One Atheist's Holiday Season

Yep. Barrymore was the 'frustrated old man,' as I think he was called at one point. When I visited my daughter in Denver one year, there was a channel playing A Christmas Story continuously, 24 hours per day.

My wife wants to go to Austin for Christmas. I did not think my job would allow me to go, too, but, I need to check on it more on Monday. I did not like the notion that she would drive that far alone. Anyway, more when I know more -

Your wife has relatives in Austin?

Our daughter moved there earlier this year.

We'll have a chance to meet in Austin, because our son lives there. We've met with several a2kers in Austin and Houston, so we'll have to plan something for 2012.

Sounds good.

Christmas is coming
The goose is getting fat - OOPS! -
Why'd you put a lugie in the old man's hat?
If you hadn't got a penny
A ha' penny would do
If you hadn't got a ha' penny
Why'd a lugie do?
Christmas is coming
The goose is getting fat
Hee! Swipe a coin from the old man's hat
Christmas is coming
The goose is getting fat - Hah! -
Put another lugie in the old man's hat
Christmas is coming
The goose is getting fat
Haw! Knock on the ground the old man's hat
Christmas is coming
The goose is getting fat
Buy the old man a bottle of Ripple wine
Christmas is coming
The goose is getting fat
Put back his lugie soaked hat
Christmas is coming
The goose is getting fat
Please put a dollar in the old man's hat
If you haven't got a dollar
An IOU will do
If you haven't got an IOU
Then Lord bless you

What timber said:
http://able2know.org/topic/40410-1#top

The season continues through New Year. We generally sit home, these days, but have a few drinks.

And a good time it can be at home, edgar.
When often the neighbourhood is at its quietest, with so many people off elsewhere, on holiday.
I love the peacefulness of this time of year.

Yes, I value my quiet times these days.

I also must have my quiet time, and had to leave the christmas meal at a family function, because the kids were screaming and yelling. At 76, I'm just not cut out for the younger generation with their loud voices and screaming, and had to leave, because it was beginning to get on my nerves and felt a headache coming on.

I am your opposite there, CI. I love kids to be noisy. When I sit in a restaurant that has a loud or even screaming kid, I recall earlier days and actually laugh.

I'm with CI, but truthfully, we never really had to deal with that. Kids weren't saints but also weren't hellions.

I don't encourage hellionism with kids, but I do tolerate noise very well.

In my younger years...

Sure, CI. I don't intend to imply criticism. To each his own.

I understand, because you said "I tolerate..."

The time between Christmas and the New Year is pretty much business as usual. Except that I will be having another four day weekend. This time I don't plan on going anywhere. I don't care to see the new years roll in so quickly, but what ya gonna do?

Thanksgiving week coming up. I expect we will eat alone. We bought a 21 1/2 pound turkey for about $5.50 at HEB. I buy a big one to have leftovers for lunch. It saves money and keeps me from scrounging up something much of the time. Unlike many I know, I never tire of turkey, chicken and such. I didn't get yams. I think I will purchase a few between now and Thursday.

I have said already that this day, for me, is a time for reflection and taking stock of life at this point in time. It is sentimental, too, in that I recall my mother's efforts to provide a memorable day for her children. She succeeded with very small resources.