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Monday, December 24, 2012

The Christmas Guest - Grandpa Jones

I have loved this 'The Christmas Guest'since I was about nine or ten years old. Then it would give me goosebumps now I just cry. I don't know why but I have seemed to have gotten more weepy as the years have gone by. Oh well, it's a good release. Anyway, the song is by Grandpa ones and all I really know of him is that he was on the American television show 'Hee-Haw' with Buck Owens and Roy Clark and this is the only song I ever remember hearing from him. Anyway, the story of 'The Christmas Guest' is that of a man whose family has died and he is all alone on Christmas until the Lord speaks to him and tells the man to  expect Him as on Christmas. So the man tells his friends and makes his house ready for his special Christmas Guest. He waits all day and three times his door is knocked upon by strangers in need of help, in which the man does help them, but the Lord does not show up. At the end of the day the man kneels and asks the Lord why He did not visit like he had promised... I do not want to spoil the end of it for you so I'll let you watch the video. But you may have it already figured out. But just in case you haven't :



The Christmas Guest

It happened one day near December's end
two neighbors called on an old friend
And they found his shop so meager and lame
Made gay with a thousand bows of green
And Conrad was sitting eith his face ashined
When he suddenly stopped his stitch a twine
And he said "Oh friends at dawn today 
When the cock was crowin the night away
The Lord appeared in a dream to me
And said 'I'm comin' your guest to be.'
So I've been busy with my feet astir
And strewn my shop with branches of fir
The table is spread and the kettle is shined
And over the rafters the holly is twined
Now I'll wait for my Lord to appear
And listen closely so I will hear His step
As he nears my humble place
And I'll open the door and look on His face"
So his friends went home and left Conrad alone
For this was the happiest day he'd  known
For long since his family had passed away
And Conrad spent many a sad Christmas day
But he knew with the Lord as his Christmas guest
This Christmas would be dearest and best
So he listened with only joy in his heart
And with every sound he would rise with a start
And look for the Lord to be at his door
Like the vision he'd had a few hours before
So he rant o the window after hearin' a sound
But all he could see on the snow-covered ground
Was a shabby beggar whose shoes were torn
And all his clothes were ragged and worn
But Conrad was touched and went to the door
And he said "You know, your feet must be frozen and sore
I have some shoes in my shop for you
And a coat that'll keep you warmer too"
So with a grateful heart the man went away
But Conrad noticed the time of day
And wondeed what made the Lord so late
And wondered how much longer he'd have to wait
When he heard a knock he ran to the door
But it was only a stranger once more
A bent ol' lady with a shawl of black
With a bundle of kindlin' piled on her back
She asked only for a place to rest
But that was reserved for Conrad's great guest
But her voice seemed to plead "Don't send me away
Let me rest awhile on Christmas day"
So Conrad brewed her a steamin' cup
And told her to sit at the table and sup
But after she left he was filled with dismay
For he saw that the hours were slippin' away
And the Lord hadn't come as He said He would
And Conrad felt sure he'd misunderstood
When out of the stillness he heard a cry
"Please help me, and tell me whre am I!"
So again he opened his friendly door
And stood disappointed as twice before
It was only a child who'd wandered away
And was lost form her family on Christmas day
Again, Conrad's heart was heavy and sad
But he knew he should make the little girl glad
So he called her ina nd wiped her tears
And quieted all her childish fears
Then he led her back to her home once more
But as he entered his own darkened door 
He knew the Lord was not comin' today
For the hours of Christmas had passed away
So he went to his room and he knealt to pray
And said "Dear Lord why did You delay?
What kept You from callin' on me?
For I wanted so much Your face to see"
When soft in the silence, a voice he heard
"Lift up your head for I kept My word
Three times my shadow crossed your floor
And three times I came to your lonely door
I was the beggar with bruised, cold feet
And the woman you gave somethin' to eat
I was the child on the homeless street.
Three times I knocked and three times I came in
And each time I found the warmth of a friend
Of all the gifts love is the best
And I was honored to be your Christmas guest."


Nativity by Fra. Angelico




Merry Christmas

I  would just like to say that I appreciate everyone who has stopped by and read my blog, it is gratefully appreciated. So, here is wishing you and yours a Peaceful and a Happy Christmas.







Nativity by Italian Renaissance artist, Pietro Perugino, ca. 1504


A Soldier's Christmas Night Before Christmas by Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt

Let us not forget those that will not be able to be here with us because of wars.



This is from the Disabled American Veterans. There is no title but I call it  'A Soldier's Night Before Christmas' and it was written by Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt.

Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
in a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney with presents to give,
and to see just who in this house did live.
I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.

No stocking by mantle,just boots filled with sand,
and on the wall pictures of far distant lands.
With medals and badges, awards of all kinds.a sobering thought came to mind.
For this house was different, so dark and so dreary,
the home of a soldier, now I see clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone,
curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.
The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder,
not how I pictured a United States soldier.
Was this the hero of whom I just read?
Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?

I realized the families that I saw that night,
owed their lives to these soldiers who are willing to fight.
Soon round the world, the children would play,
and grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed their freedom each month of the year,
because of the soldiers, like the one lying here.

I couldn't help but wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas eve in a land far from home.
The very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.
The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,
"Santa don't cry, this life is my choice;

I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more.
my life is my God, my country, my corps." 
The soldier rolled over and soon drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it, I started to weep.
I kept watch for hours, so silent and still,
and we both shivered from the cold evening's chill.

I didn't want to leave on that cold, dark, night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure,
whispered, "Carry on Santa it's Christmas day, all is secure."
One look at my watch, and I knew he ws right.
"Merry Christmas my friends and to all a good night."


_______________________________________

I hope I'm not the only one crying my eyes out.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

More Horrible Than the Pelicans

  If you have been following, even in slight passing, the NBA and the New Orleans Hornets then you know that New Orleans is willing to give up the name 'Hornet'. Which in turns leaves them looking for a new team name. The one that first came out was the Pelicans, which is really lame and for three weeks it has been thought by some of us that was the name that the team was going to be stuck with forever. Today, however, news has come out that the New Orleans Hornets has, in fact, registered five trademarks for the new team name. The proposed team name is as follows: Lame and Lamer. Alright, just kidding, even though true. The real proposed names are:

 New Orleans Pelicans
 New Orleans Bullsharks
 New Orleans Rougarou
New Orleans Swamp Dogs 
New Orleans Mosquitoes 


  Now really...these choices are ridiculous. I mean come on get some names with balls. Something fearful, Mosquitoes just don't cut it. I'm from Louisiana and I have never heard of a Rougarou. Loup garou yes but not rougarou. I had to go and look it up and it turns out that loup garou and rougarou are one in the same thing...a werewolf. It just depends on where you live in Louisiana and what you call a werewolf. So to me that is just jumping on the werewolf craze bandwagon. Now if Joe Manganiello is the new mascot for the team I am for calling them the New Orleans Rougarou.



  As for Swamp Dogs and Bullsharks. Swamp Dogs are alligators and bullsharks have been found as far north as Alton, Illinois in 1937. So yes they can be scary but Louisiana and New Orleans do not have exclusive rights to the bull shark. 



  So what's in a name, apparently a lot if you are a fan of basketball and in particularly the New Orleans Hornets.


Well, I have a Christmas tree but the problem getting it decorated are as follows: the base of the tree is too big for the stand no matter how much is shaved away with a hatchet and then one of the stand's legs got bent out of joint and the whole tree now has fallen over. The upside is that the tree is not decorated. Now up in the attic I keep thinking that there is another tree stand. At least I hope so. If not, I'm in a real pickle because I went to look for one at Walmart and Kmart and they have nothing. Kmart I don't know why but Walmart I suspect put them back up in storage and just tell people they  don't have any tree stands. With their reputation that sounds like something they would do. But never fear tomorrow is another day...and it won't end.


  I guess that's what happens when one doesn't have Christmas spirit and for some reason this year I don't have it.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Waking up With Led 12-16-12

  Sunday Morning on CBS had Anthony Mason conduct an interview with the three surviving members of Led Zeppelin: John Paul Jones,Jimmy Page and Robert Plant.


Friday, December 7, 2012

Fashioin Friday Photo - Liv Tyler at the New York Premiere of The Hobbit : An Unexpected Journey



  Liv Tyler wears this elegant and classy shortened jumpsuit ( some may call it a playsuit, but I thought only babies wore those) with a tuxedo suit jacket and Tabitha Simmons Ruby pumps, which I myself have fallen in love with, at the Ziegfeld Theater premier of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey in New York City on December 6,2012.



And the newest love of my life, Tabitha Simmons 'Ruby' Pump: