Old Days Old Times Old Friends

Never a Christmas Morning
Never the Old Year ends
but Somebody thinks of Somebody
Old days Old times Old friends

We are not certain of the origin of the above. Christmas and the end of another year is certainly a time for refection. It is a time when many of us make resolutions. Perhaps simply a vow to do better covers it all!

Auld Lang Syne

Auld Lang Syne or "For old times' Sake..." is associated not only with New Year's Eve but often sung at farewells of any kind.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and auld lang syne?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

And surely you'll buy your pint cup!
and surely I'll buy mine!
And we'll take a cup o'kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS:

We two have run about the shopes,
and picked the daisies fine;
But we've wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS:

We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine';
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS:

And there's a hand my trust friend!
And give us a hand o'thine!
And we'll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS:
Scottish poet, Robert Burns, 1759 - 1796.

Loss of a Friend

Today we go to a funeral for an old friend. Suddenly, the joys of Christmas, family laughter and future dreams fade with the passing of a husband, a father and a grandfather. Plans for the new year are lost in sadness and in sorrow.


We are thinking of those many folks for whom hearts are heavy at this time of year. May we hold dear, precious memories of our loved ones.

Walt Witman's words serve as a reminder:


"Thanks in old age ~ thanks ere I go,
For health, the midday sun, the impalpable air ~ for life, mere life,
For precious ever-lingering
memories, (of you my mother dear ~ you,
father ~ you, brothers, sisters, friends.)
For all my days..."

Mark Twain

Your smile for today ~


"When I was younger I could remember anything whether it happened or not."

~ Mark Twain, American author, 1835 - 1910

Olympic Torch in Cayuga

Torchbearer #129, Fizan Jaffar from Montreal, Quebec, ran in Cayuga, Ontario on Monday, December 21, 2009. Fizan was not able to take pictures of his historic run; if anyone has photographs, he would be pleased to have them.

Please contact Fizan through The Neat Little Bookshop blog at lbwalker@shaw.ca

Munsee St., Hwy. 54, to the Town of Haldimand Administration Building. December 21, 2009

Letters to Santa

All Good Boys and Girls

Boxing Day

In Britain and many Commonwealth countries, Boxing Day, December 26, is a legal holiday. The term is commonly attributed to the parish church alms boxes which were opened on December 26 and distributed to the poor.

However, the term may go as far back as medieval times when earthenware boxes were kept by English servants and apprentices for the purpose of begging for gratuities. These boxes were often rudely made with a slit cut in the top to admit the coins. At the end of the day, the boxes were broken ~ like piggy banks.

It was the custom for English employees to solicit tips during the Christmas season from their employer as well as those people with whom their employer did business. As early as the 15th century, this practice had become a nuisance and in the 7th year of King Henry the Fifth, it was ordered that "no valet, or other sergeant of the Mayor [of London], Sheriffs, or City, should in future beg or require of any person, of any rank, degree, or condition whatsoever, any moneys, under colour of an oblation, or in any other way, on pain of losing his office."

(Comment: Interesting, the evolution to our modern-day frenzy of half-priced merchandise and long lineups of frantic shoppers. I am trying to sort that one out in my mind.)

Source: Christmas Planning and Memory Book, Tree Communications Inc., 1981.
The World Encyclopedia of Christmas, Gerry Bowler, McClelland & Stewart Ltd., 2000.