'Twas the night before Christmas

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Sugar Plums

Merry Christmas, My Friends!

Figgy pudding

I doubt there has been a bluegrass band that hasn't played this classic Salty Dog Blues at one time or another.

On the way home from rehab last Tuesday Carolyn nearly hit another deer.

I am off from rehab for a couple weeks. The soreness in my knee is keeping me from doing anywhere near my best. It is keeping me from using the cane except on a few days when it isn't so bad. The knee is still not straight but I am working on it.

Carolyn fell while at work Friday morning. I think she has a sprained clavicord with possible complications.

Carolyn all of a sudden decided to make candy for the family for Christmas. Chocolate, peanut butter, and a mix of the two. Delicious.

I am down to 223 lbs from a high of 278 lbs two years ago.

Need to buy tires for the Escape and do some more work on it. Leak from oil pan and tranny fluid needs changing.

Walkin' and talkin'

Mason is walking and Sammy is talking

Shiny tinsel

Old time Christmas card

My first Christmas which I can remember is one where I overturned the Christmas tree. I was probably three or four years old and my uncles had gone into the fields and brought back the top out of a red cedar tree. It was as tall as our ceiling and I remember it was decorated with glittery tinsel and shiny red and green cellophane garlands which were common in those days. It also had colored lights on it that were fairly good size and got hot enough to burn a little boy’s skin when he grabbed hold of one. The bulbs were all the time burning out and my mom kept a supply of replacements on hand. Flashing lights were unheard of in homes unless the people were filthy rich. I recall that one day after a few presents had appeared beneath the tree that I could not stay away from it. I was warned many times about messing with the tree but most of the admonishments bounced off my ears and I was soon deep under the branches looking at the pretty paper on the packages. Sure enough I made a wrong move and the entire tree with ornaments, decorations, lights, and glittery tinsel tumbled over. I was unhurt but scared of consequences such as being listed as naughty by Santa and not getting any presents on Christmas or by getting a spanking. Naturally I began crying and my mother came in and scolded me which made me cry worse and soon she was hugging me and wiping away tears. Yep, I owned her. She made me sit in a chair while she and my uncles returned the the tree to upright and redid the decorations, including lots more shiny tinsel. I had sense enough not to mess with the tree anymore and my family had sense enough not to put any more wrapped packages under it until Santa Claus came. Neither of us wanted to get the jolly old elf putting coal in our stockings. I don’t recall any of the presents and toys I received that year or most other of my young years however I am sure that being the spoiled only child I got well more than my share.

My mom used to read me this story several time before Christmas each year. It is very possible it was from the same book which is used here because I seem to remember some of these illustrations.

Merry Christmas!

Warriors of peace

I have been fortunate enough to live in an era when some great and wise men took control and led their people to a higher way of life. The three I remember most are Mohandas Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Nelson Mandela. All three lead demonstrated that civil disobedience is more powerful than any police state. Although Mandela used some sabotage in his early struggle against apartheid South Africa, all three men are known and revered as men of peace. Sadly, people like this come only rarely. Yes, I am glad to have breathed the same air that they breathed.

Sammy and Mason will have a brother whom is due to be born in February.

Have a great Thursday!

Always a song to sing

I well remember the day the music died. However, it has died and been resurrected many times since Buddy Holly’s untimely death in 1959. Actually, the music never dies; it has an underlying heartbeat which cannot be stilled until the last person who can hear it and feel it is gone from this earth. Singers and musicians only translate what the deep music is telling them and every living soul has a different song to sing. What is your soul song?

It seems I am to be a great-grandpa again. I hope this one is a girl.

Damn, I dislike winter.

I hope my Lady Vols and Mark’s Uconn Huskies restart their rivalry. Uconn is at the height of their success and are the major test for any other women’s basketball team. The Lady Vols are no match for the Huskies at present but things between the teams seem to even out over time.

Have a Tuesday!

Happy Birthday, Keegan

The boys are growing faster than I am prepared to cope with. Mason is ten months old and has  just two teeth yet he is taking his first steps. Sammy has his first little-boy haircut and looks like a little man.

We have been renting our modem from the cable company but it went bad Saturday. Carolyn tried several times to contact customer service but was put on hold until she gave up. We finally sent JJ to Wal-Mart to get a new one and it works much faster than did the old one.

Rainy, cold days in the hills. I hate the gloom of winter more than I dislike the cold.

Not doing much blogging lately; sore and stiff fingers are discouraging.

My rehab is winding down with only a few weeks to go … if that much. I am reaching a point where I am not gaining. The knee is still ten degrees from straight but it will be up to me to get the remainder done.

I hope Carolyn finds time to take the boys to see all the Christmas lights at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Have a great week, my friends.