Random Thoughts

As I drove home in the pouring rain, it occurred to me that if I lived up north, this rain could quite possibly be snow. Heck, I’m a Florida girl…I’m glad it’s just rain…

Stay groovy…

–Susie

One of my favorite stories of all time is A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. I read this novella every Christmas and know it so well that I can quote many a paragraph. There have been numerous movies made under the name Scrooge, but I prefer the 1951 version with Alastair Sim. I am happy to say that as of yet it has not been colorized, as I am a major fan of black and white video and photography. I think it keeps the tone of the story more authentic. Alastair Sim is brilliant in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge from his gradual disgust as he witnesses shadows of how he has acted previously to his intense fear with what may become of him if he doesn’t change his ways. The culmination showing a giddy Ebenezer as he awakes to the fact that he hasn’t missed Christmas and he can become a better man makes me believe in the power of anyone to change. If you haven’t watched this classic, I highly recommend it. More so, I encourage you to read the novella.

Stay groovy…

–Susie

So when it comes to Christmas trees, are you into having a real tree or an artificial one? I lean toward an artifical tree for many reasons. One reason is: Why kill a perfectly good tree? Another has to do with pine needles. Those needles falling off the tree make a mess. My sister, Tammy, said one year they could actually hear the needles falling off the tree in bunches. But the most important reason is the Christmas tree lights. I love my tree, but I hate putting the lights on it. An artificial pre-lit tree is a joy to have, and I can pretend it’s real by burning a pine scented candle…

Stay groovy…

–Susie

Just thinking about Christmas shopping and how easy it was this year. I had ideas for gifts ready, and I did everything online. Items got shipped where they needed to go, and BOOM….all done! Shopping for the holidays is simple nowadays. Not for my mother, though. Nanny had six kids to shop for, and online ordering didn’t exist. (The home computer didn’t exist either, come to think of it.) She had to go from store to store to store. And then there was shipping. She’d stand in line at the post office waiting for her turn to send gifts up to New York. And how she kept all of those packages hidden from our prying eyes, I’ll never know. Merry Christmas!!

Stay groovy…

–Susie

So, yes, I already posted about watching Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman on Facebook. At the risk of being redundant, I am about to mention it here. You see, I hadn’t watched either holiday special in years. My children are adults, and there is just no reason to view those programs yet again. Until about a week ago…I stumbled upon Rudolph as I was chilling out in bed feeling joyful that I did not have to set the alarm for 4:00 a.m. to teach my classes. (You didn’t know that I get up that early? Oh well, I’ll save that for another blog…) Anyway, I was instantly drawn in. I mean, it’s Rudolph! The stop motion animated special is nothing like what we see on the holiday shows created today. It was simply…magical! With the added fun of Frosty afterwards, I felt like a kid again! And isn’t being a kid one of the joys of Christmas?

Stay groovy…

–Susie

Sometimes things don’t go as planned. I liken this to a locked door, and you don’t have a key. Well, most places have more than one entrance, so walk the perimeter and find another entry point. You’ll be inside before you know it.

Stay groovy…

–Susie

I am grateful for

family, friends, and the time

we have together…

Stay groovy…

–Susie

Our dog brought five toys

to our room last night. It’s like

having a toddler…

Stay groovy…

–Susie

You ever notice

how some flowers last so much

longer than others…

Stay groovy…

–Susie

The rain cascades to

the ground forming a massive

puddle of water…

Stay groovy…

–Susie