Hit "Play" At Midnight 12/31

On the other side of the dateline tomorrow is dawning, so they will be getting a head start on this. Whenever your December 31 midnight happens, you will be prepared and won't stand around wondering what to do and why they play that silly song every year. We did Tradition on Manic Monday and this is a tradition, so you might as well do it right.

First make arrangements for a darkhaired someone to knock on your door at 12:01 A.M. A custom known as "first footing" dictates that the first person to cross a home's threshold after midnight on New Year's Eve will determine the homeowner's luck for the new year. The ideal visitor bears gifts—preferably whiskey, coal for the fire, small cakes, or a coin. Why dark-haired? The answer hearkens back to the 8th century, when the presumably fair-haired Vikings invaded Scotland: a blond visitor was not a good omen. It is permissable for someone to leave the party before midnight and then reenter at 12:01, but they can't leave and re-enter after midnight has already passed.

Now for the other guests:

Form a circle with all your guests, friends, and relatives. Cross your hands in front of you and then join hands with the people on each side. This will force you in close shoulder to shoulder as you move in the circle while singing. Full lyrics provided below as well as the translation of Scottish terms so that you will know what you are singing.

Usually in a group, only the first and last verses are sung though the recording above is the full song. Sing out because this is all followed by lots of hugging, kissing, drinking and dancing which is about the best way to say farewell to the old year and welcome to the new after taking the time to remember those now gone or from whom you are separated but love still.  Here are all the original lyrics and a translation from the Scots so that you will know what you are singing.

Auld Lang Syne

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 jo,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne.

And surely you'll be your pint stoup,
And surely I'll be mine,
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne!

Chorus

We twa hae ran about the braes,
And pou'd the gowans fine,
But we've wander'd monie a weary fit
Sin' auld lang syne.

Gowans

Chorus

We twa hae paidl'd in the burn
Frae morning sun til dine,
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin' auld lang syne.

Burn

Chorus

And there's a hand, my trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand o' thine,
And we'll tak a right gude willie waught
For auld lang syne!

Chorus

Meaning of unusual words:

jo = dear
ye'll...stowp = you'll pay for your pint measure (of drink)
twa = two
braes = hills or hillsides
pou'd = pulled or plucked
gowans = daises
mony = many
fitt = foot or step
paidl'd = paddled or waded
burn = brook or stream
dine = dinner time or noon
braid = broad
fiere = friend
gie's = give us
guid willie-waught = goodwill drink
Here is the "translation" into modern English. There is no doubt that Burns did it better!

Days Long Ago

Should old acquaintances be forgotten
And never be remembered?
Should old acquaintances be forgotten
and days long ago?

Chorus:

For days long ago, my dear,
For days long ago
We'll drink a cup of kindness yet
For days long ago!

And surely you'll have your pint tankard
And surely I'll have mine.
And we'll drink a cup of kindness yet
For days long ago.

Chorus

We two have run about the hills
And pulled the daisies fine
But we've wandered many a weary mile
Since the days long ago.

Chorus

We two have paddled in the stream
From morning sun till dinner-time
But the broad seas have roared between us
Since the days long ago.

Chorus

And here's my hand, my trusty friend,
And give me your hand too,
And we will take an excellent good-will drink
For the days of long ago.

Manic Monday - Tradition

It is impossible for me to see the word "tradition" without thinking of the opening scenes from "Fiddler On The Roof". I've seen the show live three times, in the original big screen movie release, several times on TV, and bought at various times both the tape and DVD. Of course, the whole musical is about tradition lived, given up, kept to take with you and when necessary left behind.



My favorite musicals are about people tied to places, other people and the whole idea of home: Les Miserables, Ragtime, and of course Fiddler. The happy, witty shows are fun, but I love the ones that at some point make me tear up or at least want to cry, perhaps because I have always been homeless ... not houseless, just homeless, unless a whole state can be considered "home" rather than a town in it. If Jean Val Jean sang, "Bring Him Home" for me I would be dropped off at the airport.

Most people have home towns. Even if as adults they leave and never go back, it is the place they were raised, spent years, knew people and often are still connected to. Just to figure out where I was when, I have to write down the years and actually think of who with, doing what in order to remember where. Awhile back I wrote that "Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home" was my theme song.

Cross the river, 'round the bend
Howdy stranger, so long friend
There's a voice in the lonesome wind
That keeps whisp'ring, "Roam!"
I'm going where a welcome mat is
No matter where that is'
Cause any place I hang my hat is home

The end result has been a lack of tradition. On the plus side, I never do anything because "that is the way it is done", strangers aren't strangers just people I haven't met yet, and change isn't frightening just different. On the downside there is a rootlessness to almost sixty five years ... people and places that I know, but nowhere that I totally belong just places I've lived.

That is the big gift of tradition within the family and from there the community. Everyone within a tradition have shared beliefs, history and experiences. It can be stultifying and limiting at times or supportive and comforting in its familiarity. The trick is to know what to celebrate and keep and what to leave behind as you move into the future. In the end that is tradition. The ones you've kept. The ones you've left behind, and the new one's you've created to pass on to another generation who will in turn do things because it is tradition, and "that's the way it has always been done".

Be sure to visit Mo at the Manic Monday site to join in on the fun.

Growing Up

Mefis (left) and Sakura (right)

Day After The Day Before

I completely forgot it was Friday. Christmas was virtually non existant since the grandsons got shipped off to the son's exwife until New Years when we will do a combo Christmas/Hogmanay present presentation.

Since this is only about good things, then it is good that the snow is melting so I can get out of my driveway. I really like being able to leave home, something that has not been possible for several days. Theoretically we are to get more snow this evening and then three days of rain. Now that stir crazy has been relieved by a really nice lunch out and two margaritas, I can look forward to a warm fire and a good book. Worrying about today's doctor visit can wait until next week.

Chris and David did the annual Santa Train and now David and Anthony have now been shipped through all the weather to land safely in Pennsylvania.

December The 25th

Everybody Sing Along

Of all the days in all the year
that I'm familiar with
There's only one that's really fun
December the 25th
Correct!

Ask anyone called Robinson
or Brown or Jones or Smith
Their favorite day
And they will say
December the 25
Correct!

(refrain)
December the 25th, me dears
December the 25th
The dearest day in all the year
December the 25th!
Correct!

At times we're glad to see the backs
of all our kin and kith
But there's one date we celebrate
December the 25th
Correct!

At times our friends may seem
devoid of wit and pith
But all of us are humorous
December the 25th
Correct!

(refrain)

If there's a day in history
that's more than any myth
Beyond a doubt one day stands out
December the 25th
Correct!

I don't hear any arguments
So may I say forthwith
I wish that every day could be
December the 25th

(refrain)

Holiday Concert - Blue Christmas

This was the first "Christmas" album I ever bought in 1957. "Blue Christmas" was written by Billy Hayes and Jay W. Johnson and first recorded by Ernest Tubb in 1948. In 1957, Elvis Presley effectively made "Blue Christmas" a steadfast rock-and-roll holiday classic by recording it in his signature style.

Ill have a blue christmas without you
Ill be so blue just thinking about you
Decorations of red on a green christmas tree
Wont be the same dear, if youre not here with me

And when those blue snowflakes start falling
Thats when those blue memories start calling
Youll be doin all right, with your christmas of white
But Ill have a blue, blue blue blue christmas

Youll be doin all right, with your christmas of white,
But Ill have a blue, blue christmas

Holiday Concert - Here We Come A Wassaling

This is another of the songs of the door to door once a year beggers expecting to be given food and drink in exchange for their song. The lyrics are followed with the recipe for the Wassail punch

Here we come a-wassailing
Among the leaves so green,
Here we come a wand'ring,
So fair to be seen.

Chorus

Love and joy come to you,
And to your wassail too,
And God bless you and send you a happy new year,
And God send you a happy new year.

We are not daily beggars
Who beg from door to door,
But we are neighbor's children
Whom you have seen before.

Chorus

We have a little purse
Made of ratching leather skin;
We want some of your small change
To line it well within.

Chorus

God bless the Master of this house,
Likewise the Mistress too;
And all the little children
That round the table go.

Wassail Punch

Ingredients:

1 gallon apple cider
27 whole cloves
8 cinnamon sticks
1 quart pineapple juice
1 can (6 ounce) frozen orange juice concentrate
2 lemons thinly sliced
1 bottle medium dry red wine

Directions:

Boil together juices, cloves and cinnamon for five minutes. Add two lemons thinly sliced and allow to stand for 7 or 8 minutes. Add a bottle of medium dry red wine and heat slowly until just below boiling point. pour into a jug and serve hot.

Holiday Concert - Carol of the Bells

The Carol of the Bells lyrics were added to the original folk music from the Ukraine by Peter Wilhousky. The lyrics and words to this popular Christmas song celebrate the festive season and its traditions such as the pealing of church bells at Christmas and of the singing of Christmas Carols - caroling. The original Ukrainian lyrics to the song was entitled Shchedryk meaning bountiful and were traditionally sang to celebrate the New Year.
Hark! how the bells, sweet silver bells
All seem to say, throw cares away.
Christmas is here, bringing good cheer
To young and old, meek and the bold
Ding, dong, ding, dong, that is their song,
With joyful ring, all caroling
One seems to hear words of good cheer
From everywhere, filling the air
O, how they pound, raising the sound
Oer hill and dale, telling their tale

Gaily they ring, while people sing
Songs of good cheer, christmas is here!
Merry, merry, merry, merry christmas!
Merry, merry, merry, merry christmas!

On, on they send, on without end
Their joyful tone to every home
Hark! how the bells, sweet silver bells
All seem to say, throw cares away.
Christmas is here, bringing good cheer
To young and old, meek and the bold
Ding, dong, ding, dong, that is their song
With joyful ring, all caroling.
One seems to hear words of good cheer
From everywhere, filling the air
O, how they pound, raising the sound
Oer hill and dale, telling their tale

Gaily they ring, while people sing
Songs of good cheer, christmas is here!
Merry, merry, merry, merry christmas!
Merry, merry, merry, merry christmas!

On, on they send, on without end
Their joyful tone to every home.
Ding dong ding dong

Holiday Concert - The Christmas Song

The Christmas Song is of modern origin. The lovely music and lyrics were composed by Torme and Wells in 1946. The most popular recording of this truly great Christmas song, Chestnuts roasting on an open fire was recorded by Nat King Cole.


Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,
Jack Frost nipping on your nose,
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir,
And folks dressed up like Eskimos.

Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe,
Help to make the season bright.
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow,
Will find it hard to sleep tonight.

They know that Santa's on his way;
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh.
And every mother's child is going to spy,
To see if reindeer really know how to fly.

And so I'm offering this simple phrase,
To kids from one to ninety-two,
Although its been said many times, many ways,
A very Merry Christmas to you

Holiday Concert - Good King Winceslas

The words to the carol "Good King Wenceslas" were written by John Mason Neale and published in 1853, the music originates in Finland 300 years earlier. This Christmas carol is unusual as there is no reference in the lyrics to the nativity. Good King Wenceslas was the king of Bohemia in the 10th century. Good King Wenceslas was a Catholic and was martyred following his assassination by his brother Boleslaw and his supporters, his Saint's Day is September 28th, and he is the Patron Saint of the Czech Republic. St. Stephen's feast day was celebrated on 26th December which is why this song is sung as a Christmas carol.

Good King Wenceslas looked out
On the feast of Stephen
When the snow lay round about
Deep and crisp and even
Brightly shone the moon that night
Though the frost was cruel
When a poor man came in sight
Gath'ring winter fuel

"Hither, page, and stand by me
If thou know'st it, telling
Yonder peasant, who is he?
Where and what his dwelling?"
"Sire, he lives a good league hence
Underneath the mountain
Right against the forest fence
By Saint Agnes' fountain."

"Bring me flesh and bring me wine
Bring me pine logs hither
Thou and I will see him dine
When we bear him thither."
Page and monarch forth they went
Forth they went together
Through the rude wind's wild lament
And the bitter weather

"Sire, the night is darker now
And the wind blows stronger
Fails my heart, I know not how,
I can go no longer."
"Mark my footsteps, my good page
Tread thou in them boldly
Thou shalt find the winter's rage
Freeze thy blood less coldly."

In his master's steps he trod
Where the snow lay dinted
Heat was in the very sod
Which the Saint had printed
Therefore, Christian men, be sure
Wealth or rank possessing
Ye who now will bless the poor
Shall yourselves find blessing

Holiday Concert - I Saw Three Ships

The origins of I saw three ships are unknown, but this British carol dates from the Victorian era. With its optimistic theme and repetitious chorus makes it easy to remember.


I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas Day in the morning.

And what was in those ships all three,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day?
And what was in those ships all three,
On Christmas Day in the morning?

The Virgin Mary and Christ were there,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
The Virgin Mary and Christ were there,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

Pray, wither sailed those ships all three,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
Pray, wither sailed those ships all three,
On Christmas Day in the morning?

O they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
O they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

And all the souls on earth shall sing,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
And all the souls on earth shall sing,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

Then let us all rejoice again,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
Then let us all rejoice again,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

Holiday Concert - The Holly and The Ivy

This is a British traditional carol. The Holly and the Ivy are thought to have Pagan origins and could therefore date back over 1000 years. Evergreens have always been taken indoors during the winter the hope being that the occupants would survive difficult conditions just like the hardy Holly and the Ivy. The colours of green and red are traditionally associated with Christmas, while the original pagan symbols have taken on additional religious connotations.

The Holly and The Ivy

The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown
Of all the trees that are in the wood
The holly bears the crown
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a blossom
As white as lily flower
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To be our sweet Saviour
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a berry
As red as any blood
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To do poor sinners good
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a prickle
As sharp as any thorn;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
On Christmas Day in the morn.
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a bark
As bitter as any gall;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
For to redeem us all.
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly and the ivy
Now both are full well grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown.
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

Holiday Concert - We Three Kings

Check back regularly as every hour or so tomorrow, I'll be putting up some of my favorite carols.

This traditional American carol was written in 1857 by Rev. John Henry Hopkins. The minister is reputed to have written the carol We three Kings of Orient are for the General Theological Seminary in New York City as part of their Christmas pageant. Feel free to sing along.

We Three Kings

We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy Perfect Light

Born a King on Bethlehem's plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to rein

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

Frankincense to offer have I
Incense owns a Deity nigh
Pray'r and praising, all men raising
Worship Him, God most high

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes of life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

Glorious now behold Him arise
King and God and Sacrifice
Alleluia, Alleluia
Earth to heav'n replies

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

Out The Back Door

This one came out almost like a Christmas Card

It Is Now 24 Years Later

It's Sarah's Birthday

And this is her song.

Hope you are enjoying the sunshine and watching the TV to see snow for a change.

Find A Five

This is pure fun. There is a blog called Cute Things Falling Asleep that has issued a challenge. On a five point scale, find or create a video that will rate a 5 for cuteness or sleepiness. So far 4 is the top rating. Enjoy the videos of kittens, puppies, and bears. Here is the sleepy sloth.

Waiting For More

Manic Monday - Tree

Several people have mentioned the banner I chose for the top of the blog this season. I wanted everyone to have a small taste of what was expected every Christmas when I was a small child. Here is a repeat from last year of "Aunt Ruth's Tree"

My aunt has been gone since 1966, but at this time of year ... there she is in memory scolding that I hardly do anything about Christmas. Her kind of Christmas started by finding the most beautiful tree ever (until the one for next year) was found, chopped down and carried with ceremony into the living room. Now this tree had it's own stand with a water supply that was covered by a HUGE, square, hinged plywood box that my uncle had made for her. The bottom branches were trimmed for wreath making, a sheet covered the box and over the sheet was spread cotton batting and a top layer of cotton with sparkles. This was just the beginning.

While my uncle was fighting with the Christmas lights (in an age when you couldn't tell which one was burned out without testing them all). She was in the kitchen whipping soap. Doesn't everyone whip soap? This was for the snow on the mantle tree made from manzanita branches with it's miniature ornaments next to a winter desert scene complete with snow, camels, wise men, shepherds, sheep, angels, and creche plus scattered teeny tiny wrapped packages as gifts for the infant. Underneath the mantle were the HUGE hand made stockings, quickly stuffed with all sorts of goodies. Then came the green garlands with red and green plaid bows for the three doorways leading out of the living room, the wreath to make for the front door, and fresh mistletoe for the entrance to the kitchen to make sure the cook got kissed.

Now the boxes appeared. From January 2 to the weekend before Thanksgiving, the boxes lived in stately repose on high shelves in the back of the garage. Every item inside was stored, padded and boxed to prevent movement or breakage just waiting to emerge for one more year of magic.

From the depths of the boxes came little mirrors to imitate lakes and little candles that looked like skaters on each of the mirrors. Then there was the town to erect: Houses, church, fire department, city hall, sleigh and horses and strolling carolers in victorian dress, all surrounded by the miniature train that circled the village. This tells you why I chose the banner at the top of this page. It is an echo of that long ago village.

Once the miniature people were in place, we could finally get around to the tree itself. Since the uncle had done his part of the spectacular by getting working lights on the tree, the gold and silver garlands were plucked from their hiding places to join the lights. From the dark recesses of the boxes came the most precious finishing touches: The Ornaments. She must have collected them for over thirty years. Oh there were a few normal glass balls of many colors, but then there were the brass angels blowing hallelujah on trumpets, Santa Claus with the reindeer and all his elves danced and flew across the branches, various creations from childish hands, animals of every possible kind, and glorious ones that would put Faberge's eggs to shame, all fighting for room on every branch.

Once all the lights and ornaments were in place, she would step back and inspect prior to the finishing touches of angel hair and tinsel. I still get nervous around boxes of tinsel. TINSEL IS NOT THROWN!!!!! It is hung one strand at a time until the tree glows with silver and light, waiting for the gifts to be stacked beneath and around (never too high to see the train and town). The very best present was always the one I got from St. Nick.

I only have one picture of one of her trees and unfortunately it is from 1947 in black and white and not on my computer, but to this day in her memory and my memories of those magnificent trees with all her ornaments, there is alway one package under my tree. I buy it and I wrap it, and put it under the tree but on the gift card just as it was every year of my childhood:

TO JANET FROM SANTA CLAUS

To see more trees, be sure to check out the Manic Monday Meme

Out The Front Door - The Change

We had it easy in Tacoma. No really high winds and only about four new inches of snow.

Eight Days of Hanukkah

On the first night of Hanukkah my true love gave to me
Lox, bagels and some cream cheese




On the second night of Hanukkah, my true love gave to me
2 Kosher pickles and Lox, bagels and some cream cheese



On the third night of Hanukkah, my true love gave to me
3 pounds of corned beef,
2 Kosher pickles and
Lox, bagels and some cream cheese





On the fourth night of Hanukkah, my true love gave to me
4 potato latkes
3 pounds of corned beef
2 Kosher pickles
and Lox, bagels and some cream cheese




On the fifth night of Hanukkah, my true love gave to me
5 bowls of chicken soup
4 potato latkes
3 pounds of corned beef
2 Kosher pickles
and Lox, bagels and some cream cheese




On the sixth night of Hanukkah, my true love gave to me
6 pickled herrings
5 bowls of chicken soup
4 potato latkes
3 pounds of corned beef
2 Kosher pickles
and Lox, bagels and some cream cheese




On the seventh night of Hanukkah, my true love gave to me
7 noodle kugels
6 pickled herrings
5 bowls of chicken soup
4 potato latkes
3 pounds of corned beef
2 Kosher pickles
and Lox, bagels and some cream cheese




On the eighth night of Hanukkah, my true love gave to me
8 Alka- Seltzer
7 noodle kugels
6 pickled herrings
5 bowls of chicken soup
4 potato latkes
3 pounds of corned beef
2 Kosher pickles
and Lox, bagels and some cream cheese

God Bless Us Everyone

On this day in history, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens was first published. It has never been out of print since, and there is only one thing to say:

Out My Front Door

Six Degrees Follow UP

Spencer Dryden

Charlie Chaplin

Chaplin's Mother was Hannah Chaplin who was caught having an affair that resulted in birth of a son fathered by another Music Hall singer Leo Dryden. Leo and Hannah's son was named George Wheeler Dryden, better known as Wheeler Dryden.

Leo Dryden took his son to India to live and work. Wheeler learned about his mother Hannah and her relationship with his father. He also learned of his famous half brothers Charlie and Sydney Chaplin . Wheeler married Alice Chapple. They had one son in 1938. The family moved to Los Angeles, where Wheeler worked at Chaplin Studios during the ‘40's and early ‘50's. He was an assistant director for ‘The Great Dictator’ and ‘Monsieur Verdoux’. The studio created a magical 'playground' for his young son, Spencer Dryden.

‘Limelight', the last film Chaplin made in America, was a real family affair featuring Charlie’s own three young children by Oona, his two oldest sons from his marriage to Lita Grey and his brother, Wheeler Dryden.

Wheeler's son, Spencer Dryden, became famous in his own right in San Francisco where he joined the newly formed Jefferson Airplane as their drummer. Jefferson Airplane became a rock legend during the 1960's to 1970. Spencer was with them throughout their 'rock and rocky' glory years, before leaving in 1970. He continued with different bands well into the ‘80's. In 1996, Spencer was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In the years that followed, he battled serious health problems eventually dying from cancer at the age of 66, in January of 2005.

Six Degrees of Holy Cow!

As has been stated frequently on this blog, I suffer from a little uncontrolable mania. Once I get on the trail of a bit of trivia, it is almost impossible for me to stop as I rage through curioser and curioser. If I were a feline, all nine lives would have been exhausted while still a kitten. When you add in the internet and the miracle of Google ... well, it is sad I tell you ... sad.

It happened again yesterday and all because I never knew that Charlie Chaplin had two brothers. I knew he had one brother who worked with him, but even that info was a little sketchy. I knew that his last wife, Oona, was the daughter of Eugene O'Neill and that his daughter, Geraldine Chapman, played her own grandmother in the movie Chaplin. There was one member of his family that was a complete unknown.

You have all heard about Six degrees of separation where theoretically you can get from one person on the face of the earth to every other person on the face of the earth in only six jumps. Then there is Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon, the game where everyone who has ever been in a movie with Kevin Bacon can be linked to everyone else who has ever been in a movie within those same six hops.

So here is your trivia challenge. In only three jumps, get from Charlie Chaplin to a famous rock group and an induction in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

It's not much, but the only hint you will get for awhile:

Tramping Around

On December 16 in 1913 Charles Chaplin starts work at Keystone Film Studios for the first time under the direction of the legendary Mack Sennett.



Chaplin went on to create one of film's most singular and immediately identifiable characters, "Little Tramp" in Easy Street(1917); The Kid (1921); City Lights (1931); and The Great Dictator (1940), Chaplin's first real talking picture.

Most of the silent films of Charlie Chaplin are available on DVD and if you have never seen the Robert Downey characterization in "Chaplin", it is well worth the time.

Chaplin, born in poverty with a mentally ill mother, eventually became one of the most financially successful stars Hollywood has ever seen. He co-founded United Artists Corporation in 1919 with Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, and director D.W. Griffith. Chaplin seems to have had a fondness for younger women. He married three times, to teenagers each time. His fourth wife, Oona O'Neill, 18 when she married the 54-year-old actor, was the daughter of playwright Eugene O'Neill.

Though he had lived in the United States for 42 years, Chaplin never became a U.S. citizen. He was a very committed pacifist, and was accused of communist ties, which he denied. In 1952 he was refused the right of entry into the United States, and as a result he did not return to the United States for 20 years, instead settling in Switzerland with Oona and their eight children.

Chaplin returned to America in 1972 to accept a special Academy Award for "The incalculable effect he has had on making motion pictures the art form of this century."

He was knighted Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin in 1975. He died two years later.

Cat Box?

When you leave boxes on the floor, strange things can happen. Not sure if they are adding new meaning to Cat Box or are getting ready to be wrapped for Christmas.

Candle Climb Upward

This week's Manic Monday prompt is candle. Be sure to visit Mo to see how others interpret the theme.

At one time or another we have all said, "If only I knew then what I know now". Seldom have we said, "I wish I knew now what I knew then". About this time of year, we long for the innocence of childhood when time stretched out before us as "forever" and anticipation made waiting a week intolerable because it was so very far away. In the hurly burly of decorating, shopping, cooking, wrapping, and finally gifting we forget to stop and take time to remember, turn back to when time meandered from day to day rather than racing from year to year.

Take a break and go back to discover that you still really do know how to make a candle unburn and it is never too late to have a happy childhood.

JUST FOR TODAY
(From "Her First Roman" by Ervin Drake)

Candle climb upward
Tallow Return
Lengthen Burned Wick
Do Me This Trick
Unburn, unburn, unburn

Make me a child again
Just for today
Foolish and Wild again
Just for today
Make me unwise again
Teach me surprise again
See through young eyes again
Just for today

Wisdom desert me
Folly Return
Brain of my Youth
Wrinkled by Truth
unlearn unlearn unlearn

Children who cared for me
Come out and play
Don't hide in Memory
Just for today
Kitten be found again
I'll chase you round again
Free and unbound again
Just for today

Candle climb upward
Tallow Return
Lengthen Burned Wick
Do Me This Trick
Unburn, unburn, unburn

Special Plea

It has been all over the news: The unemployment figures, the foreclosures, the layoffs or extended business shuttering for months. People who last year were contributors, this year are recipients.

Every year the Marine "Toys For Tots" program tries to make sure that every child receives at least one toy. This year, they are falling way short on donations while the need figures keep climbing. They are already running out of the donations from the major toy manufacturers.

If you can see your way clear to buy a toy or donate a few dollars, please do so. One thing to remember, the donations for the youngest children tend to be generous while older children sometimes go lacking. Please do what you can either in person or at the Toys For Tots website.

Super Scribler

Linda of Are We There Yet? presented me with the cute little fellow on the left. She received hers from Ralph of Airhead 55 who received it from Leora of Here in HP who got it from Robin of Around the Island. All of which adds new meaning to "Six Degrees of Separation".

There are a few duties before you can claim your "Scribbler":

Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog:

1. Share 7 facts about yourself, some random, some weird.

2. Tag 7 people (if possible) at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.

3. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blogs.

Strangely enough I was considering doing a version of the 100 things meme but making it some of the truly weird things I had done or had happen to me. I may do that later, but for now seven seems to be a reasonable number.

1. Just the other day I told someone that I once chased a cow out of the alfalfa by smacking its rear end with a machete while dressed only in boots and my birthday suit - now you all know that I have run nude through the shrubbery.

2. About this time of year one of my favorite things to do is a "Rockefeller Double Feature" - Go to a multiplex and buy tickets for two Golden Globe or Oscar nominated movies timing it for a break between the two movies.

3, In 14 years of education, I attended 23 schools. Lucky for me, most teachers are so busy that they are glad to have a student they don't have to teach, so most of my education consisted of books and an unsaid message from the adults (call me if you need me).

4. I finally gave up smoking, but I still bite my nails.

5. I married the same man twice. Warning sign: The second time around a major snafu had us sleeping in the front seat of a car while the best man and matron of honor slept in the back seat in the middle of the Nevada desert during a snow storm.

6. Even though I have now been in Washington for several years, I still really really miss California.

7. My favorite flowers are yellow jonquils because in high school I played Amanda in Tennessee Williams' Glass Menagerie: "That was the spring I had the craze for jonquils. Whenever, wherever I saw them, I would say, "Stop! Stop! I see jonquils!"

I don't do tagging, but feel free to steal and let me know if you do and I will tell others to visit you.

Linda did tag my buddy Carol over at A Letter to Me. Since I did seduce her to the dark side by insisting that she start blogging, do go visit and say hello.

Today In History

1922 Rex Allen Wilcox AZ, cowboy actor

For those interested in the early Singing Cowboys - Here is the Rex Allen Museum in Wilcox, AZ





1577 Sir Francis Drake sets sail from England to go around the world and you can follow the whole voyage of the Golden Hind


1903 Wright Brothers make 1st flight at Kittyhawk. Eyewitness to History has an excellent page on history of the first flight.







1928 George Gershwin's "An American In Paris" premieres (New York NY)and here is the film version of "An American In Paris" ballet with Leslie Caron and choreographer Gene Kelly. The trick is to watch for set changes each representing a different French impressionist painter as envisioned by director Vincent Minnelli and designed by five time Oscar winner Irene Sharaff.




Raoul Dufy' (The Place de la Concorde)
Edouard Manet (The flower market)
Maurice Utrillo (A Paris street)
Henri Rousseau (The fair)
Vincent Van Gogh (The Place de l'Opera)
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (The Moulin Rouge)


1961 Jimmy Dean's Big Bad John album is country music's 1st million dollar seller

Van Johnson - RIP

Today brought the news of the death of Van Johnson. He was almost always the second lead, the comic relief, and the foil for the leading man, but always one really great dancer in a career that stretched more than 50 years.

Van and Gene - Go Home With Bonnie Jean