Category: christmas

Post of Christmas Past # 7 – The Christmas Argument

Ah, the Christmas argument. What’s a Christmas without a good go at it over gifts ideas, budgets, or how much does that cost? This time of year can bring a lot of holiday cheer but unfortunately, it also brings with it some holiday jeers. For example, last night while shopping I happened to find myself within an earshot from a full-on couple spat one aisle over. You could tell it was one where both parties were whisper shouting at each other. A very awkward moment we can completely relate to because who are we kidding? We’ve all been there at some time or another during the weeks leading up to Christmas. Tensions so high that with one tiny mood swing, all of the sudden everyone is doing a quick about-face, ready to throw Christmas out the door and forget it was even happening. Enough of this, we’ve spent too much money already and half of what is in this cart is the wrong gift idea anyway. So there. I am going home.

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Posts of Christmas Past – My Holiday Collection

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Happy Holidays, my friends,

I decided to designate a page for my Christmas series. Keep all of my memories and stories about Christmas in one festive place. There is more to come, but this should get you in the spirit of the holidays. Hope you enjoy them. Just click below…

Posts of Christmas Past – My Holiday Collection

Post of Christmas Past # 6 – The Ruined Christmas Gift

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Ah, the ruined Christmas gift. No better way to sabotage your own built-up magic spirit of the holidays than tampering with the biggest most wanted item on your list. I was about six or seven when I began to get to the bottom of this Santa break and enter gimmick. As each year went on, the more cognizant I became of the sneaking around my mother, grandmother, and aunt were doing during weeks leading up. My senses became Santa sharp. I remember starting to spot cover-up Christmas things my family were doing to paint the most perfect backdrop to a wonderful holiday to come. Welcomed, only I was on to them. I became keener on hearing Christmas code conversations that filled the cookie baking nights of my grandmother’s kitchen. I knew, but the cookies were too delicious. And, one day, which turned out to be the beginning of the end to my belief in a man called Santa, was when I found the peace a la resistance. I found the Holy Grail of childhood Christmas holiday wonder. I found the notorious and infamous gift hiding place. Yup, with all those skills I had acquired, and with all the determination of a kid destined to ruin the only magical wonder he would experience in his life, I went ahead and spoiled my very own Christmas with one too many tears in the gift wrapping. 

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Post Of Christmas Past # 4 – The Christmas Eve Night Walk Home

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Screw the cab, it’s nice out, and I’m walking. Ah, the Christmas Eve Night walk home. This memory is further to the first snowfall entry I posted a few days ago in terms of the atmosphere it creates. A single awesome holiday mini-tradition that we tend to forget about. You don’t realize how Christmassy it is until you’re there in the moment. If you ask me, there’s no better backdrop to a beautiful Christmas then ending it with a brisk cool clean air walk home. Alone, or with a special love one. Either way, it creates a warm and fuzzy feeling inside. You’re Christmas so far has been nothing but food, drinks, music, friends, and your loving family. Annnnd, the best part. Well, the best part was Santa still had to swing by the old house to drop off the gifts. Score. Oh, and turkey tomorrow…oh my God, mmmmm, nan’s turkey!!!

Yes, I remember those nights when I close my eyes. How the stars always had the right amount of glow to them. Enough to guide you home. I loved how the streets had just fallen snow that sparkled in the light and covered the whole roadway. The only imperfection was a single set of tire tracks that belonged to that one taxi that was still making runs. I can still see those super big snowflakes as they fell sideways against the shine of the streetlight as I passed the last stretch toward home. By that time all I could think of was how comfy my bed was going to be. 

Those chilled to the bone but warm to the heart walks home are still very vivid in my memory. No matter if it’s twenty years ago or just last year, I love a good stroll on Christmas Eve Night. Because in the end, there’s snow place like home and I’m going to jingle all the way. 

Post Of Christmas Past # 3 – The Afternoon School Christmas Movie

I haven’t been near a school in a gazillion years, and I have no idea but would hazard a guess that teachers no long have to wheel things into the classroom anymore to spring an afternoon movie on their students. I’m pretty sure classroom technology has far surpassed what I remember. But, when I do remember, I think about what that feeling was like when I returned to my seat after lunch and my homeroom teacher wheeled that bad boy into the room. There was always the classic wiggly-wobbly one bad wheel too. Here I was thinking the afternoon was going to be nothing but a long-winded boring clock-counting lecture, and now I’m in charge of pulling the thousand pound navy blue curtains close. This afternoon was going to be awesome.

Ah, the afternoon school Christmas movie. There’s no better send off to the holiday break if you ask me. It was certainly the case when I was a kid in awe that very day many Christmases ago. Now, with the curtain drawn and my job done there was only the usual five minutes of shushing and the teacher threatening to turn off the movie three times before the room fell pindrop silent. Followed by a little elementary fart. A quick “I’m warning you!” Then, we were ready. All eyes trained on that teeny tiny audio-video TV, that had just enough light to spot everyone’s smile.

And…scene!!!

Post Of Christmas Past # 2 – The First Snowfall

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Ah, the first snowfall in December. I have to say, it’s a magical thing! A bunch of huge snowflakes and suddenly I’m ten years old again. Sticking my tongue out as far as I can trying to catch the biggest one. Then, I am running as fast as I can, planting my two feet sideways and sliding halfway down the street. That’s pure joy right there. Yes, Santa is getting ready for Christmas and the snow coming now proves it. I thought that as a young boy and I think that now. It’s the perfect way to bring that smile back to your face that the Grinch might have stolen.

What about you? What special memories of Christmas come to mind for you when you look out the window and realize it’s starting to snow? Does it take you back to a particular moment in time, or does it simply put you in the mood for Christmas?

By the way, it’s beginning to look…



2020 Vision

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Hey everybody,

Happy New Year!

Someone asked me a few weeks ago if I had any resolutions for 2020. I quickly responded with “Well, considering it will be 2020, I’m going to try to take better care of my eyes.” That response got me the classic “Oh my, Ash” which was followed up by the usual eye roll. It’s pretty standard for my puns and bad jokes. Funny thing is, I do have an appointment situated for the first week of the new year, so that answer did have some merit to it. It was the origin of that joke and by all means, feel free to use it. Though, do so at your own risk!

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I Couldn’t Ash For More!

Hey everybody,

I hope you’re all having a Merry Christmas and I hope Santa was good to you. I did great this year. The big guy must had gotten my letter because I was blessed with a whole bunch of new writing stuff. Some gifts were anticipated, but I did receive a couple surprises. One awesome thing in particular that my fiance definitely surprised me with is also something that I’ve been completely addicted to it since I opened it.

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The Elf All About Himself! (For the kids!!!)

Once upon a time,
there was an angry little elf.
Who thought of absolutely no one,
but of only himself.

He’s always so mad,
which made the other elves very sad,
with his complaints that work, work, work,
was all they ever had.

Even his friends,
would call him mean and selfish.
“Why are you not nice?”
“Why are you not elfish?”

No matter what they say,
he swore he’d never listen,
because ending the holidays,
had become his evil elf mission.

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