Happy Hallowe'en!

Happy Columbus Day . . . well, sort of . . .

It's kinda hard to get into the spirit of this holiday anyway.

It's even harder when you know that the REAL Columbus Day is October 12th (tomorrow).

But, I guess it's more convenient for all the bankers and federal government workers when holidays fall on a Monday or a Friday.

If the rest of us schlubs--at least those of us lucky enough to have jobs any more--still have to show up to work today, I think it would be nice for all those bankers and bureaucrats to deliver us some Italian food for lunch or something . . .

Remember Dad this Father's Day

One day of blog silence

To honor our nation's fallen defenders this Memorial Day.

For all you mom's out there . . .

Happy Easter!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Remember, ye socks, everyone is Irish at least one day a year . . . and, that day has arrived for 2010!

So, have a green beer or two and pass the corned beef and cabbage!

Chaucer wrote about VD

By "VD," of course, I refer to Valentine's Day. What did you think I meant?!

Previous posts in the dryer have noted that there were no fewer than 11 saints named Valentine, none of whom seem to receive much recognition in modern celebrations of the day. Odd, no?

Anyway, I recently came across a passage in Chaucer's medieval story "Parliament of Fools" that would indicate the holiday lost its connection to sainthood and became more about romance a LONG time ago. He wrote:

"For this was sent on St. Valentine's Day,
When every fool comes there to choose his mate!"

So, the next time some cynic tries to dismiss this as a day created by the candymakers or Hallmark, you can justifiably declare PHOOEY on them!

Enjoy your VD, y'all!

Nollaigh na mBan

I'm sure many of ye socks have heard (or even sung) the familiar carol that begins "Have yourself a merry little Christmas."

But, were you aware that "Little Christmas" is actually a special day in the calendar of Irish folklore?

Well, it is.

In celebrating the proverbial 12 days of Christmas, the last day is designated by the Irish as "Nollaigh na mBan" (in Gaelic) or "Little Christmas" (in English).

But, a more literal translation of the native name would be Women's Christmas.

That literal translation would be quite appropriate, given the way the day is celebrated.

Traditionally, the women of the family spend Nollaigh na mBan hitting the town, while the men are expected to tend to the household in their absence.

I guess, having spent weeks shopping, baking, cooking, etc., in preparation for the other 11 days of Christmas, the ladies are due at least one day to regroup!

So, have yourselves a merry Little Christmas!

12 Hours at EPCOT

This is what one's niece looks like after a VERY full day playing tourist.

And, yes, those are my socks. They are covering up a pair of feet that are almost as worn out as she is.

We did a LOT of walking today. (In case you didn't know it, EPCOT is an acronym for Everybody Comes Out Tired.)

Had to battle with the elements, too. It was rainy and blustery when we first got to the park this morning. Then, as the cold front finally pushed thru this little corner of heaven, we were forced to break out the sweaters and gloves. Ah, Florida winter weather . . . gotta love it!

Anyway, Miss Morgan provided us with endless entertainment today, the highlight being at the Moroccan restaurant where she boldly left our midday meal to school the natives in the fine art of bellydancinig.

No wonder she is so tired, huh?!

Maybe, this means she (and her brother) will sleep all the way back home tomorrow?

I doubt it.

Ready to put 2009 to bed . . .

Have any of ye socks ever returned home to find a beloved pet has converted it into a minor disaster area?

That's kinda how yours truly feels this New Year's Eve about the old year that is drawing to a close.

2009 had some glimmering moments that manage to shine thru all the mayhem. But, for the most part, it is not a year that I remember with any great fondness.

Whether publicly or privately, it seems like there were more people doing worse things than usual.

The socialists felt their oats in DC. The Holocaust deniers in Tehran mocked the ballot box. Professional athletes failed as role models. Sycophants continued to pollute the airwaves via MSNBC. Terrorists attacked us again, this time in Texas and Michigan. Celebritards disrupted award shows. And on, and on, and on.

Fortunately, these things seem to ebb and flow like the tides. If that paradigm holds, 2010 might just be a very good year.

So, who cares who exactly let the dogs out?! Let's just get them back on their leashes until they learn some manners!!

Happy new year, then. But, consider yourselves on notice. You have one more evening of sanctioned bad behavior before the pendulum (hopefully) begins to swing in the opposite direction . . .

A Day at Universal

Many thanks go out to Valda of Jenks Manor this evening for graciously hosting my posse at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure today.

Without her authoritative presence as our escort, I don't think we would have survived the throngs of other tourists in the parks this eve of new year's eve.

The niblings particularly enjoyed meeting her better-known co-workers, like Spiderman and The Grinch.

But, I think the highlight was probably the primo spot we staked-out for the Macy's parade. (It's the same one New Yorkers have to brave nasty, wintery weather to see on Thanksgiving.)

Thanks again, Valda!

Boxing Day at the Flea Market

Those of us of British extraction typically mark this date on the calendar, the day after Christmas, by boxing-up the old to make way for all the new.

That's why we call it Boxing Day.

So, I suppose it's the Irish blood that led me to a flea market in search of more junk instead . . .

Today's target was Renninger's up in Mount Dora, and there were actually three specific booths on the agenda.

Without revealing too much about ye olde shopping habits around here, suffice it to say:

The first booth was no longer in existence. I guess that's a sign of the woeful economic times.

The second booth was still there, but wasn't open because the owners were apparently still merry-making.

And, the third booth was too cold to spend much time hunting thru the inventory.

Oh, well. This sleigh is heading back to Orlando as empty as it arrived . . .

Adeste, Fideles!

O, come, all ye faithful,

Joyful and triumphant.

O, come, ye; O, come, ye, to Bethlehem.

Come and behold him,

Born the King of Angels.

O, come let us adore him.

O, come let us adore him.

O, come let us adore him,

Christ the Lord!

Having a Randy Quaid type of holiday season . . .

Inexplicably, for the second time in less than a week, yours truly has found himself settled into the comfortably overstuffed sectional watching an old movie featuring Randy Quaid in a stereotypically redneck role

This time around it was National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.

I have to admit that Aunt Bethany has always been my particular favorite in this latest film, much moreso than the loser brother-in-law Eddie.

Nonetheless, the Quaid coincidence has got me wondering if he might be the key to both flicks' ability to stand the test of time?!?

Pass the eggnog!

Just breathe!

Wow! I don't know if it's just the holidays, or what.

But the madness that almost always accompanies the season seems to have kicked into particularly high gear this year.

Maybe, it's the economy?

I don't know.

Anyway, after my own online rant yesterday, and in light of all the meltdowns I encountered in the real world today, I'm encouraging all ye socks to just take a step back and BREATHE!

The Great Christmas Light Debate

Ok, at the risk of opening up a huge can of worms here, I have to ask ye socks where ye stand on the subject of multi-colored versus clear strands of lights.

Particularly as relates to ye olde Christmas tree.

I finally got my atificial version of said holiday symbol assembled in my living room over the weekend.

It's one I've had for at least a decade, before the pre-lit versions were easily affordable. So, I have to untangle and string the lights myself every year.

No big deal, except this year only one strand had survived the 11 months of exile inside the ubiquitous plastic storage container in my attic.

To make a long story longer, I hiked up to the handy neighborhood CVS where I discovered the poor folks there had been completely wiped-out of clear light strands.

They did, however, have an overabundance of the multi-colored strands.

I left without purchasing any, though, because my preference has always been for the clear variety.

The CVS shelves indicate that most folks must share this preference.

Where do ye socks stand on this very important issue?!

Things to be thankful for today

Besides all the usual, sappy stuff . . .

1. I didn't have to watch either the Macy's parade or the dog show that followed.

2. Ham!

3. Cooler weather.

4. Minced-meat pie!

5. Food coma.

6. No traffic.

7. Round 2 of the hogathon.

8. Valda's coconut cream cake.

9. Football!

10. Leftovers

I plan on following this bird's advice tomorrow . . .

Kind of a new spin on all those Chik-fil-a commercials?!

I hope all ye socks are able to get outta work/school a little early today, and get started on being thankful!

Ingrafted branches

Yours truly was a little disappointed this morning, as our regular Thursday meeting was derailed.

We are still in the middle of studying the letters of St. Paul, more particularly Romans 11:11-24.

You know those verses, the ones about ingrafted branches.

Anyway, in light of what's going on between the Anglican/Episcopal and Catholic churches this week, I thought they would be particularly topical.

But, that's not where the conversation led us.

Oh, well. Maybe, we can re-group after Thanksgiving!