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Post by auntym on Dec 20, 2016 15:28:22 GMT -6
www.history.com/news/history-lists/8-things-you-may-not-know-about-jingle-bells?cmpid=Social_TWITTER_HISTORY_20161220_738568202&linkId=32542758 8 Things You May Not Know About “Jingle Bells”December 16, 2016 By Christopher Klein / www.history.com/news/history-lists/author/christopherklein Strange Christmas TraditionsRuled a legal holiday in 1894, Christmas has had its fair share of strange traditions. For a seemingly wholesome Yuletide melody, “Jingle Bells” is less Currier and Ives than you may think. From the story of its rebellious composer to its racy lyrics to its debut performance by minstrels in blackface, learn eight surprising facts about one of the most popular holiday songs. (1) J.P. Morgan’s uncle wrote “Jingle Bells.” Born in 1822, songwriter James Lord Pierpont composed the music and wrote the lyrics for the holiday standard. His older sister, Juliet, married millionaire Junius Spencer Morgan, and their oldest child, John Pierpont Morgan, followed his father into the banking business and became one of the most powerful financiers of the Gilded Age. (2) Pierpont wasn’t much of a family man.The “Jingle Bells” composer was the son of a fiercely abolitionist Unitarian minister, Reverend John Pierpont. From an early age, James Lord Pierpont sought adventures far away from his family in Boston. At the age of 14, he ran off from boarding school, joined the crew of a whaling ship and spent nearly a decade at sea. When the California Gold Rush struck in 1849, Pierpont left his wife and children behind in Massachusetts while he chased riches in the West. Returning home several years later no wealthier than when he left, Pierpont departed from his family again in 1853 to become the organist at a Unitarian church in Savannah, Georgia, that was pastored by his brother. Several months after the death of his first wife in 1856, the songwriter married a daughter of Savannah’s mayor and left the two children from his first marriage back in the North with their grandfather. (3) The “Jingle Bells” songwriter was a rebel in more ways than one.While his father and brother took fiery stands against slavery, Pierpont became a staunch supporter of the Confederacy. When his brother was forced to close his church and return to the North in 1859 due to his abolitionist preaching, Pierpont remained in Savannah. When war broke out, he enlisted with the 1st Georgia Cavalry and served as a company clerk. His father, meanwhile, served on the Union side as chaplain of the 22nd Massachusetts Infantry. During the Civil War, Pierpont wrote Confederate anthems including “Strike for the South,” “We Conquer, or Die!” and “Our Battle Flag!” The songwriter remained in Georgia after the war and lived out his final years in Florida before his death in 1893. (4) “Jingle Bells” wasn’t the song’s original name.When the holiday ditty was first printed by a Boston music publishing house in 1857, it was released under the title “One Horse Open Sleigh.” When it was reissued two years later, the song had the more familiar title of “Jingle Bells.” CONTINUE READING: www.history.com/news/history-lists/8-things-you-may-not-know-about-jingle-bells?cmpid=Social_TWITTER_HISTORY_20161220_738568202&linkId=32542758
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Post by swamprat on Dec 21, 2016 9:39:37 GMT -6
My buddy, Bill Schroeder wrote this:
UFO Christmas
A poem by Bill Schroeder
Twas the night before Christmas While off on his ride Santa had noticed A strange craft by his side "What can that be" to his reindeer he said All shiny and round Blinking blue and then red He banked to the left And he banked to the right But the strange looking craft Kept on matching his flight He landed his sleigh Just a mile out of town And noted the stranger Had followed him down It landed there next to him Just a few feet away Than a creature emerged Looking Childlike and Grey Although quite surprised Santa looked straight ahead And gathering courage He spoke up and said "I wish you no harm You have nothing to fear I just don't understand What your purpose is here" The creature just smiled Pointed up to the blue "Just reminding you Santa, It's Christmas there too"
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Post by auntym on Dec 24, 2016 15:41:00 GMT -6
www.history.com/news/hungry-history/the-medieval-history-of-the-christmas-cookie?cmpid=Social_TWITTER_HISTORY_20161224_738616578&linkId=32544385 The Medieval History of the Christmas CookieDecember 18, 2013 By Stephanie Butler / www.history.com/news/hungry-history/author/stephaniebutlerIt’s the most wonderful time of the year, when cooks around the country take to their kitchens to bake cookies galore. Whether you prefer gingerbread men, crisp springerle or crunchy biscotti, chances are you’ll enjoy some fresh baked Christmas cookies this holiday season. Like many Christmas traditions, the origin of this delicious custom lies ages ago, in solstice rituals conducted long before Christmas became the huge commercial holiday it is today. Winter solstice festivals have been held for eons, across the world. From Norway to West Africa, Ireland to India, groups of people gathered to celebrate the changing of the seasons. Celebrations revolved around food; after all, you had to feast before the famine of the winter. Solstice often meant the arrival of the first frost, so animals could be killed and kept safely to eat through the winter, and fermented beverages like beer and wine that had been brewed in the spring were finally ready to drink. As any modern host knows, a hearty roast and a stiff drink need just one thing to complete the party: dessert. By the Middle Ages, the Christmas holiday had overtaken solstice rituals throughout much of present-day Europe. However, the old feast traditions remained. And while the roast and drink recipes were probably quite similar to what earlier Europeans had enjoyed, the pastry world was experiencing some amazing changes. Spices like nutmeg, cinnamon and black pepper were just starting to be widely used, and dried exotic fruits like citron, apricots and dates added sweetness and texture to the dessert tray. These items, along with ingredients like sugar, lard and butter, would have been prized as expensive delicacies by medieval cooks. Only on the most important holiday could families afford treats like these, which led to a baking bonanza to prepare for Christmas. And unlike pies or cakes, cookies could be easily shared and given to friends and neighbors. Our modern Christmas cookies date back to these medieval gifts. Though cookies have come a long way since medieval times, some things haven’t changed. Many Christmas cookies are still heavily spiced. We think of “traditional” Christmas flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger, and those are exactly the same spices medieval cooks would have used in their cookies ages ago. Gingerbread is a classic Christmas cookie, and yet it’s also a cookie that would have tasted strikingly similar back in the Middle Ages. Ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and mace combine to make a snappy, spicy taste, just like they would have back then. And gingerbread uses molasses as a sweetener, something that medieval cooks would appreciate as refined sugar was so expensive. These cooks would not have made gingerbread men, however. The first person to try that was none other than Queen Elizabeth I of England, who had the cookie molded into the shapes of her favorite courtiers. www.history.com/news/hungry-history/the-medieval-history-of-the-christmas-cookie?cmpid=Social_TWITTER_HISTORY_20161224_738616578&linkId=32544385
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Post by casper on Dec 24, 2016 19:29:34 GMT -6
Merry Christmas everybody!!! May the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future all visit you tonight. If you don't want to talk to them feel free to send them over to my house. I'm at home right now making cookies with my girlfriend. Ok, so she is making the cookies and I am eating them but I'm acting like I'm helping. Tomorrow we are going over to her parents house for Christmas dinner and to open a bunch of presents and stuff. It should be lots of fun. And speaking of presents, skywalker gave me a whole case of moon pies!!! He said he got them from the moon pie factory in Chattanooga. I didn't even know there was a moon pie factory in Chattanooga but I sure as heck wish I could have went there. That would be so cool! He always goes to the coolest places.
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Post by swamprat on Dec 24, 2016 21:10:15 GMT -6
A Christmas Poem The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight. My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, My daughter beside me, angelic in rest Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe, Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep, Secure and surrounded by love, I would sleep, In perfect contentment, or so it would seem, So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near, But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear. Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow. My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear, And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night, A lone figure stood his face weary and tight. A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old, Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold. Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled, Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear, "Come in this moment, it's freezing out here! Put down your pack; brush the snow from your sleeve, You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!" For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift, Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts, To the window that danced with a warm fire's light. Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right, I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night.""It's my duty to stand at the front of the line, That separates you from the darkest of times. No one had to ask or beg or implore, I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before. My Gramps died at Pearl on a day in December." Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas Gram always remembers." "My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ', And now it is my turn and so, here I am. I've not seen my own son in more than a while, But my wife sends me pictures; he's sure got her smile." Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag, The red, white, and blue... an American flag. "I can live through the cold and the being alone, Away from my family, my house and my home I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet, I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat. I can carry the weight of killing another, Or lay down my life for my sister or brother, Who stand at the front against any and all To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
"So go back inside," he said, "Harbor no fright, Your family is waiting and I'll be all right." "But isn't there something I can do, at the least? Give you money," I asked, "Or prepare you a feast? It seems all too little for all that you've done, for being away from your wife and your son." Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret, "Just tell us you love us, and never forget To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone, To stand your own watch, no matter how long For when we come home, either standing or dead, To know you remember we fought and we bled Is payment enough, and with that we will trust, that we mattered to you as you mattered to us."
Merry Christmas! God Bless!
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Post by skywalker on Dec 24, 2016 22:11:39 GMT -6
Merry Christmas everyone. Hope you have a wonderful holiday.
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Post by auntym on Dec 24, 2016 22:46:07 GMT -6
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE...
The Muppets spread Holiday cheer with their rendition of "Ringing of the Bells"
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Post by swamprat on Dec 25, 2016 10:20:02 GMT -6
My Christmas message. Many of you have seen the video of our local boy and his dog.
Semper fi Viral Christmas: Vet 'saw life' in puppy presentRyan Dailey, Democrat staff writer December 24, 2016
(Photo: Courtesy of Dena Coukoulis)
The video has been circling everywhere on the internet, already amassing millions of views: A Marine Corps veteran is gifted a beagle puppy no bigger than his hand and begins to cry at the sight of his new companion.
As the puppy wriggles in his hands, the broad-shouldered Marine betrays emotion that has tugged at the heartstrings of those who have seen the video.
But the star of the viral video is unlikely to appear on a TV talk show sharing his account of the moment, at once heartbreaking and heartwarming.
Cpl. Peter Coukoulis, 26, returned to the States in 2011 after being deployed in Afghanistan; he enlisted in the Marines straight out of Leon High School. Now an electrician in civilian life, he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Large crowds and stressful situations — like the media attention following the circulation of his video — cause Peter to withdraw from people.
“Peter did ROTC at Leon High School, but was a typical teen who got in normal trouble,” said Peter’s mother, Dena Coukoulis.
Peter decided he wanted to join the Marines the day of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He was just 11 years old.
“I had my hands full with him, but the one thing he followed through on was, he joined the Marines,” she said.
When he first returned home, hundreds from the community came out to greet him and thank him for his service. His story even landed on the cover of the Tallahassee Democrat.
Peter Coukoulis waves to well wishers as his mom, Dena Coukoulis and John Coukoulis escort their newly arrived Marine home. Dena Coukoulis hosted a surprise party for her son, Marine Lance Corporal Peter Coukoulis who returned home from Afghanistan on Sunday, June 5, 2011. The Patriot Guard escorted Peter home from I-10 and hundreds turned out to support Peter at the Ox Bottom roundabout with cheers, flags and well wishes. Ê Contact name: (Photo: Democrat files)
Yet for all the fanfare, Coukoulis’ mother says, he began to shy away from the public eye. Sometimes, he even stopped spending time with the family.
“In the beginning, it was kind of like he was isolating himself. I mean he would hang out with us but spent a lot of time alone on the back porch," his mother said. "I started to notice him withdrawing. Just not socializing, not talking, not sharing and not being able to sleep.”
‘He saw life’ When Peter was nine years old, the Coukoulis family adopted a beagle named Jackie. It became his childhood companion.
Willa, Peter Coukoulis' new beagle, pictured in Peter's boot the night he got her as a gift. (Photo: Courtesy of Dena Coukoulis)
On his return home from Afghanistan, Peter learned Jackie had died.
Jackie’s death was particularly tough for Peter to digest. While he was overseas, one of his fellow Marines in a different unit was killed in an explosion — along with his IED-sniffing dog.
“When we had to break that news to him when he got back, and then he told us about the fatality, it was really very difficult,” Dena said.
Things at home didn’t get any easier. Going through a divorce since his return added emotional stress even as Peter tried to sort through everything else.
For those reasons, Dena explained, receiving his new puppy — a girl named Willa — has brought Peter profound comfort.
“I think that emotion came from him experiencing all the loss, and when he saw that puppy’s face, he saw life,” Dena said.
“I think when he was over there and he saw how hard kids had it, kids who really were not going to have any kind of bright future — that was hard for him.”
Beginning of a good thing As the mother of a Marine, Dena Coukoulis, of course, knows the statistics: 22 veterans die by suicide each day. Those who struggle with PTSD can feel hopeless, debilitated.
Willa, the beagle puppy (Photo: Courtesy of Dena Coukoulis)
The family has rallied around him. After Peter’s brother, George, got out of the Navy, he made a point of moving home to spend time with his older brother before going away to attend college in Colorado.
With his brother home, Peter began going out on the weekends, becoming more comfortable socially. George, who at 24 is two years younger than his brother, said the two were only able to talk sparingly when they were both in the military.
“How it is with brothers; you might spend time apart but when you get back together it’s like you never skipped a beat.” Still, George said, he did not know the full extent to which Peter was struggling until he returned to Tallahassee.
“I didn’t even realize it, but my brother probably went through the worst five years of his life,” he said.
George said Peter, at first, was apprehensive about seeking help for his PTSD, but George encouraged him to do some reaching out.
“He told me, ‘Hey you were right, I don’t know what I would’ve done otherwise if you didn’t help me realize that,’ ” George said. He needed that little boost to have the realization, and honestly, it’s like he’s a different person.”
Peter began throwing himself into projects, most of which involve fishing. George said his brother has been talking about taking other veterans fishing as a means of providing a helping hand to others.
“Even in the video, he’s doing something with a fishing lure,” Dena said. “That’s actually been a good form of therapy for him.”
Peter received a fishing boat as a gift from one of his fellow Marine veterans, with whom he has maintained close relationships.
“I started seeing consistency with Peter that I just felt he was moving forward and he would be ready for a dog,” Dena said.
She refuses to see her son become a statistic and encourages other veterans who are suffering from PTSD to reach out to those who care about them.
“If I had any advice for veterans, it would be to take advantage of the resources that are available to you,” she said. “We had to encourage Peter to get the help he needed.”
Watch video: www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2016/12/24/viral-christmas-vet-saw-life-puppy-present/95723962/
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Post by jcurio on Dec 27, 2016 0:42:40 GMT -6
Chuck Norris for president!
(oops! Too late!)
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Post by auntym on Oct 4, 2017 11:49:03 GMT -6
mysteriousuniverse.org/2017/10/cover-your-kids-eyes-tomb-of-santa-claus-found-in-turkey/ Cover Your Kids’ Eyes — Tomb of Santa Claus Found in Turkeyby Paul Seaburn / mysteriousuniverse.org/author/paulseaburn/October 5, 2017 Warning! This story contains details that may give nightmares to those who believe in Santa Claus!While the look of a jolly old white-bearded man in red can be traced back to the famous 1823 “The Night Before Christmas” poem and caricatures in the 1880s by Thomas Nast, historians know that the actual title of the poem is “A Visit from St. Nicholas” and was based loosely on a real person who lived in the 4th century in what is now Turkey. Archeologists hoping to prove the existence of the legendary Nicholas have found a grave in the most unlikely likely place – under the St. Nicholas Church in Turkey’s Antalya province. Did they also find that pony you’ve been asking Santa for? According to Daily Sabbah, archeologists were conducting digital scans of the church’s foundation when they found indications of an underground shrine beneath a mosaic-covered floor. The shrine appears to be intact and of the type that would house the relics of the church’s namesake, who is revered by many religions as well as the inspiration for a modern-day equivalent revered by many retailers. The 4th century Nicholas was a Greek Bishop of Myra in what is now Demre, Turkey. While his secret gift-giving was the inspiration for holiday traditions in many countries, he’s also the patron saint of sailors, merchants, repentant thieves, brewers and pawnbrokers. After he died in 343, his body was said to have been kept in his burial church in Myra until 1087 when Italian merchants allegedly smuggled it to Bari in Italy. However, it’s now believed that those remains actually belonged to a local priest, not Nicholas. The newly discovered shrine may provide proof that the relics are still in Demre. However, getting to them won’t be easy, says Antalya’s Monument Authority Cemil Karabayram. “We believe this shrine has not been damaged at all, but it is quite difficult to get to it as there are mosaics on the floor” To preserve the rest of the historic church, the tiles will have to be removed as whole piece in a mold. Karabayram is using experts from eight different archeological fields to conduct the excavation. Forgetting the Santa Claus connection for a moment, the historical significance of Nicholas is substantial. He was at the First Council of Nicae in 325 which set the direction for early Christianity. As a result, he is commemorated by Roman Catholics, Orthodox Christians, Anglicans, Lutherans and a number of Reformed churches. Nicholas was a leader and a humble caregiver who did both every day, not just once a year. That’s the story kids should hear – and not just once a year. mysteriousuniverse.org/2017/10/cover-your-kids-eyes-tomb-of-santa-claus-found-in-turkey/ HAS THE ORIGINAL SANTA CLAUSE BEEN FOUND IN TURKEY? www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41504172?ocid=socialflow_twitter
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Post by auntym on Dec 9, 2017 14:36:22 GMT -6
Did you know? NASA used "Santa Claus" as a codename for THREE UFOs spotted during the lunar landings...
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Post by auntym on Dec 12, 2017 14:24:07 GMT -6
www.phantomsandmonsters.com/2017/12/strange-holiday-activity.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PhantomsAndMonstersAPersonalJourney+%28Phantoms+and+Monsters%29 Tuesday, December 12, 2017 Strange Holiday Activity Posted by Lon Strickler / plus.google.com/+LonStrickler The following account was forwarded to me by a reader in 2010: Mr. Strickler - I wanted to tell you about a few strange incidents I experienced several years ago during the holiday season. I am a collector of vintage Christmas ornaments and have done so for over 30 years. The day after Thanksgiving, I received a telephone call from a local auctioneer who had just received a consignment that included several rare handmade ornaments. The next week, I attended the auction and was delighted after obtaining several of these fine pieces at very reasonable prices. One ornament in particular stood out from the rest. It was a porcelain figure of a St. Bernard dog, hand-crafted in pre-WWII Poland Each Christmas, I select my favorite ornaments from my collection to display on my tree. I was very proud of the recently obtained St. Bernard dog ornament and wanted to show it off to my friends and family. One morning last week, I noticed that the ornament had fallen from the tree and was laying on the carpet. The string that attached it to the tree branch was not tore and I felt fortunate that it had not broken. I just placed it back on the tree. That evening, I was sitting in the living room reading a magazine when I started to hear a 'ringing' sound coming from the tree. It was like a the sound of a porcelain bell. The sound lasted for a few seconds then suddenly stopped. About an hour later, the ringing sound started again but this time it was a bit louder and lasted for almost a minute. I looked at the tree but could not tell where the sound was coming from. I just assumed it was coming from outside the house. That night, I was laying in bed asleep (around 11:45 pm) when I thought I heard heavy footsteps coming down my upstairs hallways towards my bedroom. I got up, looked around the house and rechecked the intruder alarm. I was in the kitchen checking the outside door when I heard footsteps rapidly going up the stairs to the second floor. I live alone, so I was very concerned. I called 911 just to be safe. The police looked around the property to make sure it was safe. I live in a small community where everyone knows everybody else's business, so anything out of the ordinary is common knowledge the next day. The police assured me that they would not make a report. They soon left and told me to call back if I noticed anything unusual. I thought that was an odd statement but I appreciated their concern. I walked up the stairs and turned towards my bedroom. As soon as I got to the bedroom door I noticed it. The St. Bernard ornament was on my nightstand. Now I was freaked out. I have never experienced any paranormal activity though I love to read about these things. Now it was happening to me. I picked up the ornament, walked downstairs and placed it back on the tree. I looked at it for a minute or two and then noticed that two other ornaments were missing. I looked on the carpet but nothing was there. After looking around for several minutes I decided to go back to bed and look again in the morning. The next morning, I woke and walked downstairs. I entered the living room and immediately noticed that the St. Bernard ornament was missing from the tree - but the two ornaments that were missing the night before were back on the tree. I looked all over the house, but the ornament was gone. It has been almost a week and the St. Bernard ornament is still missing, but there has been no further activity since it disappeared. I cannot explain any of this. Are you familiar with this type of activity? I hesitate to speculate what is going on and really don't want anybody coming into my house to investigate. If the ornament returns, I will notify you. Please feel free to publish my story if you like but I would appreciate anonymity. Thank you. NOTE: As far as I know, the St. Bernard ornament never resurfaced. Lon
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Post by auntym on Dec 12, 2017 14:34:25 GMT -6
This is why you don't put lights on palm trees...
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whatwouldyousuggest
Junior Member
I once was...I am again..I always will be....all hail the personal opinion
Posts: 121
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Post by whatwouldyousuggest on Dec 13, 2017 10:46:50 GMT -6
I suspect...someone thought that was just hilarious. It IS pretty funny. They're not so bad dressed in red and green and blue...wrapped I say...wrapped.
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Post by auntym on Dec 14, 2017 13:32:08 GMT -6
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whatwouldyousuggest
Junior Member
I once was...I am again..I always will be....all hail the personal opinion
Posts: 121
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Post by whatwouldyousuggest on Dec 17, 2017 17:01:14 GMT -6
That is NOT the spirit of Christmas in my head. More the stuff of nightmares or maybe the epitome of the Grinch. At any rate...wishing everyone a Merry CHRISTmas and blessings enough to go around.
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whatwouldyousuggest
Junior Member
I once was...I am again..I always will be....all hail the personal opinion
Posts: 121
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Post by whatwouldyousuggest on Dec 20, 2017 23:58:33 GMT -6
Incredible Cliff...gave me chills. Thank you and Merry ChristMas.
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Post by swamprat on Dec 21, 2017 10:45:36 GMT -6
Ditto, Cliff!
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Post by auntym on Dec 22, 2017 17:52:26 GMT -6
Silent Night by Chewbacca
Published on Dec 21, 2016
Merry Wookie Christmas from HISHE and James Covenant! (http://tinyurl.com/jkc9f7l) The brilliant idea for "Chewbacca Sings Silent Night" was actually created in 1999 by Scott Andersen and since then his audio has been shared many times, often without crediting him. You can download the original at the link above, or better yet support his genius by hiring him for web design.
With Scott's "blessing" and in honor of Christmas and Star Wars season, James Covenant (creator of the awesome Star Trek "Make It So" video: was inspired to create this new video for our channel to wish you all a very Star Wars Christmas!
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Post by auntym on Dec 24, 2017 13:20:39 GMT -6
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Post by auntym on Dec 24, 2017 13:27:01 GMT -6
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Post by auntym on Dec 24, 2017 13:51:16 GMT -6
www.cnn.com/2017/12/24/politics/annad-santa-tracker-christmas/index.html?sr=fbCNN122417annad-santa-tracker-christmas1202PMVODtop annaD to track Santa's movements on Christmas EveBy Michael Callahan, CNN Sun December 24, 2017 CLICK TO FOLLOW SANTAwww.facebook.com/cnn/videos/vb.5550296508/10157732387276509/?type=3&theater (CNN)The US military command that is charged with protecting the airspace for North America is on alert this Christmas weekend for a man with a white beard and a red suit. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (annaD) is preparing to track a sleigh and eight tiny reindeer around the world as it heads for US airspace Sunday night. annaD said in a statement that starting at 2:01 a.m. ET on December 24, the public can access its official Santa Tracker to watch Santa Claus prepare for his voyage. Once Santa takes flight, the public can track his whereabouts and access annaD's "Santa Cams" as he journeys around the world to bring joy to good boys and girls. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump will participate in phone calls, the White House said. Starting at 6 a.m. ET on Christmas Eve, the public can also call 1-877-HI-annaD (1-877-446-6723) and speak live with annaD trackers. People stuck in the car on the way to Grandmother's house, and with an OnStar subscription, can access the tracker by hitting their OnStar button. Marine Col. Bob Brodie of the 601st Air Operations Center said fighter jets will "fly along (Santa's) wing" in a "close escort," and that the center will "monitor him with our satellites and even have infrared trackers to follow Rudolph." The Santa Tracker program began in 1955 because of a mistake in a Colorado Springs newspaper advertisement from Sears Roebuck & Co. The Sears ad misprinted the telephone number for children to call Santa. The phone number published was actually for the commander in chief's operations hotline at the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), which was annaD's predecessor. On December 24, 1955, Air Force Col. Harry Shoup was on duty, and instead of hanging up on countless children that night, Shoup checked the radar and updated the eager children on jolly old Saint Nick's location. That 1955 misprint and Shoup's actions started a 62-year tradition that is made possible today by volunteers and corporate sponsors who bear the expense. www.cnn.com/2017/12/24/politics/annad-santa-tracker-christmas/index.html?sr=fbCNN122417annad-santa-tracker-christmas1202PMVODtop
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Post by auntym on Dec 24, 2017 16:33:58 GMT -6
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Post by skywalker on Dec 24, 2017 19:43:50 GMT -6
Merry Christmas everybody!
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Post by auntym on Dec 25, 2017 12:48:52 GMT -6
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Post by auntym on Dec 25, 2017 13:55:43 GMT -6
FAVORITE CHRISTMAS SONGS
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Post by auntym on Dec 26, 2017 14:56:25 GMT -6
A Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight! 🌙
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Post by auntym on Dec 27, 2017 18:43:47 GMT -6
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Post by auntym on Jan 6, 2018 23:48:37 GMT -6
www.mypalmbeachpost.com/news/twas-the-night-before-christmas-mar-lago-guess-who-stirring/BWxUjBw3GocBbh9BcPkavJ/Illustration by Mark Buzek / Palm Beach Post Twas the night before Christmas at Mar-a-Lago. Guess who’s stirring?By Frank Cerabino - Palm Beach Post Staff Writer / www.mypalmbeachpost.com/staff/frank-cerabino/Posted: 1:47 p.m. Friday, December 22, 2017
‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the state
The temperature had fallen to a muggy seventy-eight.
The residents of Mar-a-Lago, were getting a snooze
All except for Donald, who was watching the news.
On Fox they were saying, Trump was making us great
So he ate some more ice cream even though it was late.
And then to CNN he turned for affirmation
But they were still saying he’s ruining the nation.
“I’ll show them, I will,” he yelled, waking his wife.
“I’ll sue them for libel, and ban them for life!”
He reached for his phone, but Melania was quicker.
“Put down that device. It just makes you sicker.”
“You’ll Tweet something foolish, illegal and telling.”
“And make at least three more grave errors in spelling.”
“It’s Christmas,” she told him, “time to feel blessed.
Stop with the Diet Cokes, and go get some rest.”
“Tomorrow you’ll wake up and golf all day through.
I’m the one stuck here with nothing to do.”
Then she turned in a huff, and went back in her quarters.
He thought he might follow, but the woman had borders.
Click went the lock, and his mind took old directions
To pageants with beauties and dressing-room inspections.
But he was president now, and it was time to take measure
Of serious tax cuts that his business friends treasure.
The tax bill’s a windfall for his pass-through LLC
Meaning all the more more money for me, me, me, me.
And the stock market’s raging and still no inflation
So why was he not just awash in elation?
The answer, he knew, was abundantly clear.
But who knew that Russia was a nation to fear?
He couldn’t imagine that his life they would pillory.
All for getting Ruskies to help him beat Hillary.
And now, his family, they too would feel scare-ed.
Don Jr., Eric, Ivanka and Jared.
And it made Donald sad to come to this epiphany.
That the only one spared would be the daughter named Tiffany.
He was cursing his fate and about to call Hannity
A sure sign that he was just losing his sanity.
When out beyond the lawn he heard such a clatter.
He put down his ice cream to see what’s the matter.
The moon on the breast of the St. Augustine grass
gave the luster of mid-day to objects that pass.
When what to Trump’s powdered old eyes should appear
But an object that was airborne and suddenly near.
“This is wrong,” he shouted. “Get away from my home!”
“Don’t you know I live in a big no-fly zone.”
But this was no plane that had gotten off course
It was Mueller, himself, and his crackerjack force.
With a sled that was pulled by feds steeped in detection
Who were finding out secrets about that election.
More rapid than eagles his investigators they came
Mueller whistled and shouted and called them by name:
“Now, Dreeben, and Weissmann, Quarles and Zelinsky
On Zebley, Preloger, Rhee, and Dubinsky.”
They had piles of papers and videotaped discussions
About Trump and his finances with unsavory Russians.
His taxes, his lies and Mike Flynn’s confessions
Now nobody could help Trump, not even Jeff Sessions.
“I’ll fire you,” Trump shouted. “And all of your crew.”
“Or I’ll pardon myself, yes, that’s what I’ll do.”
“’Cause I’m the greatest of presidents, even better than Lincoln.”
“And without me, the U.S. of A would be sinkin.’”
And with that, old Mueller, landed his sleigh on the roof.
“No need to debate, sir. We’ve got so much proof.”
“But I didn’t come here to chat, to subpoena or gloat.”
“I’m just here to deliver you a personal note.”
Mueller walked from the sleigh and to Trump’s hand did reach
“Take the paper, sir. Don’t worry. It’s not time to impeach.”
“I’m just doing an errand for an old FBI homie.”
“The guy that you fired, Director Jim Comey.”
Trump unfolded the note and over the words began poring
Even though reading was something he always found boring.
“Merry Christmas, sir,” it said, “and the miracle season.
“For that’s what it’ll take to spare you from treason.”
Mueller jumped back to his sleigh and to his team gave a whistle
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But Trump heard him exclaim, before he flew out of sight,
“It’s not a coup, Mr. President. It’s doing what’s right.
“For men who imagine they have all of the might.
“Find the rule of law applies, and to all a good night.”www.mypalmbeachpost.com/news/twas-the-night-before-christmas-mar-lago-guess-who-stirring/BWxUjBw3GocBbh9BcPkavJ/
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Post by auntym on Nov 23, 2018 14:48:15 GMT -6
www.denofgeek.com/us/movies/christmas/260675/the-17-best-christmas-horror-movies The 17 Best Christmas Horror MoviesIf you're in the mood to spice up your holiday eggnog with a real kick, we have 17 Christmas horror movies that are to die for... The Lists Elizabeth Rayne Jim Knipfel Daniel Kurland Tony Sokol Nov 23, 2018 Technicolor lights are illuminating every other home in the neighborhood; carolers are marching through the streets; even that old tree in Rockefeller is shining brightly.
For some folks, that’s enough to make you want to grab an axe. But don’t do that. Watch demented men dressed as Santa Claus or a demon Krampus give your old Anti-Christmas sentiments a turn with maximum gore. Indeed, this list isn’t about the most charming, or heartwarming, or fancy-schmancy schmaltz that most Christmas articles, even on this site, heave into the world. Nay, this is about the 17 grossest, nastiest, and all around most fun Christmas horror movies. The kind where the greatest gift you’re going to get on Christmas morning is escaping with your life and maybe some everlasting psychological triggers whenever you see big jolly men in red suits.
Yep, here are the very best Christmas horror movies. Ho. Freaking. Ho.CONTINUE READING FOR THE CHRISTMAS LIST: www.denofgeek.com/us/movies/christmas/260675/the-17-best-christmas-horror-movies
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