Went to Walmart and all the fall stuff is on display. Scarecrows, dried leaves, pumpkins, door wreaths. Outside the mums are lined up like a parade. Mums have somehow come to symbolize fall for me. I don't remember seeing them as a child growing up, it isn't a memory like that. Fall meant going back to school and the leaves falling off the trees. That was about the extent of fall when I was growing up. But fall, like most everything you can think of, has become big business. Lots of money to be made. If it isn't home and lawn decorations, it's flavored drinks! Pumpkin spice is running wild. I've never had a pumpkin drink personally and I can't see myself ever having one. The thought of drinking pumpkin nauseates me. But then again I don't like pumpkin pie either. And pumpkin bread? Get outta here with that stuff.
But the season is about to change and there is money to be made. It's a short jump from fall to the biggy, the HOLIDAY season. The term winter is almost going away in favor of the holiday season. There are one hundred and twenty six days until Christmas but you hear about it right now. That is a full one third of the year. The narrative is two thirds of the way there! You had better start that shopping. There is Halloween to deal with, a growing celebration even today, but more of a decorating holiday than the gathering of candy. Times and tradition do change. Then we have Thanksgiving. In my estimation Thanksgiving is on the decline. A holiday were the main deal is a full course meal, an abundance of food. Today however we have an abundance of food every day so it's not such a big deal anymore. At least that's my take on it. Thanksgiving is associated with the harvest. Not many have experienced a harvest these days. The only harvest most know about is, a harvest of savings at Walmart. Those that do grow home gardens look at their harvest as a hobby, not a necessity. As I said, time and tradition do change.
Ah but then the main event, Christmas. A season of office parties and excessive spending. Decorations become a national event. In the capital we will erect an enormous tree, a HOLIDAY tree. Not supposed to call it a Christmas tree anymore. That's because it is on public land. There will be no religious symbols placed on public lands! Some homeowners associations prohibit that as well. An amazing thing when you think about it. Well those same associations limit the number and type of flag you may fly, among numerous other restrictions. And yes, it is a choice, you don't have to live there. I find the birth of the Christ and all of that comes almost as an aside these days. It has become a " story " to far too many people. Look up the definition of the word story. It says it is an account of an imaginary or real people or events told for entertainment. Notice the description, entertainment. Isn't that what Christmas has evolved into for many? An entertainment extravaganza. It comes complete with catchy catch phrases like, the reason for the season. You will see NOEL used a lot. But what does Noel mean? It could be from the French word, nael, meaning Christmas Season, or it could have come from Latin, natalis, meaning birth. But to a great number of people it just means Christmas, sorta. It's what you say at Christmas. Well unless you just say Happy Holidays that is. Time and tradition.
Well anyway, the mums are for sale, the fall decorations line the shelves, and pumpkin spice fills the air. I do enjoy the early fall, the change in the seasons. I'm about done with grass cutting and it's time for leaf raking. Okay, I'll use a leaf blower, an electric one, but still gather the leaves. I don't burn them the way we did in the past, the experts say it can cause cancer breathing that smoke. I never intentionally inhaled that smoke but did enjoy the smell of it. Another tradition lost to time I suppose. Now you would have to notify the fire department, get a permit, and have a designated area. Ah well, time and tradition.
But the season is about to change and there is money to be made. It's a short jump from fall to the biggy, the HOLIDAY season. The term winter is almost going away in favor of the holiday season. There are one hundred and twenty six days until Christmas but you hear about it right now. That is a full one third of the year. The narrative is two thirds of the way there! You had better start that shopping. There is Halloween to deal with, a growing celebration even today, but more of a decorating holiday than the gathering of candy. Times and tradition do change. Then we have Thanksgiving. In my estimation Thanksgiving is on the decline. A holiday were the main deal is a full course meal, an abundance of food. Today however we have an abundance of food every day so it's not such a big deal anymore. At least that's my take on it. Thanksgiving is associated with the harvest. Not many have experienced a harvest these days. The only harvest most know about is, a harvest of savings at Walmart. Those that do grow home gardens look at their harvest as a hobby, not a necessity. As I said, time and tradition do change.
Ah but then the main event, Christmas. A season of office parties and excessive spending. Decorations become a national event. In the capital we will erect an enormous tree, a HOLIDAY tree. Not supposed to call it a Christmas tree anymore. That's because it is on public land. There will be no religious symbols placed on public lands! Some homeowners associations prohibit that as well. An amazing thing when you think about it. Well those same associations limit the number and type of flag you may fly, among numerous other restrictions. And yes, it is a choice, you don't have to live there. I find the birth of the Christ and all of that comes almost as an aside these days. It has become a " story " to far too many people. Look up the definition of the word story. It says it is an account of an imaginary or real people or events told for entertainment. Notice the description, entertainment. Isn't that what Christmas has evolved into for many? An entertainment extravaganza. It comes complete with catchy catch phrases like, the reason for the season. You will see NOEL used a lot. But what does Noel mean? It could be from the French word, nael, meaning Christmas Season, or it could have come from Latin, natalis, meaning birth. But to a great number of people it just means Christmas, sorta. It's what you say at Christmas. Well unless you just say Happy Holidays that is. Time and tradition.
Well anyway, the mums are for sale, the fall decorations line the shelves, and pumpkin spice fills the air. I do enjoy the early fall, the change in the seasons. I'm about done with grass cutting and it's time for leaf raking. Okay, I'll use a leaf blower, an electric one, but still gather the leaves. I don't burn them the way we did in the past, the experts say it can cause cancer breathing that smoke. I never intentionally inhaled that smoke but did enjoy the smell of it. Another tradition lost to time I suppose. Now you would have to notify the fire department, get a permit, and have a designated area. Ah well, time and tradition.
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