Issue XIII December 4th 2002
Editorial.
Hi Folks,
Well that is Thanksgiving over for another year. I hope all my American cousins had a wonderful day! We of course don't have a Thanksgiving this side of the pond, we save all our celebrations up for a massive beano at Christmas. One tradition we have here that you don't is "Christmas Crackers". Hard to describe to the uninitiated, they are cardboard tubes gaily wrapped with a frill affair at either end. they contain a small favour or gift, a (usually very bad) joke and a paper hat. It is mandatory to wear the paper hat whilst your eating your Christmas dinner. They are set out with the table setting and you usually pull them open with an adjacent diner, they pop open with a 'crack' thus the name, 'Crackers'. They are great fun.
On the home front, all the decorating is finished, well, all the decorating that I can afford to get done at the moment is finished. This wasn't helped by the fact that I had to replace my antique washing machine that finally went to that big kitchen in the sky. <sigh> it never ends! I guess it just got too tired of trying to wash all the things the sprogs leave in their pockets!
The sprogs are looking forward to Christmas, they enjoy the feast, doesn't take them long to demolish a 22lb turkey in this house, along with many other assorted foods of course. I am so organised this year it is unbelievable! I have already gotten presents for Senior Sprog and Junior and believe it or not, wrapped already! I am short of a present for middle, so I approached him to ask if he could give me any ideas. Guess what? he picked this extremely fancy mobile phone (cell phone) that can send pictures. (You really don't want to know how much these things cost! forby the fact that he already has a perfectly good phone that is working well.) After I closed my mouth, I told him to try again. I think we may be going clothes shopping soon. <S>
My present to myself this year is a little break on mainland Europe in the new year. I can't tell you where yet, as Maggs is also going but hers is a secret Christmas present <S>
There is no point in warning the airports, we are travelling under assumed names! LOL
It's great to be appreciated, we received this comment from Jennifer
"Dear Casuals, Once again compuserve has come trough with a great web
site
for a bored single mom, looking for some entertainment and some adult views.
Thank-you keep up the good work!!! yours truely Jennifer"
I want to wish you each and every one a very happy holiday period. I know we don't all celebrate Christmas so whatever your holiday is, I hope it's the best ever!
Lynda [Editor]
Any comments. articles, tips etc, please mail to LyndaAtCasual@Compuserve.com
Lynda [Editor]
Contents.
Editorial.........................................................................Lynda
Thoughts from the Farm................................................Lizzie
My Grandmother...........................................................Raca
Longest Night of the Year.............................................Taffy
"Christmas Greeting"...................................................Timbo
"Lil bits" from Ma'am..................................................Maureen
Christmas on the Farm..................................................Lizzie
Thoughts From The Farm
Well, here it is fall agin an we are like the little ants, storing up against winter. It sure has been a scary summer for the farmer and city folks alike. What with Mother Nature turning the fields dry early in summer and letting all that heat loose on us, makes a person wonder if we are being punished for something. Course, it hurt city folks the same as us, but the crops suffered the most. Considerin how many people of the world the farmer feeds, it might could cause some problems down the road.
If that isn’t enough, then we had those fellars driving up and down the road, shooting folks for no dang reason at all. It makes a person wonder what has happened to our once great country. Now what could possibly motivate 2 men to just casually pick out a person and shoot them? They didn’t even have the gumption to look them in the eye, they just took the cowardly way out and drove away. Now Paw has been down to the general store and listened to all the gossip about this problem. There were a lot of suggestions as to what to do with these fellars but the outcome was always the same, a very short life. But most all the group on the liars bench agreed that maybe we have gotten a little soft around the edges and those folks know they first have to be caught, then they got to have all their rights protected, we all have to provide them with a lawyer, and some fool will volunteer to do it cause they are probably somebody’s misguided child and it is really the fault of me and you that made them do it. All those folks on tv will fill a lot of time talkin to their school teachers and first cousins and the clerk at the candy store. Then them same folks will conjur up some fool notion about their deprived childhood and danged if it won’t all make sense that those boys just need some kind and loving care and a little rehabilitation in some country club prison. And then, of course, there will be 3 or 4 books written from interviews with these fellows and maybe even a movie. They will, of course, be re-imbursed for use’in their story. Some where along the path, the victims will be long forgotten and their families will be old and grey by the time they come to trial cause the government will have to prove double that they did it. Reckon they can follow that their political fella and say it’s accordin to what is is.
It’s kinda hard to follow all those rules out here on the farm. If a fox gets in the hen house, then there is only one solution. If Sonny don’t pull the weeds in the garden then we may come up short on food next winter, so he has to have some motivation to do a good job, and the least of which is a whack across the backside. Now that would prolly be considered child abuse by some, but we just put it down to a learning experience. He learns that if he doesn’t do his part there is a consequence. Now I ask you, is that too much to expect? I’m wonderin if maybe that is a large part of the problem, we just do not expect enough out of our youngins and they don’t expect much from us. If we didn’t get good grades in school, it was not the fault of the teacher, and we knew what to expect, if not from our parents then from our older siblings. We knew what to expect if we were dumb enough to sass our parents or a neighbor. Every family had a lilac bush and you knew what to expect. Is it time again to have higher expectations from one and all. I expect I better think about this some more.
Until next time.
Lizzie
My Grandmother.
As we approach the holiday season I think of my Dad's Mother, my
Grandmother.
She is well into the nineties now and in a nursing home. she
no longer knows her family and we are not sure she remembers who she is anymore.
About five years ago the family asked I be ready to "preach" at her funeral.
I made all the mental preparations and yet that wonderful
woman still spends her days in a rocker. We expect she will now outlive me.
Oh, how I remember the comfortable arms that held me as a child when I got the
normal bumps and bruises of childhood. I remember my torment filled teens during
the 60's when I could go to her for love and advice.
She always started, "Now I may not be right........" and give the advice of an angel.
I remember the smell of her house. The large wall clock which looked like a gold pocket5 watch complete with chain. And how I remember the smell of the kitchen on Sundays when she cooked for the entire family.
I remember suffering through Lawrence Welk on TV with her, I remember she
suffered through listening to high school basketball on the radio with me.
Yes, Granny, is still alive, Oh God, I miss her.
RACA
Longest Night of the Year
With winter's chill and early darkness, it's hard to believe that in just a
few weeks the days will be getting longer again. In the Northern Hemisphere, the
Winter Solstice-or Yule-usually occurs on December 21st or 22nd, the longest
night of the year. After that date the distant sun begins
its journey back toward the earth, and for the next six months there will be
increasingly more daylight.
In ancient times, our early ancestors believed that during the winter solstice
the sun and moon stopped in their flight across the sky. They celebrated and
rejoiced, believing that a goddess had given rebirth to the sun, representing
the death of the old solar year and the birth of the new.
Solstice rites date back to the dawn of modern civilization. The Druids
considered mistletoe to be highly sacred, thus was born the Yule tradition of
kissing under the mistletoe. As a parasitic variety of
vegetation, it never touched the ground, claiming its home in oak trees, bearing
brightly colored berries while everything else around it appeared dead. It was
gathered and kept on white tablecloths so it wouldn't fall to the ground, which
would therefore, as was the belief, cause it to lose its
power. It was also believed to be protection from illness, as well as capable of
spreading good will among enemies.
Another winter solstice, or Yule, tradition that dated to centuries ago was the
burning of the Yule Log. The logs, as well as candles, were lit during the
season to give the waning sun renewed power, as well as providing a cheerful
source of light and heat during the coldest and darkest part of the year. Some
neo-pagans believe the darkest nights of winter are when the veil between the
spirit world and the living world is the thinnest. It is therefore an
appropriate time for self-examination and meditation.
Many traditions that are now a part of the mainstream Christian culture actually
come from ancient pagan celebrations-rites such as decorating with evergreens,
hanging ornaments on a tree, partaking of sweet confections, gift giving and
singing carols. With the approach of the winter solstice and the
holiday season, the year comes to an end with the reminder of the harmony
that exists between ancient and modern religious beliefs.
Taffy
Christmas Greeting, from Timbo
I received a lovely Christmas card from Timbo (AKA White Knight). He doesn't have Internet Access at the moment, so he wished me to pass on his Christmas message. So here it is folks....
"Hiya and a very Merry Xmas to you. I know I can reply on you to pass on my Xmas
wishes to all who know me in the Forum. (can't access the net from here at the
moment!!)
I took this piccy earlier on in the year, but take my word for it.......it's from the bar and now it's even hotter and drier than when I took the photo."
"There is a good good group of people out here and we all work very hard (to keep the visitors happy) LMAO"
I can't believe how much my life has changed in the last year. Just wish I'd had the courage to do it sooner.
The support and friendship of so many people in the forum has always (and will continue) to be important to me and I'll do all I can to keep in touch.
Very best wishes, Tim. "
"LIL BITS" FROM MA'AM
Season Greetings to all the Casual Chatters. Where has this
year gone? WOW!!!
Looking back over this last year and not too many changes here in Casual. We did
have some staff changes and some new games and events and overall the place is
about the same, cozy and casual, just the way we like it. <smile> We have some
<ahem> interesting conversations going on in the chat rooms, sometimes even
educational. <g>
I would like to take a few moments and "Thank" this great staff, keeps the forum
running smoothly and putting on the games and greeters and special events.
Trisha, the forum manager who takes care of the "techie" stuff and keeps the
doors open..
Tallie, who has the "calming" effect on all of us. The diplomatic one of the
bunch
Lynda, who does a fantastic job on this newsletter and keeps me laughing.
Gin, takes care of our libraries and puts on the "funnies show"
Lilly, our USA angel who "thinks" she is retired but pops in to help out when
needed.
Rena, Naughty but Nice gal who put me in a state of shock in the first game..
<Ma'am evidently did not have a clean mind>
Becca, who does a great job with games and the research on places to visit..
Cookie, who makes me laugh EVEN when I do not want to!
Bullrider, and sidekick Beth, doing the Sunday games and takes on the religious
issues.
Marie Angel our French Angel and Canadian host that keeps Lynda out of trouble.
<hmmmm or was it Lynda keeping MA out of trouble>.
Tracey, our other Canadian host with the crazy work schedule and still puts in
time here.
Rascal, our host that welcome the "newbies" and generates some great debates
Woolyback, our UK host who carried on for our beloved Owlie, we thank you.
These are the people that keep Casual Chat forum up and running, and volunteer
their time in order for our forum to be successful. I want to thank all of you
for your time, for your creating of games and welcoming our members, because
without you all, "WE" would not be here Through good times and bad times, this
staff continues to make Casual Chat a forum that Compuserve can be proud of.
At this time I would also like to thank the members for joining us and being
part of our family. I wish all of you a wonderful and happy holiday. May you
have peace and love and a wonderful New Year
Hugggs and Happy Holidays from Ma'am
CHRISTMAS ON THE FARM
It is that time of year again, where we start getting ready for Christmas and
all of the things that go with it. Seems like anymore there is more that goes
with it than there used to be. Why I just read in the Daily Grinder, our local
little newspaper, that on last Friday them there folks at Wal Mart took in a
billion dollars! Why it is almost impossible for a body to cypher out that many
zero's. What in tarnation do those folks do with that much money? And if they
are always lowering prices like they say, how come nothin is ever free? I am
beginnin to think Old Sam would not like the way his kinfolks are running his
little stores. Seems like where ever they go, they run the little fella out of
business.
I am gettin off the subject agin. Can you imagine all those city folks runnin
out to the malls the day after Thanksgiving, just like those little lemming
things to the sea.
Why I was still full as a tick and it seemed just not right
to pass over Thanksgiving like that. We surely had a lot to be thankful for this
year, our son in law lived despite the doctors, so our daughter still had a
husband, and their children still had a father and his mother still had a son.
It seems to me maybe we ought to think a little more about what we got and not
so much of what we might get. We let out youngun's sit in front the that boob
tube and the people in charge just keep shovin that stuff at them and pretty
soon they want it all. And that ain't all they shove at them either, some of it
is downright indecent. We just don't realize how much power ordinary folks like
us have in our hands. One little push on that on/off switch and it is all gone.
Maybe we ought to take back our kids and put them outside to play and learn a
little about how other folks live and don't live. Take those kids to the mall
and let them shop for someone who has nothing. You never know you might start a
whole new trend and they might learn a little something in the process.
I am begin'in to sound like the pastor on Sunday morning. Nothing like a little
hell fire and damnation to get your heart goin. We will not have a big Xmas here
on the farm in comparison to some, but our family will be here and the kids can
play cards and eat and argue over who is going to get Mom's next antique. But we
will be together and share the time and reflect on the past year and hope for
the future. We will pray for our country and our leaders and hope that reason
wins out. We will wish good cheer to all our friends and neighbors and to those
folks overseas trying to protect us from those who would put us in harms way. I
sure hope you all have a good Christmas and can take time to be thankful for all
we have in this great country of ours.
Lizzie
copyright
Thats it for another month Folks! I hope you enjoyed this exciting issue! I would like to take this opportunity to wish you, all my friends, a very Merry Holiday!!
Come on Everyone! Get those pens busy for next month. Lets have a bumper New Year edition! Mail all your contributions to me at LyndaAtCasual@Compuserve.com
We want all your contributions, don't be shy! This is a paper by the members for the members......that means YOU!
Please remember, this is a fun/interesting/informative addition to the many features on offer at Casual Chat, critique is welcome but nothing that attacks members, personalities or other fora will be.
Lynda [Editor]