Friday, December 26, 2008

Southern Christmas Part 3 - The Christmas, Un-Christmas Tree

Twas two weeks before Christmas and all through our house stood boxes of last year’s decorations packaged with care now awaiting our attention. The living room ceiling was partially hung with red and green construction paper chains, and the red crepe paper bells were nowhere to be found.

The miniature Jesus nestled in tissue paper slept the slumber of off-season hibernation. Our artificial made-in-America Christmas tree remained in the basement awaiting its fifth call to duty.

Despite the disarray, my wife and I sat outside on a warm southern winter afternoon discussing the fact that several live oak trees had grown too close to a retaining wall meant to protect the rear yard from surge tide should such protection be needed.

I concluded that I must cut them down and decided then was the time.

“But wait,” she cried out with enough pain to give pause to the first brutal saw cut.

After turning to her, I saw deep concern in her eyes and said, “I’ll be careful,” thinking she was concerned that I might get injured. It was a large tree, six plus feet tall and about eight in diameter.

“I want to save the tree,” she continued as if to move quickly beyond what I thought she originally implied.

I looked at her and knew she was not only serious, but very upset over the real possibility that the tree might soon die.

“Enough trees are killed around here,” she added hurriedly as if thinking I would proceed despite her plea for clemency. “If we can save the tree, well, that’s all I want for Christmas.”

“I guess I could move it if you’ll help,” I returned thinking that might change her mind, but knowing we were beyond that.

“Okay,” she said and added, “Do we have two shovels?”

Trapped, I thought. Foiled again! Rats!

“Yes, we have two,” I said calmly and collected our tools, rolled up my sleeves.

For the next hour and a half we dug up three to five feet long surface roots and bundles of short tap roots.

We prepared a hole in the center of the backyard to match the trees’ root pattern and carried, half-dragged the 200 pound tree to its new home.

Finally, almost two hours after the first discussion, the tree stood planted. We managed to avoid losing any large roots, cracked one which should heal fine, and we both felt like something good had been accomplished.

Now, every day, my beautiful wife waters her tree and it seems quite pleased with its new home and the attention she provides, despite the occasional “Well, Bless your heart,” that she cried sarcastically when she got sprayed by a leaky hose.

And about Christmas? We decorated more grandly this year than any past, cut back on gifts, and truly enjoyed our day together with family and friends.





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Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Old Time Southern Christmas Part 2

It is likely that I’m not terribly objective regarding living in the south. Christmas is a reminder for me as to what appeals most down this way.

Normally, my wife and I adopt a family in need each year to help them have a better Christmas. I felt certain that due to the economic crisis we are all living through that more families would need assistance this year.

We went to the church where we usually go to adopt a family and discovered that all of them, and there were nearly 300 this year--more than most years--had been adopted already. Despite the suffering a recession delivers to each doorstep, no one forgot those in need, and I am sure some of the people who adopted families will give as much as possible even if they are required to have less for themselves.

No one gets injured shopping at Wal-Mart. No one fights in stores for the last toy or last special dress like we once witnessed at a Macy’s in New York. People always greet you, hold doors for you and smile as if they are really happy to see you. The best part of it all? It’s contagious. If you live here long enough you’ll catch yourself doing the same to strangers and friends alike.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Old Time Southern Christmas Part 1


Regardless of what you believe about the origins of Christmas, this is a time of year filled with magic and wonder. I've seen the holidays turn cynicism away and the cynic into a reveler if for only a few days or weeks.

As a Yankee living in the deep south for most of the previous 20 years, I've grown to appreciate the southern way of celebrating just about everything there is to celebrate. But when it comes to Christmas, there are few places in the world that do it better.

No, we don't use fake snow. Heck, most folks from around here never saw the real thing until 1989 when, after Hurricane Hugo, it snowed for Christmas. God's little joke right there, I'm telling you.

That was my first year living in the Coastal Carolinas, so I drove north to be with family in New Jersey, where it did not snow. Go figure! It has not snowed down this way since, which is fine with me. I had enough before moving here.

Christmas in the south, as you might've guessed, is about Christmas first, gift giving sure, but that is not the reason for the season in the south.

Stay tuned to more.

Thursday, December 04, 2008

Who was George of Autumn People Circa 1966?

As a used bookseller/buyer, occasionally, I find a gem among the ordinary. While searching through shelves of Science Fiction paperbacks about 8 years ago, I spied a hard to find 1st edition book by Ray Bradbury titled Autumn People.

Without flipping it open, I dropped it in the box I planned to fill with used books in very-good or better condition I would sell later.

Several weeks went by before I opened Autumn People to read the back of the title page. When I did, I discovered a time capsule, which I have copied below. Some of the surnames might be misspelled, and if so, I apologize in advance.

If any of the people listed here are interested in the book, it is yours for a simple fee. I want to know why and when it was autographed and just who the heck is George?

Front Cover:
George Grisson

Inside Front Cover:
Little Burt
Phil Sickles alias Cous
Chris Brahney Lots of luck George

Front Flyleaf:
Hughie Baby

Title Page:
Good Luck, Mary Beth

ISBN Page:
Patti Vidulich

First page of intro:
Joe Leather

Was An old Woman title page:
Kathe T.
Lots of Luck!

To You George from Andy (on page 28-29)

See you this summer, George. Linn Palt (page 67)

Jay (on page80)

Cindy (on page 112)

Jane Eccleston (on page 113)
Doug (on page 113)
Laurie (on page 113)

Let’s Play Poison title page:
Lots of Luck in Future Years!
Cathy Blasco (on page 165)


THE END
Beverly Hulsart
Lots of Luck (on page 188)

Inside Rear Cover:
Meele (with two flowers)

Have lots of fun in the summer, Mary

Ann Kirh

Have a hell of a lot of fun, Gerry

Outside Rear Cover:
Margorie Ward

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