Deck Those Halls...
That's always been a fun song that takes me ALL the way back to elementary school (when the school systems actually EMBRACED Christmas, instead of changing it to some secular-humanistic venue), and has always carried with it (to me) the whole "get up, get started and get decorating" gig, but these days, when it gets to that part about the whole "gay apparel" thing, all I can envision are the guys from those Police Academy movies sending their antagonists to the Blue Oyster bar where all the leather-clad and mesh-shirted patrons are "Village-Peopling" the night away...LOL.
Somehow, that doesn't invoke a whole lotta "Christmas"...
But I still wind up humming it (along with more than a handful of others) when I go and dig out the decorations.
Yesterday's weather helped in no small part to get the season going, too...
We were SUPPOSED to get "a flurry or two", according to the weather folks.
(*ahem*)
Didn't QUITE turn out that way (does it ever?), as a light snow fell most ALL day, along with the temperatures.
What we finally wound up with, was a nice 1/4 inch coating on damn near everything, and that kept the FWPD WAY busier than normal.
Over 46 accidents happened around town, most of them slide-offs and minor fender-benders, which tells me ONE thing:
--People cannot (or will not) adapt to weather changes in the manner that they SHOULD...period.
My Dad was a man who, whenever he heard the weather report say we were in for some "light" snow or flurries, he'd go and put the scraper in the car, along with some old carpet remnants (for traction), and dig out the foul-weather gear, because he KNEW the roads would suck-on-ice...literally!
And he was rarely wrong, but at least he was ALWAYS prepared.
Thankfully, he passed that along to me, and I to my wife.
I put the brush-scraper in Wifey's car yesterday, and this morning I added an "Emergency Kit" we got at K-mart in the trunk.
Now, she has THREE sets of jumper cables, plus some tools, and some reflectors should she ever encounter trouble.
I don't have anything as "compact" as that in MY "trunk" (hatchbacks have more like cubby-holes on either side of the open hatch area), so I've had to improvise my emergency items over the years.
I have my tool kit (in a folding pouch) complete with pliers, cutters, std & METRIC wrenches, and TORX screwdrivers, because engineers LOVE to mess with bolts and screws on AMERICAN vehicles. I also have a flashlight, and a trash bag that will do as an impromptu "poncho", in rainy weather.
I've got a spool of heavy-gauge wire for whatever, along with (the handyman's secret weapon)...DUCT TAPE.
And, I've got two road flares..the HOUR-LONG kind you hardly see anymore (with that big SPIKE on the end)...makes one helluva "birthday candle", too.
Just don't try to blow one out...you'll give yourself a hernia. It never hurts to have an old pair of PANTYHOSE in the kit, too.
(What the hell for, Bob?)
I'm glad you asked.
In an emergency like a broken V-belt (alternator or pwr steering), you can utilize pantyhose as a makeshift belt to get you to a repair shop or parts place. It won't last forever, but it WILL work.
And it also NEVER hurts to have a blanket or one of Aunt Millie's old quilts inside the trunk somewhere...in case you're ever stranded.
Another neat idea is to have a "crank-powered portable radio", so you can be advised to weather conditions should you get stranded.
All of this stuff doesn't take up much room, and doesn't really weigh enough to kill the mileage.
It WILL come in handy should the unthinkable occur.
** Almost forgot...with today's technology, you obviously have some sort of RECORDING DEVICE at hand (cell phone, digital camera, disposable camera, whatever) if the need arises to "document" a roadside incident. But if you don't...get one.
Also, if you're out and about getting those decorations and/or presents, it never hurts to know some "basics" when driving.
First and foremost, make SURE you have the vehicle's REGISTRATION with you.
Next, check for PROOF OF INSURANCE, and that it IS up-to-date.
Finally, for God's sake, take your DRIVER'S LICENSE with you.
You would be AMAZED at how MANY folks forget one, or even ALL of the above.
They just get in the car and GO...absolutely NO thought about taking ID with them, or whether they can PROVE to any officer that stops them if the car BELONGS to them, and that it's insured. (which means you DO have registration...it's another circle-of-life thing)
Personally, what I like to do is keep a SECOND copy of all the important stuff ON ME, as well as the originals in the glove box.
I have a "black book" in my car that has all the informational documents in a clear plastic case for ease of use.
Then again, I like to have ANY officer know WHO I am, and that this is indeed MY car.
If you gamble with not having all of these 3 documents in the vehicle or on your person, don't be surprised if you are asked to be a guest at the local lockup.
(not bad if you prefer bologna or cheese sandwiches)
Doesn't matter if you're in the house or outside running errands...always take the time to practice common sense AND safety.
You don't want a citation for no documents for the vehicle (or yourself), and you don't want your house to burn down (shoulda changed the smoke alarm batteries), right?
What you DO want is for the holiday season to be a stress-free AS POSSIBLE, and taking steps to ensure the safety of you and your loved ones can be one of the greatest gifts you can give...at ANY time of year, but especially NOW.
Lastly, today...lyesterday evening marked the beginning of the Hebrew holiday of Hanukkah (or Chanukah...there are several ways to spell it, and all are accepted).
I won't go into the history...that's YOUR assignment for today, so here's the link:
http://www.history.com/topics/hanukkah
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanukkah
The Festival of Lights is a time of DEDICATION (as per the Hebrew translation of the word Hanukkah), and when you read up on it, you find some wonderful aspects to Judaism, which for this shouting Methodist is always a good read. In learning about this holiday, I learned more about my own
And let's not forget that many people of the Jewish faith fill in for many Christians during the Christmas season at hospitals and such.
We should do likewise for them during this time of year of their calendar..
So when we're decking whatever hall we find ourselves in, we really should be thankful for all that we are able to enjoy as well as all that's been provided for us.
Let's resolve to dedicate ourselves to making this a better place by helping others to help themselves.
Tis the season anyway, right?
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay safe out there, America.