Once Upon a December

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Let Us Keep Christmas

Whatever else be lost among the years,
 Let us keep Christmas still a shining thing.
Whatever doubts assail us, or what fears,
 Let us hold close one day, remembering
Its Poignant meaning for the hearts of men.
 Let us get back our childlike faith again.

Wealth may have taken wings, yet still there are
Clear windowpanes to glow with candlelight;
There are bough for garlands, and a tinsel star
To tip some little fir tree's lifted height.
 There is no heart too heavy or too sad,
But some small gift of love can make it glad.

And there are home-sweet rooms where laughter rings,
And we can sing the carols as of old;
Above the eastern hills a white star swings;
There is an ancient story to be told;
There are kind words and cheering words to say.
 Let us be happy on the Christ Child's day.

- Grace Noll Crowell, 1950

All my heart this night rejoices, As I hear, far and near,
Sweetest angel voices;
"Christ is born," their choirs are singing,
Till the air, Everywhere, Now with joy is ringing.

Hark! A voice from yonder manger, Soft and sweet, Doth entreat:
"Flee from woe and danger;
Brethren, come; from all that grieves you,
You are freed; All you need, I will surely give you."

Come, then, let us hasten yonder; Here let all, Great and small,
Kneel in awe and wonder;
Love Him who with love is yearning;
Hail the Star, That from far Bright with hope is burning!

~ Paul Gerhardt (1607-1976)

Translated by Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878)
"Stella" tune by Horatio W. Parker (1863-1919)

~ Norman Vincent Peale
(1898 - 1993)

Halloween October 31 Halloween surely places second on my list. As a child, I was blissfully ignorant of any thoughts of its pagan origins. No one in our circle fretted over evil and doom, which might surround trick-or-treaters. Destruction and violence didn't abound. Safety was an issue, of course, but if proper precautions were taken, what could be more wonderful than combining two of my favorite things, costumes and candy!   Hallowe'en Tonight is the night When dead leaves fly Like witches on switches Across the sky, When elf and sprite Flit through the night On a moony sheen. Tonight is the night When leaves make a sound Like a gnome in his home Under the ground, When spooks and trolls Creep out of holes Mossy and green. Tonight is the night When pumpkins stare Through sheaves and leaves Everywhere, When ghoul and ghost And goblin host Dance round their queen. It's Hallowe'en! ~ from The Little Hill (1949) by Harry Behn Halloween 1997 Halloween 1998 Halloween 1999 501 Hillsboro Street Taylor Springs, IL 62089 501 Hillsboro Street Taylor Springs, IL 62089 Our First Halloween Tree 501 Hillsboro Street Taylor Springs, IL 62089 My mother always made me wonderful, elaborate costumes. No tacky, skimpy store-bought cheapies for us! Several of her creations remain vivid in my mind. When I was three, I was a gypsy, laden down with her scarves and jewelry! At the age of eight, I decided to be an Israelite shepherd of old. That was one of her better efforts! When I was twelve, I wore my big sister's evening gown and was simply resplendent! Unfortunately for me, when I was twelve, I could generally pass for sixteen, so that year, even though I was with a group of school friends, there was some muttering and grumbling that passed from our neighbors' lips, something about "weren't we a bit old for this sort of thing". But, hey, I was just a kid! Besides, they still gave out as much loot and booty as always. We used to fill up big brown shopping bags of candy! By getting an early enough start, you could fill a huge bag, return home for a fresh one, set out again for a wider territory, and have enough candy to last a sane person for several months! I know that year as an Israelite, I gathered three big bags! marvelicious.com/halloween.html rosebriar.uk.com/holidays/halloween.html

Mickey Mouse Nathaniel - age 5

Litchfield, IL

French Nobilty

Nathaniel - age 7
Dale - age 2-1/2
Joshua - age 9-1/2

501 Hillsboro Street
Taylor Springs, IL 62089

Old Lady Nathaniel - age 12

Oregon

Pumpkin Emeline - age six weeks

Oregon

Pumpkin Emeline - age six weeks

Oregon

Cow Tommy - age almost 2

Darth Maul Jacob - age 4

Once again, even after the important religious aspect aside, we are left with two of my favorite things: new clothes and candy. With Easter, you even add bunnies (my favorite animal) to the scenario. What could be better? The earth is turning green again; spring flowers are beginning to burst forth - the loveliest time of year!

Easter Sunday March 30, 1975	Easter Baskets April 11, 1982	Easter Sunday April 11, 1982	Easter "Baskets" April 7, 1996	Easter Sunday April 7, 1996
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 Carol, Lewis, Paul holding Randolph, and Brent holding Naomi	400 Elm Street Hillsboro, MO 63050	400 Elm Street Hillsboro, MO 63050 Carol, Randolph, Paul, Joshua, Lewis, Nathaniel, and Brent	501 Hillsboro Street Taylor Springs IL 62049 These "baskets" bear an amazing resemblance to my hammered aluminum!	501 Hillsboro Street Taylor Springs, IL 62049 Dale - age 12 Adrienne - age 8
	March 1998		Easter Sunday March 31, 2002
	501 Hillsboro Street Taylor Springs, IL 62089 Our First Easter Tree		Oregon Bethany and Emeline

A thorough account of Easter may be found at these links:

Holiday

Music by Rudolf Schenker
Lyrics by Klaus Meine


Let me take you far away
You’d like a holiday
Let me take you far away
You’d like a holiday

Exchange the cold days for the sun
A good time and fun
Let me take you far away
You’d like a holiday

Let me take you far away
You’d like a holiday
Let me take you far away
You’d like a holiday

Exchange your troubles for some love
Wherever you are
Let me take you far away
You’d like a holiday

Longing for the sun you will come
To the island without name
Longing for the sun be welcome
On the island many miles away from home
Be welcome on the island without name
Longing for the sun you will come
To the island many miles away from home