Ellie Mae

Ellie Mae
Beautiful Ellie Mae

Freddie, the French Bulldog

Freddie, the French Bulldog
Lazing on a sunny afternoon

The artist

The artist
Ollie Mac

Ollie and Annie

Ollie and Annie
Azorean grandmother

Acrylics and watercolors

Acrylics and watercolors
Cannabis and sunflowers

Papa and Ollie Mac

Papa and Ollie Mac
Priorities, Baby

Acrylics and watercolors

Acrylics and watercolors
Hollyhocks

Mahlon Masling Blue

Mahlon Masling Blue
My friend and brother.

Mark's E-mail address

bellspringsmark@gmail.com

Monday, December 3, 2012

'Tis the Season to Be...


‘Tis the Season to Be  ...
Christmas is coming-there can be no doubt about that.  Stores everywhere have their displays up, and two-thirds of the commercials on television feature yuletide messages.  What I have noticed about people’s responses is, you either love and embrace the season or...let’s see now.  I dislike using the word “hate”; it’s more that people disdain Christmas.

I am someone who cherishes this time of year for all of the usual reasons.  Growing up in a big family, it was one time of the year when one and all celebrated in harmony.  Of course, Mama required that we all pitch in and help clean the house from top to bottom, and that was not necessarily a lot of fun.  But we also knew that when the job was finished, the next step was to get the tree.  In our house the tree did not arrive until the twenty-second or the twenty-third, because Mama felt that the tree should stay up until the 6th of January, long past our return to school.

I can understand people who are overwhelmed by the additional requirements of contending with Christmas, while balancing the task of trying to cope with small children.  After all, an individual can only do so much before pure exhaustion takes over.  I think it is more that some people just get annoyed by the omnipresent trappings of the season, thinking to themselves that commercialism and the need to make a buck, force them to partake in a process that does not match what they would like to see.  I feel bad for these people, because they probably would participate on some level, but that to have it rammed down their gullets, leaves them shaking their heads in frustration.

As for the commercial aspects of Christmas, any given approach to gift-giving is based on the economics of each household’s capabilities.  For most there are given limitations to what can be done, but often those limitations are exceeded and the result is an economic burden.  That leads to additional resentment and I can understand that.  However, there are ways to get around this difficulty if one simply looks at the picture with an open perspective.  

Saving for Christmas over the course of the year is one option; toning down the extravagance of Christmas is another.  One additional strategy is to go with a home-made theme, instead of a commercial one, or using some combination of the above.  Baking cookies, or making candy that can be gift-wrapped and presented to others is a viable way of contending with gift-giving.  Even if the recipient is not into sweets, there is always the option of redirecting the goodies to someone else who is.  Receiving a portion of home-made fudge certainly floats my boat, even if I  only partake in a piece or two, before making it available to visitors or family.

As for Christmas music and films, I adore them.  Of course it ties back into my upbringing, but I have maintained the custom throughout my lifetime.  Last year I set a personal record by watching nine different versions of “A Christmas Carol,” and I will exceed that number this year, since Annie discovered Henry Winkler’s “An American Christmas Carol,” something she knew would turn me on.

I can already hear you saying, “Why would you want to watch the same story ten times?”  All I can say is that I do not watch them all in one day.  Rather, I spread them out during the entire season, and many I watch while working an assortment of jigsaw puzzles.  I have a half-dozen or so that I work each year, that have Holiday themes.  

So I guess there is a method to my madness.  I am hopelessly addicted to Christmas and all of the trimmings that accompany it.  Call me twisted-call me obsessed; just call me in time for Christmas dinner.  I will be ready with bells on. 

6 comments:

  1. I love Christmas! The music, the movies, the decorations, wishing all merry and happy greetings....I wear my bells all month long, and even a little past the New Year.

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  2. I don't know why, Mark, but I kind of thought you'd be one of those Christmas scrooges. Shame on me :( Hi. My name is Judy. And I am hopelessly addicted to Christmas :)

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    1. Oh no, Judy. That would be my role in the family! Mark is Mr Claus. I am - oh, I don't know - overwhelmed by it? I think he's talking about me when he refers to those people who get annoyed with the commercialism. I want very little to do with Christmas. Give me the classical Christmas music, a good Christmas move or maybe two, some very simple Christmas lights/decorations, and a simple gift exchange. If only it could be like that!

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    2. As for you, Mr. Mark the Park, I am happy happy happy that you enjoy Christmas. You do light a fire under me, that's for sure, and I know where to go to get recommendations for one or two beautiful Christmas movies.....and one or two pieces of homemade fudge. With walnuts, please.

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    3. Miss Queen: Is that walnuts or wall nuts? Just asking. :)

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  3. Like you, Mark, I belong to the "Christmas lover's club" and I am not ashamed to admit it. For me, there is nothing like walking into a Costco or Macys or Target and seeing all the Christmas decorations and hoopla. Call me "shallow", but it gives me a feeling of excitement and joy that I just can't ignore, and frankly? I don't want to.
    Love it. Love all of it.

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