Christmas: always the bane of my existence. The hype, even in my childhood was overwhelming: food, toys, dressing up, friendly family gatherings, and some religion. And as I grew older, of course, the hype continued, but it simply jaded me instead of disappointing me. People shouldn't be spending so much money: thanksgiving was a great hholiday but didn't involve the costs of Christmas. People tended to be happier and get along better, and even invite relative strangers into their home for a meal. Far most "christian behavior" than that that occurs at Christmas time. And what gift that is a "surprise" turly makes someone happy? A gold bracelet? a special trip? a new car? I serious doubt it.
But he country is in lockdown for the day:at least the Christmas music that used to pervade the airwaves on that day is gone. I am sure anyone listening to a radio on Christmas did not want to hear that stuff. But what to do? Have a big meal with firends and family? Go for a walk if the weather permits. Read, do a family activity such as a game or puzzle.
Tis the season for my seasonal disorder....can't wait for january 2nd.

ten cents

recently some thirty year older was taking about the cost of things and I began (quietly) reminescing...my allowance at 8 years of age was ten cents. what could I buy with this amount? I had, like all other kids, free range of the town which meant that I could walk downtown to the 5&10 cent store, drug stores, independent grocery stores and such. So each Saturday was "pay day" as it was with my friends, and off we would go to pormptly plan our spending. The Woolworth's was always the first stop and here is what they carried for ten cents: comic books (I rarely bought them as I had friends whose parents bought them, or somewhat had amassed collections that I never could have achieved. But I did read them. Candy bars: almost all were 5 cents, skybars and cough drops were bigger and cost ten cents. If I spent money on a candy bar, it was one I would split with someone else (or 3 muskateers--divded three ways, and then I would be "repaid with their candy purchase. combs, pencils (not ball point pens then) paperdoll books, cheap coloring books were all ten cents. Soda was 5 cents and a two cent deposit on the bottle (6 oz?)
I was never capable of saving the whole ten cents for two weeks to buy something bigger, and so depended on a visit to my grandparents, where I would often get a quarter....big times!