Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Are Christmas Cards a Fading Tradition?

Arrived at Bobby's: Sat, Dec 17, 2016 @7:35 AM.
#SecureThePorch: Accomplished

The temperature was in the 20's, snow was falling, the driving conditions were hazardous, and the plows were all out but there was no way I was going to miss breakfast at Bobby's today. I had a Pork Roll Egg and cheese sandwich with well-done breakfast potatoes waiting for me. In spite of the inclement weather, we had a full house with the exception of Mike B. Mike was absent due to an appointment he had to put in a vanity at his son's home. During the course of his plumbing work, he did manage to drop in on the Dog Fish Head brewery. The Dog Fish 60, rated 91 by Beer Advocate, is one of my favorite non-Vermont IPAs. Mike, we are all aware of your plumbing prowess but a couple of cans of Dog Fish Head 60 or 90 could turn any plumbing job into a leaky mess.

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At the front entrance to my home are exterior double doors. Every Christmas season, we tape the Christmas cards we receive from family, friends, and acquaintances to the inside of the doors. The cards are typically colored for the season in green, silver, red, etc., with a sprinkle of glitter covering some of the cards. Nearby would be a candle burning with the scent of Balsam Pine or some other holiday scent with fresh garland adorning the stairway railing. All this makes for a very festive atmosphere. Those cards that would not fit on the two doors would be placed in a decorative bowl on a small table nearby. Stand in my entrance way and your senses would be immersed in the season of Christmas.

The last couple of years, we have received a smaller and smaller number of Christmas cards. This year, we are close to single digits. My entrance way is pathetic. Maybe I have pissed off more people than I usually do. Am I the only one experiencing this? Is the tradition of giving Christmas cards rapidly fading? Is this another American Christmas tradition that is going by the wayside like the Yule Log or the Christmas Pickle? (Yes - the Christmas Pickle. Look it up.) I wonder if this is happening in other countries as well?

For my friends back in Germany.
Sind Weihnachtskarten eine verblassende Tradition?

For my friends back in France.
Les cartes de Noël sont-elles une tradition qui s'estompe?

Is it possible, the week before Christmas will deliver the lion's share of cards? Please, somebody, help me understand this!

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Some BK Banter

Obfuscation - To deliberately confuse or render something unclear or murky, much like the dirty water that makes it hard to see the bottom of the swamp. This is what is happening with the media harping on fake news and Russian hacking. Of course, these issues must be addressed and those responsible should be dealt with accordingly. But, the ultimate question is "has the outcome of the election been remotely affected?". The answer is a resounding "No!". To suggest otherwise is absurd. I wonder how the recount is going...that story quickly fell off the news radar.

College Football Playoffs - The committee got it right.

Wake Forest football scandal - Please, NCAA stay out of it. You would only make matters worse. Let the schools handle it. This doesn't exactly measure up to Watergate.

Steve - Thanks for the tee shirts(left). We can never have too much Breakfast Club apparel.

Al - Many thanks(to Bev) for the Buckeyes. They are a favorite treat every year. You have set the bar very high with Christmas treats. I had intended to include a picture of the Buckeyes but I eat them all.

Happy Birthday to my lovely wife Cindy on Mon, Dec 19.

Happy Birthday Coach Tom on Wed, Dec 21.

Mike H. - Happy Birthday on Sun, Dec 25.

Is Bobby open on Christmas Eve, this Saturday, Dec 24th?

2 comments:

  1. A response to your questions Ed. Bobby is open on 24th. My kids will have a special treat so try to get there early like me. Cards are down everywhere. Got several Ecards this year. Not exactly sure what to do with them. The Widdoss family stopped sending cards coupke of years ago but I am so happy to get them. Maybe some day we will start up again. We use card time to create the calendar now. Just want to say I love Christmas kids are excited, adults are happier and the world seems a little nicer. I love hearing people saying Merry Christmas and most of all I love that all my kids are home. BK will be great this Saturday can't wait

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