Open Thread – Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas one and all! Thanks to all of you for the well wishes, and to those of you who sent cards and goodies my way! How thoughtful you all are. I had extra boxes and envelopes under the tree this year – from real live Mudflatters with handwriting and addresses! Amazing.
The day here at Mudflats Central was filled with cheer, and I’m winding down with a slice of my sister-in-law’s homemade friendship bread that I wait for every year, and a nice snifter of the ginger cognac that was wrapped up inside my new camera bag from Santa! I must have been on his good list this year.
Since it’s still technically Christmas in this neck of the woods, I thought I’d share a shot of my tree - and what has now been dubbed “my corner” of the tree. The tree is not square, or angular, but I like having a “corner” anyway. It’s full of little presents I’ve received from Mudflatters near and far, including the newest ornaments from HonestyInGov – a handmade pair of yellow boots, and stockings for the crew. There’s also a lovely ornament from mwThatOne with yellow duct tape boots that hung on a wreath in the Atwood Building (home of the governor’s Anchorage office) last year until I went on a stealth mission to retrieve it.
I hope everyone enjoys a Saturday of leftovers, baked goods, and the glow of good feelings – or maybe just a little peace and quiet and some time to explore the “series of tubes” and do some catching up.
I am now stumbling up to bed, hoping to get a few extra precious hours of sleep than I got last night! Sweet dreams.
Raven Stealing Daylight
A 1950-something Angel from my Mom’s tree
Merry Christmas everyone! Remember, we have until January 6th to celebrate! In the villages the Orthodox folks will be going door to door singing until that time. I grew up in a Greek community (Tarpon Springs, FL), where Epiphany Day was a bigger celebration than Christmas. The Bishop of North and South America (what a title!) would throw a gold cross into the bayou and all those handsome young Greek gods would dive to retrieve it. (You guessed it, eventually they went to a wooden cross, because the gold one sank, and as far as I know has never been found.)
One of the neatest Christmases (am I speaking Palinese – is there a word like that?) I ever had was in DC. Man, those folks know how to celebrate! First Hanukkah, then Christmas, then Kwaanza, then the rest of the 12 days until January 6th.
And, of course – a Happy Boxing Day to the Brits and our Canadian neighbors. Could someone please tell us what Boxing Day is, and how you celebrate? I must celebrate it by cleaning house, since the place is always such a mess after the big day. I’m planning to burn trash today! Are there any bowl games? That, too! Happy day, everyone!
Still a Holiday for me to, the stores are closed today and i’m glad that in this part of Canada we haven’t adopted the shopping rush. In Germany it’s just called Second Christmas Day and it is also a Holiday . Great Day to visit with Friends and extended Family.
I hope everybody had a wonderful Christmas
Thank you AKM and all the Mudpupps for a wonderful place to come to every day ♥
In South Africa the 26th December is celebrated as the Day of Goodwill, although prior to 1980 it was known as Boxing Day. Traditionally this is a day to give to the less fortunate.
Here’s wishing everyone the compliments of the season from sunny Cape Town.
I don’t know much about boxing day. When I was a kid and would the term Boxing Day, I thought it was a day where peopled boxed each other.
But here is a web site that may give you some insight into what Boxing Day is all about:
http://www.calendar-updates.com/info/holidays/canada/boxing.aspx
Happy Holidays to all mudflatters.
Happy Holidays! Lovely ornaments in a nice cozy corner of the tree.
I’m hoping there were great goodies headed for the compost heap, like orange peels & such, to give Brian & Brenda & Babies a tasty mouthful. I know, I know! Don’t feed the bears. But maybe the B-Family might get lucky this year if AKM did a bit of slicing & dicing. hehehe
Happy Holidays everyone! We’ve only had Christmas at the in-laws so far, will have it at my parents today and will travel home tomorrow and finally have it at our own home BEFORE our beloved Colts try to make it 15-0!
I LOVE coming here everyday!
Boxing Day, they really must give that a better name. What a wonderful extension to the season of giving.
We had a wonderful 2 day retreat with our children, then our extended family who, luckily, were able to arrive despite the rain because the temps stayed above freezing.
I always love Xmas evening, clearing the boxes, wrappings, cleaning up the plates, cups and crumbs, as I recall the last 2 days events, the conversation, the laughter, the suprised look on someones face as they opened that extra special gift.. It’s a wonderful life, for real
Now onward march to the new year. The older you get, the faster they fly. Enjoy them!
Beautiful decorations!
whew !! It’s over.
Went and saw Sherlock Holmes and can recommend it.
Entire off the subject of holidays!! Have been following the “terrorist” attack, and can’t help but giggle (OK, guffaw) at the thought of that gumbah trying to blow up a plane and setting fire to his crotch instead! Austin, this is your sort of humor!
Thought you puppies might enjoy this:
Three Old Men
A woman came out of her house and saw 3 old men with long white beards
sitting in her front yard. She did not recognize them. She said “I don’t
think I know you, but you must be hungry. Please come in and have something
to eat.”
“Is the man of the house home?”, they asked.
“No”, she replied. “He’s out.”
“Then we cannot come in”, they replied.
In the evening when her husband came home, she told him what had happened.
“Go tell them I am home and invite them in!”
The woman went out and invited the men in.
“We do not go into a House together,” they replied.
“Why is that?” she asked.
One of the old men explained: “His name is Wealth,” he said pointing to one
of his friends, and said pointing to another one, “He is Success, and I am
Love.” Then he added, “Now go in and discuss with your husband which one of
us you want in your home.”
The woman went in and told her husband what was said. Her husband was
overjoyed. “How nice!!”, he said. “Since that is the case, let us invite
Wealth. Let him come and fill our home with wealth!”
His wife disagreed. “My dear, why don’t we invite Success?” Their
daughter-in-law was listening from the other corner of the house. She jumped
in with her own suggestion: “Would it not be better to invite Love? Our home
will then be filled with love!”
“Let us heed our daughter-in-law’s advice,” said the husband to his wife.
“Go out and invite Love to be our guest.”
The woman went out and asked the 3 old men, “Which one of you is Love?
Please come in and be our guest.”
Love got up and started walking toward the house. The other 2 also got up
and followed him. Surprised, the lady asked Wealth and Success: “I only
invited Love, Why are you coming in?”
The old men replied together: “If you had invited Wealth or Success, the
other two of us would’ve stayed out, but since you invited Love, wherever He
goes, we go with him. Wherever there is Love, there is also Wealth and
Success!!!!!!”
Perhaps this would seem rather outside the Christmas Spirit, but I’ve been dying of curiosity. In the Healthcare Reform stuff, the two Republican Senators from Oklahoma seemed particularly obnoxious & obstructionists.
Coburn, Tom – (R – OK)
umm, the guy praying for ‘some’ Dem not able to show up to vote, like 92 year old Dem Senator Byrd that had to be hauled in via wheelchair.
&
Inhofe, James M. – (R – OK)
So, after the HCRB bill was passed Christmas Eve morning, delayed due to Republican obstructionism, I read that the airports and major highways were closed in OKLAHOMA due to snowstorms.
Question I have. Does it look like those two Obstructionist guys were able get home for the holidays? Anyone know?
Obama and Begich Families are probably happily curling their toes in warm Hawaii waters this week.
Kath the Scrappy-
And the even bigger question is, will the Obamas have to leave Hawaii early when pictures of Michelle without makeup hit the internet?
A blizzard in OK, now, an ice storm in DC on the 20th… God is slamming doors
Heyyy – My “Happy Boxing Day” post was snagged by the mod filters. I can’t even imagine what I said to trigger it.
Well, hopefully it will surface later but, in the meantime, Good Morning Everyone !!
tigerwine -
Ha-ha -ha ! Yep !
The following is in todays Letters to the Editor in our paper :
Sold on Austin
I loved growing up in Texas, and especially in Austin. There is just something about this oasis in the heart of the state that all of us locals love, even though the city has grown and changed so much.
I noticed that “Going Rogue” by Sarah Palin is on top of The New York Times nonfiction best-seller list. However, on the local best-seller nonfiction list, it is not even in the top ten.
God, I love this town!
Keith Young
Austin
@11 Kath the Scrappy
LOL Now that would be Karma or Schadenfreude, I can’t decide which.
We had lots of rain since last night and it has washed away much of the snow. I’ve had a lot of fun watching these four Pug dogs play in the snow, especially the three-month old baby. He’s four pounds of pure mischief!
I love trees that tell stories. I still have an ornaments that my kids made in kindergarten that I cherish.
Happy Boxing Day to our international mudpuppies! Today is the day I leave a little “something” for my mailman and newspaper delivery boy. I read that Boxing Day was the occasion for wealthy folks to give gifts to their tradesmen and servants as a thank you for their services throughout the year.
I watched the movie The Blind Side yesterday. I highly recommend it. Sandra Bullock is excellent. Her character is a genuine pit bull with lipstick and a person I could be friends with (even though she is a REPUBLICAN). LOLOL Oh, have tissues handy if you watch it.
@austintx Thanks for the heads up about Sherlock Holmes. It is on my list of must-sees.
While our celebrations were somber this year, we are blessed with the love of family and extended family and friends and it is balm to the soul.
Namaste
Happy Boxing Day all!
I just read a very good piece in the WSJ by Peggy Noonan in praise of President Obama. (I tend to read Ms. Noonan’s columns since she came out strongly anti-Palin.)
I suggest everyone click and comment as the wingnuts are now out to discredit Ms Noonan’s words (yes, the same Peggy Noonan who wrote speeches for their hero Reagan). The right wing has a nasty habit of crucifying their own rather than listening to reason; sadly, they’d rather have a helping of hate-filled, tea party rhetoric.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB20001424052748704254604574614400275474962.html
It’s wonderful how you touched so many live, AKM. You deserve all the love that comes your way!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!
LiladyNY- beautiful parable, thanks for sharing!
OMG- Peggy Noonan got it right this week. Hope to hear more like that coming from right-wing sources!
oh yes, Epiphany is big at my house too! Growing up, we never took our tree down before Jan 6th…that tradition is alive and well.
Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and that the merry-ness lives on.
Your 1950′s angel is the same I still tenderly put on my tree each year; so fragile and lovely–I only have 5 now.
Thanks for all the light you bring to the events of the day, the humor and keen insight.
OMG – read and posted. While I prefer my online persona rather than using my real name, I did register just so I could post – and used my middle/maiden names in protest as I am not known by either any longer
Happy Boxing Day to you all! I hope everyone had a good day yesterday and that each got at least one item on his/her wish list.
HonestyinGov – your wonderful handiwork looks great on AKM’s beautiful tree.
And AKM, I love the “Raven Stealing Daylight” ornament. It’s wonderful.
Happy Boxing Day to those celebrating !
Had a fabulous few hours with the kids. Lots of fun and laughter. My daughter gave me a Palin themed gift that cracked me right up. A box filled with 100+Taco Bell sauce packets. She’s been grabbing extras for the past few months. She said that now I can lay around watching tv and pretending to have the life of $’error anytime I want, jealous blogger that I am.
Also received some lovely gifts from a few mudpups. I’ll be posting some photos on the forum later today if my son has his camera here. I’m constantly amazed by the talent pool we have in our cyber community. ( also received my very own Buffalo Brian ! hurray ! )
Merry Christmas AKM and family, and thanks for sharing your tree. I love Raven stealing daylight. This must be a truer translation of the original idea, which I have only ever heard as “stealing the sun”. When you say “stealing the daylight”, all of a sudden a whole deeper truth emerges.
So, as usual, your words reveal deeper levels.
Deep thanks.
I thought boxing day was the day of the big fight in Canada. My Canadian sister told me that it is the big day-after-Christmas-sale day. Peace to all of you, mudflatters.
Take a look at Andrew Sullivan’s Chart of the Day , from the National Geographic, showing the US distribution of health care dollars as comnpared to other countries–
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/12/chart.html
As his commentary states “If anyone can look at this and not see a simply insane way to distribute health care, a system so inefficient no socialist country could ever replicate it, then they have stronger rationalization skills than I possess.”
I think the nasty three day rain, ice, slush, snow, sleet, wind storm is over.
Thurs., X-mas Eve, no power from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
X-mas day, bizzard conditions. We just stayed home & stayed warm & safe.
This morning the sun is shining bright(nice, haven’t seen it for awhile) & no wind!
When I was outside cleaning the ice & snow out of the bird feeders, A bald eagle flew over, priceless, life is good.
Looking forward to the blue moon on New Years Eve, that could be interesting.
Peace & Happiness to all.
I’ve got a submission pending for I heart Mudflats, but for those who would like a sneak preview, I’ve got it up on my wordpress blog. (I use wordpress so I can check for how it will view and copy the code for links and images.)
http://eclecticprogressive.wordpress.com/2009/12/25/christmas-traditions/
There’s links to the family recipes. It’s not too late for Kirsch Bombs. Great for New Year’s.
mlaiuppa @27 – I’m just beginning to read your blog but had to jump in early to say – Our family also had the two sawhorses with the covered old door that served to host the holiday scene for that year. Most years it was the Nativity . Some years though , there was a train track and automated Santa added. As kids, we thought it was pretty much all the same. Magical , mysterious and exciting. Thanks for sharing, for the memory and now – I’m off to finish reading!
Greetings AKM and ALL!
Re BOXING DAY:
The link Pearl # (4) gave you is good, so I will just add how it shakes down for us here in the Interior of British Columbia. The idea here is A) to “box up” any gifts received yesterday that don’t fit or are not ‘right’ – as in “Yipes! This is great but I already have two coffee makers!” – and to take them back to the store where they were purchased and exchange them. Storekeepers provide substantial markdowns on their unsold Christmas stock with this in mind, and one can find some super deals.
B) I like the other meaning of Boxing Day even better. People, having received new sweaters, boots, gloves, toques (hats), or whatever, go into their closets and pull out their older sweaters, gloves, hats etc., BOX THEM UP, and take them to town to give to the Women’s Shelter or the local Thrift store, which will distribute them to those in need.
Long post, but I am just back from an extensive research trip for a book I am writing, so have been saving this up.
I must take a bit more space to wish everyone Happy Winter Solstice, Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and Any Other ways of Celebrating Light. I warmly wish the Best and Brightest New Year to each and every one of you. I really do believe that we are coming into a time of greater LIGHT, and that is why the dark side appears so extremely disgusting. To my way of thinking, ‘darkness’ is not an entity in and of itself, it is only the manifestation of the absence of light. So lets help turn on the lights, which is exactly what AKM et al have been doing.
Palin herself is not the problem (if she disappeared someone else would quickly take her place). The problem, as I see it is the lack of intelligence and “LIGHT” on the part of those who fall in line to worship her.
So this is the season of increased light upon the face of the earth. And it is the time of increased light in the consciousness of more and more people.
The MUDFLATS group consciousness is a vibrant and vital gift to the world, an invisible but strongly felt invitation to others nearing this wavelength to rise up and be a part of this radiant gathering and level of thinking. I am so deeply grateful to know the likes of you AKM, and all those who gather here for nourishment – and to nourish.
I so look forward to our New Year together. ((((((Group Hug!))))))
Sherry Stewart
Country Girl
Merry Christmas to one and all.
AKM, love the tree and ornaments. What a great idea to have your own special corner of the tree.
It’s boxing day here which normally seems to be mean ‘go shopping at all the great sales’. It’s also another great reason to have a party, attend a party or just continue your Christmas party.
Traditionally, from the UK, it was a day of giving to the poor, or to your servants if you were, oops or are, a member of the aristocracy. Fox hunting of course on Boxing Day in England can’t be forgotten. (seems a bit chilly for me to up on a horse chasing a fox, but to each their own)
Here at our home, the party continues, with another big dinner tomorrow. Today we regrouped and even though I swore I wouldn’t, we did go shopping but this time it was hubs idea!
Growing up in Australia, the day after Christmas was always referred to as Boxing Day. However, having moved to Ireland I was surprised to find out that this day is called Saint Stephen’s Day.
* In Ireland, St. Stephen’s Day is the day for “Hunting the Wren” or “Going on the Wren.” Originally, groups of small boys would hunt for a wren, and then chase the bird until they either have caught it or it has died from exhaustion. The dead bird was tied to the top of a pole or holly bush, which was decorated with ribbons or colored paper.
Early in the morning of St. Stephen’s Day, the wren was carried from house to house by the boys, who wore straw masks or blackened their faces with burnt cork, and dressed in old clothes. At each house, the boys sing the Wren Boys’ song.
There are different legends about the origin of this custom. One is that St.
Stephen, hiding from his enemies in a bush, was betrayed by a chattering wren. The wren, like St. Stephen, should be hunted down and stoned to death. Another legend holds that during the Viking raids of the 700′s, Irish soldiers were betrayed by a wren as they were sneaking up on a Viking camp in the dead of night. A wren began to eat breadcrumbs left on the head of a drum, and the rat-a-tat-tat of its beak woke the drummer, who sounded the alarm and woke the camp, leading to the defeat of the Irish soldiers and the continuing persecution of the wren.*
http://www.irishfestivals.net/saintstephensday.htm
On a completely different note, I received a book for Christmas called The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by a Swedish author called Stieg Larsson, who unfortunately died suddenly in 2004 just after he had delivered his manuscripts to a publisher. He won the British Book Awards for Crime Thriller of 2009. I love crime thrillers and I am loving this. Has anyone else read it?
I rorgot to say that I loved your ornaments, AKM.
forgot
@31 Irishgirl
I read that book not long ago. I thought it was one of the best books I have ever read. This is the review I gave it on Facebook:
“I loved this book. Lisbeth Salander is a most intriguing character. She is repellent and appealing at the the same time. I liken her to a feral cat – one you admire for it’s survival instincts yet one you wish you could shelter and love knowing full well it would never happen. This story took many strange twists and turns and kept me on the edge of my seat.”
Kath, I heard on last nights news that TX and OK were slammed with snow storms, OK city had quite a bit, can’t remember the inches but neither state is used to getting snow. I think TX area was like 50 yrs or longer since they’d had this type thing. I know Kansas has blowing snow which has closed parts of the interstate into Colorado.
It was a hard to predict type system, we decided to forgo our trip to CO from MO because we didn’t want to risk driving into what was coming from CO, then we’d be stranded in the middle of KS, lol. We looked on web cams and saw people off the roads and said nah, doesn’t look like fun.
I don’t know if the Oky senators got home, it may have been warm enough to just have rain christmas eve, we’d had rain all day, in fact lightning, lol, the temps were strangely warm from gulf winds and moisture, in the 50′s. But all that changed to snow, ucky wind and 6* temps by christmas morning.
Do they fly in private jets? I do hope they got stranded.
@LiladyNY, now you have got me going. That sounded like a very intriguing review. I’m only on page 173. Mudflats is not likely to hear from me till I have this book read. That is probably a blessed relief.
I am so sorry we didn’t meet in NY.
AKM, your tree is gorgeous. We lost all the ‘old’ ornaments in a house fire a number of years back and it took me a few years to begin to replace them. I couldn’t find space in my heart to start fresh memories – that was wrong as we missed out on new traditions. The boys were teenagers and they didn’t seem too ‘into it’ at the time, but I recognize now that the repetition of the putting up/taking down the tree is very important to them. They all show up to help set up the tree each year. Not so much help on the tear down however
Irishgirl – that book sounds great. I look forward to your review as I am thinking of getting it myself. I understand it is the first of three. Is that correct?
Yes, it is the first of three.
1smartcanerican ………..I have been lighting your candles all Christmas in the votive bowl.
I like Stieg Larsson’s description of how the character Lisabeth Salander evolved:
Kenneth Ahlborn, a former colleague of Stieg’s at TT, says in an interview with Veckans Affärer that Stieg got the idea for the character Lisbeth Salander after a discussion during a break from work. They were talking about how different characters from children’s books would manage and behave if they were alive and grown up. Stieg especially liked the idea about a grown up Pippi Longstocking, a dysfunctional girl, probably with attention deficit disorder who would have had a hard time finding a regular place in the “normal society”, and he used part those characteristics when he created lisbeth Salander.
http://www.stieglarsson.com/Millennium-series
The Millenium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson
“The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo”
“The Girl Who Played With Fire”
“The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest”
So the next few books are about her?
Country Girl – It is so good to have you back and posting, and will anxiously look forward to your book. For those who aren’t familiar with CG’s area of interest, check out her website: http://www.movietraintour.com
We also had an extensive collection of ornaments, both family-made treasures and goodies from around the world. Our two daughters now have all of those oldies on their own trees, but I do miss reminiscing as we decorated this year, but I know how much they are enjoying their chance to reminisce so all is okay.
IrishGirl – That book sounds like a great one, just added it to my next shopping list – thanks for the heads-up on it!
Bit of a blizzard for a short while yesterday here in SW KY, but no accumulation, just bitter cold and wind that is continuing, so we did see a little white stuff for Christmas. One of the local car dealers had a promo going – buy a new car/truck in December and if it snowed on Chistmas Day and the first payment was not yet due, then the vehicle would be free. I will be watching tomorrow’s newspaper to see just how many they ended up having to give away for nothing. They should NEVER have bet on something as changeable as Kentucky weather!
Amazing how vituperative the Republicans are to one of their own who says something nice about someone on the other side of the aisle. I’m not a big fan of Peggy Noonan, but I don’t think she deserved the hateful comments thrown her way.
NY Times bestseller list of political books just came out for this week – Winky and Becky are still way up there – barf…….
1. Going Rogue, by Sarah Palin
2. Stones Into Schools, by Greg Mortenson
3. Arguing With Idiots, by Glenn Beck
4. True Compass, by Edward M. Kennedy
5. Half The Sky, by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn
6. The Imperial Cruise, by James Bradley
7. Too Big To Fail, by Andrew Ross Sorkin
8. Where Men Win Glory, by Jon Krakauer
9. Liberty And Tyranny, by Mark R. Levin
10. Our Front Pages, by Onion Staff
Retiring with a Baileys and my book!
I might be back.
Kristy Lee Roshia In Custody: Woman Threatened To ‘Blow Away’ Michelle Obama
“HONOLULU — A woman accused of telling the Secret Service she would “blow away” Michelle Obama was in federal custody Tuesday as the Obama family planned to travel to Hawaii.
Kristy Lee Roshia, 35, was charged with threatening a family member of the president and assaulting a federal agent after being”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/23/kristy-lee-roshia-in-cust_n_401392.html
@43 Claw Washout Palin
The woman is obviously deranged. One of the comments said she had threatened Bush also. I don’t know if that’s true. She need a lot of serious help.
@Irishgirl
Enjoy. Sip that Bailey’s slowly. I drank something once they said was called Penance. I think it was Bailey’s and Drambuie. It was lethal. LOL
I’m sorry I missed everyone in New York also. I had a family obligation then. Next time.
House, Senate Health Care Bills Comparison
A comparison of the health care bills passed by the Senate and House:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/24/house-senate-health-care-_n_403181.html
I’ve been spending the afternoon watching the international flight access melt down due to the guy who blew up his balls. My houseguest wants to fly from Vancouver to New England the second week in January and as we watched, Air Canada cancelled a flight, offered an alternate route, then cancelled that by the time she logged in to reserve. Cross US Amtrack filled up and went from offering train to bus service from Seattle east. No carry ons. Estimated 6 hours to go through check in. Possibly no use of on board bathrooms? Hey, I’d settle for peeing on closed circuit TV rather than NO bathroom.
So frustrating that one crazy can affect half the world. I’m just glad he didn’t board from Canada.
Lolling at the guy who blew up his balls! Back to my Baileys.
Have read the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and listened to the next 2 books on tape. Found it hard to accomplish anything more useful that washing floors while listening. Yes, the books are increasingly about Lisbeth and have a satsfactory ending.
60+ House Democrats Say “Any” Health Bill With No Public Option Is “Unacceptable”
“Somehow, everyone’s forgotten that 60+ House Democrats have signed a letter just a few months ago saying:”
“Any bill that does not provide, at a minimum, for a public option with reimbursement rates based on Medicare rates – not negotiated rates – is unacceptable.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-sirota/60-house-democrats-say-an_b_403243.html
The SIGNED Letter:
http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/files/30/files//2009/08/090730.pdf
HOLD THEM TO THIS AGREEMENT!!
Thanks Kate…..I like that they have a good ending.
Irish, that is really and interesting tale of the tradition of St. Stephen’s Day. I didn’t know that, of course I didn’t know what Boxing Day was either till I moved to Canada!
No, haven’t read that particular book, sounds interesting though and always love a good crime mystery/thriller. Let us know how it is!
I received a book I’ve long wanted to read and had heard good things about entitled ” The Gurnsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. Mary Ann Shaffer died just before the books was published and Annie Barrows is her niece who she asked to help her finish the book.
Just returned from airport. Announced that with heightened security some flights were delayed. Only one carry on per person, strictly enforced, so guess that a woman, could Only have say a purse. Didn’t see any real grumbling, but I was only passing through the area on the way to arrival area.
I don’t think a woman’s purse has ever been considered carry on. If they tried now, they would get a huge backlash because men, who do not use purses would get a full size carry on and women would only have their purse.
Me…I don’t carry a very big purse so I’d just put it in my carry on and then stick out my tongue and bronx cheer them.
That said….I’d like to plug the Swany Walkin’ bag. Many are sized perfectly for carry on, they have a handle you can use as a cane and you can sit on them if you’re stuck in line. They have four wheels that turn 360 so wheeling the thing is like walking a dog. This bag saved my life in Heathrow when I had 20 min. to get to another terminal, check in and make my connecting flight. It stayed right beside me while I ran full tilt. Amazing.
This set currently on sale is the best value ever. The suitcase is a small carry on and the bag has a loop on the back to slip over the handle.
http://www.walkinbag.com/cases/limitedtimeoffer/lightweight-luggage-2pc-set
And be sure to check out the pocket bags for larger sizes for more extensive travel. Myself? I use a carry on and a bag. I no longer check in luggage. I’ve learned to pack sparse and light. If it won’t fit in the carry on, I don’t take it. Or I’ll buy something when I reach my destination. In a pinch I can mail clothing back, or leave behind cheap, worn or old clothing. If you have to have something bigger, check out the 25″ pocket bag. It includes a garment bag. All have the handles that double as canes and you can sit on them when waiting in lines. All have the four 360 wheels. Best designed bag I’ve ever used. Get them on sale for a great value.
OK…the word is from friends who were staying at the same hotel that Palin and fam. were staying at…..in front of the hotel, prior to her leaving, the locals had a book burning and the guest of honor was….going Rogue. Yep! And she was none too happy about it. Could be a little more to the story of why she left Hawaii in such a “huff”. I will have to get ahole of Gryphen and also pass this on along to Akm. The locals were none too thrilled to have her grace them with her presence.
…and for some more info on the origins of Boxing Day: Snopes ~ http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/boxingday.asp
Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas (and are resting up for a continuation of the year-end festivities with a whiz-bang New Year’s celebration!)
I enjoy so much visiting this site – the things I learn here daily; the laughs and fun I find here at any time of the day or night; the sharing, caring, and compassion for others from everyone here; ALL of it…just pure, unadulterated wonderfulness to the MAX! (A gigantic thanks to AKM (and mods) for making all of the ‘family’ possible: mwaaah [a kiss blown your way]) beth.
@Women Who Run With The Wolves, December 26th, 2009 at 8:55 PM
Apparently, she was at a resort on Maui. People are guessing it was in Wailea. Is that where your friend saw her? There is very little news about her aborted vacation here in Hawaii – just a brief comment about visor, incognito, paparazzi, leaving early.
@Lani
I will find out more about it, it’s driving them nuts that MSM has not picked up the book burning incident. Names, dates and places will be brought forward. Lke I said. both AKM and Gryphen will be in the loop.
@ Women Who Run With The Wolves
Locals goin’ Rogue and burning her paper excrement … priceless! This must come out. Just throw a little more water on her every chance we get, and she’ll melt away, whining and wailing the whole time:
Hawaii goes Rogue and starts burning her book!
Sarah is pissed and won’t take a look
Flames rising high, and so awful the smell!
Something so foul comes only from he11
Sarah is stomping and hitting the wall!
Her imagined empire is beginning to fall
How Dare They? she screams, like a banshee at night
I’m the Quitty, the Queen, and the Vile of the Right!
Must keep all my secrets, no one can know!
Maybe my skeletons are beginning to show!
More makeup, more trowels, more lies to her fans
Will never make up for her ugly old hands
She brings out the worst in all, cackling with glee
This time it’s not funny, and angry is she!
Fly away, fly away, I must find my broom
Back to Alaska and back to my room!
My turrets will be there, all queenly and strong
Reloading my face lift won’t take all that long
Hawaiians are evil and Progressives are bad!
I need my mommy, and especially my dad!
Whaaaaaaaa!
MUYS,
That imagery is hilarious!
WWRWTW,
Can’t wait to hear the locals’ take on this!
Schadenfruede AND Karma!
56 Lani and Woman. She was in Kaanapali at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel. The place with the least amount of privacy and probably least know how in dealing with celebrity.