Merry Christmas!

It's a wonderful day to begin blogging...then again, maybe it isn't. What would Shakespeare say about blogging? "To blog or not to blog, that is the question." If you promise, never to hold my words against me, I'll blog. The world of Blogdom is new to me. Meaning, I haven't a clue as to what to do. Is there a book of blogging etiquette? Are there rules? What do I blog about? What does it mean "to blog?" More importantly, are you interested in what I have to say? Forget about Shakespeare, I say, "To read, or not to read...that is the question!" Blogging is therapeutic, and it doesn't cost a thing. I'm aFreud, oops, afraid psychoanalysts will become obsolete because of blogging; so will the "little couches" that grace their offices. Not that I've ever been "on one," but if you continue to read my blog, you'll conclude that I should give it a try.

It's been a month of madness and it's bittersweet to realize that Christmas comes to an end today. I'm rushed and frazzled and that's the problem with Christmas. One is so busy trying to create the magic of the holiday, you don't take the time to enjoy it. When you do find a moment to catch your breath, you glance at the clock, and your heart sinks. In a few moments, it will be over and you didn't enjoy it, not really. Christmas has become a blur of activity; fighting the crowds of frowns and rude behavior at the malls in the suburbs, and the specialty shops that dot the downtown district. Rushing home to wrap, if you're lucky, the perfect gift. If you're one of the unlucky shoppers, who wait until the last minute, how DO you expect to wrap the damaged box of the gift the other shoppers didn't want? Oh no! Leaving the house again, in search of the perfect box to wrap the present no one wanted. Now the real fun begins! You're frustrated because the wrapping paper wants to tangle with the tape, and the Christmas lights want to tangle with the person who is responsible for hanging them. The joy of Christmas is upon us..like super glue . There are cookies to bake, cakes to ice, turkeys to defrost, hams to glaze and somewhere, Grinch is watching us, laughing with glee, because he's the one who steals Christmas from us. I thought Christmas was about a precious Baby, born in a manger, in Bethlehem, 2008 years ago. Christmas should be simple. Children should awaken early on Christmas morning to find one special gift that they've yearned for, all year, under the tree. After breakfast, it's off to a Church service to pay tribute to this wonderful gift from God, the Christ child. After mingling with the parishioners, it's time to return home to celebrate. Indulging in a wonderful dinner, laden with calories, with friends and family, and then cutting into the birthday cake you made for baby Jesus. Christmas bliss!

It's a little a after 6 am, here in the desert. There are a few of you "down under" who are already poring over Christmas photos', reliving yesterdays memories. Some of you, in places to "sigh for, " like London, Paris, and Rome, are winding down from Christmas Day. While others, in the Midwest, are in the midst of celebrating. People, like me, in the Southwest -- and those, of you, living on the West Coast are just beginning to wake up. Hawaiian's are still waiting for Santa to arrive. Wherever you are, I pray you're surrounded by the people you love and the sounds of children's laughter are tugging on your heartstrings. I hope your taste buds are being tantalized by great food and Christmas cheer ::giggles:: a nip or two from the bottle never hurt anyone. Ooops. the ladies will be sipping their Christmas cheer from a glass slipper. May you have peace of mind and love in your heart. A fire in the hearth to keep "Jack Frost" at bay, or the AC set to "just right." I also hope Santa was good to you, and you received at least one gift on your Christmas wish list. I also hope you remembered those "less fortunate" and gave and gave and gave! News flash: I'm watching, okay listening, to KVOA's "Tucson Today at 6 am" as I type this. The words, "The stars come out, to work in LA's soup kitchens, dishing up Christmas dinner for the homeless." All I ask is, "Where are these "Stars'" the other 364 days a year? Soup kitchens are always open! This irritates me beyond belief. The "star" serve a meals for a few hours, while donned in clothes that cost more than these unfortunate souls will have in their pockets for an entire year, while being photographed "performing" their good deeds. Afterwards, they'll drive off in their "to gag for" new cars , to their mansions in "the hills." Merry Christmas! I think the "stars" should take one, or two, of these homeless people with them. Stop by the salon and give them a haircut and manicure/pedicure. Stop by Fred Segal's and get them a something warm to wear. Let them sleep in the guest room; or guest house. Make them "part of the family" for at least one day. Have them wake up EARLY on Christmas Day and find a few gifts, for them, under the tree. Give them the gift of love. companionship and hope. If they're "concerned" about "these people," hire a few security guards. It's sad, but so many people are turned away, not only during the holidays, but every day. There's NEVER room at the inn. :(


I'll be back, sometime today, or...tomorrow...perhaps the day after, to share my Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with you. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all.

Much Love,
Deb