And again from the comments section, and again from my cyber-brother Jeeem:
Ya know sis, it's a funny thing about being a Westerner and living in the far east....
Having lived here in Asia minor for more than a year, I am "out of the loop" in regards to Western holidays.
I live in a predominantly Muslim area, where they celebrate holidays I've never heard of....
I had to be reminded of both Thanksgiving and Christmas, before really acknowledging that I've forgotten both of these holidays.
I was never much one to celebrate Christmas, both because I am a single guy and also because of the commercialism of it all.
So, anyway, here I am in Thailand, trying to teach my kids about Christmas....
A difficult venue to say the least.
Do I go the religious route, or do I go the Santa Claus routine?
Tough call, depending on a person's belief.
Me? I'm probably going the Santa Claus route....
After all, I teach first, second and third graders.....
Comments?
Any thoughts?
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
from the comments section:
Jeeem asks:
"If a turkey gets his head cut off in a field and nobody is around to hear the turkey scream, does Thanksgiving really exist?"
-Philosophical Jeeem-
Any thoughts?
Jeeem asks:
"If a turkey gets his head cut off in a field and nobody is around to hear the turkey scream, does Thanksgiving really exist?"
-Philosophical Jeeem-
Any thoughts?
Monday, November 29, 2004
Swiped from Secular Franciscan:
(I know, I'm a little late, but remember it for next Thanksgiving.)
(I know, I'm a little late, but remember it for next Thanksgiving.)
|
You Are the Cranberry Sauce |
A little sweet, a little sour - you've got the flava! Though, you do tend to squish in people's mouths... |
Good Monday Morning!
Otto is in the process of moving, so I was surprised to see the Monday Madness today. Good luck with the move, otto!
1. How did you choose a name for your blog? "Other Side" came from being on the "other side" of the hill of a certain age (oh all right, 50!)
2. How many times have you changed the name of your blog? My old blog was called "49-forever"
3. How many blogs to you update regularly? 1
4. How many times have you moved in your life? 10
5. On a scale of 1-10, how stressful is moving (in your opinion)? 10
6. When moving, do you/would you rent a moving van/truck? Haven't before, but probably would now.
7. Do you wear glasses? If so, how old were you when you needed them? Yes/eight-year-sold
8. What one question would you hope someone running a meme, would ask? Do you fit in?
Otto is in the process of moving, so I was surprised to see the Monday Madness today. Good luck with the move, otto!
1. How did you choose a name for your blog? "Other Side" came from being on the "other side" of the hill of a certain age (oh all right, 50!)
2. How many times have you changed the name of your blog? My old blog was called "49-forever"
3. How many blogs to you update regularly? 1
4. How many times have you moved in your life? 10
5. On a scale of 1-10, how stressful is moving (in your opinion)? 10
6. When moving, do you/would you rent a moving van/truck? Haven't before, but probably would now.
7. Do you wear glasses? If so, how old were you when you needed them? Yes/eight-year-sold
8. What one question would you hope someone running a meme, would ask? Do you fit in?
Sunday, November 28, 2004
So let's Unconsciously Mutter:
I say ... and you think ... ?
1. Limited time only::A sale that will come around again if there are any left
2. Voluptuous::Marilyn Monroe
3. Nutritionist::Mrs. Fox
4. Belt::out a song
5. Star crossed::Lovers
6. Snakeskin::Boots
7. Athlete’s foot::Icky
8. Boom::Baby
9. Freezer::Compartment
10. Store hours::Expanded
I say ... and you think ... ?
1. Limited time only::A sale that will come around again if there are any left
2. Voluptuous::Marilyn Monroe
3. Nutritionist::Mrs. Fox
4. Belt::out a song
5. Star crossed::Lovers
6. Snakeskin::Boots
7. Athlete’s foot::Icky
8. Boom::Baby
9. Freezer::Compartment
10. Store hours::Expanded
Saturday, November 27, 2004
Trytophan Coma.
Coming out of the tryptophan coma, and some black Friday shopping yesterday. And visiting Susan, and realizing, ohmygoodness, it's Saturday! Susan does the Saturday Morning Me, and it's fun to see the state of bloggers who visit her! I'll be right back.
Speaking of Susan, her sister Robin is back blogging. Robin is coming over to the other-side-of-50 December 13, and we'll be here to welcome her!
Our Thanksgiving was lovely. My mother hosted, as usual, and there were twenty-three at table. Last year my brothers and brother-in-law winterized her garage, which made it possible for us all to sit down together. Whewwee! This year my cousin Chas and his family joined us. They are from Ohio, and live a more affluent lifestyle, but I think they had fun seeing how people on "the other side" shared holidays. I also enjoyed sharing the fact with his kids that he had a friend who ate milkbones when they were teenagers.
We had our first snow Wednesday night, which made travel bad, but the upNorth bunch waited until Thursday early to drive down, so all was well. (They had no snow, even though they are 200 miles farther north than we are. Lake effect vs system snow, they tell me.) It was that wonderful sticky snow that makes everything look like a picture postcard: how nice of nature to add to the decorations.
I'm still feeling a little off as I get over this "bug" that I've had. The plus side: I had a lovely conversation with brother Grizzl as I hid from the crowd for awhile. He's a good man, and gave me some heartfelt advice that I needed to hear. And later in the day, little bro BooBoo gave me some health tips (he's just over the same bug) and that touched my heart so much.
The guys had all brought their guitars, and Glory had her viola, so we had a great sing-a-long featuring lots of old songs. (Take Me Home, Country Roads. yes. Yellow Submarine. and so many more.) We then did our annual Night Before Christmas. And then we did:
FEAR FACTOR!
We bought the Jones Soda Holiday pack that included these flavors: Cranberry, Green Beans, Turkey & Gravy, Mashed potatoes and Butter, and Fruitcake. Only five hardy souls made it through the five courses. Oddly, it was the mashed potatoes and butter that was the hardest one for the gang to down.
Okay, I've rambled muchly. More to say, but I'll catch y'all later!
Coming out of the tryptophan coma, and some black Friday shopping yesterday. And visiting Susan, and realizing, ohmygoodness, it's Saturday! Susan does the Saturday Morning Me, and it's fun to see the state of bloggers who visit her! I'll be right back.
Speaking of Susan, her sister Robin is back blogging. Robin is coming over to the other-side-of-50 December 13, and we'll be here to welcome her!
Our Thanksgiving was lovely. My mother hosted, as usual, and there were twenty-three at table. Last year my brothers and brother-in-law winterized her garage, which made it possible for us all to sit down together. Whewwee! This year my cousin Chas and his family joined us. They are from Ohio, and live a more affluent lifestyle, but I think they had fun seeing how people on "the other side" shared holidays. I also enjoyed sharing the fact with his kids that he had a friend who ate milkbones when they were teenagers.
We had our first snow Wednesday night, which made travel bad, but the upNorth bunch waited until Thursday early to drive down, so all was well. (They had no snow, even though they are 200 miles farther north than we are. Lake effect vs system snow, they tell me.) It was that wonderful sticky snow that makes everything look like a picture postcard: how nice of nature to add to the decorations.
I'm still feeling a little off as I get over this "bug" that I've had. The plus side: I had a lovely conversation with brother Grizzl as I hid from the crowd for awhile. He's a good man, and gave me some heartfelt advice that I needed to hear. And later in the day, little bro BooBoo gave me some health tips (he's just over the same bug) and that touched my heart so much.
The guys had all brought their guitars, and Glory had her viola, so we had a great sing-a-long featuring lots of old songs. (Take Me Home, Country Roads. yes. Yellow Submarine. and so many more.) We then did our annual Night Before Christmas. And then we did:
FEAR FACTOR!
We bought the Jones Soda Holiday pack that included these flavors: Cranberry, Green Beans, Turkey & Gravy, Mashed potatoes and Butter, and Fruitcake. Only five hardy souls made it through the five courses. Oddly, it was the mashed potatoes and butter that was the hardest one for the gang to down.
Okay, I've rambled muchly. More to say, but I'll catch y'all later!
Thursday, November 25, 2004
Happy Thanksgiving!
Did you know that wild turkeys fly? They do! Seven flew across Mt. Hope Road the other day. At first I thought they were high-jumping deer, but nope. They were turkeys. And I'm so glad I wasn't in their path, because they weren't flying very high!
Kane has a list of Thanksgiving movies to check out. And Karen has a list of ummmmm . . . things to say on Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!
Okay, I'm back again, and I'm going to tackle those fine questions. And thanks for the great movie/book/album suggestions!!!
Sheryl asks:
Why are you doing this? Because I can?
What is your Christmas wish for yourself? To be less anxious
Will you answer these questions? Surprisingly, yes
Suman asks:
Why do you feel hungry? Because it's time to eat, because I'm anxious
When do you feel hungry? When it's time to eat, when I'm anxious
What will happen if you do not feel hungry? Won't eat
susan asks:
q1. if you coud have anything that you wanted, what would be first on your list? Materials things? Ummm. A laptop computer
q2. is there a photograph of you anywhere on your blog? dreamwest.org/me.jpg, http://dreamwest.org/ME.jpg, and the R-rated (for violence) http://dreamwest.org/scarface.jpg
q3. what is your favourite perfume? Tresor, by Lancomme
Rune asks:
What was your favorite Christmas present when you were a child? A sewing box from my grandparents. I still have it.
What's your favorite recipe (please share)? Drat. I'm not much of a cook. I'll have to work on this one.
What do you think happens after we die? Further up and further in. (Narnia. The Last Battle. I think Lewis nails it.)
Edit:
kat asks:
questions:
-what makes you anxious? fear of sudden change, which is very different from sudden change. Thanks for asking the question, I think I'm getting somewhere sorting this thing out.
-what helps you to calm down? Being with people who know me and love me and that I love. If I can't be with them, taking a nap, reading something light, or looking at pictures.
-what or who inspires you? The women in my family's history. They are an awesome bunch, and that had been my NANO project, to pay tribute to them in fictionalized accounts of women throughout Michigan's history. I'm not going to make my November NANO goal, but I am going to continue the project, Lord willing and the creek don't rise. (It's raining all our beautiful snow away, and things are getting VERY soggy here.)
Thanks for playing! Whew, that was hard work!
Sheryl asks:
Why are you doing this? Because I can?
What is your Christmas wish for yourself? To be less anxious
Will you answer these questions? Surprisingly, yes
Suman asks:
Why do you feel hungry? Because it's time to eat, because I'm anxious
When do you feel hungry? When it's time to eat, when I'm anxious
What will happen if you do not feel hungry? Won't eat
susan asks:
q1. if you coud have anything that you wanted, what would be first on your list? Materials things? Ummm. A laptop computer
q2. is there a photograph of you anywhere on your blog? dreamwest.org/me.jpg, http://dreamwest.org/ME.jpg, and the R-rated (for violence) http://dreamwest.org/scarface.jpg
q3. what is your favourite perfume? Tresor, by Lancomme
Rune asks:
What was your favorite Christmas present when you were a child? A sewing box from my grandparents. I still have it.
What's your favorite recipe (please share)? Drat. I'm not much of a cook. I'll have to work on this one.
What do you think happens after we die? Further up and further in. (Narnia. The Last Battle. I think Lewis nails it.)
Edit:
kat asks:
questions:
-what makes you anxious? fear of sudden change, which is very different from sudden change. Thanks for asking the question, I think I'm getting somewhere sorting this thing out.
-what helps you to calm down? Being with people who know me and love me and that I love. If I can't be with them, taking a nap, reading something light, or looking at pictures.
-what or who inspires you? The women in my family's history. They are an awesome bunch, and that had been my NANO project, to pay tribute to them in fictionalized accounts of women throughout Michigan's history. I'm not going to make my November NANO goal, but I am going to continue the project, Lord willing and the creek don't rise. (It's raining all our beautiful snow away, and things are getting VERY soggy here.)
Thanks for playing! Whew, that was hard work!
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
I stole this from susan over on the other-side-of-the-world:
(A) First, recommend to me:
1. a movie
2. a book
3. a musical artist, song, or album
(B) I want everyone who reads this to ask me three questions, no more, no less. Ask me anything you want.
(C) Then I want you to go to your blog/journal, copy and paste this allowing your friends to ask you anything & say that you stole it from me.
(A) First, recommend to me:
1. a movie
2. a book
3. a musical artist, song, or album
(B) I want everyone who reads this to ask me three questions, no more, no less. Ask me anything you want.
(C) Then I want you to go to your blog/journal, copy and paste this allowing your friends to ask you anything & say that you stole it from me.
My Deer Story
It's (gun) deer-hunting season up here in Michigan. The season runs from November 15-30. It's a hunt I used to oppose, but after my brother had a car-deer collision I began to see the wisdom of culling the herd. Also, the guys in the shop share their venison tips, and I've developed a taste for the things.
Anyway, on November 14th I went for a walk at the Arboretum, where there is a herd of deer I've been pestering all year. I started up the path that connects the prairie area to the pine forest. In front of me was an 8-point buck. He stared at me, I stared at him. His attention was diverted. Another deer, a smaller buck, broke onto the trail. My buck put his head down, the youngster took off. My buck turned and looked challenging at me.
I held out my arms to show I was a people. (And I had one foot heading back the other way on the trail.) He sniffed, then went off into the woods, circled behind me, crossed the path to the rear of me and went towards the prairie area. Whew.
Later, as I returned to the nature center, I looked back over to the prairie area. There was the buck and a lady deer, walking together. I'm glad I didn't get in the way of true love.
It's (gun) deer-hunting season up here in Michigan. The season runs from November 15-30. It's a hunt I used to oppose, but after my brother had a car-deer collision I began to see the wisdom of culling the herd. Also, the guys in the shop share their venison tips, and I've developed a taste for the things.
Anyway, on November 14th I went for a walk at the Arboretum, where there is a herd of deer I've been pestering all year. I started up the path that connects the prairie area to the pine forest. In front of me was an 8-point buck. He stared at me, I stared at him. His attention was diverted. Another deer, a smaller buck, broke onto the trail. My buck put his head down, the youngster took off. My buck turned and looked challenging at me.
I held out my arms to show I was a people. (And I had one foot heading back the other way on the trail.) He sniffed, then went off into the woods, circled behind me, crossed the path to the rear of me and went towards the prairie area. Whew.
Later, as I returned to the nature center, I looked back over to the prairie area. There was the buck and a lady deer, walking together. I'm glad I didn't get in the way of true love.
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