Author Archives: Carol

As we approach the Winter solstice ,our part of the country has not received any accumulation of snow. Normally, we would have a blanket of the white stuff by mid-November. It is odd to not see or feel snow underfoot. As kids, we started to sharpen our skates, wax our cross country skis and readyContinue reading “Let it Snow December 17, 2020”

The tradition of sending Christmas greetings in the form of cards has been a part of our family as long as i can remember. But where did this tradition start? King James the 1 of England was given a card type correspondence in 1610. But the innovative mass mailing of an illustration was created byContinue reading “Touching with a card December 15, 2020”

I must apologize to my readers for this late post. On Tuesday morning, I tripped over an open dishwasher door. Landing on my left hip, I knew I did some damage. My husband helped me into bed, where I stayed for several hours icing my hip. I made the decision to go to Urgent care.Continue reading “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to My Blog Dec.11,2020”

Deck the hall with many dollies Fa La La La La La La La La Making smiles and be jolly Fa La La La La La La La La Piling in our cars, we travel Fa La La Fa La La La La La To see the lights, with no fear of virus. Fa LaContinue reading “December 3, 2020 Deck the Halls. My husband and I have a tradition that we have kept for 24 years. It started when my Mother gave back two child size dolls from my youth. We added three additional large dolls from my Daughter’s collection. Several others were bought at a second-hand stores. They made quite a collection. Our intention was to dress and display them as children doing holiday activities. The dolls have been sledding, cross country skiing, ice skating, and making a snow man.On the front porch a store front display has shown a line up for Santa, lighting the advent wreath, elves making toys and loading Santa’s sled.Each year, I think of a theme and John makes the stage props to make it happen. We have had lighted fireplaces, desks, a real mailbox, a 7 foot lighthouse and a lit ice rink and a winter carousel .The magic of these tacky decorations come alive at night with lighting and seen from traveling cars. For this most unusual holiday, we chose the activity of making cookies. The child size stove is open with a light lighting the cookies being put in to bake. There is a decorated refrigerator next to the stove. four other children are in the process of rolling, decorating and eating cookies. They stand around a kitchen table. Each doll is clad in a bright colored chef apron and hat. Holiday decorations adorn the pink walls . All this in a five by 10 foot space. The idea of offering an activity that the family can enjoy from their cars and then go home to do the baking themselves. Many of our neighbors and friends have decked their homes to entertain the kids, old and young alike. This year with no Christmas parade, virtual visits with Santa and restricting crowds, This is a safe and fun activity.”

December 1, 2020 Advent The word advent means to wait for an event, person or thing. There are many events that we are waiting for this year. We wait for a vaccine from drug companies. We wait for a treatment that will cut down the mortality of this virus. We hope and wait. We waitContinue reading “December 1, 2020 Advent”

Seasons greetings from Odessa, Texas.  This year has been one of many challenges. Never before in our lifetime have we faced the monumental surge of calamities that has been visited on this nation.  The year began in the midst of the impeachment debacle, which finally ground to a halt when the Senate refused to convictContinue reading “James Campbell guest blogger 11/25/2020”

Being Thankful November 24, 2020A couple of days ago, a fellow writer, James Campbell, wrote an essay. It reminded readers that the year 2020 started with impeachment proceedings, accusations of wrong doing by Hunter Biden and finally economic disruptions and life loss due to the Corona Virus. We have had to practice physical and socialContinue reading “November 26, 2020 Being Thankful”

This appeared in the Newsreel audio magazine this month. I have printed it for your enjoyment.below there is an audio file of me reading the piece. In case you are wondering, this was a true story and I did make little socks with candy this year. The case of the stinky chickensNo, I do notContinue reading “November 24,2020 The Case Of the Stinky Chickens”

We are in the middle of a Virus spike. The health authorities have warned against gathering in large groups for the Thanksgiving celebration. The suggestion to stay home ,or celebrate with just one family.It is short of a mandate ,so most people will gather with some responsibility . This includes me.I have quarantined this week.Continue reading “November 19, 2020 Personal Choice”

The voting is complete. The people have spoken. We as a country are grateful to the poll workers, observers and vote counters that worked long hours to assure a fair election. There is one group that has been overlooked. The United Postal Service.As the Post Master General Louis DeJoy, ordered equipment to be removed andContinue reading “A Thanks for a job well done November 17, 2020”