28 replies to this topic

[Sue Woods]

To get back on the thread topic - one must say the pristine white of the snow in our area is almost spiritual. Despite the problems we may see over the next few days with road conditions and potential power problems, it is wonderful to have a white Christmas.)

Neat, isn't it, that the one year we're all pulling back on consumerism - we get the gift of a white christmas.

Our investment statement envelopes for the past 4 months remain unopened on top of the fridge - but the good part is that we have fire starter if needed.

[Savannah]

As I avoid Walmart on point of principle, is there really such a huge difference in price for basic foods (and quality to match) compared to Fairways or Safeway?

Hell, yeah. Wal-Mart doesn't have a lot of basic foods--there must be a dairy case, because my husband picked up milk, so maybe you can get milk and cheese. But basic foods, which I consider fresh bread, fruit, veg and meat? Nope. Fruit cocktail, fruit roll-ups, canned corn, and processed meat, maybe. There isn't any fresh food at Wal-Mart. I don't know about a supercentre Wal-Mart, though.

I can't compare to Fairways or Safeway because I'm a Thrifty Foods and Save-On gal.

[Audrey]

Near the corner of Musgrave and Todd there is a house that's fully decked out in a ridiculous number of lights, complete with tinny little stereo cranking out Christmas songs. Which I had to listen to while shoveling my driveway and sidewalk. For what felt like hours. We've speculated that it might be concealing a grow-op by the sheer drain of electricity they must be using. (Yes, that's a joke.)

But then, I kind of hate Christmas. If you like it, you might want to drop by and see that house. Maybe get lunch at the Village Cafe on Estevan while you're there.

[Caramia]

Solstice in Fernwood was delightful last night with the first annual Feast of Fools. From a wheelbarrow fire, to a children's igloo to Cornerstone cafe being opened up to a community wide potluck, everyone in masks and a gift of honeycomb candle making kits to all, it was a grand time! I hope someone got good pictures.

[victorian fan]

Solstice in Fernwood was delightful last night with the first annual Feast of Fools. From a wheelbarrow fire, to a children's igloo to Cornerstone cafe being opened up to a community wide potluck, everyone in masks and a gift of honeycomb candle making kits to all, it was a grand time! I hope someone got good pictures.

That sounds wonderful, Caramia. It's enough to vanish the 'stressed out shoppers in the mall' vision from my mind. I only go to the mall to see Santa and the children. Everyone else looked glum.

[mat]

If you are wondering where Santa is on his route around the world NORAD has its annual tracking - here.

Merry Christmas everyone!

[Sue Woods]

This was sent to me today at CFAX - written by a Canadian Soldier.

IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE

T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE, MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE.

I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY, WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO, IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT, A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS, NOT EVEN A TREE.

NO STOCKING BY THE MANTLE, JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES, OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES, AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT, CAME THROUGH MY MIND.

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT, IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER, ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING, SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR, IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE, THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED, A CANADIAN SOLDIER.

WAS THIS THE HERO, OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?,
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO, THE FLOOR FOR A BED?

I REALIZED THE FAMILIES, THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS, WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.

SOON ROUND THE WORLD, THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE, A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.

THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM, EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS, LIKE HE ONE LYING HERE.

I COULDN'T HELP WONDER, HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE, IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.

THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT, A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES, AND STARTED TO CRY.

THE SOLDIER AWAKENED, AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
"SANTA, DON'T CRY, THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE.
I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD, MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER, AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT, I CONTINUED TO WEEP.

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS, SO SILENT AND STILL,
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED, FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.

I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE, ON THAT COLD, DARK NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR, SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER, WITH A VOICE, SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA, IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."

ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH, AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT,
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."

This poem was written by a peace keeping soldier stationed overseas. The following is his request. I think it is reasonable.

PLEASE. Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our Canadian service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us. Please, do your small part to plant this small seed.

To All,
Merry Christmas and Happy holidays.
Jason

ex-member PTE. NOEL J.P.
3 PPCLI RECCE PL. Det.62Bravo
CCUNPROFOR Croatia 92-93

[Rob Randall]

^Bit of an urban legend there. Here's the true story on the original version of that poem, written by an American soldier in 1986:

http://www.snopes.co...mas/soldier.asp

[mat]

No matter what the origin of the 'soldier' poem - it is tied to the original Clement.

The versions that come after use the same meter and rhyme, and usually length.