Midnight Christmas Thoughts

My wife completed our Christmas tree decorations yesterday. It's a beautiful tree with a
lovely and serene Nativity Scene beneath. My wife is much like my late Father when it comes to Christmas decorations...passionately intense!
Just before midnight last night, I came downstairs to the living room and turned on the Christmas tree lights. In the stillness of those hours, I allowed my thoughts to wonder with recollections of Christmas past. I recalled the thrill of those cowboy toys, bikes and sports equipment. I remember mom and dad sharing a kiss under a mistletoe.
Soon my memory checked off those wonderful 'all-families' get-togethers at Grandpa E.V. and Mammy's home on Christmas Eve. The laughter and joyous interactive love was incredible; so was the homemade custard!
With the passing of grandparents, the Christmas gathering baton was handed to my parents...come hell or high snow drifts and great distances, the three sons were expected to deliver their families to my folks home Christmas Eve AND...WE DID. The decorations at my parents' home was a page out of Macy's and the spread of food would rival any Country Club. Our kids hold those fond memories, I am sure.
These days, my wife and I hold the baton and host the hoopla as memories are made for another generation of children.
Finally, I stopped my reminiscing and pushed the CD play button to hear the voice of Ray Charles sing, The Spirit of Christmas. Soon, the warm tears in my eyes swelled beyond the rim of the lids and flowed slowly down these wrinkled cheeks. Ray Charles asks, "Why can't it remain all through the year, each day the same...that  "Spirit of Christmas." My selfish heart cries, 'Why can't it remain all through life...and I know the answer; because life longs for itself. The Christ Child calls each to embrace His Spirit and then let go.

On-Road-Again!

Another milestone passed! I remember that magical age '16' when I took that written & behind the wheel driving test to get my first-ever driver's license; glorious day! Then there was that age '18' and I headed to the post office to register for the military draft. (That was back-the-day when the wealthy & the poor fought for America's freedoms). Three (3) years later at '21', I could belly up to the bar and have a brew...never was one to sit at the bar too often.
We'll at age 75, it appears that I am starting over again. Yesterday morning, I went to the driver's license facility to take a written test, eye test and behind-the-wheel test. This time around, the thought occurred that if I fail any one of the three test, I will be stuck at home watching Big Bang Theory re-runs 24/7! I stopped watching CNN sometime ago; one night I kept seeing Wolf Blitzer's face every time I closed my eyes.
Well, I handled all test. I did miss one of the 29 written test items; it had some scenario about my auto arriving at an intersection at the exact moment a boy on a bike at my right arrives at the intersection.
I am good for another four years. I will then be seventy-nine.
Post Thought: I think at seventy-five, I should be required to go directly into the military. Actually, I think the UN should have all nations send seventy-plus-year old fellas to war. There would be fewer casualties due to poor eye and bad shooting. If you did shoot some old fart you would be eliminating health care cost.

Make The Point

A few years ago, I was asked by a Metro-East high school to present a program addressing coaching discipline techniques. It appeared that one of that school 's coaches overreacted to a student-athlete's bad behavior using excessive physical running as punishment, which compromised the athlete's health. I did spend an evening with the school's coaching staff using several methods to convey what I called, "Sensitivity Decision Making."
The so-called bottom line message that I left with these sport mentors was this: 'Youngsters will mess up and behave badly at times. When they do, you must address the behavior in such a manner to preserve the honor and integrity of your program. However, remember when the athlete misbehaves the spotlight and scrutinizing is on him; do not invoke questionable punishment that would swing the wrong behavior spotlight onto the coach.'
Personally, I always thought that reduced game-playing time was the best punishment to get the attention of the misbehaving athlete and shape a more desire able behavior.
One of the biggest changes in parent-child relations, as it pertains to discipline, is the degree of 'negotiation' between parties. My parents' generation seemed to subscribe to the biblical charge; "Let your yes be Yes and your No be No."

Ain't It A Shame

Our Illinois State lawmakers tend to be a phony desigenuous collection of people. If you follow the 'cola wars.' You will note that cola giants Pepsi & Coke are required to bid for rights to place products in State facilities. Of course there is always some questions around the process and it's fairness. One lawmaker stated that it is the lawmakers responsibility to get the best financial 'deal' for its citizens. Now there is some gobbledygook crap!

These same lawmakers require public (middle schools/high schools) to unplug their vending machines in the name of healthy choices. Understand that the public schools, as the state facilities and universities benefit from the soft drink companies as they donated scoreboards and other athletic perks; a great financial bump for local school districts. Therefore, while our State fails to meet its constitutional financial contribution to local public schools they dismiss the 'Goose & Gander Story.'

To 'ban' or not to 'ban;' and the American answer is 'BAN!' We ban smoking in public places, we ban 'gay' marriage in many states and right here in Decatur,  Illinois, we ban loud music in public.  Garden City, New York bans washing your car in your driveway. Nine Orange County cities ban sleeping in your car. Some cities even have a ban on homeless people in public places; I suppose it is too depressing for 'them-that-got.' Of course the one ban that chaps my ass is the 'leaf burning ban.' It not only burns my butt, it is breaking my back!

We Americans get our jollies off and enjoy telling our neighbors how they should 'roll.'
Banning is nothing new to me. I recall as a young boy in 1947, (East St. Louis) when 'Negroes' could come into 'white' neighborhoods to clean houses but could not be 'in those neighborhoods' after 6PM; they were banned!
I am going to get some folks to unite and call for a ban on mattress sales on Veterans' Day, parents from little league sports and stupid people ahead of me in all lines!!!

I Share My Joy

We have a husband and wife who co-pastor our church. My wife enjoys a weekly Bible study class conducted by Mrs Pastor. Yesterday, my wife returned home from the class and shared some topic exchanges; she mentioned that Mrs Pastor told her that she has truly enjoyed meeting her (my wife) and said to her, "You are a hoot."
I smiled hearing the opinion. I am always glad for people to discover my wife's pure charm. I can only imagine what gems rolled across my wife's lips while discussing 'The Exodus.' Suffice to say, my sweetheart roller skates to the same music as Yogi Berra. Once while vacationing in the Missouri Ozark country, my wife said, "Have you noticed it really gets dark at night down here?" I simply responded, "Goodnight Gracie.
My personal favorite was on a snowy night when my Christmas shopping sweetheart telephoned me from the mall to tell me that she had locked her keys in the car. I had to call a locksmith and thus asked her where the auto was parked. She said, "It will be easy to find because the lights are on and the car is running." Goodnight Gracie!

Between a Rock & a Wet Place

Lately, I have 'put-on' a few pounds. Yesterday while negotiating the pharmacy aisle looking for aspirin and vitamins, I noticed a section filled with diet pills. Given my extra weight, which does not permit me to get into three of my favorite trousers, I stopped to examine and consider the diet pills,

It would appear one of the side effects using diet drugs is the possibility of bladder seepage. After much thought, I passed on the pills.  I could imagine losing the weight and having the front of those nice trouser always wet.