Happy Boxing Day!

OK let's get right to the point. I really have no idea what this holiday is all about. I just read the required Wikipedia definition {why does anybody use that site?} and an article from today's Canada.com on this topic. I knew that it was a holiday that was celebrated in countries where they consider Queen Elizabeth 2 the monarch of their nation. So that pretty much includes places like the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and even still Hong Kong. I was surprised to learn that Germany and Greenland celebrate this day too. Originally, it was a day set aside to give to those less fortunate than you. And it was even celebrated in the original American colonies before the Revolution.

So today, it can be many things. In Canada, it is big shopping day somewhat like our own Black Friday. In the UK, it is a big sports day.

I like Holidays. And I think that on this particular day, we may step out and have a warm bowel of soup and a beer.

We made it through yesterday unscathed and relatively happy. We had quite the Merry Little Christmas. Unlike previous years I am not terribly blue about passing another Christmas. I am delighted that Christmas fell on a Friday and I don't have to go to the office today!

So, whatever you are doing today, I suggest you take a moment and think of our neighbors to the north and across the pond and beyond and try to celebrate this most foreign Holiday. We are going to. Cheers!

Bring us some figgy pudding......

Merry Christmas!

As this most challenging and historic year comes to a close, I want to wish you all a safe, healthy and most joyous Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Casa Monica Hotel St Augustine, Florida
Compliments to James Watkins Photostream on Flickr

I stumbled upon this photograph and it reminded me of the many beautiful places I have visited over the years in the many southern states.

Brittany Murphy........ RIP

December 20, 2009 4:01 p.m. EST
(CNN) -- Actress Brittany Murphy has died, Los Angeles police and hospital officials said Sunday. She was 32.

Chicago Tribune - KTLA News
2:49 a.m. CST, December 20, 2009
LOS ANGELES -- Actress Brittany Murphy died after being rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles Sunday morning, a hospital spokeswoman has confirmed.Chicago Tribune Link

Christmas Window Displays

Lord and Taylor 2007

Bloomies 2008

I already am not liking this shoveling business.....

Life is short. And I really don't feel like hastening my demise by trying to move all of this snow. I did some. The cars are clear and the walkway is clear, but the sidewalks are covered by a LOT of snow. I used to have a blower. Why did I sell that with the old house anyway?

For many of you, a collective chuckle is probably being shared as you laugh at my struggles today. For this part of the USA, this is a rare occurrence, as we usually receive no more than six inches of snow ever.
I should be happy that we don't live in New England or Upstate NY where it is not entirely uncommon to have clear one's own roof after a blizzard.

But it is Sunday, and there are so many other things that I would rather be doing right now........like sitting in a cozy little bar meeting a new friend or two.

Or maybe just staying inside and spending the afternoon playing with my sexy wife. After all, the weather outside is frightful.

A snowy day....

I heard on one of the news or weather casts that 50 million Americans are impacted by today's storm. They added that number represents approximately one in every six of us. Well I am one of those. And while I am absolutely delighted by this meteorological event, I am bothered by the real need to go outside and shovel. That I do dread. And no longer owning a snow blower, I find myself troubled by the thought of going outside and starting this chore. After all, the weather is frightful.

Perhaps I will just settle further into my winter slumber, have a glass of some funny looking dark beverage and gaze upon the fireplace. Yes, live is good in this part of the country, if only for today.

We remember those that scarificed their lives on this date sixty eight years ago.....

This whole Tiger thing.....

OK, I just can't stay quiet anymore on this. So this famous, articulate and insanely wealthy child protege turned professional golfer steps out and cheats on his beautiful wife. So what.

I feel badly for both Mr. and Mrs. Tiger, but it really isn't any of our business. No real crime has occurred and the biggest thing he is guilty of is causing both he and his family incredible embarrassment.

Unlike the vast majority of the self professed holier than thou saints out there criticizing him for his dalliances, he has the means and the opportunity to meet and be with other women. Enough of that opportunity will break down even the most faithful man or woman. Please just ask any traveling guy or gal, who has a decent job, is relatively attractive and can speak somewhat intelligently and they will tell you that it is hard not to.

Tiger Woods made a mistake. Perhaps he made several of these mistakes. But he didn't break the law and it is none of our business.

There, I feel better.

1946 Willys Jeep Station Wagon Woody

I really like this one!

Our morning...it has begun! :)

I just love today.................

It's Thanksgiving!!!

A time for thanks.........

A challenging year it has been for so many of us. Yet, as we reflect back upon these past twelve months, most of us are still standing, generally healthy and able to look ahead with optimism for better times. Regardless if one has suffered badly or just merely was inconvenienced by these uncertain times, all of us have been impacted if only but a direct strike upon our confidence.
As we gather around our tables tomorrow, with family, distant relatives, friends, acquaintances or strangers, let us try to remember the many blessings that we all do have to be thankful for this year.

I wish all of you a very safe, healthy and most Happy Thanksgiving!

I just couldn't resist sharing this picture of these Woodies!

You know that I love them. Here is great picture that I stumbled upon today. I found it at Just A Car Guy. Fun blog!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween Weekend!

It's kind of like the start of the big Holiday season! And a time to be so naughty! Have fun!

I want to go to the beach!

Compliments to Life magazine.

I like surfboards..........

Back to reality.....even if we didn't go away.............

I wish that I was........

Labor Day......

Well it finally here! That final hooray for summer. The day the malls are bustling (hopefully) with shoppers looking for Back To School specials, and savings on linens. So what is this all about. I checked with the US Department Of Labor and found a concise definition.

Labor Day: How it Came About; What it Means
Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.

While the Holiday was proposed and celebrated by unionized labor forces of the time, was adopted by President Cleveland as a Holiday celebrating the causes of labor and all workers, today it is celebrated by almost all Americans who enjoy an extra Holiday as the unofficial end of summer.

OK, so much for history. What are you doing today?

Are you lounging by the pool?

Are you having or attending a cook out with friends or family?

Are traveling home from a long weekend in the mountains or the beach? Perhaps you are going to the Amusement park?

Or are you going to a parade? Here is one in a nice town called Fallon, NV.

Compliments to Fallon, NV Tourism.
Or maybe you are going to a museum?

Maybe you are having a lazy day at home catching up on your reading? Or maybe you visitng a National Park?

Whatever you do today, I hope it is fun for you and yours. If you are working, take pride in your employment. If you are recuperating from an illness, I wish you a speedy recovery! If you are stuck in traffic, be patient.

And I hope you have a Happy Labor Day!