Say Happy Birthday To the Greatest Grandmother In History
Today is March 2, 2018, which is not just another day on the calendar, it is the day that my grandmother, Helen Vinal Hilton was born. She would have been 96 this year.
I am sure that most people think great things about their grandmothers, I was fortunate to have two great ones, and to have a positive relationship with both.
Now they have both passed away, there are certain times when their memory comes to my mind more strongly than others, March 2 is one of those days for me.
To give you a little background about Helen, she was without a doubt the sweetest, kindest, most encouraging, loving, and funniest person I have ever met.
We always had a special bond since I can remember. I have vivid memories of her playing games with us when we were young, you name it we played it, cards, board games. She always made sure there were things for us to do when we visited with her.
I remember her taking us to movies, to visit Santa Clause, and to the Circus. (I never liked clowns, and probably wouldn’t have survived and enjoyed the circus if it wasn’t for her. )
One of the most incredible things, my siblings and I all remember about both our father’s parents was the unquestioning welcome they always gave you when you showed up. I would never have considered ever calling to see if they were home, or giving them any warning at all, I just showed up, as did my brothers and sister.
Not once did I ever feel like it was an intrusion. They were always, truly, happy to see me and we always had a great visit. They usually involved cookies, but we always could just talk about things. What it was like growing up for her, what World War II was like for them, what various members of the family were up to.
It seemed like we always stayed connected to relatives we didn’t see. Very often through those conversations. When my Grandfather was alive, he would chime in as well, and after he passed, Helen and I talked more and more about life. I valued those conversations then, but treasure the memory of them now. She was a great lady, great grandmother, and a great friend. I wouldn’t have traded her and her memory for anything else in the world.
So on this day, I am taking a moment to remember, and send some of the love and attention that Helen always gave to me, back to her. I hope that she knows that no matter whatever else she did in life, she was the Greatest Grandmother In History!
Even though she has been gone for over 15 years, my memories of her and all of her acts of kindness and her melodic laugh live on in my heart. Happy Birthday Grammy! How do can someone ever say thank you for all that you did and the great example you set for all of us who loved you.
Inspiration comes from who we see and what we experience every day.
by Jonathan Hilton
The more I look for topics to write about and expound upon, the more my writing process comes clearly into my mind. I write best when I have someone specifically in mind to write about, because it is like I am explaining my thoughts or emotions to them, or that I am giving them advice. Often I know the advice would never be received directly, so I just give it on the pages of my writing.
Since these people of inspiration are all around me, they may not even know that I have been inspired by them. I can look at almost every one of the approximately 200 articles I have written on this website and remember clearly the lesson or situation that prompted the thoughts or feelings that caused me to put it to paper. This clearly shows me that people do not recognize the impact that they have on others just by living life as an example.
As we approach the new year of 2013 I am endeavoring to dig deeper into those relationships that I have had in the past to wring out the valuable experiences that I have been fortunate to experience in my lifetime. That means that if you have ever met me than you will probably be the motivation for some piece of writing that I have done in the past or I will do over the next year or two.
All things create stories in your mind, all you have to do is tell them.
I have never mentioned a name or directed a thought directly at someone because my intention is not to publicize anyone’s short comings or problems. I simply have had experiences with people in my life that have taught me lessons from their positive actions or from their negative behavior. Each situation has value, it is just much more fun to remember the positive, and often more valuable to recall the negative behavior some have displayed.
What this means as we head into a new year is that I am going to be writing and publishing a lot of material over the next year and when you read it, you just might see something of yourself in that writing. I am grateful in advance for all of the experiences and looking forward to sharing them in the future. It is definitely true that there is inspiration all around us and all we have to do is look for it, to find it.
I am planning on continually publishing articles about inspiration, but I am also going to be sharing short stories from all aspects of my youth, because they were great and they helped make me what I am today. I can not wait to get started.
Related articles
Smile, Inspire, Be Grateful. Looking forward to 2013
Mike Martin and I have been friends for forty one years. There are not many people in the
Even though Mike is always wrong, he still argues with me all the time. He is so stubborn.
world outside of your family that you have known your entire life, and still call them your friend. I am fortunate to have had a friend for most of my life, who is cantankerous, stubborn and is often not right about anything! He would tell you the same thing about me. We work together right now and that leads to many conflicts about virtually every subject. When I started this new Picture Project I was in between two of these conflicts, so it only made sense that the first picture should be a symbol of the fights we have on most days. These “fights” are more philosophical battles, where we do not agree on much of anything. But when the chips are down, I know I can count on him and he on me.
The core of our conflict has boiled down to the essence of our philosophies, and all of our conflicts stem from this premise:
My Philosohpy: That there is a right and a wrong, that everyone deep down knows it and that morality is definite and binding. (he refers to this as black and white)
Mike Martin Philosophy: That life is lived on a continuum of gray area, sometimes things are right, sometimes wrong depending on the circumstances. (I refer to this as the whatever way the wind blows philosophy)
I could go into each of he specific debates that we have had over the years but when I write about it I seem to be even more clearly right than when the original argument occurred. Needless to say that we have argued over philosophy, thought, morals, honesty, choices, how to stop drug addiction, and even judgments of others.
Needless to say these arguments have traveled with us from Belgrade all over the State of Maine as we have gone to different locations for work related stuff. There are a few things we do agree on though.
Having had some experience with people that are friendly to you face, but not really a friend it is good to know that even though we argue all the time, it is good to have at least one friend that I can count on, no matter what happens.
So this argument has been going on for 41 years and even though I am always right, it still continues, some day he may even get the last word.
I am continually reminded day to day, how lucky I am to live in a country where I am guaranteed certain freedoms that many others around the world are denied. The document that is most responsible for this is the Bill of Rights. The first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States, were written by our forefathers to make sure that no future generation would be denied their individual rights by anyone including the Government of The United States, they were adopted as part of the U.S. Constitution on December 15, 1791. It is also astounding to me that so few people, understand which rights they are given by this document.
What is an amendment?
A constitutional amendment is a formal change to the text of the written constitution of a nation or state.
Amendment I–
Freedom of Speech, Press, Religion and Petition-Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
*Religion
*The government can’t help or hurt any religion. They can’t make any person believe or practice any religion, nor can they stop any person from believing or practicing any religion. The government can’t make someone Jewish, Hindu, or Muslim nor can they stop someone from being one. They can stop a person from a religious practice if it hurts somebody else. You can’t kill someone even if it is part of a religion.
*This is true for city governments as well. At Christmas time cities sometimes get into trouble for putting up decorations that specifically denote the Christian religion while ignoring others. Schools can’t promote any religion because they are operated by the government.
*Freedom of Speech
*Freedom of Speech does NOT mean that a person can say whatever they want to say. It means that someone’s right to say something is protected within certain limits. A person may have to suffer consequences for saying some things, but they still have the right to say them. For example, it is against the law to yell, “Fire!”, in a crowded place because it may lead to panic and injuries of others. A person has the right to say it, but they also are responsible for the consequences of their actions.
*A person may not say things verbally or in print that they know aren’t true. This is called slander and there are consequences for doing this.
*Freedom of Speech includes non-speech also. What someone wears and how they behave is considered, “Freedom of Expression”, and is a protected right. The Supreme Court has even said that burning the American Flag is a protected speech because it expresses an opinion.
*The authors of the Bill of Rights did not want the government to be able to practice censorship over its citizens, so we have the right to say what we think. An individual can even say disparaging things about the government and nothing will happen to you. There are limits on what kinds of things a person can say in public. that is why the government can limit television programming.
*There are often conflicts over things that are said or printed in books, magazines and newspapers, but just because someone doesn’t like what is being said doesn’t mean that an individual doesn’t have the right to say it.
*The right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
*The right to peaceably assemble means that someone can gather together with others without fear that the government will treat this act as illegal or treat them like a mob. People can gather with whomever they want as long as they are peaceful and not breaking the law. This applies to all groups, even if people generally don’t like or agree with these groups. Motorcycle gangs, militia groups, vampire clubs and the Klu Klux Klan can all meet freely as long as they are peaceful. Protest marchers and government dissenters also have th right to meet with whomever they want.
Citizens also have a right to complain to the government about things they don’t like. The government even provides a way to change those things, by way of a petition. If there is a law or policy that the citizens don’t like they can gather signatures on petitions. These petitions are then used to place initiatives on a ballot and the people can vote about whether to change the law they disagree with.
Amendment II–
Right to keep and bear arms-A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
*During the formation of our country, there was a strong mistrust of the government of Great Britain. The colonists knew that the only way to protect themselves from the same type of tyranny in the future was for citizens to be able to form a militia to protect their freedom. When The Bill of Rights was written, this protection was included. According to current interpretation of the Second Amendment, the government does not have the right to prevent it’s citizens from owning guns. However, this amendment is argued about often. Some people believe that the government is the enemy an citizens must continue to protect themselves. Some believe that the level of violence is so high in the United States because the number of guns available is too high and too many people have guns. There is a popular saying, ” if you outlaw guns, only the outlaws will have guns.” Another popular saying is ” Guns don’t kill people, people do.”
*The government can and does regulate the ownership of guns. There are laws about gun ownership, registration, permits, transportation of guns and the sale of guns. Gun proponents believe that attempts by th government to regulate guns are the same as attempts to keep guns out of the hands of it’s citizens.
Amendment III–
Conditions for quartering of soldiers in homes. No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
*During the Colonial Period, colonists could be forced to let British soldiers sleep in their homes and eat their meals. The authors of The Bill of Rights wanted to make sure this could never happen again so the Third Amendment was added.
Amendment IV–
Right of search and seizure regulated-The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
*The police can’t search someone’s person (body), house, papers, or effects without having a good reason. They can’t take anything from someone without a good reason. Of course the question is often argued, “What is a good reason?”
*Unreasonable searches and seizures are those that are without cause, or more specifically without probable cause. Probable cause means that the police have a good reason to believe that some law has been broken. The Police can not do anything until they convince a judge that they have probable cause and then they can get a warrant which gives them permission to search.
*After the police convince a judge that a crime has been committed, a warrant is issued. The search warrant must say what is to be search, when it is to be searched, what they expect to find and the warrant must be signed by a judge. Many cases are dismissed in court because someone is arrested for having something that is listed on a search warrant. This amendment is the reason the police always ask permission to come into your home or the search your car.
*The police can arrest someone without a warrant when there are special circumstances. If they are chasing someone from the scene of a crime or if they catch someone in the act of a crime, they may not have time to get a warrant before hand. After the arrest, they must then convince the judge that they had “probable cause” to arrest them.
Amendment V-
Provisons concerning prosecution–No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
*No person can be put on trial for a serious crime, unless a group of people called a grand jury first decide that there is enough evidence to make a trial necessary. When there is enough evidence an indictment is issued, which means that the person charged with the crime will face trial for that crime.
*There is an exception for an individual in the military. They can be put on trial without an indictment from a grand jury. If they commit a crime during war or a national emergency.
*Double Jeopardy- If a person is put on trial for a crime and the trial ends, they may not be tried again for the same crime. If they are convicted and serve their time or they are acquitted, they may not be put on trial again.
*The government can’t make someone testify against themselves. A trial generally relies on witness testimony and physical evidence to find justice.
*Due Process-The government can not take away an individual’s life, freedom or property without following a series of steps that give them a fair chance to defend themselves. This procedure makes sure that everyone gets treated the same. No matter who someone is tey should be treated fairly by the police, courts and government.
*The government can’t take away someone’s property without paying them for it in some way. If the state wants to build a road through someone’s property, they can’t just do it they have to compensate the person for it.
Amendment VI-
Right to a speedy trial, witnesses, etc.- In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.
*An accused person has the right to a quick trial. This doesn’t mean that the process of a trial must be over a quickly as possible. It protects a person from being held in jail for an unreasonable amount of time while they wait for a trial. This would be unfair to anyone who is innocent.
*An accused person also has th right to a public trial. The state can’t put them on trial behind closed doors. The trial must be available to the public so that it is certain the rights of the individual were not violated.
*The Trial must be held by an impartial jury. The member of that jury can not be prejudiced against the accused or the crime that they’ve been accused of, or it would be unfair. The trial must also be held in the area where the crime was committed.
*The only exception to this is that in some cases a change of venue would be appropriate if the accused might not get a fair trial in the region the crime was committed due to publicity.
*The accused has the right to know what they are being charged with and why they’re being held in jail. They also have the right to know who is saying that they’ve committed the crime, and the right to ask them questions.
*The accused has the right to force anyone to come to their trial that they believe can help their case. The court can force someone to come to court by issuing a summons or subpoena and the person has no choice but to come to the trial.
*The accused also has the right to an attorney. If they can’t afford an attorney, one will be appointed to them by the court. Whenever someone is arrested they must be read their Miranda Rights which include the right to be silent and the right to an attorney.
Amendment VII-
Right to a trial by jury-In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
*When the Bill of Rights was written twenty dollars was a lot of money. Today, any dispute involving less that $15oo will be handled in small claims court without a jury. Otherwise you are given the right of a trial by a jury.
*United States law forbids anyone from setting up their own court system. If a person goes to court they will always go to a recognized court of the government, either national, state or county. This prohibits a person or a small group of people from taking the law into their own hands, and robbing individuals of their rights.
Amendment VIII–
Excessive bail, cruel punishment-Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Excessive Bail
*The courts can not assign an accused an excessive amount of Bail. If they could, then a judge might be able to decide a bail amount excessively high because he has a personal dislike or bias toward that individual.
*Bail is a sum of mone or property given to the court as a promise that the accused will return for trial. If the accused fails to appear for their trial, they lose the bail.
*Bail is assigned regarding the type of crime committed and the likelihood that the accused will return for the trial.
*Bail allows time for the accused to prepare for theri defense, which might be somewhat harder to do if one were in jail.
Hanging is an acceptable form of execution
*Cruel and unusual punishment- You can not punish someone cruelly nor unusually because of this amendment. Defining what is exactly cruel or unusual can be somewhat difficult to define. It could be argued that all punishments are cruel, that is why they are called punishments and not rewards. The circumstances of the times determine largely what is considered cruel and/or unusual. For example, punishments that might have been condoned in the past are today considered cruel and unusual. Today the issue usually surrounds capital punishment or the death penalty. States that practice capital punishment use either the gas chamber, lethal injection, the electric chair, a firing squad or hanging. Some of these may be considered cruel or unusual. As for the unusual part
Firing Squads are an Accepted Form of Execution
the Eighth Amendment prevents teh government from punishing a criminal in an unusual way. You can’t cut off someone’s hand for stealing, or publicly humiliate them as a form of punishment.
*The Supreme Court ruled in 1976 that the death penalty is legal. Since that time there have been 628 citizens punished in this fashion.
Amendment IX-
Rule of construction of Constitution-The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
*This amendment was written to protect the rights of people, even though those rights were not specifically mentioned in the Bill of Rights. No one is really sure what these rights are but it is believed they may have included the rights of life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, etc. The Ninth Amendment has not been used to justify protection for any citizen of the United States that I am aware of.
Amendment X-
Rights of the States under Constitution-The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
Marriage laws are determined by the states
*Anything not mentioned in The Constitution specifically will be handled by the state government. For example, each individual state issues it’s own laws regarding marriage, driver’s licenses, state taxes, voting, job and school requirements. Since these areas are not mentioned in the Constitution they are determined by the states.
A friend suggested that I should read this poem and I am glad I did. I do have hope for the future and a hope that the past will all make sense and all will work out ok in the end, despite what it looks like at the present time. I have found this to be true. The past is what it is, accept it, and today will be a much more pleasant place for you. Peace to all.
Do you have hope for the future?
someone asked Robert Frost, toward the end.
Yes, and even for the past, he replied,
that it will turn out to have been all right
for what it was, something we can accept,
mistakes made by the selves we had to be,
not able to be, perhaps, what we wished,
or what looking back half the time it seems
we could so easily have been, or ought…
The future, yes, and even for the past,
that it will become something we can bear.
And I too, and my children, so I hope,
will recall as not too heavy the tug
of those albatrosses I sadly placed
upon their tender necks. Hope for the past,
yes, old Frost, your words provide that courage,
and it brings strange peace that itself passes
into past, easier to bear because
you said it, rather casually, as snow
went on falling in Vermont years ago.
A few months ago I was feeling nostalgic and listing all of the songs about rain that I liked, and that is an awesome list, but I was urged to add a few more songs to the list and instead of using the same post, I started a new list of songs that reminded one of my friends about what they love about the rain. Water in and of itself has a quality of power to it, no matter if it is a river, a lake, an ocean or the rain, water can touch the soul. Enjoy the list of favorite songs about rain Part Two, Music is a passion of mine, it fills up many of my memories and I believe it is the language of the soul.
A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall – Bob Dylan
When it comes to rain it sometimes falls easy and delightful, providing a cool respite from the heat. Yet there are other times when the rain falls hard. Usually, when you are hurting on the inside, it’s a hard rain that is gonna fall. For these occasions, there is this song by Bob Dylan, just for you. And the first of our favorite songs about rain part two.
Singing in The Rain- Gene Kelley
This song should have definitely been on the first list, I mean who hasn’t been so happy in love that they tap danced down the street? Happens to me once a month. But seriously, I challenge you to listen to this song and not sing along and tap your feet as you listen to the words. It’s fantastic, makes you want to learn to tap dance and buy an umbrella all at once.
Songs About Rain -Gary Allen
How can you have a list like this without this song? I don’t think you can so here it is. A song about all the songs about rain that affect all of us so deeply. All of the songs mentioned in this song are on my list so kudos to Gary Allen. This song projects the feeling we all have when some things haven’t gone our way, sometimes it is just better to embrace the rain and all that comes with it, because if you don’t experience the rain you will never appreciate the sunshine when it comes, whether it is literal or metaphorical. Bring on the rain and we’ll get through it and move on!
Here Comes the Rain Again- Eurythmics
This belongs on any rain song list for two reasons. One, it relays a feeling that we have all felt, using rain as a symbol of love. Being covered and immersed in the flow. Secondly, the personal memories surrounding this song, take me back to a simpler time when I was a much younger man. Either way this song makes the rain more bearable.
It Will Rain – Bruno Mars
This is a song that is not in my normal genre of music, but being urged to listen I can see why it would go on the list, the thoughts about losing the one that you love and the hurt that will result from that. Being a person that is not approved of by your significant other’s family is not a new thing. It is a tale as old as any. Even though I have never been a big Bruno Mars Fan, I like this song.
November Rain- Guns ‘N’ Roses
“When I look into your eyes, I can see a love restrained, but darlin’ when I hold you, don’t you know I feel the same. Nothing lasts forever and we both know hearts can change. And it’s hard to hold a candle in the cold November rain.” Classic words by a classic band that makes you remember what it was like in the past and maybe in the present today. Either way, a great song about rain.
https://youtu.be/SQ4a0vW0Y1o
Rainy Days and Mondays- The Carpenters
Much like David Spade and Chris Farley in Tommy Boy, when you hear a song by the Carpenters, most will say that it is stupid or a bad song, but really inside you can sing along with the whole song, and that is the case with Rainy Days and Mondays because they do always get me down. It deserves to be on the list. Sing along quietly to yourself, nobody is going to judge you.
Every Storm Runs Outta Rain- Gary Allen
When the rain is falling so hard that you can’t see the positives in the world, it is important to remember that all things will pass in time. Each storm we face will eventually disperse and there will be a new beginning waiting for you there. In all things there is always hope and hope will bring a new day, a new start and the chance that life will be great once again.
I Love a Rainy Night- Eddie Rabbit
When I was in middle school, many years ago, this song was popular and I felt then as I do now, I love a rainy night. The sounds of rain are soothing on the roof or falling on the grass outside the window brings with them a possibility of great things in the future. That is why it puts a smile on my face every time.
Clearly I could go on all day but just like the rain, all things must come to an end and that is where we are at with this list of songs about rain Part 2. Enjoy your rain and realize that it is a part of the cycle of things and it will bring your life new growth. Here is one last rain song for you. We have all seen Fire and Rain because that is life.
Whenever it gets to this time of year, there are many things that allow me to think pleasant thoughts about the Christmas season. Sometimes a gentle snow fall, or the sight of a well planned out display of lights, or the memory of past kindness that I have experienced. The thing that really makes the spirit of Christmas rise to the forefront of my soul are the Christmas shows and movies I remember from my youth. Even though I have seen them all at least 45 times, every time I see them they move my heart a little. Especially today, with everyone wanting more stuff, and more commercialization, it is hard to remember that at the core of this holiday is the thoughts of love and caring. To me, even though I experienced the religious aspect of Christmas, it still seems to mean more than that to me. The idea that hearts can change, love can come, miracles can happen are the real feelings behind the holiday. Even if you were a strict practicing Christian it would be hard to argue that the teachings of Jesus, attempted to provide all of these very things. So I wanted to compile a list of Christmas shows and Christmas movies that I think are a must for this season.
This classic movie has all of the charm and hope that you want in a Christmas Movie. George Bailey doesn’t appreciate what he has, and is continually looking outside of Bedford Falls to look for happiness. When he finds out , with his guardian angel, Clarence, what would have happened to everyone without him. And none of it was good. The moral is appreciate what you have, and what you’ve experienced, you are the only one who could have. It’s easy to relate to a character who realizes in the end that he is the richest man in town. I hate to admit this but if I allow myself to feel emotional at the end of It’s a Wonderful Life, it will lead to a few unabashed tears. This movie is guaranteed to put you in the mood.
This was always my favorite of the claymation specials of my childhood. The story of Santa Claus, well I believe every word of this one. He comes from the North Pole, he was an orphan raised by elves, and a toy maker to boot. He had a pet penguin, and was hunted by the Burger Meister, Meister Burger. This was kind of a twisted story when you think about them burning all of the children’s toys in the town square. Something autocratic about all of that. And the fact that there was an evil warlock tooling about, there seems to be a plethora of opportunities for nightmares and childhood trauma here, but in the end, we get Santa and Jessica becomes Mrs. Clause and we all got presents and lived happily ever after. I think the fact that I look at it with the warmth that I do shows that they got it right.
A Christmas Carol-
The Latest Version?
The great thing about this movie is that it has been made so many times and in so many ways that you are bound to be able to find one that will tickle your fancy. From the classic black and white film, to a musical, to Bill Murray performing Scrooged, to the Muppet Christmas Carol, it doesn’t matter which one you like you will still get the feeling of hope, rebirth and change the story brings with it. Here’s why, no matter how nice a person you may be, there is a part of each of us that is just like Ebenezer Scrooge, tired of Christmas and everything to do with it. We all build walls around us, but they just aren’t as visible as those built by Scrooge. We all have regrets, whether it’s working to much or caring too little, or letting love slip away. The great part of the story is that profound change can come to everyone’s life, quickly and with power. When you see the change in Scrooge, you can recognize that just a little bit of yourself has changed as well. The idea that if you have faith, all things from Tiny Tim’s sickness to the ills of society will fade away into an unhappy memory. “God bless us, every one.”
2>A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS
charlie brown and snoopy
This classic was made in 1965 which is a year before I was born. So by the time I was aware, it was already a classic. People were already complaining that they didn’t feel like they were supposed to feel. It was one of the must watch events for the season. I remember my very creative teachers, dressing us up as Peanuts characters for the annual Christmas Show at school. (I was Linus) The story for Charlie Brown gets more real every year. What is the real meaning of Christmas. Linus gives the key speech about what Christmas is all about. The great thing about this timeless classic, is that they talked about how commercial Christmas had become back then, what would they think today in this “I’ve gotta have everything and I gotta have it right now, world!” All I can tell poor old Charlie Brown is that it hasn’t gotten much better. People seem to be more superficial and greedier than ever. The hope is that even though many people act this way, perhaps their hearts will change and grasp that it’s all about peace on earth, goodwill toward men. Also it would be remiss not to mention that every crappy Christmas Tree in the world is now known as a Charlie Brown Christmas Tree, thanks Charlie Brown, you’re not such a blockhead after all.
A Christmas Story
You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out!
This 1983 classic has been a favorite of many, I think because of the iconic Christmas messages it sends. We all to some degree remember our fathers a little like Ralphie’s Dad in this movie. But mostly it captures what I remember I liked about Christmas as a kid. I don’t think I ever wanted a Red Rider BB Gun or not, but I am sure that I had the same kind of all encompassing dreams about receiving some sports related gifts. There are a hundred little moments in this movie that can be directly transported to my own youth as a kid growing up in Greenville, Maine. From Randy being so bundled up in winter clothes that he can’t put his arms down, falls over and can’t get up off of the ground, to sticking your tongue to a flag pole in cold weather. Yes I believe I had seen that done in person, on more than one occasion. I am happy to report that I was not foolish enough to try it myself. Like all kids we had to face up to bully’s, with yellow eyes. You were either a bully, a toadie or one of the nameless rabble of victims. Until Ralphie snaps and kicks the ever lovin’ crap out of Scott Farkus, we all wish that we had the courage to kick the snot out of our own Scott Farkus’. Again all classic moments, from having Santa kick him down the slide to shooting your eye out with the BB gun you have lusted after for so long. I triple dog dare you not to watch and like this Christmas Classic.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Stink, Stank, Stunk
This Dr. Seuss classic from 1966 has stood the test of time, it has been a staple of Christmas my entire life and it really tells a story that I think a lot of people feel, that the real meaning of Christmas is often overlooked by all of the material goods we have. The Grinch hates Christmas because of all of the noise that comes from people being happy. He sees the material gifts as the culprit and figures that if he steals every present, then he will in effect stop Christmas from coming. In the end of course he realizes that Christmas is more than presents, which many, many people could stand to realize today. “He puzzled and puzzed till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. Maybe Christmas, he thought… doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps… means a little bit more!” When you analyze a lot of the material from the Grinch it is pretty funny stuff, I mean in the song they say, “You’re a monster, Mr. Grinch / Your heart’s an empty hole / Your brain is full of spiders, you have garlic in your soul / Mr. Grinch / I wouldn’t touch you with a thirty-nine-and-a-half foot pole.” And of course: “Your soul is an appalling dump-heap, overflowing with the most disgraceful assortment of rubbish imaginable, mangled up in tangled up knots!” There is not a lot of gray area here, The Grinch is a bad person who doesn’t do much good. He represents all of those out there that do not like Christmas for whatever reason. Many people feel exactly as the Grinch does that it is all a marketing maze of foolish greed, and if you took all of that away you would be left with nothing. I think that the truth is that inside all of us, somewhere, sometimes very deep inside where no one sees, there is a belief that the spirit of Christmas is just a little more. That we can be the best that we are to all people, at least on this day. That our own individual material needs are not as important as being kind to someone else. That the act of giving is more than a requirement, it is a choice that spreads throughout all of the people involved. I think at some point in life everyone has felt their heart grow three sizes after doing something kind for someone else. If you haven’t you should give it a try. It’s more powerful than any marketing campaign and will create a need to do it more and more. So look for the Grinchs in your life and try to do something nice for them. They will more that likely surprise you with their own human capacity to give back.
Christmas Vacation
That’s an RV Clark
National Lampoon’s classic tale about Clark Griswald and his quest for the classic family Christmas that he remembered from his youth. The problem is that his family came and got in the way. From the ginormous Christmas tree, to the super light display on his house, Clark is acting like every person who remembers Christmas fondly and wants to share that feeling with his own kids and everybody else for that matter. Bring in all the drama from no Christmas bonus to his cousin’s RV parked in the driveway. All Clark wants is an old fashioned family Christmas. Christmas with the Griswalds has become a staple of holiday entertainment because it is funny and connects adults with their past. Following are some quotes from the movie:
Clark: Can I refill your eggnog for you? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead? Eddie: Naw, I’m doing just fine, Clark.
Ellen: What are you looking at? Clark: Oh, the silent majesty of a winter’s morn… the clean, cool chill of the holiday air… an asshole in his bathrobe, emptying a chemical toilet into my sewer…
[Eddie, in the driveway, is draining the RV’s toilet] Eddie: Shitter was full. Clark: Ah, yeah. You checked our shitters, honey? Ellen: Clark, please. He doesn’t know any better. Clark: He oughta know it’s illegal. That’s a storm sewer. If it fills with gas, I pity the person who lights a match within ten yards of it.
Clark: We’re kicking off our fun old fashion family Christmas by heading out into the country in the old front-wheel drive sleigh to embrace the frosty majesty of the winter landscape and select that most important of Christmas symbols. Audrey: We’re not coming all the way out here just to get one of those stupid ties with Santa Clauses on it are we? Clark: No, I have one of those at home.
Eddie: You surprised to see us, Clark? Clark: Oh, Eddie… If I woke up tomorrow with my head sewn to the carpet, I wouldn’t be more surprised than I am now.
There is no wonder that people have been enjoying this one since it’s release in 1989. It’s a good laugh anytime the Christmas Season is getting you down. To quote Clark: “Where do you think you’re going? Nobody’s leaving. Nobody’s walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas. No, no. We’re all in this together. This is a full-blown, four-alarm holiday emergency here. We’re gonna press on, and we’re gonna have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny fucking Kaye. And when Santa squeezes his fat white ass down that chimney tonight, he’s gonna find the jolliest bunch of assholes this side of the nuthouse. “
Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
Ready Santa
One of the best of the claymation contributions to Christmas that was released in 1964. Not only does this story tell you about Rudolph, but it also tells you that it’s OK to be different and that everybody, no matter what their flaws are unique, contributing members of the world. From Rudolph’s “deformity”, To the Island of Misfit Toys, where trains with square wheels wait for Santa to connect them with a child that loves them. The scary part of the movie is the Abominable Snowman, who apparently being left to his druthers, likes to eat reindeer. A scary dude for children who are really small to deal with. But in the end even he has a purpose, putting the star on the Christmas Tree without the use of a ladder. Great characters here, Yukon Cornelius, Herbie the Dentist, all misfits that run away looking for the place in the world where they fit in. Realizing that the place where they fit in is where they started out from. It also teaches people not to pick on someone just because they are different, because that difference makes them unique and valuable. Conformity stinks and you shouldn’t be bound by that, be yourself and your talent will shine through. A classic that you should watch every year. Have a Holly Jolly Christmas, my friends! Burl Ives says so.
Thanksgiving is a truly American Holiday that we ccelebrate on the fourth Thursday in November every year. It has been an official holiday in the United States since 1863, when Abraham Lincoln declared it a national holiday. Even though the Civil War was still raging, Lincoln believed that people should take this one day and be thankful.
It quickly carved out it’s place with all of the other major holidays, New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, The Fourth of July, Labor Day and Christmas.
The First Thanksgiving
First Thanksgiving
Anyone who went to virtually any school in this country knows that Thanksgiving began, all be it unofficially, with the Pilgrims. Here is a brief account that tells the tail. The First Thanksgiving was a way for the earliest settlers to the New World, to give thanks to God for guiding them safely across the ocean. The year was 1621, and it was a harvest celebration as well. The feast was attended by both European Settlers and Native Americans, and was an early display of cooperation, that unfortunately did not set the tone for the rest of the colonization of America. Historic Native Americans, Squanto and Massasoit attended this celebration. This was continued in later years, first as an impromptu religious observance, and later as a civil tradition, until Lincoln made it an official holiday.
Thanksgiving On the Roads
The American Automobile Association (AAA) estimated that 42.2 million Americans traveled 50 miles or more from home over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in 2010.
Thanksgiving Table Statistics
Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey
The U.S. Census Bureau states that Minnesota is the state that produces the most turkeys in America. It is estimated that they will provide about 46.5 million turkeys in 2011. There will be about 248 million turkeys raised in the U.S. this year, with Minnesota, North Carolina, Arkansas, Missouri, Virginia and Indiana accounting for the majority of the birds.
The National Turkey Federation, (yes, there is one.) estimates that about 1/5th of all turkeys consumed in the United States in a given year are eaten at Thanksgiving.
Those wizards at the National Turkey Federation, conducted a survey in which they learned that almost 88 % of Americans proudly claimed they eat turkey at Thanksgiving. They went on to inform us that the average turkey weighs 15 lbs. Which by their very strict calculations means Americans consume an approximate total of 690 Million pounds of Turkey! No wonder our country has an obesity problem.
When it comes to cranberries the United States doesn’t shy away from consumption. Our most ardent cranberry producing states, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington produce 750 million pounds of cranberries for production in 2011.
We can’t leave pumpkins out to the mix here. Illinois, California, Pennsylvania and New York are the main pumpkin producing states, it was estimated that last year they produced 1.1 billion pounds of pumpkins for our Thanksgiving Day feast.
The sweet potato is most plentifully produced in North Carolina, which grew 972 million pounds of the popular Thanksgiving side dish vegetable in 2010. Other sweet potato powerhouses included California and Mississippi, and the top producing states together generated over 2.4 billion pounds of the tubers.
Biggest Pumpkin Pie
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest pumpkin pie ever baked weighed 2,020 pounds and measured just over 12 feet long. It was baked on October 8, 2005 by the New Bremen Giant Pumpkin Growers in Ohio, and included 900 pounds of pumpkin, 62 gallons of evaporated milk, 155 dozen eggs, 300 pounds of sugar, 3.5 pounds of salt, 7 pounds of cinnamon, 2 pounds of pumpkin spice and 250 pounds of crust.
Thanksgiving Across the United States
Football has always been a tradition on Thanksgiving and the Detroit Lions have been featured since 1934 with the short World War II break from 139-1945, but they played every Thanksgiving since then. The first televised Lions Thanksgiving game was broadcast in 1956, and we all relax and watch all zonked out on turkey every year. The Dallas Cowboys are the other traditional Turkey Day Team, that grace our air waves. It is only appropriate that America’s Team should play on America’s Holiday. How grateful can we be for that?
Thanksgiving Parades and Football
Originally known as Macy’s Christmas Parade—to signify the launch of the Christmas shopping season—the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade took place in New York City in 1924. It was launched by Macy’s employees and featured animals from the Central Park Zoo. Today, some 3 million people attend the annual parade and another 44 million watch it on television.
Tony Sarg, a children’s book illustrator and puppeteer, designed the first giant hot air balloons for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1927. He later created the elaborate mechanically animated window displays that grace the façade of the New York store from Thanksgiving to Christmas.
Snoopy has appeared as a giant balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade more times than any other character in history. As the Flying Ace, Snoopy made his sixth appearance in the 2006 parade.
The first time the Detroit Lions played football on Thanksgiving Day was in 1934, when they hosted the Chicago Bears at the University of Detroit stadium, in front of 26,000 fans. The NBC radio network broadcast the game on 94 stations across the country–the first national Thanksgiving football broadcast. Since that time, the Lions have played a game every Thanksgiving (except between 1939 and 1944); in 1956, fans watched the game on television for the first time.
When I was a kid growing up in a small town in Maine, Halloween was one of the best times of the year. There were some community events, but for the most part, the fun was in the collection of candy. Living in a small town, we knew everybody, and it would be my father’s job to drive us around and point us in the right direction. As very young kids, we kind of needed the guidance, and as we progressed and got older we needed, rather we wanted less and less of the guidance. We would go from house to house, and I know it was something we take for granted now, because we weren’t worried about getting abducted, or poisoned, like it seems you have to be today. It was just fun. We learned the tricks of trick or treating from the older kids, who quickly taught us that a pillow case holds a lot more candy than the plastic bags our parents wanted us to use. We also learned that what kind of costume you wore really didn’t matter. I can remember as a very young person, always wanting one of those store made costumes, that had the half mask made of plastic. I do not remember all of the costumes that I wore, but I remember that as I grew, my costumes became more homemade and it was a lot more fun and memorable. I know that one year I went as a football player, and it was probably the best costume ever. As an adult I find sports costumes are the easiest and least embarrassing ones to wear. But I digress.
Spooktacular!
The purpose of this story is to share my favorite Halloween things, because although the holiday itself is safely a part of our culture and heritage, there are many people who would do away with it, due to religious reasons. It never ceases to frustrate me, to hear people claim that Halloween promotes the devil, and witchcraft and you better watch out for your soul. I think that those people ought to watch out for their soul all the time, because if Halloween can turn your kids towards the devil, or make them a witch, you need a better religion.
The fact is that the holiday is about candy, being scared, costumes and candy again, and that is it. Anyone who puts any more thought into it is just looking for trouble. Halloween should be fun and should supply happy memories that will last a lifetime. I know it did for me. I can remember the feeling of running, literally to the next house to see what we would get. I recall looking at my stash of candy and thinking that it would probably last until Christmas and then being amazed that it was always gone in a week or two. I am sure that dentists love Halloween. I remember carving pumpkins and trying to get the teeth just right, I am not sure that I ever did but I remember I loved doing it. I remember going to watch scary movies at the school, and learning about Dracula, Frankenstein, and the Werewolf. One of my favorite movies of that genre was The Creature From the Black Lagoon, I have no idea why, but I was borderline obsessed with that one.
Did I ever participate in mischief on Halloween? Well the answer would be yes I did. Nothing too destructive, because deep down I would feel too guilty to do anything really bad. One of my earliest transgressions occurred when I was in the sixth grade, my friend Mike Martin and I had gotten a full pillow case each of candy, and we were pretty proud of ourselves. It was still early when we got back to my house. We had always heard about smashing pumpkins, and wanted to try it. Now the art of smashing pumpkins was that you would sneak up to someone’s house and swipe their carved pumpkins off of their porch and then in the near by road, throw them as high in the air as you could and watch them smash on the pavement. We carried out our mission all up and down our street. We were not very smart kids, because it really didn’t take very long for people to figure out who was destroying their precious pumpkins on the pavement of Maple Street. Although I know that it was wrong, back then it was the most heart pumping adrenalin thing I had ever done. Even the other day, I was traveling around with Mike when we came upon a very nice pumpkin display in front of a house. He looked at me and said, “You can probably snatch one of those before anyone would see you.”, I laughed because it was so far fetched for us now at forty five years old to revert to pumpkin stealing. I think he would have done it if I didn’t stop him.
The Moosehead Haunted House
Today it is a museum, in the 1970's it was a run down haunted house, with real ghosts in it. I think they still live there today.
In Greenville Junction there was a house across the street which was then and still is haunted. How do I know this? I saw the ghosts that inhabit that place many years ago. Today it is the home of the Moosehead Historical Society, and they are too proper to tell anyone about the ghosts that wander through that house and museum. They are there, though and kids in town would do well to stay away from that house on Halloween, because it is on that night that the ghosts are most active.
Smile, Inspire, Be Grateful. Looking forward to 2013
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