Cancel Christmas?

While driving into work yesterday,  I was channel surfing.  (The drive was pretty treacherous. Snow was falling, cars were going in the ditch, should have had both hands on the wheel...what is that called?  Oh yeah...inattentive driving)...Anyway....   

I heard the words "cancel" and "Christmas" and thought, "Hmmm...this could be interesting" so I took my finger off the dial and tuned in.

A woman called in to the station venting about her dilemma.    Her husband had had it with their  9-14 year old kids "being naughty" and basically said, "that's it, I'm cancelling Christmas."  He proceeded to take down the tree and the decorations, much to his household's stunned disbelief.     

My first thought was "what an idiot parent."  Seriously.  Who does that?  Nothing like scarring your child for life.  In a writer's life that would be called your "dark moment from the past."  Cancelling Christmas would definitely qualify!  That dark place in time when something happened that you just can't get past.  This would be it!  No tree, no presents, no Santa.  Being a parent myself,   I was rooting for those kids!
I found myself unleashing my outrage like a raving lunatic only to realize that no one was listening.  (thank goodness!)
The radio announcer encouraged the audience to chime in with their advice to this woman.  "This ought to be good," I howled out loud. 

Many called in and  told of tales in their own lives of how they dealt with "naughty kids" this time of year.
One told of having put  presents under the tree.  Whenever their child displayed disobedience, he was told to go and pick out a present under the tree and unwrap it.  The gift was then taken away from him,and given to a child in need.
Numerous callers told of giving their juvenile coal in their stocking citing the Christmas Carol "he knows when you've been bad or good...."

I giggled as I pulled in to my office parking lot.  Sliding into a space, I parked my car and gathered my things.  Getting out of my car, I trudged through the snow, and up the stairs to start my day.  I couldn't seem to get that drive time conversation out of my head. 
Could it be that father wanted his kids to understand what Christmas really means?  Their fighting just made him realize they weren't getting it?
Peace and "Joy to the World" were being strangled by food fights and hair pulling.
He probably questioned, "this is my child?" whenever he heard, "What child is this?"

If getting his children to comprehend that Christmas is about giving and not getting, about a Savior who is Christ the Lord, then I am all for his proclamation.  

Beefeater

Having just eaten my share of turkey, I thought it appropriate to talk of beefeaters! 

 The real name for this gentleman is Yeoman Warder.  This is not just a costume, but actually is a pretty big deal over there across the pond.  It is an honor to be a Yeoman Warder.

  A few facts about a Yeoman Warder:         One must be passionate about history.  After all, one of their "jobs" is to guard the Tower of London.  It is old.  Really old.  Like 1100s old.  That's old.       

       Next, they must love the public.  It can't be easy to love us.  Especially when we ask questions such as "Are the jewels real?" or "Did people really die here?"  Yep, they did.  Including Queen Anne,  but that is for another post.   

   

                      In theory,  they are to guard the Tower and also be sure that the jewels are safe.  Practically, they are tour guides who know the story of the Tower of London like the back of their hand.  They are quite funny and really tell great tales.  

Each must have served at least 22 years in the Armed Forces of Common Wealth Realms and also hold the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.   I learned so much during the hour tour.  There are ravens at the Tower of London.  Seven.  (Six and also a spare!)  The story goes that if they go awol, the Kingdom and the Tower will crumble.  Hmmmmmm..... Their wings are clipped just to be sure!  The Yeoman Warder also has a red dress uniform that they wear for special occasions.  It costs around 6000 pounds (that is about $9800 US dollars!) each.  Most days, the above picture of their blue "undress" uniform is what they wear! 

  Why are they called "beefeaters?"  The most likely explanation is that they were paid back in the day,  partly in salary with beef.  I think it is all in who you ask!   Maybe they just like beef?

Good question...Do any of you know the answer to why they are called beefeaters?                                

Not Fair

An American flag sluggishly hangs at half mast in front of the fire station.

 The firefighter's death has caused "emotional mass casualties" among his company.
A haze of grief hangs in the air, causing a town to call on each other for mutual aid.    Indeed, all who knew him are fully involved in disbelief.   One day he is here, and days later a procession of fire engines carries his casket to his final resting place.
The frigid temps outside cannot begin to compare to the numbing the mourners are feeling on the inside.  Their hearts are broken.   This is not fair.

It is never fair when someone dies so unexpectedly.  Somehow it seems worse when it happens days before a holiday.  A wife and two very young adult boys are hurting.  A life changing event has taken place.  A heart attack took him.    I have thought and prayed of not much else these past days.  I am so sorry.   I wish you all of God's comfort in the seconds, and hours, and weeks, and months ahead.  You have a whole town ready to tend to you as you need.   It is so very obvious he was loved.  Take great comfort in that fact. 

 I think of those I will be with on this Thanksgiving day.   Those sitting on the chairs.  May we live and eat and laugh and make beautiful memories today.  Let us all  be grateful for this day. 

Shopping at Harrods Department store

 Harrods is an appealing stop on the "must see" listing of sites to visit while in London.

With Black Friday right around the corner, it got me thinking about shopping.  Harrods is pretty luxurious.  They have a dress code.  I like that.  Recently I was in a coffee shop.  A girl, not more than 16,  walked in with very offensive attire.   If I were in a clothing store, I would have bought her some sweat pants...really.  Trust me.  She needed them.   She would have been asked to leave at Harrods.     

ore

The Food Hall captivated me.  Food was brilliantly displayed in glass cases strategically placed, hooking those "just looking."  Before I knew it, I was buying a pound of truffles just because they hypnotized me with their gold wrapping! 
Smells wafting from Harrods many restaurants convinced us we were hungry even though we just ate.
Strolling through the jewelry and handbag departments, I felt like I was touring an art  exhibit.  Spotting a handbag I thought I might like, my eyes scanned the price tag.  Trying not to gasp out loud, I decided it best to keep moving and not touch a thing.  I watched in disbelief as a woman picked out a handbag and bought it right on the spot.  It fascinated me.  
The sounds of many languages could be heard throughout the store.  I tried to pick out German and Arabic, Spanish, and of course, English.  I am not sure any stores in America can compare to Harrods.  It was a rather unique experience. A memorial was also displayed showing a picture of Princess Diana and Dodi.  Dodi was the son of the owner of Harrods.  He was killed, along with Princess Diana, on that fateful day in August of 1997.
I saw a woman in Harrods.  To this day, she was the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.  Interestingly, I only saw her eyes and her hands.  Her olive skin mesmerized both my husband and I.  I wanted to touch her but she was surrounded by men.  They looked important.  Probably her bodyguards.  Who was she?  I will never know.  But one thing I know.     I am convinced she is what Esther must have looked like from the bible.  Absolutely stunning.                      

2 named Jack

Tomorrow (Nov. 22) marks the 50th anniversary in the deaths of CS Lewis and President John F Kennedy.  Both referred to as "Jack."
The first picture is of CS Lewis' gravesite.  (The one with the cross.)  The bottom, JFK. 
Each site very unlike the other...much like their lives.  Not much can be compared, except that they died on the same day.   CS Lewis quietly slipped away, JFK...audible. 

These two had already lived and left their legacy before I was even born.
I have read many of CS Lewis' writings and was admittedly, very overwhelmed when I made the  pilgrimage to his gravesite.   A sign outside the churchyard  simply stating CS LEWIS GRAVE with an arrow pointing me in the direction, was my only clue  where to find it.  No eternal flame making it obvious.  Just a simple grave in the Holy Trinity churchyard.   With no one else around in the whole cemetery, I could take all the time I wanted to ponder who this man was.  It was quite meaningful for me.  So very peaceful.  I wish I could have met him in life.  I think we could have had great conversations about Aslan around a cup of tea.
 
      I have also been to the JFK gravesite.  I mean no disrespect whatsoever.  After all, JFK was our president.  But with so many people gathered  around the site, the clicking of cameras, and the expressions of grief, it was difficult to just reflect and be silent.  With this 50 year anniversary, it just begs the question...What will my legacy be?  How will people remember me?  How do I want them to remember me?  I wonder if these two men ever thought just how much people 50 years after their deaths still thought about them?  What if JFK wasn't assassinated?  Would he have lived to be 90?  And what would life have been like for CS Lewis if Joy had not died 4 years after they married?  I am thankful that CS Lewis did what he was called to do...write.  He wrote for future generations to learn and imagine and to think.            

Jane Austen fan

Pride and Prejudice.  Just the name makes me smile.  The era, England, tea, Mr. Darcy.  A true literary classic.  One of my favorite stories.  

Just  imagine Jane writing at her desk with a  quill pen and ink.  Such patience she must have had.  Ink blobs on the page, smearing her classic words.  I get frustrated when I lose a page,  because I keep forgetting to save my work as I type along on the keys of my computer.  The hours she must have spent penning Sense and Sensibility and Emma.  A literary genius indeed. 

I happened to see this video about Jane Austen fans and found it really neat!  Maybe because a writer friend is in it!  Julie is a historical romance author.  A very gifted writer. She is also so very kind and extremely humble.  Julie is in a pink gown toward the end of the video.   Enjoy.
http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/mr-darcy-jane-austen-super-fans-20897217

Julie's website:
www.julieklassen.com
Julie has a new book launch  on December 12 at 7:00p.m.    If you are in the Twin Cities area, she will be signing books at the Har Mar Mall Barnes and Noble in Roseville MN. 

Which Jane Austen book is your favorite?

 

Care Packages

Recently I was asked if I have ever sent a package to my college age kids.   Hmmmm.  Do I just say "yes," or do I admit that I have sent more than I can even count?!  In fact, between the USPS and the UPS store, I'd say easily I could be walking around with a designer purse.  Or, maybe  a few outfits from Mall of America with how much I pay to send my babes love from home! 

"I've sent a few," I reply.  And then hope they don't ask, "What's a few?" 
 
"So, once a quarter, once a year, how many have you sent?"

"Well, I can't give an exact number, but on average for sure every two weeks," I respond. 

I must admit, I love the reactions!  "Are you kidding?" "That must cost a fortune."
My favorite..."Do they like it?"

"Do they like it?"  Getting a whole almond cake to themselves baked fresh, just for them, a few days before.
A handwritten note in their mother's handwriting, and not an email.
Chocolate chip cookies wrapped individually.  The chips are more like chunks!
Gift cards to Starbucks and Buffalo Wild Wings
MONEY
Funky Chunky pretzels
Books

Oh, I have no doubt...they love it.  Especially right around exam time.  I love it when they call and say, "I got your package."      It was especially wonderful when our son was away for the summer and was out of cellphone reach, and would call on the satellite phone sparingly.  The first words out of his mouth, "Hi mom I got your package."

PRICELESS FOR ME:   When they do return home, finding the letters I have written.    Opened and kept. 


What about you?  Do you send packages?  What do you put in them? 
Did you ever get any while you were away?