At this time of year, I often hear people say, “I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions because I never know what resolutions to make.”
Goodbye, 2016. Hello, 2017! It’s a brand new year, and I’ve already made up my mind: this is going to be a very good one. I made a few resolutions; but before I do that, I always take some time to reflect on what happened in my life in the last year. I then decide what memories I will leave behind, and what I will take with me and hold on to.
I’ve have spent most of my life writing about movies – and much of that time, lately, writing books about musical movies – so you’ll have to forgive my excitement for La La Land.
We’re all familiar with the American version of Santa Claus – a fat, jolly old man in a red suit, who delivers presents to good children and coal to naughty children all around the world in one night. Realistically, Santa can’t get around the world in one night, even with the help of Rudolph and the gang. Luckily, Santa comes in many different forms, and from many different cultures. Here’s a look at a few …
With the election recently behind us, there are those still saddened by the results and those who are elated. I am hoping we’ll all find common ground as Americans and move forward together. Like it or not, we now have what I consider a Quasi Republican President, a Republican-controlled Senate, and a Republican-controlled House of Representatives.
There is no flower that says Christmas more than the poinsettia – with its vivid, red leaves that have been said to symbolize the Star of David. Just how did it become known as the Christmas flower?
The first snowflakes have fallen and the temps have dropped drastically; it’s safe to say winter is upon us! In our state, where winds can be blistering and it’s possible to be knee-deep in snow, bundling up is imperative for the whole family. Most days during the winter, warmth is our only concern; but how great is it to have outerwear and cold weather accessories that combine flare and function?
Recently, I took a trip with my husband out to west Texas. He is from San Angelo, which is a “big city” in that part of the state, but we found ourselves farther west than even that. Seven hours west of Houston, three hours west of Austin, is the tiny, one-horse town of Rowena. A town with two gathering places: one a VFW hall and the other, Lord knows what. All the same, two facilities for any kind of celebration or meeting the little town might have, which was confusing to me. Surely, there was no reason for two halls – not in a town this size.
According to the Gallup organization, the average American planned to spend $830 on Christmas gifts last year, meaning that total nationwide spending on Christmas gifts was just over $200 billion. Economist Joel Waldfogel of the University of Minnesota has estimated that 10-30 percent of this was wasted as “deadweight loss.”
