the same?  Somehow I doubt it. So the Bible is for Earth followers of the infinite, all-powerful being that created the university, just like the Holy Document (made up name) book for followers of that infinite, all-powerful being on planet Karen (made up planet name).  

I don’t know if God so loved the world (aka - the universe) that he gave His son to redeem all the worlds (planets).  

God’s ways are not my ways, but if there are billions of stars might there also be billions of planets that might have life?  Then is that planet and that life similar to the Earth?  

Interesting - and challenging.  Does this affect my beliefs on this particular planet?  

I guess I can’t let the “maybe” of other planets, other people, go in one ear and out the other.  Does that change how I live?  How do I believe? Not really.  

*****

LOVE WINS - on all the other planets and on our planet; LOVE WINS - with human beings (earth), and whatever beings might (or might not) exist.

God can make a trillion or more stars, and a trillion or more planets, and a trillion or more beings on those planets - God is God - he can do anything - and everything.  [Aside, my brain just picked God playing golf - and getting a hole-in-one on every hole!!!]

Because God made mosquitos and I don’t like mosquitos, can I conclude that God is unfair?  Or can I shrug it off saying “God is all-powerful, and, hey, if he wants to create mosquitos or whatever - he sure can?

******

Karen, you are babbling today. 

Yes, I guess so.  (Who am I to judge God’s work?).  If there are planets and living beings - great.  Should I allow it to affect me?  NO

LOVE WINS

LOVE TRANSFORMS

KAREN ANNE WHITE, ©, DECEMBER 30, 2022

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2022 - HATE IS STRONG AND MOCKS THE SONG

 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2022 - HATE IS STRONG AND MOCKS THE SONG

This week in-between Christmas and New Year, I’ve been taking the “National Today” activity that appealed to me.  Monday was Boxing Day, Tuesday was Fruitcake, and Wednesday was Call a Friend. But, the “National Today” for December 29 includes National Irish Constitution Day, International Cello Day, Mongolia Independence Day, and others that just didn’t interest me.

So, I looked at “Today in History” and found that today (December 29) in 1890, the U.S. Army Massacred Sioux Indians at Wounded Knee South Dakota.  I’ve chosen that topic for today.

That plus the Longfellow poem made into a Christmas Hymn - I heard the Bells on Christmas Day.

“And in despair I bowed my head:

"There is no peace on earth," I said,

"For hate is strong, and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Hate is strong.  Hate for the Indians.  Hate between the states that resulted in the Civil War.  Hate between Russia and Ukraine.  Hate between Republicans and Democrats.  Hate between <group A> and <group B>.  

The narrative for "Today in History" says this:

“On December 29, 1890, in one of the final chapters of America’s long Indian wars, the U.S. Cavalry kills 146 Sioux at Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota.

“Throughout 1890, the U.S. government worried about the increasing influence at Pine Ridge of the Ghost Dance spiritual movement, which taught that Native Americans had been defeated and confined to reservations because they had angered the gods by abandoning their traditional customs. Many Sioux believed that if they practiced the Ghost Dance and rejected the ways of the white man, the gods would create the world anew and destroy all non-believers, including non-Indians. 

“On December 15, 1890, reservation police tried to arrest Sitting Bull, the famous Sioux leader, who they mistakenly believed was a Ghost Dancer, at the Standing Rock reservation and killed him in the process.

On December 29, the U.S. Army’s 7th cavalry surrounded a band of Ghost Dancers under the Sioux Chief Big Foot near Wounded Knee Creek and demanded they surrender their weapons. As that was happening, a fight broke out between an Indian and a U.S. soldier, and a shot was fired, although it’s unclear from which side. A brutal massacre followed, in which it’s estimated almost 150 Native Americans were killed (some historians put this number at twice as high), nearly half of them women and children. The cavalry lost 25 men.”

*****

So, in the name of the United States Government, “almost 150 Native Americans were killed, nearly half of them women and children.”

Why?  Fear?  Bad assumptions? Misunderstanding?  And, of course, HATE.

I remember hearing the expression “The only good injun is a dead injun”.  I was thumbing through television channels the other day and there was a western where the Native Americans were attacking a wagon train and the U.S. Army was coming in to solve the issue (that is - to kill the Indians).  It made for exciting movies.  As a kid we sometimes played “Cowboys and Indians” - and of course, the cowboys were always in the right when we played.  

We were learning to hate. I don’t remember learning hate against Blacks or Jews.  But, we did learn to hate the Russians, the Chinese, and the Japanese.  (We couldn’t ‘hate” the Germans - after all, there were millions of Americans with German ancestry, but we could hate Adolf Hitler and the Nazis).  

So, we hated the Indians - those Native Americans who were here first - who settled the land.  We hated the Native Americans/Sioux when gold was discovered in the Black Hills - a sacred land to the Sioux.  So, we moved the Natives out of their native lands and put them on land that is pretty worthless (lots of western South Dakota is pretty desolate).  And, when the “do-gooders” tried to help, some found ways of getting “fire-water” (aka - alcohol) onto the reservations.  No job, no income, but government money to buy booze.  (Not a very good, or a very successful plan).  

Hate is strong and mocks the song of Peace on Earth, Goodwill towards Men.

****

And, we hated the blacks - the slaves we brought to do our work; we hated people who talked in a different language; we hated those with different religious beliefs; we hated those who professed different gender and love attitudes, we hated people who didn’t look or act like us.

Have we learned?  I don’t know - but I think we are better than 1890 and the massacre at Wounded Knee.  

*****

And, the next to last verse of “I heard the bells on Christmas Day”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,

With peace on earth, good will to men."

*****

Karen’s thoughts.  Sometimes history shows us the negative side of ourselves.  Sometimes we lose sight of what it means to love.  May we be better people in 2023.

LOVE WINS

LOVE TRANSFORMS

KAREN ANNE WHITE, © DECEMBER 29, 2022

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2022 - NATIONAL CALL A FRIEND DAY

 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2022 - NATIONAL CALL A FRIEND DAY

NATIONAL CALL A FRIEND DAY - December 28, 2022 - National Today

The information on this day is: “Christmas is over and New Year’s is on its way. But in the meantime, December 28 is National Call a Friend Day! Between the stress of the daily grind at work, the needs of your family, and ensuring you have a little time for yourself, our lives can get awfully hectic. National Call a Friend Day reminds us all to take a few minutes, pick up the phone, and call that friend you’ve been meaning to get back in touch with. In modern times, technology has the capacity to unite us more than ever before. The internet isn’t fazed by distance, time zones, or how much money you have in the bank. But in our day-to-day lives of whizzing from one task to the next (or even multi-tasking on all our projects at once), technology often has the opposite effect. Checking emails, answering texts, responding to Facebook notifications, and other tech-based tasks can fill up our lives and actually make us feel less connected to the people we’re spending all our time connecting with! So with the holiday season rapidly drawing to a close this year, make an effort on December 28 to reach out with a phone call and connect, voice to voice, with a good friend.”

*****

Okay, I am a “computer nerd”.  I have a phone for two reasons:  Just in case of an emergency, I can make a phone call (it would have to be a big emergency), and to get on the internet when I’m away from my computer.  

I am not a caller - I don’t pick up the phone and call a friend.  I might call it “calling phobia”.  I think it goes back to college when there was one phone on the floor, and long-distance calls cost money.  While ET might have “called home”, Karen White didn’t.  (I don’t remember if the phone in the hallway was a pay phone where I would have been prompted to insert coins in order to make a call).

Did you ever make collect calls and ask for some strange name and that was a hidden message for that person to call you right back?  In college, with only one phone on the floor, we would call our parents collect and maybe ask for ourselves.  They would tell the operator that that person was not home.  And, as soon as we hung up, they would call back at a much cheaper “station to station” rate.  

I was among the last to have a cell phone.  It was only when it became a “necessity”.  It was a pay-as-you-go phone.  

I have friends who are always on the phone, always calling and being called.  As I write, the last phone call I made was five days ago.  I have a saved phone call from a friend who does call his friends (of which I am one), and I’m feeling quite guilty that I need to call him back. 

My cell phone is almost always on silent.  If it is in my pocket, it will vibrate when somebody calls (which is almost always a telemarketer).  If it is in my purse or on a table, the call will go to voicemail (and if I don’t pick up), they had the option to leave a message - otherwise, I assume it is a crank call.  

I’d much rather text, post a note online, or send an email than push those buttons to actually call a friend.  

*****

So, today - National Call a friend day is a challenge for me.  I love seeing my friends face-to-face.  I’ll drive an hour-and-one-half to see a friend - and have lunch with her and drive home - rather than call her and talk on the phone (wow - am I bad!!!) 

*****

Somehow today, I will get up my courage to return JF’s call (and have to apologize for not getting back to him sooner).  I’ll set up my lunch date with MN by text - and then enjoy our face-to-face time.  I should meet up with BA, BB, CS, RF, and CA and have coffee or lunch together.  Do I need to use the phone?

*****

So Karen, what do you mean?  Well, one thing is for people to understand that I am not a phone caller!!! This leads me to a second thought - walk a mile in their shoes.  If I have my phobias, I bet they do too.  If they can understand that I’m not a big phone calling person (and even if they don’t understand), I need to understand what phobias and fears they face every day.  I need to love them, and “walk a mile in their shoes”.  I can’t judge them.

Love is frequently spelled “T   I   M   E”.  Love means spending time with those I love (which should be everybody).  

I can preach love wins, but I need to make that an action.  I need to reach out and be a friend, be a lover (in the agape sense of love).  Communication is a key to healthy relationships - and I might write okay (and text and email) and I might speak okay, but I need to make phone calls and keep the connections open and honest - and built on love.

*****

So, who are you going to call today for National Call A Friend Day?  (If you call me and I don’t answer, don’t judge me, leave your name and number - and I WILL try to get back to you - try to help me overcome this issue.

LOVE DOES WIN

LOVE DOES TRANSFORM

KAREN ANNE WHITE, ©, DECEMBER 28, 2022

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2022 - NATIONAL FRUITCAKE DAY

 DECEMBER 27, 2022, NATIONAL FRUITCAKE DAY

I (generally) like fruitcake - with those colored chunks of sweet, candied fruit. (And, I can even put butter on it - the more calories the better!!!)

*****

National Today has this about National Fruitcake Day:

“National Fruitcake Day is December 27, a day to celebrate every eccentric person you know. Wait! That’s not right. It’s a day for lovers of fruitcake to rejoice in the delights of the world’s most misunderstood fruit. A fruitcake is a boozy, chewy, rich amalgam of dried fruit, nuts, and sugar, saturated with your favorite alcohol, most commonly brandy or bourbon. That produces a dense, sweet, and textured treat generally served around the holidays. Fruitcakes have been found in ancient Egyptian tombs, so you know that the tradition is steeped in history as well as booze.”

*****

There is an old expression (that I had forgotten) “Nuttier than a fruitcake”.  

I wonder why that expression went away.  And then decided that fruitcakes are mostly a thing of the past.  When was the last time you had a fruitcake (in the traditional sense?).  I haven’t even heard a joke about fruitcakes in years.

Some jokes were that fruitcakes were like bricks and almost indestructible. Or that they were so tough you couldn’t chew them.  Their taste was suspect (or just daunting).  

I did find some (old) fruitcake jokes:

*****

When is a fruitcake like a golf ball? When it's been sliced. 

What happens when no one comes to your Christmas party? You can have your fruitcake and eat it too. 

What did the gingerbread man say to the unhappy fruitcake? "What's eating you?" 

What did the fruitcake say to the fork? Do you want a piece of me? 

Top 10 Uses For Holiday Fruitcakes 

10. Use slices to balance that wobbly kitchen table. 

9. Use fruitcakes instead of sandbags during a flood emergency

8. Send the fruitcakes to the U.S. Air Force, let troops drop them on enemies 

7. Use fruitcakes as railroad ties. 

6. Use fruitcakes as speed bumps to foil the neighborhood drag racers. 

5. Collect ten fruitcakes and use them as bowling pins. 

4. Use fruitcakes instead of cement shoes. 

3. Save the fruitcakes for next summer's garage sale. 

2. Use fruitcake slices in the next skeet-shooting competition. 

1. Two words -  pin cushion.

*****

I mentioned that I like fruitcakes - with an exception - without nuts (so “nuttier than a fruitcake” might not apply to me).  They had candied or dried fruit.  Think of trail mix while you are hiking - dried cranberries, dried pineapple, dried mango, and dried raisins.  Then think of that trail mix in a sweet dough-like fruitcake.  I don’t remember having a fruitcake with liquor (but maybe I didn’t know).  

Like another old-time favorite - mincemeat pie (which doesn’t have meat) - fruitcakes have disappeared.  Homemade candy seems to have been forgotten with bags and bars of candies lining the aisles in the grocery store. At a recent Christmas party put on by my employer, there were desserts - brownies, pies - still in their plastic boxes from the grocery store.  The only non-store dessert was the boss’ homemade banana pudding.   

Are we all too busy to bake or make anything?  I made homemade bark (or almond bark without the almonds) and brought it to two holiday parties.  I am getting to be a reasonable cook.  My coleslaw has been praised at a couple of church potlucks and by two friends.  

Have we lost sight of what “used to be” in terms of fruitcake and mincemeat pie?  

What things are needful to do by and for ourselves and others?  Is a gift card for Christmas better than a homemade gift?  Is a Christmas Card better than an email greeting - or even the “one-size fits all” message on your favorite platform - (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram?) 

*****

Yes, change is inevitable. Tastes are going to change.  Even television commercials tout products to make our lives easier.  So, forget baking, just buy something that H-E-B (my Texas grocery store) makes and puts on a shelf.  

*****

So, Karen, what are you trying to say?

That things do change - even the things that a person likes.  Over the years, as we age, we change, and what once was might not be the case anymore.  In some cases that is good (for example, with backup cameras, and warning systems, our cars are safer now), and in the case of fruitcake - well it isn’t as important anymore.

So, as I go into 2023, what is important and what isn’t?  What changes are ongoing in my life and what changes do I need to make to be a productive and valuable senior in 2023?

One thing that won’t change for me is my belief that LOVE WINS, that LOVE TRANSFORMS!!  These are built on my faith in an infinite and all-loving God who wants us to know and serve Him/Her/It. 

Karen Anne White, ©, December 27, 2022

MONDAY, DECEMBER 26, BOXING DAY

 MONDAY, DECEMBER 26, BOXING DAY

Great Britain takes the day after Christmas as a holiday called “Boxing Day”.

Wikipedia says:

“Boxing Day is a holiday celebrated after Christmas Day, occurring on the second day of Christmastide (26 December). Though it originated as a holiday to give gifts to the poor, today Boxing Day is primarily known as a shopping holiday. It originated in Great Britain and is celebrated in several countries that previously formed part of the British Empire. The attached bank holiday or public holiday may take place on 28 December if necessary to ensure it falls on a weekday. Boxing Day is also concurrent with the Catholic holiday Saint Stephen's Day. “

“In Britain, it was a custom for tradesmen to collect "Christmas boxes" of money or presents on the first weekday after Christmas as thanks for good service throughout the year. This is mentioned in Samuel Pepys' diary entry for 19 December 1663. This custom is linked to an older British tradition where the servants of the wealthy were allowed the next day to visit their families since they would have had to serve their masters on Christmas Day. The employers would give each servant a box to take home containing gifts, bonuses, and sometimes leftover food. Until the late 20th century there continued to be a tradition among many in the UK to give a Christmas gift, usually cash, to vendors.”

***

In the United States, it seems as if “Boxing Day” (which isn’t observed) takes on a different flavor.  It is a day of returning or exchanging merchandise.

The expression “Many Happy Returns of the Day” is a way of “wishing someone a happy birthday and expressing the hope that he or she will live to celebrate many more birthdays in the future.”

But, it seems on the day after Christmas, “many happy returns” means returning merchandise that didn’t fit (or isn’t the desire of the receiver) to exchange their presents for something else.  

*****

I worked for Kohl’s Department Stores as a customer service representative for one holiday season (as a temporary employee).  Exchanges were common.  One lady seemed like she liked to shop and was in the store two or three times a week and exchanged things frequently.  Her son didn’t like to come with her to pick out clothes, so she’d “buy” several items and take them home for him to try at home, and return with the ones he didn’t like.  

Last year my friend Mary got a present from her daughter and it just wasn’t her style so we took it back to Kohl’s to exchange.  (She doesn’t drive, so I’m her designated driver).  Unfortunately, there wasn’t anything that she liked then.  

Some like the item, but prefer that item in a different color.  (I wear clothes in any color, as long as it is RED!!! <grin>).  Sometimes the exchange is equal - no money to be exchanged.  The original purchase was (say) $20, and the new item is $20.  Sometimes the new item is less, so the person gets money back, and sometimes the new item is more, and the person has to pay something to cover the higher price. 

That particular store wanted to keep customers happy.  But, some things just couldn’t be exchanged.  They had to be a product that the store sold. For example, if a customer brought in some jeans from Old Navy, we couldn’t exchange them. 

*****

Okay, where are you going, Karen?

Well - maybe we can exchange some aspects of our life?  Can I exchange 15 pounds off my middle for a new red dress?  Can I exchange my attitude on some days for one that is more loving?  Can I exchange my neighbor for a nicer person?  

Later this week, I’ll be talking about New Year’s Resolutions.  Maybe, if I try hard enough, and work on my New Year’s Resolutions enough, I can exchange a bad habit for a good habit?  

Can I use an “undo” button on my life to take back things that I said that I didn’t mean?  Can I have a beeper to go back a minute and change how I did something?  

*****

Exchanges and “boxing day” can be made - but it seems like there is a process.  The process is:

Get the item as a Christmas gift

Decide you don’t want the item

Wrap the item up

Return to the store

Wait in line

Exchange it for something you like

Go home satisfied

*****

But, sometimes we don’t want to go through the hassle.  

Change can be hard, and exchanges can be hard.

*****

So, are you exchanging any presents in the next few days that you got for Christmas?  

Are you thinking of changing something in your life that you can change (or exchange) in the New Year?

LOVE DOES WIN

LOVE DOES TRANSFORM

KAREN ANNE WHITE, © DECEMBER 26, 2022

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL

 SUNDAY FUNDAY

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

A time of peace, love, and joy!!!

*****

WARM-UP

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of activities.  I’ve had two formal Christmas dinners from my workplace, the second one included a “secret Santa” exchange.  I had two orchestra concerts (and some extra rehearsals).  The brass quintet that was to play at Bass Pro Shop was canceled as one of the players got COVID.  We might try next week after Christmas.  (We only could fit in one rehearsal, so we’re not quite as polished as I would like).  I’ve picked up some extra shifts at my work and volunteered for extra duty on Thanksgiving and Christmas (hey I’m alone - if my working can let somebody have time with their family, I’m good with that!!!).

*****

Bowl games have started.  The University of Texas is playing the University of Washington in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on the 29th.  

My undergraduate college played in NCAA Division II and never made a bowl game.  My children went to South Dakota State University (SDSU is San Diego State University, so they are SDState).  SDState is playing for the NCAA Division II championship in Frisco Texas (I wonder if my family will be there).

*****

CHRISTMAS JOKES

What did the wise men say after they offered up their gifts of gold and frankincense? Wait, there's myrrh.

What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire? Frostbite.

What does Santa suffer from if he gets stuck in a chimney? Claus-trophobia!

What do you call Santa when he stops moving? Santa Pause.

What do snowmen eat for dessert? Ice crispies.

How do you help someone who has lost their Christmas spirit? Nurse them back to elf.

What do you call an elf that runs away from Santa's workshop? A rebel without a Claus!

What do you call a reindeer ghost? Cari-boo!

What is it called when a snowman has a temper tantrum? A meltdown.

Why are elves such great motivational speakers? They have plenty of elf-confidence.

Why do reindeer like Beyoncé so much? She sleighs.

What reindeer game do reindeer play at sleepovers? Truth or deer.

What did Santa say when he stepped into a big puddle? It must have reindeer.

What does Rudolph want for Christmas? A Pony sleigh station.

What is Santa's dog's name? Santa Paws!

Where do Santa's reindeer stop for coffee? Star-bucks!

What’s every elf’s favorite type of music? Wrap!

What’s the absolute best Christmas present? A broken drum — you can’t beat it!

What happens if you eat Christmas decorations? You get tinsel-it is.

What do Santa's elves learn in school? The elf-abet.

What do you call an obnoxious reindeer? Rude-olph.

What do grapes sing at Christmas? 'Tis the season to be jelly.

What's the difference between the Christmas alphabet and the ordinary alphabet? The Christmas alphabet has Noel.

What did the gingerbread man put on his bed? A cookie sheet!

What do snowmen eat for breakfast? Ice Crispies.

Who is never hungry at Christmas? The turkey—he’s always stuffed.

Why is Christmas (and Santa Claus) like work?  You do all the work and the fat guy takes the credit

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NATIONAL DAYS;

DECEMBER 25TH, CHRISTMAS!!

BOXING DAY - December 26, 2022 - National Today

Boxing Day is held every December 26th in many countries associated with the British empire. It started as a day to give gifts to the household staff of Britain’s upper classes but has morphed into a sort of shopping holiday of its own. In fact, it's one of the most popular days to return Christmas gifts to stores.

NATIONAL FRUITCAKE DAY - December 27, 2022 - National Today

National Fruitcake Day is December 27, a day to celebrate every eccentric person you know. Wait! That’s not right. It’s a day for lovers of fruitcake to rejoice in the delights of the world’s most misunderstood fruit

Are you “nutty as a fruitcake?”

CARD PLAYING DAY - December 28, 2022 - National Today

I like to play cards - keeps my mind busy and thinking!!!

NATIONAL BACON DAY - December 30, 2022 - National Today

I like bacon.

NEW YEAR'S EVE - December 31, 2022 - National Today

Are you going to celebrate?  (I might make it to 10:30 - or even 11:00 p.m.!!!)

WRAP-UP

Enjoy your holidays, and enjoy your families (if you are getting together or calling each other).  

Christmas is a time of love, joy, hope, peace, and kindness.  Let’s keep the Christmas attitude through all the next years!!!

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LOVE WINS

Karen Anne White, © December 25, 2022