Let's Save CHRISTmas

My birthday celebrations are over, its been great, and I thank my friends and you all for helping me celebrate it! What a wonderful time to have a birthday!. I am happy, healthy, and even lost 8 and a half pounds in the last two weeks. How did I do it?? well ask me, and Ill explain.

But now its back to my soapbox and a topic I am passionate about, and that is the attempt to steal away Christmas. this link shows the latest futile attempt to make Christmas extinct. From schools and workplaces disallowing us to even SAY the word "Christmas" to ne'er-do-wells trying to cancel Christmas parades and manger scenes, because they "offend" (get a life, all you people who are offended) to some schools even banning Christmas COLORS.

So now ABC news says that our Economy is causing us to perhaps cancel Christmas? or maybe making us spend less at Christmas (a.k.a "the holidays" for you easily offended folks)
Well who says that you HAVE to spend whole gobs of money for Christmas (a.k.a "the holidays for... oh skip it). Isn't Christmas supposed to be a celebration of Peace, Love, and Joy, a celebration of the birth of the baby who grew up to be the man who died on the cross for our sins? Is it about family and friends, and the joy of knowing there IS a real peace out there, and a real, lasting joy out there, and not an occasion to run yourself into debt, or eat till you explode (although that last part is fun).

So even if our economy is sagging (which it is not) lets do three things. First off, lets Celebrate CHRISTmas, and not be afraid to say it, sing it, pray it, and live it. bring on the manger scenes, and Santa Claus, and Carols, and the Green and Silver and Red, and the parades and pageants, and lets actually SAY "Merry CHRISTmas" to each other. Second, if money is tight, lets not think about it. Use Christmas to be the season that it is. Joyous, Happy and Wonderful!.

And lastly, pay no attention to people who want to steal this away from you. In fact, laugh at them because they are laughable. I mean really.... if Christmas, a season of real Love, real Peace, and real Joy offends them, what are they going to do when the REAL problems come up.

Probably leave .... oh well, Bon Voyage

THE LAKERS

Contrary to the Title, this is not an article about the Los Angeles basketball team. In fact, if the first thing that came to your mind was Kobe Bryant, then maybe you are not the person to read this post. I, like all other dwellers of the Great Lakes know that when we talk Lakers, we are talking about the great freighters that travail the lakes, and sometimes, end up under them.

And one of the best places to me for watching these great boats is Port Huron, Michigan, where Lake Huron pours into the St. Clair river. This visit was the conclusion of my birthday celebration, and I am sorry this post was so late in coming, but I have been battling some minor ailments which had me more worried than anything else.

But Port Huron is one of my favorite destinations, and I wanted to share this centerpiece of my celebration with you. I stayed at the Thomas Edison Inn, where they really do things right. From the maids (should we still call them "maids"?) to the receptionists, to the waitresses, everyone knows how to make a guest feel welcome. the rooms are great and the view is perfect, and the restaurant there is first rate (I love the lights that dim as the evening gets darker). You'll want to order the stuffed Portabella Mushroom with spinach and cheese.

The city itself is a normal city. Except for the location and the usual nautical themes that any Port City has, the city itself is OK. The usual Malls await you, and they also have a nifty little chicken place called "Chicken in the Rough" (kind of like a glorified KFC except you must eat with your hands unless you ASK for utensils.. it is after all, Chicken in the Rough)

For the history buffs, there is the train Depot where Thomas Edison himself got booted off the train when he was hawking newspapers. For more info on that story visit Greenfield Villiage.

A lovely long 50 minute walk awaits you on the boardwalk there that stretches well over a mile until you are underneath the Blue Water Bridge. Ah, but then you have to walk back to get the view from the other side.

Now this may be unimpressive to most people. but to me, its a perfect getaway. The weather may be a bit Raw, but if you live by the Great Lakes, ya gotta love it!!

And thanks to all who viewed my posts during this fun time. remember to leave comments! Don't leave me high and dry!

"Lake Huron Rolls, Superior sings
in the ruins of her ice water mansions
Old Michigan steams like a young mans dreams
the Islands and Bays are for sportsmen

And farther below, Lake Ontario
Takes in what Lake Erie can give her
And the iron boats go as the mariners all know
With the gales of November remembered"

From "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald"