Category: Holiday

First of all, Happy New Year! Now let’s get to the point of this blog entry:

FIREWORKS!

Every year on Independence Day, communities, families, and individuals set off fireworks. I totally get it…

“And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air…” Makes sense on Independence Day. Unfortunately, it just about gives my dog a stroke.

Now I know what you’re thinking. Why are you writing about Independence Day when we just celebrated New Year’s Eve? Here’s why…

FIREWORKS!

Over the past few years, more and more people are setting off fireworks all evening on December 31st and also on January 1st. It wouldn’t be so bad, except I have a sweet Goldendoodle named Lily. My poor baby begins to stress out, shake, cower, and hide as soon as the first pop is heard.

But it gets worse. Have you observed that nowadays people look for any excuse to set off fireworks? Seriously, you hear the booms and see the lights also on Veteran’s Day, Labor Day, and Flag Day. Even the lighting of a Christmas tree in the town center has resulted in a fireworks show. Ugh! My poor puppy needs doggie valium.

So enjoy your fireworks display, but let’s tone it down a bit. Otherwise, you might just hear me declare, “Let’s celebrate the third Tuesday of the month,” as I light up the sparklers.

Stay groovy…

–Susie

(Copyright 2019 Susie Krivacic)

 

 

So as 2019 is upon us, I find myself pondering the promise so many people make to themselves each year. Yes, the delightful New Year’s Resolution.

I don’t get it.

While more than 40% of people make these resolutions, research shows only 8% of people actually achieve their New Year’s goals. Why, oh why, do people set themselves up for failure?

It all comes down to this: People make personal goals that are just too hard to reach. The best way to ensure success is to create small, achievable goals.

So rather than commit to losing 50 pounds in 2019, why not start out with 20 pounds. If you achieve that goal, then add another 10 pounds, and then 10 more. Rather than a plan to save $5,000, why not start with $500 and build from there. You get the idea.

I personally am planning no resolutions. I just hope that 2019 can be even better than 2018 (which was pretty damn good). But if you want to make a list of resolutions, go for it. For me, I’ll just…

…Stay groovy…

–Susie

(Copyright 2018 Susie Krivacic)

 

 

One of my favorite holiday movies has always been It’s a Wonderful Life starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. Directed by Frank Capra, it was based on the Philip Van Doren Stern short story The Greatest Gift. Nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, It’s a Wonderful Life has been recognized as one of the 100 best American films by the American Film Institute. Perhaps one of the reasons for my affinity for this film is that it was made in 1946, one of my favorite eras. So I have always felt a connection to this black and white classic…until this year.

Perhaps the cynical aspect of my personality which has emerged over the past few years has caused me to reexamine this holiday tradition. Objectively, it’s a fairly depressing film. Yes, part of the story of George Bailey is inspirational, but his continual self-sacrificing gets tiresome. As a young man, George does many heroic and helpful things. He saves his brother from drowning in a frozen lake, as a result losing his hearing in one ear. George prevents Mr. Gower, the druggist, from accidentally poisoning a child. When his father dies abruptly from a stoke, George unselfishly delays travel so he can run the family business. George even gives his college tuition to his brother Harry, expecting that Harry will take over running the Building and Loan once he graduates.

But then, things really go wrong for George Bailey. Henry F. Potter, the wealthiest man about town, continually tries to scam George to eliminate the competition of the Bailey Brothers’ Building and Loan. George is forced to remain with the company to prevent its dissolution. Although he marries the woman he loves, George never gets out of Bedford Falls, and even has to give up his honeymoon to prevent a run on the bank. When Potter gets his hands on funds from the Building and Loan, George faces criminal charges and a potential scandal that will ensue.

Potter notes that George is worth more dead than alive. A guardian angel, Clarence, thwarts George’s eventual suicide attempt. When George shares that he wishes he had never been born, Clarence shows George what would happen if this had occurred. To say the least, the town did benefit from George’s sacrifices and the angel reflects that George really has had a wonderful life.

George recognizes that the angel is correct. As he races to his home, the neighbors have gathered the necessary money to save George the scandal of missing funds. The bell ringing on the Christmas tree prompts his child Zuzu to say that every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings. At this, George realizes that he has once again helped another as Clarence earned his wings.

Okay, yes, a heartwarming story…but seriously?!?! George was somewhat screwed. His desire to travel, go to college, and get out of that small town is prevented because he refuses to allow his personal desires to win out over the needs of others. Yes, it’s wonderful…hence the title of the movie. The selfish part of me wishes that George would be less self-sacrificing and actually go for what he really wants in life. For the moment he basks in the joy of all he has done for Bedford Falls, but I predict that ten years later, he would regret the missed opportunities. We have one life…I believe we should grab it by the balls. Help others, sure, but not to the extent that you set aside all of your life’s desires and goals. Balance is the key. George lacked that balance.

Stay groovy…

–Susie

(Copyright 2018 Susie Krivacic)

 

 

Happy Christmas! That’s it…

Stay groovy…

–Susie

(Copyright 2018 Susie Krivacic)

 

So it’s that time of year…The holiday lights twinkle, shoppers dash about the city, and families gather with the Christmas tree at the center of all the festivities.

I’m an avid collector of American primitives. My interest is driven by my belief that the items I collect have a tale to tell. It’s the proverbial, “If this item could talk…”.

This love of all things with a story was perhaps the reason behind my mom gifting me so many wonderful Christmas tree ornaments when she and my dad were downsizing. As I opened the bin that held these treasures, an amazing story emerged. Each ornament was significant in some way. From the angel tree topper which I made in kindergarten out of a discarded Ivory dishwashing soap bottle as well as handmade ornaments from all of my siblings to old photos framed by my mom, I found these items revealed the history of my family to my children and husband.

But the ultimate storyteller is the ornament pictured above. The green Mobile ball hanged on my parent’s Christmas tree for as long as can I remember and on my grandparent’s tree prior to that. You more than likely don’t recognize that logo. You are probably more familiar with this one:

  .

But those of my time remember the pegasus that identified the Mobile gas stations for years. My grandfather owned a station and received an ornament each year during the holidays. These ornaments became a coveted item for my mom’s generation, each year revealing the same label, but a different color and occasionally, size. This green version was the largest and most unique. It always was front and center on our family tree, and now it adorns mine.

As we placed it on our tree this year, I told of my grandfather. His sense of humor is something I will always remember. The ornament also brought me back to the many years of decorating our tree with my parents and five siblings. I am so honored that I now adorn my tree with this priceless memory. I want to share this eventually with my grandchildren, and I hope they will share it long after I am gone.

Christmas has always been more about family for us, and ornaments such as this allow the memories of our family continue through the generations.

Happy Christmas!

and Stay groovy…

–Susie

(Copyright 2018 Susie Krivacic)