Let's Be Careful Out There Tonight

Chug-a-lug, chug-a-lug
Make you wanna holler hi-dee-ho!
Burns your tummy, don'tcha know
Chug-a-lug, chug-a-lug

Grape wine in a mason jar
Homemade and brought to school
By a friend of mine after class
Me and him and this other fool
Decide that we'll drink up what's left
Chug-a-lug, so we helped ourself
First time for everything
Mmmm, my ears still ring

Chug-a-lug, chug-a-lug
Make you wanna holler hi-dee-ho!
Burns your tummy, don'tcha know
Chug-a-lug, chug-a-lug

4-H and FFA
On a field trip to the farm
Me 'n a friend sneak off behind
This big 'ol barn
Where we uncovered a covered up moonshine still
An' we thought we'd drink our fill
And I swallered it with a smile
Brrrrrrr....I run ten miles

Chug-a-lug, chug-a-lug
Make you wanna holler hi-de-ho!
Burns your tummy, don'tcha know
Chug-a-lug, chug-a-lug

Jukebox and sawdust floor
Summ'n like I ain't never seen
Heck, I'm just goin' on fifteen
But with the help of my finaglin' uncle
I get snuck in
For my first taste a sin
I said, let me have a big ol' sip...
Brrrrr....I done a double back flip

Chug-a-lug, chug-a-lug
Make you wanna holler hi-dee-ho!
Burns your tummy, don't ya know
Chug-a-lug, chug-a-lug
-Roger Miller

Life Is Pain...

Get Used To It.
-Geena Davis as Samantha Caine in The Long Kiss Goodnight.

Some days I think, "She sure has got that right."

This has been one hectic week and I can not believe we've only made it to Tuesday.

Last Saturday I learned that a local woman had been killed in a car crash the day before. She was on her way home when she went through a stop sign where two highways cross and hit a truck or was hit by a truck carrying three oil company workers killing one of them.

Yesterday I worked alone in the library, which was the first time it had been open since 1:00 PM Christmas Eve, and spent a very busy day checking books in and out.

Last night Kate kept getting up and down and either pacing around the house or wanting to be be let outside. I was worried that this behavior was caused by her having a problem peeing or wanting to throw-up so three times during the night I followed her outside. All she did was wander around the yard and then scratch at the front door wanting to be let inside again.

This morning Kate seemed to be in pain and was running a fever so I took her to the vet in the afternoon. I was sure she had another urinary infection so I took a urine sample with me. The sample contained cancer cells. We have been told that without treatment Kate could live another four to six months although I am not that optimistic since she also has kidney problems and is showing signs of doggie dementia.

We are reacting better than I expected to this news and have decide to do what we can to make her remaining days, weeks, and maybe months, as stress and pain free as possible. We have decide that once her kidneys stop functioning or she gets to the point where she has no idea where she is or who we are, we will put her to sleep. Right now the dementia is more frightening than any of her other health problems.

Think Of All The Fun We'll Miss

Eartha Kitt always knew when to make an exit. The sultry singer of that great contemporary Christmas classic, Santa Baby, died yesterday at age eighty-one. I actually read the news of her death while listening to her singing Santa Baby on one of my Christmas CD's. Ms Kitt was know as a "sex kitten" throughout her career and in one bit of inspired casting played Catwoman on the campy Batman television series in the mid sixties. Ms Kitt was always an outspoken woman. To the detriment of her career she voiced her opinion that that the Vietnam War was a mistake, long before the majority of people thought the same thing. Later in life she was a spokesperson for UNICEF and advocate for homeless children. A classy lady. She will be missed.

Her New York Times obituary is here.

Three of her greatest songs below, click on the big button to listen to them.

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

The Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

After a very busy day of light house cleaning, last minute shopping, tree building (we have a fake one), tree lighting, and tree decorating, I am ready to take a long winter's nap of my own. When I finish this post I am going upstairs to enjoy a cup of eggnog with my husband as we sit on the couch listening to Christmas songs and admiring the Christmas tree lights. So, as Santa already said, a "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

Tiny Tots...Will Find It Hard To Sleep Tonight

They Know That Santa's On His Way

And they're scared out of their wits. From the looks of this Santa they have a right to be.

From the Scared of Santa photo collection.

Happy Hanukkah

Artwork by Deborah Kotovsky

Put on your yarmulke, here comes Hanukkah
It's so much fun-ukkah to celebrate Hanukkah,

Hanukkah is the festival of lights,
Instead of one day of presents, we have eight crazy nights.

When you feel like the only kid in town without a Christmas tree,
Here's a list of people who are Jewish, just like you and me:

David Lee Roth lights the menorah,
So do Kirk Douglas, James Caan, and the late Dinah Shore-ah.

Guess who eats together at the Carnegie Deli,
Bowzer from Sha-Na-Na, and Arthur Fonzerrelli.

Paul Newman's half Jewish; Goldie Hawn's half too,
Put them together--what a fine looking Jew!

You don't need deck the halls or jingle bell rock
Cause you can spin a dreidel with Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock--both Jewish!

Put on your yarmulke, here comes Hanukkah,
The owner of the Seattle Super Sonic-ukkah celebrates Hanukkah.

O.j. Simpson-- not a Jew!
But guess who is...Hall Of Famer Rod Carew--(he converted!).

We got Ann Landers and her sister Dear Abby,
Harrison Ford's a quarter Jewish--not too shabby!

Some people think that Ebeneezer Scrooge is,
Well, he's not, but guess who is--all three Stooges.

So many Jews are in show biz--
Tom Cruise isn't, but I think his agent is.

Tell your friend Veronica, it's time to celebrate Hanukkah.
I hope I get a harmonica, on this lovely, lovely Hanukkah.

So drink your gin-and-tonic-ukkah, but don't smoke marijuan-ukkah
If you really, really wan-nukkah, have a happy, happy, happy, happy
Hanukkah.

Happy Hanukkah!

A video of Adam Sandler singing his song on Saturday Night Live here.

Winter Solstice

Christmas, Christmas Time Is Here

I can understand people simply fleeing the mountainous effort Christmas has become... but there are always a few saving graces and finally they make up for all the bother and distress.
-May Sarton

This year the children at a local preschool were asked what they wanted for Christmas along with the following two questions, "What is a cranberry?" and "Where does Santa take a vacation?" Their answers were in the local paper. Some of those answers are below.

Jacye said a cranberry was something to eat and Santa takes his vacation up in the clouds. For Christmas he would like Bob the Builder, a Christmas book and a Jack In The Box.

Molly said a cranberry was like a blueberry and that Santa takes his vacation in the North Pole. She wants ponies and Barbies for Christmas.

Jesslyn said a cranberry is something to eat and Santa takes his vacation at her house. She would like a Barbie computer for Christmas.

Sidney said a cranberry is pink and Santa takes his vacation at the North Pole. For Christmas she would like a real baby.

Jordan said cranberries come from a garden and Santa takes his vacation at the North Pole. For Christmas he would like a motorcycle, a gator and "my own Play Dough."

Gracie said a cranberry is like a blueberry and Santa takes his vacation at Walmart. She wishes for her mom and dad to have a happy Christmas.

Hadleigh said a cranberry is like a grape and Santa vacations at her Grandma's house. She wishes for a bunch of snow at Christmas.

Eli said a cranberry is a fruit and it is sour. Santa takes his vacation at his house. For Christmas he wishes for a Rockstar Guitar and aqua dots.

Amanda said a cranberry is a berry and Santa takes his vacation at Disney World. For Christmas she would like a make-up table, "Yep, definitely a make-up table- did you get that?- A make-up table."

Kaden said a cranberry is candy and Santa surely vacations at the beach. For Christmas Kaden also wishes to be vacationing at the beach.

Jordyn said a cranberry is a type of berry. She said Santa vacations in tree mountains and she wishes for Mommy to be happy.

Shannon said a cranberry is an apple and Santa vacations when it is winter time. Shannon wishes for good food.

Caleb said a cranberry is an apple and Santa vacations at home. He wishes everyone a Merry Christmas.

Bailey said a cranberry is not something she has ever seen! She thinks that Santa vacations at a pond and wishes for kisses from Buck, her horse.

Cutter said a cranberry is like a cheesy cracker. On his vacation Santa, he thinks, goes to Disneyland. For Christmas he wants race tracks and monster trucks.

Ellee said a cranberry is pink and orange and that Santa takes his vacation in his shop. For Christmas she wants dollies.

And finally,

Brayden said. "I'll bet a cranberry is like a strawberry." He thinks Santa takes his vacations at houses. He wants a gumball machine, piano, drums and a guitar for Christmas.


Wouldn't it be nice if they all got what they wished for this year?