Saturday, December 8, 2018

The Diva of Decorating...

...returns...Karen decided the front needed a little more work, while being careful not to cross the dreaded Clark Griswold line.

Here's a closer look...
...mostly the same, but a new green wreath on the right...
...the middle is really what needed lighting..
...and the white wreath is a nice touch near the manger scene.
There was a crafts show today in downtown Holland, and while there I spotted this book:
...by childrens book author Dave DeVisser...so I bought a copy and read it tonight...it's really a creative way to introduce children to some important history of WWII with quality illustrations by Cary VanderVeen...and since I'm a sucker for history, I admit I shed a few tears at the happy ending.

You can buy copies of Dave's books on www.davedevisser.com  Check it out...I enjoyed talking with Dave and his wife Joan, learning of their experiences as they travel to these kinds of shows, promoting the book.

Dave has another book coming out early next year as well.

Best success Dave and Joan as you strive to introduce a new generation to the Greatest Generation.
And while we're on the subject of the Greatest Generation...

...assuming you haven't just returned from a week long trip to another planet, you know we just completed a week of national remembrance for George Herbert Walker Bush, our 41st president.
His was a life of service...he was a naval aviator in WWII, a congressman, ambassador, Director of the CIA, Vice President and of course President.

My granddaughter, Tionna is part of the Naval Ceremonial Guard...
Tionna at a previous event, shaking hands with the brass...
...and she was on duty at the funeral that took place in Texas...hope to have pictures of that event soon.  Very proud of that girl, but of course her father Micah is even prouder...as he should be.
Well, we've closed out the first full week of December, so I suppose this is as good a time as any to inflict some seasonal pain on you, my hapless audience...with apologies in advance to Clement C. Moore...

'Twas 2 Weeks Before Christmas...


...and every mouse,
had fled frozen fields
for the warmth of my house.

My wife found their droppings
and said “I'm not pleased,
to think that these varmints
are taking their ease


inside my warm dwelling;
this outrage won't stand!
What will you do?”
Then I raised my hand...

These mice, they are finished!
Kaput and kersplatz!
No way they'll survive,
for we have three cats!”

And then we beheld
our fat felines, all three:


Kitty,



and Zoey,




and the useless Smokey.

Disciples of Garfield,
were these pointless creatures,
with sleeping and eating
their dominant features.

No help would be coming
from those worthless saps,
so I scrounged all around
til I found an old trap.


And later that night,
before mice came a-creeping,
I set the cruel deadfall
then got busy sleeping.

So early next 'morn,
at dawn's early light,
I sprang from my bed
to find what I might.

But what did my wondering

eyes finally see,
but a clean, empty trap
and a note left for me:


"Thanks for the cheese,
but what would be better,
instead of old muenster,
could we have fresh cheddar?"

"And what's with this platter?"
my mousy pals asked.
"We might have been killed
if we hadn't been fast!"

'Twas then that I thought
of the great Robert Burns
and his famous lament
to a mouse that he turned

Out of warm hearth and home
as he plowed in his field.
Did I want to partake
in his life time of guilt?

The best laid plans,
it is easy to see,
Gang aft agley
and I think you'll agree

There was nothing to do
but give them their cheddar.
After all, it was Christmas,
and what could be better

Than showing the love
God has for His swarm,
by letting them stay
inside where it's warm?

So out went the trap
in the cold, winter, night;
we're quite overrun
but I guess it's alright.

So to quoth from St. Nick
on his annual flight,
Merry Christmas to all,
and to all a Good Night!

An important note that I just recently realized...the above picture of Santa tippy toeing through a cool mid century modern house is from a Christmas card designed by Diane Dempsey of www.RetroChristmasCardCompany.com  I've been buying Christmas cards from them for 2 or 3 years now so should have known this, but I found the above pic online a few years ago and snagged it for this poem...

...so anyway, credit where credit is due...and check them out...they have the best mid century modern Christmas cards anywhere.

I leave you now with this mid century modern icon...a short video of my aluminum Christmas tree emanating mcm Christmas elegance...def watch it in full screen mode...
...classic...

later, mcm fans...

* Crass Commercialism Corner *

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