Long drive on Saturday - Maryland to Little Rhody. Just me, The Missus Herself, and a carload of good memories.
We went down to the forested northern bank of the South River on the 22nd of December, a Tuesday, made good time.
Then spent ten days celebrating Christmas with little Robbie Ryan, this wee lad...
We had a great time, played board games, watched movies, laughed and ate way too much.
We spent a lot of time sitting in front of that fireplace above, just spending time together as a family.
Or as I like to say, life as it should be.
My only regret was that the rest of the progeny couldn't be there.
It was a festive time, to say the least.
But now we're back home again, the felines are ecstatic, and we are pleased that we're not being shunned for our long absence. I guess after seventeen years they've grown attached to their humans.
'Twas a lovely time, lovely memories were made. Hope you all had the chance as well to forge such memories over the holidays.
We'll be back in the Ardennes soon enough...
* With apologies to Bilbo Baggins. Yes, we watched the LoTR trilogy. For three years the kids would come home for Christmas and we would head for the theater to see each film as it came out. FWIW, I've read the books, many times.
Badgers much prefer the books. The same is true of The Hobbit, but we do find the Hobbit movie to be quite enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteDidn't care for the Hobbit movies. Not at all. But tastes vary...
DeleteThe Hobbit trilogy? There was no... innocence in it. "The Hobbit" is all about a true innocent out abroad in the big wide world, from the innocent's point of view, sort of.
DeleteThey made the movies in the wrong order. Should have been "The Hobbit" to introduce some of the main characters and introduce the 'World' of Middle Earth to the viewers and establish a point of view that gets dashed HARD against the rocks in LOTR.
And a Trilogy? Maybe, just maybe a Duo. But, though the book is in three separate acts and an epilogue - getting there - meeting the dragon and all that - and defense of the mountain - which doesn't last long for our hero hobbit - and the epilogue of returning home, not enough meat for 3 movies. Enough meat for two if you're 'world creating.'
That's the problem with the 'Hobbit' movies. No... innocence. No... introduction of the world as seen by, basically, a country squire, almost a bumkin in comparison to the rest of the world.
Bingo!
DeleteThe Hobbit is a great 'read out loud to the kids' story. With the embedded info asides and the sounds, I think it was written to be used that way.
DeleteI read it out loud to our kids while they were small, and we all enjoyed it.
As for the innocence, that existed because rough men stood ready to do violence on their behalf while they slept.
What did Strider say about that innkeeper?
Frank
Well said.
DeleteI've not yet seen the Hobbit movies.
ReplyDeleteWe both thought that the LoTR films were great examples of filmmaking done right.
On the home front, I'm advocating for a few more days of lights and decorations. It was difficult enough to get into the Joy of Christmas this year, and I want to hang on to the feeling for a bit longer.
I'm thinking of continuing on to Candlemas. Which a Catholic friend of mine has convinced me is the end of the Christmas season itself, though not the end of the Christmas spirit which should continue throughout the year.
DeleteThat's why it's Twelve Days of Christmas, ending at the Epiphany, dontcha know... wait... Candlemas? February 2nd? Hah. All those years I thought I was a slacker for procrastinating the taking down of and I was right all along, whaddayaknow...
DeleteCombine that with Advent and you have a 2 month decoration window. Too long for a live tree and garland, even made of holly or evergreen. Hmmm...
Yes, way too long for a live tree. But...
Delete(Don McCollor)...there is sadness and nostalgia in carefully away the Christmas decorations that bear so many precious memories for next year. Always first on and last off the lowest branch is a cheap little bell that came on a plastic cane full of candy hanging on a cotton string. More than half a century ago, a big white cat once rang it early on Christmas Morning (the only decoration he had ever touched). It has been hung there ever since Before taking it off, I ring it in his memory...Christmas is past, but now to look forward to Easter and the promise of Spring...
DeleteThat's an awesome memory, Don.
Delete(Don McCollor)...a little Christmas Story (or legend) from my Pastor... We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us. Romans 12:6
DeleteThe Legend of the Tabby Kitten
And so it came to pass that a husband and wife journeyed to the small town of Bethlehem, as the king had decreed that all the people stand to be counted in the small towns and teeming cities from whence they came. The journey was long and hard for both, but especially for the young wife who was very near to bringing her child into the world. When they at last reached the crowded and noisy town, the expectant father searched for an inn where they could rest and where the child could safely be born. Burt at every door, he was told there was no available room. Finally, one innkeeper, though having no space left in his inn, took pity on them and offered them shelter in the small stable used by his animals. It was there that the child was born, surrounded by beasts of the field. As the night’s cold grew, the baby fretted and cried while his parents pondered how to make him comfortable. His father tried stuffing straw into the open places in the walls, and his mother tried warming him with her meager wrappings. But still, the baby cried on. All the while, a tiny kitten watched from the corner. “Of course the little baby is cold,” she thought. “It has no fur to keep it warm! I will give it mine, and I will lullaby—purr it to sleep.” The little cat jumped into the manger where the baby lay. There, she quietly gave her humble gift of warmth and love, gently stretching out her thin, fragile little body over the baby’s, careful; to cover all but the infant’s face. The crying was soon replaced by soft purrs and coos, and slowly, the infant smiled. As Mary, the new mother witnessed this gift to her child, she touched the little cat’s forehead. “Thank you, Little Tabby, for your gift of love and warmth. As a sign of my grateful blessing, you and all your descendants will forevermore carry my initial on your forehead.” And to this day tabby cats are known by the remarkable “M” on their foreheads, and by their extraordinary gifts of love so gently given.
Old legends make for good stories, but they may also remind us of some important things—like sharing the gifts with which we have been blessed in whatever ways that we are able.
Prayer: Dear God, may we be ready, willing and generous to share the gifts you have given us. Even though they may seem small to us, they are all great in your eyes. Amen
That's two beautiful stories you have shared today, Don. Thank you...
DeleteFirst time I read the Trilogy..... WOW! Then the second reaction was it was too short, want more. Films are pretty good but like Hollywood they deviate from the books in several areas. Interesting how some trees keep their leaves all winter.
ReplyDeleteHolly trees keep their leaves all winter. There are at least three or four of them at Chez Nuke et Tuttle.
DeleteI wonder what the message is... Oh, look, this is an evergreen symbolizing eternal growth and all that and it will HURT you!
DeleteAt the house, had holly bushes under the front windows, which were a pain, literally, to trim and to decorate for the season.
Heh.
DeleteI'm glad you had a wonderful time with the young ones. And a trip home to visit with the missus. Good times.
ReplyDeleteRelish them while you have them.
Believe me, I do!
DeleteLived in Maryland for 49 years and traveled all over central MD for my job. The Annapolis area can be beautiful. Better get that young'in out of the state before he starts school though.
ReplyDeleteSigh, seems to be the way in many states.
DeleteHome or charter schools seem to be the way to go. Used to be able to recommend Catholic schools, but they've gone even more SJW than public schools, for the most part.
DeleteToo true.
DeleteTrying to be all contemporary and such. Talk about losing sight of the mission!
Sounds like you had a very enjoyable Holiday R&R. Glad your travel both ways was accomplished without too much drama - and not too much feline drama on your return. The Maryland house looks quite nice, love all the windows (hope they are insulated and there aren't close neighbors on that side of the house). Waiting for the next installment of Von Normadie nach Deutschland, although with a bit of trepidation - don't want to lose any more of our buddies.
ReplyDeleteThe losing of some of the characters is one of the reasons I held off writing for a few days.
DeleteWhich may or may not tell you something.
Sounds like a very good time of R&R - and as you say, Sarge, the way life should be (and has not been very much lately).
ReplyDeleteRabbits, in case you were wondering, are as opinionated as cats upon the return of their humans. I-Bun is always happy to see me; Joy gives me the eye and a lack of notice for about two days.
I had heard that rabbits were that way.
DeleteHappy New Year and God's Blessings to you and the whole family. Miss you and love you. Hope we can gather together soon.
ReplyDeleteRuth and Frank
I look forward to getting together again!
DeleteHey Old AFSarge;
ReplyDeleteVery cute grandkid, and a very happy one too! As far as the cats go, they just hate staff turmoil and churn you know....they like routine, LOL
He's a happy little guy.
DeleteSeeing our great nephew was the brightest part of the season for us. We're back home now. Happy Newer Year. I was pleased to see you take an actually weekend off. Blogito ergo sum was Lex's tagline, not yours! I had plans to write over the weekend, and still may craft something today, but we had to leave early due to Mindi showing possible covid symptoms and having an nephew with diabetes that could be at risk.
ReplyDeleteOuch! Hope Mindi's going to be okay!
DeleteWill your Tiger crew be making an appearance? Or did the Jabos get their tank, leaving them highly annoyed, on the side of the road?
ReplyDeleteThe Tiger crew had their own series in the Panzer 413 - The Battle of the Bulge series. Check the page where all this stuff is listed for that.
DeleteI always loved/hated holiday travel. Mrs. Andrew and I always pushed too hard, to do too much in too little time.
ReplyDeleteNow that we don't travel, it's much nicer. But then again, I don't have kids, so there's that. Miss the family, but don't miss the drama.
Pushing too hard will definitely spoil the mood.
Delete"There and back again" is a great line!
ReplyDeleteI wish I had thought of it first.
DeleteBut The Hobbit was published 16 years before I was born. So J.R.R. Tolkien beat me to it!
Happy to hear you had a wonderful time, Sarge. We had The Kids and The Little Guy over on Christmas Eve for traditional dinner and our traditional opening of presents, and then on Christmas Day we went up to Free Wyoming where the entire clan, all 18 of us, gathered to give thanks on His day, to break bread and exchange gifts.
ReplyDeleteGeez...the clan Patriarch and his lovely wife now have FIVE little ones. Three running, one cruising, and one just looking at everything in wonder.
'Twas a wonderful day!
It sounds wonderful.
DeleteI read the Hobbit first, but then that was long ago, before even the animated version, and long before the movie trilogy.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the books more than the movies I watched.
The books were first read in the '70s.
DeleteI read the Hobbit in 1976, quickly followed by the rest. Enjoyed the LOTR movies, although I kept quibbling over details. I still have not seen the three Hobbits movies, but I think the icy months of January, February, March will provide ample viewing opportunities.
ReplyDeleteYes, the details, something Hollywood usually botches.
DeleteAh, but he's a mighty handsome wee laddy!
ReplyDeleteWe love him so...
DeleteHaven't been by here in forever. The upside is the prospect of binge reading! What a cute and happy looking little guy! Glad you and yours had a great holiday season Sarge!
ReplyDeleteWell, you have been busy, what with life and all. It was a most enjoyable trip.
Delete