IT is now only three days before Christmas and the cold is here, but no snow so far that we have to fear. I see the people still rushing all around, trying to buy the last of what is left of the best in town. The stores are busy but not like in the past, money people may have doesn’t seem to last. The difference in what is being bought we can all see, look around and listen most are electronic toys for you and me. The kids want video games and consoles, and the parents want cell phone and computers, it’s a virtual, race to keep up with the rest of the human race! What happened to Monopoly and Chess, and board games of Chutes and Ladders and the rest? What happened to simple thing like chemistry sets, and erector sets too and Barbie and Ken, I ask you?  The simple days are over it seems, they all seem to me to be like a dream, today it is all high tech you see, what happened to bikes and sleds  and go out and play today for you and me?

The economy is getting worse, passing of the tax plan didn’t hurt, but money is tight and prices are rising still, if it keeps up it will be the average woman and guy it will kill! It gets harder each day to put food on your table or to keep your home warm and nice.  Cars break down and sit for time, cause people can’t pay to fix them, that’s a crime! People get stuck with no food or places to live, and others walk by surviving but with nothing to give. Sadly America is slowly slowing down, the rest of the world is catching up and we are dying off,like,  the Roman Empire before us in History, America may have reached it peak as a Republic and the best in the world at it! Slowly we are falling backwards, jobs disappear and don’t come back, manufacturing is gone it seems. We have lost factories everywhere you look, car factories, rubber factories, metal factories and more. No jobs for blue collar workers is a killer don’t they see. Tell your Congressman, Tell your Senator, Tell Uncle Sam, Blue Collar Workers are out of work because of the way factories and the companies that run them are treated in America. We ask them to pat crazy wages, then add benefits on top that drives them to close up their factories and stop, we strike if we don’t get what we want, Unions do too much and have lost touch too. Ah I rant and rave and I try to make America save, but, this country keeps bleeding itself out.

Here is a Big Question for All to Answer- America sends troops everywhere to help other countries defend themselves, rebuild themselves and more, we send billions out in food and care packages to other nations and yet, no one sends help here!.  Isn’t it time America, we pull back our troops and let these countries run themselves?, Isn’t it time we save all the food and materials and help we send out, and use it on our own at home here?  Stop and  think America, we provide for all of these other countries and people and none give anything in return, why? No one came running with medical assistance or food, or help when the World Trade Towers fell in New York! Americans rushed in and saved what we could no other country came here, so why do we continue to go there? I think if we wake up tomorrow and pull our troops out of other countries, cut back on how much help and assistance we send out, save all the money, and spend it at home here in the United States, we could feed our own hungry, house our own homeless and cure illnesses and diseases no one else can! Think about it America, what I say is true!.

Today is Tuesday December 21st, 2010, and we have four days till the Holiday arrives. People are still rushing to and fro, trying to find last minute gifts don’t you know. The cold has set in and the winter began and it seems the year will soon come to an end. As Santa’s time gets closer everyday and minute, I hope that the ones that enjoy it the most are the children caught up in it.  Their happiness and smiles go a long way, to make each December 25th, a special day. Some parents will cuddle with their children you see and read them fables and stories of what Christmas will be. Others will kneel down and play with the children and toys and remember being a child one day. Smiles will abound and Christmas songs will play their sounds as in many places snow comes falling down.  The white snows of Christmas each year, come it seems just in time for cheer, they clean the earth and make everything white, and by the time we celebrate and dig out, we all have a good night. So, on this 21st of December 2010, stop and  think of loved ones and yes even your friends, smile brightly as the day come nearer, for with love, life, family and friends, it all feels much dearer!.  Closer and closer Santa does come, when presents are passed out and people will smile you see, and in the end many will be Happy!.

As the world turns slowly  each day, and Christmas get nearer, I hope you all remember the ones you hold dearer. for they love you back and make you smile and if you lucky they will smile in return. IT’s a Holiday coming upon us, that is made to bring family and friends so close, so Peace on Earth, Good Will  to Men and God Bless The Holy Ghost! Most of all, God Bless our families and friends and may Christmas make all the tears end!

Five days before Christmas and the weather seems fine it is a little cold but no snow crosses the land or my mind!. All the presents we are giving are wrapped and ready for the delivering!. The Season brings happiness they say, but I guess for each it effects us in a different way. Family and Friends we love to have gathered round, as the tree lights up and the snow falls down. The bells start to ringing as people start singing, ah yes, it is Christmas Time!

As we get nearer to the big holiday, remember the Veterans and service members so far away. They fight and work for freedoms world wide and protect what they have here at home with their pride.

Each year around the last five days before Christmas I stop and think back and review, all the Christmas Holidays that I really knew. The young ones when I was little, the laughter and gifts that did flow, the teen ones when I got a little older, and found who really said HO, HO. Then the ones with a new wife and children and the gifts we wanted them to have, the way they screamed and shouted when they wanted something so bad. But those days have flown by don’t you see and the children are grown on their own, giving a Christmas to  my grandkids and never being alone!. The best part of getting older is, having grandkids to spoil you see, and once I do I can give them back to their daddy and mommy you see!.

 

So, as the Christmas Holiday closes in and we all know Jesus died for our sin, lets remember it is also a season of rebirth, that’s why we all hope and wish, For Peace on Earth!.

Six day till Christmas of 2010, a time I thought I would never see of course but here I be. I remember when younger thinking to myself I would never make it past 40 years old, but here I be now a little over a month away from 55. But now I face what can happen next with a smile on my face and a heart beating well in my chest. Whether life will continue for me for how much longer  is a mystery that’s for sure, but I keep going on.

I once wondered about heredity and genetics and whether or not one can out live their parents  or grandparents. Well, now I am at the stage of finding out that is for sure.  My Father died when he was 55 in 1986, but cancer took him and I really did not know him well, mom divorced him when I was 9 months old. I did meet him more then once and found he was a normal man who was dominated by my mom like most men in her life were.

My mom died at 59 years old in 1991, also a victim of cancer, as my step-father who raised me died in 1990 of the same. My Grandfather on mom’s side died of pancreatic cancer in 71 and my my moms, mom of heart attack in 64. The eldest one of the bunch family wise was always my grandfather on my mother’s side, he went to 71, but now my mother’s sister has passed that mark  and is now 72 and still here. So the real question is how far can I or my elder brother go who is two years older then I? We are sure to find out now.

I have though many times about dying, and what I would leave behind, and as I look back I think only of the good, because for me there was very little bad. I had it tough as a little guy, I had a Mother who was not very loving, and I don’t remember hugs or kisses from her, I had a Step-father who beat us on a whim or an emotional need or on instruction from my mom. My older brother escaped through sports and I ended up the one home taking care of my siblings even though I was supposed to be the emotionally unstable one.  Then as I aged and escaped in my own way, I went on to serving my country in three different branches. I did a brief stint in the U.S. Army, then a stint in the Connecticut Army National Guard before transferring in the U.S. Navy. Growing up a little more in each case it seems. But always trying to fulfill hopes and dreams and stay alive, survival was always my purpose it seems.  I survived just fine, ending up married and having two daughters of my own. But that marriage ended in divorce, but not one I can blame myself for at all, but what’s one to say.

Then I moved on again to come home, and watch my parents die as I went through my divorce,  surviving again a scare of imprisonment for a crime I did not commit, but I was ultimately saved by a Prosecuting Attorney who caught my ex-wife in her lies. It took time to recover from that but I did. Remarrying and carrying on. I have help others when I was a kid and as an adult to avoid trouble and problems in many ways, but never received the same in return, but I never complain I just do.

In 6 days Christmas will be upon us once more, it will be a time to check your blessings and be with family and friends once more. A time to smile and laugh, and hug and hold, a time when no matter your age you don’t feel old.  Giving is what the season and holiday is all about, oh how long ago did I figure that one out!.  The best thing in life is to make someone smile, and laugh and make them happy, I know, I Know I sound a little sappy. But as you stand around your Christmas Tree, remember those who made our country free.  Don’t forget the Veterans and those serving today, for without their dedication, work and service we wouldn’t be free is what I say.

Saturday has arrived one week before Christmas and the weather is cold but no snow so far, we can still look closely and see the North Star!. The music of Christmas plays everywhere, and the cold of the winter freezes out noses and hair. The stores are all lit with sales and lights, and it seems like they only go out late at night. The children are antsy and running around, wishing for things that Santa can bring if he is sound. The holiday season has arrived you see, so be happy, be healthy and keep being free. Remember it is not what you get that counts, it’s what you give, that the holiday is all about.

As an old song once said, Christmas Time will find me, where the love light shines, yes I will be home for Christmas, even if only in my dreams. Christmas is a time for family and friends, to reclaim old relationships that burned up in flames. It’s time to spend with those you care for, and in that way it is never a bore. As you get older you marvel at your kids as they run and play and have fun times, their happiness and health is all that is on your mind. SO as The Holiday of Christmas begins, and we all think of family and friends, do not forget those soldiers, marines, sailors and more, who protect our front and back doors. Say a prayer for those far away, protect our nation and others in everyway. For the Peace on Earth and Good Will to Men, that this Holiday represents, will shine again. Thanks to our Military for protecting us all and May Peace and Safety be with you all!

8 Days till Christmas, 17th of December 2010. The Politicians are screaming and fighting to not do anything exciting as the Holiday comes closer. So as this debate over taxes, unemployment and more continues on do these Senators and Congressmen know what will happen if they don’t act?  A Double Digit Recession is one step from a full out Depression folks, wake up. We are that close right now to having bread lines again and more, why can’t our Government wake up? If they don’t do what needs to be done before their Christmas and Holiday break, it is not they who shall be hurt or suffer, it is the people who will. Call your Senator, call your Congressman, get them to vote and complete the tax and unemployment packages and leave Health Care alone.

 

Now That I have ranted on the lack of performance of our fine Government, it is on to Christmas once more. Christmas  is  special time of year for all no matter what color, race, or nationality you be, if your American. The rest of the World watches and celebrates the Holiday in their own ways of course, and that is important too. None pass the Holiday Season up completely that I know of anyway unless they can’t afford it or don’t have enough to share or can’t. So, as we celebrate the Holiday Season, somewhere out there in America, or in in World, there are people  who can’t give a gift, won’t receive a gift and who can’t do any of it. Think of the homeless, think of the hungry, think of the needy at least once this year for the Holidays. Give if you can to help your fellow man and lend a helping hand. When you do, no matter how tired you may feel each day or night, if you help the needy the next day you shall feel right, and I can tell you, you shall sleep a good night!.

Santa shall come for all the little ones I am sure, if he can.  So, as the days count down to the big one you see, and people rush to and fro and the gifts and money do flow where it can, Enjoy Your Holiday Season, but, don’t forget, it not about receiving or what you get, it’s about giving that makes life worth living!

As Christmas approaches and the days count down to the big Holiday, I look about and see the shiny lights and decorations all bright. I stop and think of family still with me and Hope their holidays go right and they remain healthy and happy. Then I stop and think of old friends I grew up with when in school, what ever happened to all of you? The time seems to have flew on by, and I hear of old friends who have already said good-bye. Then I am told of old friends who have lost loved ones  and some who are dying, Lord what have they done? Illness it seems races about, and one by one we all get taken out. Sadly it is the ones, that seemed to be the happiest or the most loved that depart first and foremost. If I could change it I would , but, destiny plays tricks on all of us, including me.

A while back I lost my parents in 90 and 91 and they went from cancer. My real father went from cancer in 1986 so no parents were left for me in my 40s’ . Then a few years back my first friend back in my high school days died. Sadly he went young in his 40s, how I do not know. Today I find myself faced with the impending death of the first girl I ever kissed, she has been struck down with kidney failure and lost both of those. Now on machines her Doctors tell her to make preps for her demise. Sadly she is in her 50s like me and I am told can’t last too long. Sadly she is one of the most funniest, cute women I have ever known and always interesting  indeed, and when she passes she will be missed by her family and me. I hope and pray when she passes she does so in no pain, for she always meant good in life and did the best she could. God Bless her I say.

So as the days to Christmas count down this year, I look forward to seeing the family and friends I hold dear. But I also look back at 54 and know that I may not be here too much more. I want to be able to tell thos ei love, I love them so, and others there are things they should know. BUt as the Holiday approaches with great speed, I want to wish all Happy Holidays indeed!.

The Greatest Gifts of Christmas are not the electronic toys or dolls or cars for boys, or diamonds or pearls. The greatest gift anyone can receive at Christmas is really love, caring, sharing, and family and friends. Each year in my life for 54 years I have watched kids of each age cause I lived it of course, want the hottest new toy, the newest outfit, or game, but what they don’t realize is they already have the greatest gift of all, family, friends, love and respect. Maybe if Christmas wasn’t so commercialized as it is today, people would remember and realize. But in todays world and societies, it is all about being in a hurry, and keeping up with everyone else around you. If they have it then you must too, right? Well, sometimes your better off if you don’t.

The Greatest Gift one can receive on Christmas once a year, is a sweet hug or handshake, smile or tear, from someone you hold dear. IT doesn’t take a lot of money or materials to hug a friend or sibling or family members  to give them a kiss on their cheek or respect their wishes as they do yours. It  isn’t all about money, or materials or what you can get for Christmas, it’s all about relationships and caring and through that the sharing that makes the Season so Bright!

Unlike many people who love to see presents piled high around and under the tree, the greatest gift to me, well, is me being free, being loved and being respected by family and friends and all who know me well. When I can walk outside my home or anywhere I go, and people don’t hide from me, but like to say hello, that’s a gift that few people really do know.  The greatest gift I have ever received and ever shall in my heart and my mind, is acceptance by those I love for all time. So, if your like me, it is not money or materials that impress and make me smile, it’s being loved and wanted around for a long while. May each Day of The Christmas Season bring all JOy and Love and Respect for each girl, woman, man or boy! May the Ten Days of Christmas which start today, be Happy, Be Merry and bring family and Friends Your Way!

With 11 days till Christmas and the presents getting ready to flow, and some jolly old guy in a Red Suit, getting ready to go HO, HO,  the holiday season is here and many are thinking of cheer, but few are thinking of the New Year! People I see rush too and fro, hoping to buy presents for each person they do know, money is tight and things are not right, but come Christmas Time we all make it through the day and night!

11 days of Christmas, on the 11th day before, we all run out the door, looking for gifts to give and a way to make some smile and live.

Then on the 10th day before Christmas, we hear from people we haven’t for years and  for some of it it brings laughter and for some others  it can bring tears. But we make the best!

9 day before Christmas, we rush about putting up decorations and trying to clean and make it all pretty. Then we buy our wrappings and ribbons and bows, and listen to the store Santa’s with  their HO, HO, HOs

8 Days till Christmas we start to plan the menu for meals that are so grand. The hams and the turkeys and the pies and the cakes, all of that sugar gives our bodies the quakes.

7 Days before Christmas the candy canes come out, hung on the trees and all about/ The red and the white and the white and the green, mixed in with the lights of all red, white and green. The lights start to flashing and Santa’s lite up, making us all realize it’s a special time ahead before we go to bed.

6 Days before the big day and the children all wake, wondering if they will get what they want for  goodness sake. The visions of toys and clothes go thru their heads, as mothers and fathers watch them as they go to bed.

5 days till Santa will come flying through and each child tries to behave, being good they think will get them more, ah what a way to be, when it all doesn’t matter to Mommy or Daddy.

4 Days till Christmas, and the lights blink on and off, the paper wrapping can be heard  being unrolled and ribbons and bows start to flow. Gifts slowly being wrapped and hidden you see, for no one wants the presents , they all can see.

3 Days till Santa and the anticipation builds, and kids start being enchanting and not making thrills. They begin to behave and shovel the walks and yes they even start listening as their parents do talk.

2 Days till Christmas the music starts to play, Rudolph and Frosty and White Christmas they play. People hum the tunes and rush all about, trying to finish the shopping without a shout!

1 Day till Christmas and , things slow down, the final wrapping is done and the presents spread  under the tree all around. The pile grows bigger as the hours go by, and the kids all stare with a happiness in their eye.

Then Christmas Morning,, the house is all quiet and silent, everyone is still asleep, when out of  bed the littlest one does creep. Down the stairs  they rush you see, staring at all the presents underneath the tree. Checking each one to see what is theirs, then suddenly here come the  sisters and brothers. They work all thru all the gifts , each making a pile for themselves to see. Now the excitement fills the air, as at each wrapped present they stare, they can’t wait any longer so they start to make noise. Waking their parents with all of their joy.

The day begins as Dad brings the garbage bags, and mom makes the coffee  before it begins. Mom gets the camera and Dad slides next to the tree, handing out presents and watching the kids laugh with glee. One by one they open  each gift. each proclaiming, How I wanted this!

Happiness has arrived you see, but it is not the gifts that’s makes me smile you see. I sit back in my chair and watch the smiles all around and the hugs and the kisses and listen to the happy sounds. It’s the feeling of family and of care and knowing it will be the same the next year!. So when you stop on Christmas Night and all the presents are unwrapped and the kids in bed just right, do what I do, and pray to god, for you have been blessed with family and health, and it does not matter about the wealth. The meaning is simple, the story so pure, it’s the love of the giving that makes it worth more!  

If you give from the heart and you give from the soul, in the end it is that which makes you whole!.

Good Morning to ALL and may your December 13th, 2010 be filled with happiness, fun, joy and some work, for we all need to eat you see and keep a place to live and be free. The Holiday Season as I said many times before is upon us, and as you drive around and look around you may see, the homeless, the hungry and the disabled some who made this country free. Being America we have different social logical and financial  levels and educations too, amazingly we all seem to get along someway too, for the most part.

Growing up as I did in two place over most of my life, one was The Brass City, Waterbury, Connecticut, the other was The Rubber City as I call it Naugatuck, it seems one didn’t have much time to worry what social or financial level you were on, you had to learn to move your ass and make a buck or become broke and lost. Waterbury doesn’t measure who you are by looks, nationality, color or creed, it measures you by the size of your wallet and what you have. Naugatuck expects it’s citizens to be neat, clean, well groomed, but ready to fight for everything they have including jobs, food and home, as well as family. Both Waterbury and  Naugatuck, instill, pride in their own ways, and both are strong teachers of independence and self survival.  Waterbury uses it’s streets and neighborhoods to teach survival, because it is so multi-cultural , and Naugatuck is too, but has a stronger sports culture then Waterbury. It’s funny how you can struggle to survive in one place, but fly through in the next and be accepted. Two towns, same planned objectives for kids growing up and different atmospheres but not must different in many ways.

Holidays bring rushes to and fro, rushing for last minute shopping is where we do go. Then ya have last minute changes as to where the holiday will be held. Will it be at my house or yours, and how many shall come. Did we buy presents for all of them or did we forget maybe one. What shall we feed them if they come here, are it has to be easy to feed them all is all that I care. I not being a woman don’t want to rush around cooking and getting it done, while everyone else is talking and having fun. Holidays bring some joy to see old family and friends, but if your doing all the work it becomes just that work and no fun. So, if your hosting be careful not to overdo, buy the meals and candies and goodies to get you through. lol.

As the Holiday Season is now in full swing, remember, it is the interactions and caring for one another, that makes it all work my sisters or brothers. So as you rush to and fro, listen in the Malls and Stores to the HO, HO, Hos, Santa no matter what color or race, and through all of his work and rushing all over the place, still manages to laugh and smile and laugh with style, so do it too.