Nice rememberies, Mark! Thanks! I was thinking about doing a holiday traditions piece, myself, but aside from warm and wonderful childhood memories, I couldn't really fill out an entire article! Happy to share with you, though, one particularly memorable event: Dad would take a can of spray "snow" flocking, and on our large picture window (where our tree was placed), would spray a four-letter word for visitors who'd easily see it upon walking up to our porch.
My bro and I must've been 5 or so when we first asked, "Daddy, who is "LEON," and why did you write his name on our window? Of course, he had spelled out "NOEL" so as to be read from the outside. I don't know about my brother, but I was fascinated by the combination of physics, perspective, and language arts those 4 letters suddenly presented! A writer is born (if not borin')!! Good show, Mark! Happy Holidays, and all the best for a fab '23.....skidoo!--Brad
Since I was a child, I've always enjoyed laying on the floor with my head under the Christmas tree - looking up through the branches, lights and ornaments. In the late 70s/early 80s my younger brother and I would do this while accompanied by a select band of Star Wars figures who'd be investigating the strange new world ... go figure. Since, it's just a nice thing to do - and a great way to look like you're doing something traditional while having a quick snooze amongst all the activity!
Such a great post, Mark! I've got behind on my Substack reading - it's now two days after Christmas, - and I'm feeling very Christmassy again now!
I love hearing about other people's Christmas traditions - yours sound terrific. This has been the first Christmas since 2016 that we had all got together at my parents' house - the past two years we've all 'Zoomed' Christmas in our individual households, the year before that I hosted for the first time (!), and for two years before that we rented a holiday cottage for Christmas. We all absolutely loved getting back to our 'old' way of doing Christmas this year, though! It felt ever so special.
Hey! Thanks, Rebecca! Both my wife and I are pretty traditional, so we like keeping what traditions we can.
I'm glad you had the chance to actually get together with your whole family after six years separated. That must have been great for you all and I'm glad you had an awesome Christmas!
These are all wonderful traditions, Mark, thanks for sharing! We've kept ours pretty solid for the last 20 years. Christmas Eve at my side and Christmas for my wife's. Have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year!
All sounds lovely. A. SIM was a great actor. McNee was brill in the TV series The Avengers, especially with Diana Rigg (drool). Have a lovely Christmas
I've only ever seen Sim in CC and nothing else, but have read where he was a great actor and I believe it.
Yes, I grew up watching Steed and Ms. Peel (drool, indeed!) and that's the role I always think of when I think of McNee even though he's done tons of other things..
Thanks, Terry, and Merry Christmas to you and yours :)
I'm with family in FL, glad to be away from the bitter temps affecting so much of the US right now. Your memories sound wonderful...Enjoy your holidays!
Nice rememberies, Mark! Thanks! I was thinking about doing a holiday traditions piece, myself, but aside from warm and wonderful childhood memories, I couldn't really fill out an entire article! Happy to share with you, though, one particularly memorable event: Dad would take a can of spray "snow" flocking, and on our large picture window (where our tree was placed), would spray a four-letter word for visitors who'd easily see it upon walking up to our porch.
My bro and I must've been 5 or so when we first asked, "Daddy, who is "LEON," and why did you write his name on our window? Of course, he had spelled out "NOEL" so as to be read from the outside. I don't know about my brother, but I was fascinated by the combination of physics, perspective, and language arts those 4 letters suddenly presented! A writer is born (if not borin')!! Good show, Mark! Happy Holidays, and all the best for a fab '23.....skidoo!--Brad
LOL! I love that, Brad. Sounds like something I would say and that's a great memory :)
Best wishes to you this holiday season and take care! :)
Stay warm, stay safe! Happy holidays!
Same to you and thank you!
Since I was a child, I've always enjoyed laying on the floor with my head under the Christmas tree - looking up through the branches, lights and ornaments. In the late 70s/early 80s my younger brother and I would do this while accompanied by a select band of Star Wars figures who'd be investigating the strange new world ... go figure. Since, it's just a nice thing to do - and a great way to look like you're doing something traditional while having a quick snooze amongst all the activity!
I like it! Especially these days, anything that aids in a nap is well worth the time. Sounds great! :)
Such a great post, Mark! I've got behind on my Substack reading - it's now two days after Christmas, - and I'm feeling very Christmassy again now!
I love hearing about other people's Christmas traditions - yours sound terrific. This has been the first Christmas since 2016 that we had all got together at my parents' house - the past two years we've all 'Zoomed' Christmas in our individual households, the year before that I hosted for the first time (!), and for two years before that we rented a holiday cottage for Christmas. We all absolutely loved getting back to our 'old' way of doing Christmas this year, though! It felt ever so special.
Hey! Thanks, Rebecca! Both my wife and I are pretty traditional, so we like keeping what traditions we can.
I'm glad you had the chance to actually get together with your whole family after six years separated. That must have been great for you all and I'm glad you had an awesome Christmas!
Hope you have a safe and Happy New Year! :)
These are all wonderful traditions, Mark, thanks for sharing! We've kept ours pretty solid for the last 20 years. Christmas Eve at my side and Christmas for my wife's. Have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year!
Those sound like some great plans, Brian! Thank you and the same to you and yours! :)
All sounds lovely. A. SIM was a great actor. McNee was brill in the TV series The Avengers, especially with Diana Rigg (drool). Have a lovely Christmas
I've only ever seen Sim in CC and nothing else, but have read where he was a great actor and I believe it.
Yes, I grew up watching Steed and Ms. Peel (drool, indeed!) and that's the role I always think of when I think of McNee even though he's done tons of other things..
Thanks, Terry, and Merry Christmas to you and yours :)
I'm with family in FL, glad to be away from the bitter temps affecting so much of the US right now. Your memories sound wonderful...Enjoy your holidays!
Thank you and glad you're in more temperate climates. Last year we were at my parents in KY and the temps were low 50s. Today it's -4!! Forget that!!
Have a great holiday! :)