Greetings one and all. If you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin. Hopefully you’re enjoying the spirit of the Holidays and may Hummingbird and I wish you and yours the very best of health and happiness at this time of year and for 2013?
That’s enough sloppy sentimentality for any Turkey Vulture to express, so let’s move swiftly on. How about a Festive Quiz? Here are ten seasonal posers that will help you keep your brain afloat despite all the eggnog it will be drowning in. Answers at the end of the column.
1. What headgear did boys receive for Christmas in the mid-fifties?
2. What ‘Saturday Evening Post’ artist was known for his whimsical pictures of Santa Claus?
3. In the song ‘Grandma got run over by a Reindeer’ what did Grandma go to get?
4. What was the angel’s name in the classic Christmas movie, ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’?
5. Who starred as George and Mary Bailey in that same great movie? And who played one of my all-time favorite movie characters, the curmudgeonly Mr. Potter?
6. What is the famous Christmas story written by O. Henry?
7. How many of Santa’s Reindeer can you name – there are eight, or even nine.
8. Who wrote the song “White Christmas”?
9. In the film ‘White Christmas,’ which actress ends up with Bing Crosby’s character?
10. Who was the President on Christmas Day 1952 – 60 years ago?
And for an appropriate Quote of the Week, let me refer you to this observation by one of the greatest of all Americans, Benjamin Franklin, who said, “How many observe Christ’s birthday! How few, his precepts! Oh! ‘Tis easier to keep holidays than commandments.” Yes, Ben, it would appear that it certainly is, but, as you uttered those words back in the late 1700s, it would seem things were the same back then as they are today. That’s surprising. After all, in matters of piety and social behavior, I always assume things were so much more “civilized” back then. I don’t feel so bad knowing that maybe they weren’t.
Public Service Announcements. Calendars and pens at the ready. #813. The Vets from Mendocino Animal Hospital have cancelled their planned visit to the Valley on Dec 27 but they will be making two trips to the Valley on Thursdays in January — the 10th and 24th. #814. As mentioned last week, the Valley’s two Crab Feeds are coming up! Yes, folks, a couple of the most popular events of the year are just around the corner and both will certainly sell out. The first, to benefit the Senior Center, is on Saturday, Jan 19 followed just two weeks later, on Saturday, Feb 2, by the event to benefit the Catholic Church organized by the irrepressible Gloria Ross. A ticket for either (or both!) would be a great Christmas gift so for the first feed call 895-3609, and the second it’s 895-3071. #815. The Senior Center has closed for the holidays until the New Year when they will re-open for lunch on Thursday, January 3, 2013.
Topics and Valley events this week at The Three-Dot Lounge – “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley.
…A few regulars commented over the past few weeks that there seems to be a significant number of the holistic healing advocates who voice their opinions on KZYX&Z chat shows who seem to be suffering from some sort of illness and have to explain their raspy voice or sniffling nose when they are on the air? My advice? Take some DayQuil/NyQuil medication made by a giant pharmaceutical company; serve up a few less veggies on your plate and get some extra red meat inside you instead; imbibe a couple of glasses of wine or a few sips of warm brandy; have a roaring fire on the go; and curl up with a good book. I can almost guarantee that you’ll soon feel much better.
…School is now out for the holidays, although for many students and their families their annual trip to Mexico began a week or so earlier. A strange situation, I must say, and one which seems to have no solution.
…Several regulars at The 3-Dot have been wondering about who came up with the awful idea to go with the “prison-look” for the new CalFire buildings just south of Boonville on Hwy 128. And those three lines of barbed wire at the top of the fence are straight out of prisoner-of-war camp Stalag 17. What an eyesore.
…As usual there are some very impressive Christmas light spectacles around the Valley but my current favorite is the understated but tasteful display at the AV Farm Supply — quantity isn’t always quality and these guys seem to have it just right, helped by the fact that they are the only ones around that part of Hwy 128, a mile or so north of Philo.
Time to take my leave. “Happy Holidays to One and All” and until next time, Keep the Faith; be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; and may your god go with you. One final request, “Let us prey.” Humbugly and Humbly yours, Turkey Vulture. PS. Contact me with words of support/abuse through the Letters Page or at turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net. PPS. And special season’s greetings to Silver Swan, Grace, Fred, Carroll, Skylark and George and Sheila. Quiz answers: 1. Coonskin Hats. 2. Norman Rockwell. 3. Her medications. 4. Clarence Odbody. 5. The Gift of the Magi. 6. James Stewart and Donna Reed were the Baileys and Lionel Barrymore player Mr. Potter. 7. Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and in later years Rudolph, Donner’s son, was added. 8. The classic song was written by Irving Berlin. 9. Rosemary Clooney. 10. Harry Truman.
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