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As usual, I am behind in preparing for Chrismas. It is my own fault, for the stores tried to give me lots of warning. Just one day after Halloween was over, their Halloween decorations came down, they had their Christmas ones up and Christmas hymns and songs playing. So, I realize that this report will not reach youi before Christmas. I do feel sorry for the sales people working in the stores, because for about six weeks they have to listen to the same music over and over, and there is not much variety in it. How many times can one hear "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" without getting a little tired of it?
But in Canada we do dream of a white Christmas. As you know, Canada is a northerly country, and we are approaching the shortest day of the year, about December 21. In Ottawa on that date we shall have about eight and a half hours of daylight, and as most of the country is farther north than Ottawa, days there will be even shorter. I usually find November a dismal month, with short daylight and dull. But in December we normally get snow, sometimes lots of it. So, most of us do dream of a white Christmas, for the snow brightens things up. However, as I write this there is still no snow on the ground, bue we hope for some by the time Christmas holidays come around. If we get enough the children, and perhaps some of the adults, can go skiing, sliding, tobogganing, and --the greatest fun of all--rolling over and over down hills (if it is not too cold).
We also brighten up the dark nights is by putting up coloured lights. I have a string of them in front of my house, and I think they look lovely. Some houses make a great show of them, there is almost a competition to have the best display. I often think the brightest displays are put on by retired people who have lots of time on their hands and nothing better to do. I do enjoy so much going around and looking at the displays of lights; they certainly do cheer us up during the dark days. The Parliament Buildings in down town Ottawa have thousands of coloured lights on the surrounding trees. However, I probably shall not see them this yewar as I try to avoid going down town. Inside our houses we often have a decorated tree with coloured lights and other ornaments. I also have a "creche" on a table, with baby Jesus, the shepherds, and the wise men. There are wreaths or other decorations on front doors. All together it is great fun, and I hate taking the decorations down a few weeks after New Years.
Christmas, of course, is a time for family get togethers; people try so hard to get together for Christmas. It is a great tradition. They will travel long distances to get home, during what is probably the worst time of the year for travelling. It can turn very cold, or there can be heavy snowfalls with strong winds. One should certainly look at weather forecasts before srtarting out. Often, during bad storms, all air flights will be cancelled and highways blocked by snow drifts. At worst, travellers might have to spend Christmas in a motel. But if they do make home it is great fun. Luckily, I shall be spending christmas at home and do not have to worry about travelling, bu I hope my children have good trips. When everyone arrives, the fun begins.
Christmas Day. First, we have to see if Santa Claus came; the good fellow has never failed us yet. We open our stockings to see what goodies he has brought (luckily, I was given a new and much larger Christmas stocking this year; I hope Santa fills it). Then we may have a buffet breakfast, or more often "brunch", a combination of breakfast and lunch. If Sunday, we go to church, where we shall have lots of Christmas carols. The big event of the day is Christmas dinner, with the whole crowd ready to enjoy themselves. Normally, the main item is turkey with cranberries (when I was young, a long, long time ago, we often had goose rather than turkey). I usually have the job of carving the turkey with everyone watching; I can not get anyone else to volunteer for the job. After dinner, we may sing Christmas carols, play games, talk, and finally with great sadness go to bed. But we can look forward to New Years for more fun and celebration. And that is how we pass the shortest, but most exciting, days of the year.
There is so much more I could have told;--the Christmas parties, carol services, Christmas cards and the phone calls, but I shall now close by saying to any readers I may have:
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND MY BEST WISHES FOR A WONDERFUL 2,007
Doctor Stalker <astalker@cyberus.ca>