In December 1920, an innocent three year-old named John asked his father about a person he'd heard rumors about for the past few weeks. Who was this Father Christmas fellow? Where did he come from? Where did he live? Simple, ordinary questions from a curious child, not unlike queries pressed upon parents all over the … Continue reading Father Christmas and The Goblins
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Holiday Hiatus!
#historyfriday is on holiday hiatus until January 16. Until then, here is a picture of my very old and very grouchy dachshund, Oksar, who hates all things, but especially Christmas (probably because I force him to do things like this.) Wishing you all the merriest of Christmases and the happiest of New Year's! See you … Continue reading Holiday Hiatus!
Christmas in the Dust
As the 1930's wore on, the rain still refused to fall on parts of Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico. The dusters got worse, health deteriorated, and money grew scarce as crops withered and what would come to be known as the Great Depression tightened its grip on the country. Every-day life became a battle against … Continue reading Christmas in the Dust
Giving Thanks–and Wanting More
Love it or hate it, Black Friday is here. The unofficial start of the Christmas shopping season brings hordes of early birds, deal seekers, or--more my style--people watchers. And as I stare at the crowds of overly caffeinated, sometimes short-tempered shoppers with their over-loaded carts, I can't help but wonder: how in the world did … Continue reading Giving Thanks–and Wanting More
A Wonderful, Awful Idea
"Why for 53 years I've put up with it now!" So laments the Grinch, the titular character of Dr. Seuss's holiday masterpiece How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The book was an instant classic when it was released in 1957, the same year its author turned...53. It's not a coincidence. Yes, fans of the lovable, silly, … Continue reading A Wonderful, Awful Idea
The Biggest Humbug
Mickey Mouse. Patrick Stewart. Bill Murray. George C. Scott. The Muppets. And those are just the versions I've seen. It's rare to find a tale with as many interpretations and variations as A Christmas Carol. Movies. Cartoons. TV specials. Musicals. Charles Dickens's beloved holiday classic has been transformed into them all. It's become so much … Continue reading The Biggest Humbug
