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Blog 468 – 11.17.2016

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Time was when the Christmas season officially began on Thanksgiving Day. Historically Santa, his sleigh, and reindeer were that last float in the Thanksgiving Day Parade. My birthday, November 22, falls on Thanksgiving Day from time to time so that has always been my special holiday.

Looking forward to Christmas was always a boyhood occupation of mine. “As slow as Christmas” was one of the first sayings that I recall truly understanding. I kept several calendars where I ticked off the days till Christmas. And I remember that there was a toy store in East Ridge, a suburb of Chattanooga, that kept a running tally of the days till Christmas on a big sign on its roof.

One of my favorite Christmas song is the title of this piece, “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas.” Last year at this time I was living and working in Laramie, Wyoming. It was the first time in my lifetime that I remember not putting up a Christmas tree. To make up for that slight to Father Christmas, and to all who love Christmas, especially to that little boy inside of me, I have already put up my Christmas tree in my motel room. Next Tuesday is my birthday and I have already put in my request for a foot of snow in Mineral Point, Wisconsin. If I get my birthday wish my travel plans for Thanksgiving will definitely be out but I love snow so much that would be fine with me.

I hope that many of you too are getting in the mood for a White Christmas. We used to sing the song for Thanksgiving,

“Over the river and through the woods
  To Grandmother’s house we go.
  The horse knows the way to carry the
  sleigh
  Through the white and drifted snow.”

I remember a few white Christmases in Chattanooga but never a white Thanksgiving. And grandma lived next door or just across the street for most of the boyhood Christmases I remember. But so many of my boyhood dreams were of snow.

I am posting a picture of my Christmas Tree with this blog and singing a verse or two as I send it out to you of, you guessed it, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas every where you go…” and, “Let it snow. let it snow. Let it snow.” I fully expect to hear a knock on my door next Tuesday morning and the words, “Snow for the Birthday Boy.” If my birthday present arrives on time I will take a picture and post it with a blog next week.

Your friend and fellow traveler,
David White