poem for the holidays

for my last post before christmas, i thought i'd share a poem i wrote for the holidays. happy holidays to you all, and thanks for reading!

Cold Air and Coffee

see how the sky gets dark earlier, must be that special time
leaves fall off the trees
cold air, everywhere
smell the smoke from the fireplace
from inside, see the warm glow
outside, angels in the snow

friends and family gathered 'round
traveling from town to town
tiny lights that twinkle bright
tiny lights twinkling at night

strolls through frost covered hills
the smell of evergreen and pine
cold air and coffee
must be winter time

sweaters of wool, snowmen visit from the north
big hugs, warm coffee mugs
packages wrapped in silver and in gold
relationships of love, new and old
these days are short, and soon will pass
but in my memory, they will always last

strolls through frost covered hills
my girl's hand in mine
cold air and coffee
must be winter time

(c) 1998, winter shawl productions

The Twelve Rules of Christmas

with all of the attacks this year on christmas from schools, city officals, and elected officals, i did find this interesting.

schools around the country are eleminating christmas songs from plays and choral events, even instrumental songs! students and teachers are not allowed to wear clothing or jewelry that might promote the holiday, and even discussing christmas from a historical context is being frowned upon. and don't even consider inviting someone to your church to see a play or celebrate the holiday.

but the schools are wrong. for example.

1. christmas songs can be performed in school plays, as long as other religions are included.

2. students and teachers can wear clothing celebrating christmas, and schools can not prohibit it.

3. employers can not prohibit you from listening to christmas music or decorating your work space.

but i find this the most interesting. instead of saying "merry christmas", because it's obviously a religous endorsment, people have been encouraged to say "happy holidays". or in fact "happy HOLY DAYS."



you can find the full 12 rules of christmas here: http://rutherford.org

it's begining to look a lot like... something

it's that time of year again.

the days grow shorter, the air is cooler, decorations come out and twinkle lights seem to be everywhere you turn.

but, the baby jesus is no where to be found. that's right, more attacks on christmas. (yup, i did spell it out)

every year around the country, law makers and school officals find reasons why it's harmful or offensive to acknowledge christianity at the time where the major holiday being celebrated is the very one based on the birth of christ.

most other religions and new years are ok to celebrate, even with a gay santa! but, please leave the baby jesus at home.

but why? where's the real out cry? one person. one student. it's getting over the top. but there are some bright points in the christmas mess.

denver was trying to replace the traditional city and county building greeting from "merry christmas" to "happy holidays". thankfully residents began to rumble and the mayor wisely changed it back.

and in california.... new gov. ARNOLD, reversed gray davis' stupid "holiday" tree with a very positive "christmas" tree. would you argue with a guy who could bench press the capitol?! :)

the key is to have those of us who see the eroding of values and american culture happening all around us, to stop sitting back and letting it happen. these values we celebrate and values the country was founded on are not a religious endorsement, but rather an appreciation of our country's rich history. including the holidays we enjoy.

please pass the eggnog....