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| The Hard Woods Above The Bog Rob Currie photo |
CHRISTMAS IN MUSKOKA - SO MUCH FOOD, SO MUCH CHOCOLATE, AND IT'S NOT EVEN CHRISTMAS YET
GETTING FESTIVE IN UPTOWN GRAVENHURST IN SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
Christmas has always been my let-it-all-hang-out time of the year. I "make rather merry," as if Charles Dickens had created my character in ink. I couldn't possibly offer an apology. I wind up with enough crumbs, meat, cheeses and sauce in my beard, to appear as part of the smorgasbord spread. My beard is a homegrown bib. A catch-all! Come on. Admit it. You like to over indulge because it's part of the Christmas tradition. Right? Like gobbling down the "gobbler" and then the "cobbler" at Christmas dinner. The whole pre-Christmas, to New Year's Day stretch, is one of excesses, but joyfully so! We had a little get together a couple of nights back, to thank our business network and good friends, and there was a fantastic array of food provided for us by "North" Catering, of Gravenhurst, and my joy for the balance of this week, has been the left over portions, especially the Stilton, to snack on through the day. There's nothing like a good old stinky cheese! When I say "good" and "stinky" I really mean that in the most complimentary way; and we have all been enjoying the left-overs, along with all sorts of treats dropped off for us, as festive season "thank yous." It is always remarkable at this time of year, how many kind folks drop off parcels of freshly baked cookies, butter tarts, boxes of candy, cups of coffee and hot chocolate all day long. It's incredibly generous of these kind folks, and it shows us very clearly, just how neighborly South Muskokans are, and how much we value their friendship throughout the year. You don't have to bring us treats when you visit. It's not a requirement for gosh sakes. We're just glad to see you. Some folks want to thank us for being welcoming throughout the year. Geez, that's sort of a pillar of running a business; being hospitable and accommodating to patrons. I won't deny that we like all these treats, but we feel kind of guilty accepting it, and often having nothing to give back in return, other than a hand shake or a vigorous pat on the back. They remind us, that it's not necessary to be reciprocal in this regard, as they simply wanted to extend thanks and Merry Christmas, no strings attached. In other words, they don't give you a box of chocolates, hoping to get a discount on a drum set, or a vintage Gibson guitar. It sure means a lot to us and it makes our Christmas season a season of near-heavenly excesses; and a time when we stay as far away from full length mirrors, that we might be tempted to check the bulges popping up and over the belt buckle. So thanks to all you folks who shared some holiday fare with us; you have spoiled us, but in a good way.
Today, I drove son Robert to the Muskoka Animal Shelter, of the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, to check out a couple of the dogs recently put up for adoption. After the death last week, of our great old mutt, Bosko, Suzanne and I decided to hold off getting a replacement dog because it's too soon; but we have suggested to son Robert, that he could adopt one if he so desired, as long as he is prepared to take full responsibility of its upkeep. We would be the back-up care providers, as long as it wasn't the kind of dog that would take dear old dad for a drag, down into The Bog, or eat the turkey before the actual Christmas dinner. Rob has a small apartment in the old family homestead, so we agreed on a sharing strategy of a newly adopted dog, so that it would never be crated, or left for long times in the house. Bosko preferred staying home with the cats, and didn't travel well at all. Our first dog "Alf" hated the car because she associated it with being taken away from where it was most at home. She thought, that if we put her in the car, she was going to be given to someone else, or dropped off at a shelter, where she might have to be caged for a time. Thus, we refrained from taking her on frequent motor trips. Bosko was okay with the vehicle, if we told her we were going to see Grandpa, in Bracebridge, because he always had nice treats for her laid out, when we arrived.
We went to the shelter to check out two dogs in particular, and when we got there, one of our choices already had five applicants ahead of us. So we took our second choice for a walk on the shelter property. No, not really. It took Robert on a wild trot, (a very fast one), and if he had somehow lost his grip on the leash, the dog would have been in Huntsville an hour later. We have multiple cats, and we don't think this fun loving mutt would have a good time at Birch Hollow, being beat-up by felines that don't wish to play dog-games. Our cats were all strays, and three of five can get aggressive if cornered, and having survived with Bosko, a Collie-German Shepperd cross, for a lot of years, this bandy-legged wee beastie wouldn't stand a chance. We would be running it off to the vet routinely for care of scratches and bites, when all it really wanted, was to play around with new mates. So, what I'm trying to say, is that as much as we would both have liked to bring the wild guy home, it would have been a disaster. We sort of need a dog like the Beverly Hillbillies hound, "Duke," that won't get buzzed by the cat traffic, and the occasional blast from an electric guitar or boom of a bass drum, that Andrew is working on downstairs.
I was really astonished how many people were at the shelter, while we were visiting, also keenly interested in adopting some of the animals needing homes. Just before Christmas was obviously a peak time of sharing. Heart warming you bet. And, unfortunately, there were some other animals coming into the shelter, as "surrenders"; still, and I saw it up close; the staff seems so upbeat and happy to see the adopted pets leave, and even others, as a matter of some misfortune, coming in for a hopefully short stay; when the casual viewer, would assume staff and volunteers should be welling up with tears instead. Like we have suffered for the past week since Bosko died. It's just nice to see such caring folks working in all areas of need at the shelter; and watching as dozens of citizens arrived to make donations of pet food and money to help out with residency expenses. I wish we had more room at Birch Hollow, because honestly, we wanted to adopt them all; but we have finally come to appreciate our limitations as a family with five cats to contend with, and our own aging bodies. Not so fit anymore, to be jerked and tugged, and dragged by a dog that needs to have a couple of acres to run free. It wouldn't have been fair to this full-of-enthusiasm dog, to have such a small property and crowded house.
Robert wasn't discouraged and as a bonus for our trip to the shelter, we got to walk a character-filled, loving four year old dog, that would make someone, with a little extra patience, and dog handling experience, a fine pet for many years to come. There were many other dogs at the shelter (lots of cats if you're interested), but each presented us with a size challenge, for care, that we had to admit, we simply couldn't provide to a safe and satisfactory level. Robert would like a slightly smaller dog that is good with cats and kids, as he would like to have it spend the day with us in our music studio. Yes indeed, it should also like good music, and musicians, because that's what we have most of these days; oh yes, and antique shoppers who are a pretty pet-friendly group. We want to adopt a pet from the Humane Society Branch because we have done this with our past three dogs, all that have become very important family members; and all good and loving pets. Each was a "surrender" dog, and we felt good offering some space in our home, to spend the rest of their lives. I wish we could have accommodated the little fellow today, but I would not wish to disadvantage him, with an adverse living circumstance, with cats that very much appreciate the status quo of the place they reside. Who could blame them? We both tried to avoid eye contact, because we feared, as you might expect, the charm of that "loving look" that reaches through one's senses to yank on the heart strings. There will be another day for all of us, and Robert and I will be glad to hear that it found a good home before the New Year.
A customer just came into the shop with her young "rescue" dog, named "Sammy," unsure whether it was okay to let it inside. If she only knew how we feel about dogs, at this moment, well! After I wrote this piece, I did visit with the dog owner, who told me she had adopted Sammy three weeks ago from the Animal Shelter, and it was finally getting used to having a new owner and a new place of residence. A beautiful little black dog but a tad skitterish about men, because of past experiences in what was likely an abusive home. I hope soon, that we Curries, will be able to look and pat another dog, and not get tears in our eyes. This may seem overly mournful, (cause it was just a dog, right), but we really miss our old mutt, in ways we had never imagined. For Suzanne and I, it's by no means the best time to adopt a dog, and we understand this will pass one day down the road! I think today was a good test run, and I feel Robert is the first to come around, and face up to the reality, that well, life goes on; and there are homeless pets that need our kindness and compassion. Robert remarked, on the way home this afternoon, that a wonderful tribute to Bosko, would be to offer another homeless dog, her favorite place by the hearth, that made her convenient to a winter's warming fire, and the extended hands of all who passed her, and bent over to pat her on the head, or scratch her belly. He was right of course, but I couldn't answer him, for those few minutes, contemplating his well chosen words; but not wanting to show the lad his dad is still in mourning for the beast that laid on my feet while I wrote hundreds of these blogs. All I could think about, then, was where would we ever find a dog that would, once again be my source of inspiration and creature comforts. "At the Animal Shelter," Robert whispered in response. I guess he had read my mind.
I will let you know what happens in the near future, as far as Robert's plan to adopt a dog from the Humane Society this winter. If you have some space beside your hearth, or next to your writing chair, the dining room table, or the recreation room sofa, please consider adopting a pet. There's a nice selection of cats as well, that really do need your assistance. And while we are adopting our future pets, we should extend some heartfelt thanks to the staff and volunteers of the O.S..P.C.A., who look after so many homeless and rescue animals every year, with unfettered kindness, and always, great compassion, as if every one of the critters belongs to them, before they, through successful adoption, come to belong to you.
BACK IN THE 1820'S WASHINGTON IRVING BELIEVED THE CULTURAL TRADITIONS OF CHRISTMAS WERE DISAPPEARING
SO WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL WITH TRADITION ANYWAY?
THERE'S MUCH MORE TO THE CHRISTMAS SEASON THAN GIFT BUYING. RIGHT? MY MOTHER USED TO SAY THIS, USUALLY WHEN SHE FOUND OUT OUR TINY CHRISTMAS BUDGET WAS GOING TO BE SERIOUSLY ENCROACHED UPON, BY THE URGENT NEED FOR FOOD AND HOUSEHOLD PROVISIONS INSTEAD. MERLE LOVED BUYING PRESENTS. RIGHT UP TO THE OCCASION OF THE LAST CHRISTMAS, SHE PUSHED ED TO CARRY OUT THE MISSION, WITH HER LIST IN TOW, WITHOUT COMPROMISE. AT THIS POINT, SHE WAS CONFINED TO A WHEELCHAIR, BUT THAT DIDN'T CURB HER PASSION FOR SPENDING MONEY ON GIFTS SHE BELIEVED WE NEEDED. ED USED TO TEMPER IT ALL IN THOSE YEARS, BECAUSE MERLE WAS ALSO LOSING HER RECENT MEMORY, ALMOST AS QUICKLY AS SHE MADE ANNOUNCEMENTS. SHE COULD REMEMBER FIFTY YEARS AGO, BUT NOT WHAT SHE SAID FIVE MINUTES EARLIER. SHE LIKED TO SEE THE SMILE ON YOUR FACE WHEN YOU OPENED THE GIFT SHE HAD MADE ED BUY, AND THEN ASK US, A MINUTE LATER, WHAT WE WERE SMILING ABOUT. THIS HAS KIND OF STUCK WITH ME, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE MOST OF THE TIME, IT WAS ONLY THE MOMENTARY IMPULSE TO SMILE, AND THEN, IN RETROSPECT, PONDER WHY ANYONE WOULD HAVE GIVEN ME A CD ENTITLED "SOUNDS OF THE CITY HARBOR." HONESTLY, I COULD HEAR THE BODIES THAT THE MAFIA WAS GETTING RID OF, BEING DUMPED IN THE WATER. NOT TO MENTION THE SOUND OF CLINKING WHISKEY BOTTLES AND BEER CANS. TALK ABOUT FESTIVE ENTERTAINMENT. I WOULD REALLY HAVE LIKED A JAR OF OLIVES OR PICKLES, MORE SO, THAN A CD THAT REMINDS ME WHY I LIVE IN THE COUNTRY.
I LIKED TO RECEIVE CHRISTMAS PRESENTS AS A KID, WHICH FOR THOSE YEARS, MADE ME SEEM QUITE NORMAL TO MY FAMILY. THE ABNORMAL STUFF CAME LATER IN LIFE. YET I ALWAYS ENJOYED THE FOOD GIFTS MORE THAN TOYS. I'D GET MOST USE OUT OF SKATES AND A HOCKEY STICK. MERLE INSISTED ON BUYING ME SWEATERS THAT DIDN'T FIT, OR THAT I WOULDN'T WEAR BECAUSE THEY WERE WOOLEN, (I HATE THE PICKY FEELING OF WOOL ON MY SKIN), SOCKS THAT WERE TOO BIG, AND UNDERSHIRTS WITH A CHEST REGION BEST SUITED TO A BODY-BUILDER. HER HEART WAS IN THE RIGHT PLACE, BUT SHE KNEW MY FAVORITE GIFT, THAT WOULD PLEASE ME TO THE LAST MORSEL, WAS A THICK WEDGE OF OLD CHEDDAR FROM THE MUSKOKA TRADING COMPANY IN BRACEBRIDGE.
AS FOR GIFTS ONLY BEING "THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS," YOU'D NEVER KNOW IT BY WHAT THE MEDIA THRUSTS AT US. THEIR "THOUGHT" IS, YOU WILL WANT TO SPEND OODLES OF MONEY GETTING THE "BEST" NOT JUST AN "ORDINARY" GIFT.....BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT REALLY COUNTS. IT SEEMS, AT TIMES, THAT THE GREATEST SIN YOU CAN COMMIT, UPON ANOTHER, IS TO GIVE A LESSER GIFT THAN IS EXPECTED. AS FAR AS THE "THOUGHT" THAT COUNTS, IT DOESN'T REALLY WORK OUT THIS WAY.....AS WITNESSED BY THE FROWNS ON CHRISTMAS MORNING, WHEN ANTICIPATION LEADS TO DISAPPOINTMENT. I THINK THE ONLY WAY I COULD BE DISAPPOINTED, IS TO FIND OUT THE TURKEY WAS STOLEN WHILE WE SLEPT. I'M SO BEHIND MY TIMES, AND STALWARTLY TRADITIONAL, THAT FOOD WEIGHS WELL ABOVE, WHAT SOMEONE MIGHT GIVE ME AS A MATERIAL GIFT. IF THE GIFT HAPPENS TO BE FRESHLY MADE BREAD, OR TARTS....PRESERVES, OR BANANA BREAD, THEN I WILL CELEBRATE THIS AS THE FINEST "MATERIAL" OFFERING OF THE SEASON.
I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN KEENLY OBSERVANT OF CHRISTMAS SEASON TRADITIONS. EVEN AS A CHILD, LIVING IN THE NAGY APARTMENTS, UP ON THE CHESTNUT LINED, HARRIS CRESCENT, IN BURLINGTON, IT WAS MY FAVORITE TIME OF THE YEAR. IT MIGHT SURPRISE YOU TO KNOW, FOR A FUTURE ANTIQUE SPECULATOR, THAT PRESENTS WERE ALWAYS THE MINOR ASPECT OF THE HOLIDAY. A SEEMINGLY HUGE CONTRADICTION FOR A GUY WHO PROSPERS TODAY BASED ON COLLECTABLE MATERIALS, AND THEIR ANTIQUATED VALUES. THUS, I'M A MATERIAL GUY. SO IT'S A LITTLE BLASPHEMOUS, TO DECLARE THAT I'M NOT INTERESTED IN GETTING STUFF FOR CHRISTMAS. I DO MEASURE ACQUISITIONS IN THIS FASHION. JUST NOT SO MUCH AT CHRISTMAS. I HAVE ALWAYS FELT, EVEN AS A WEE LAD, THAT CHRISTMAS WAS MYSTERIOUS; BOTH SPIRITUAL AND ENCHANTING. EVEN BEFORE I KNEW WHAT EITHER WORD MEANT, I WAS ABSORBING THE SEASON LIKE A SPONGE, FEELING THAT IT WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT PERCEPTION OF ALL; TO APPRECIATE THIS COMING-TOGETHER TIME OF THE YEAR, AROUND A TWINKLING EVERGREEN; AND A "GROANING BOARD," LADEN WITH WONDERFUL FOOD. I HAVE TO FOOTNOTE HERE, THAT HAVING HAD AN "ANGEL" DREAM, EARLY IN MY LIFE, DURING A SERIOUS ILLNESS, DID MAKE ME VERY AWARE OF WHAT ANGELS MEAN IN THAT SPIRITUAL SENSE OF THE CHRISTMAS SEASON. MY MOTHER ALWAYS HAD LOTS OF ANGEL-THEMED GLASS ORNAMENTS HANGING ON THE BOUGHS, AND ONE THAT TOPPED THE TREE. I NEVER, AT ANY TIME, TOLD EITHER OF MY PARENTS, ABOUT MY DREAM, OR EVER MADE ANY SUGGESTION, ANGELS WERE MY CHOICE FOR DECORATIONS. SHE SEEMED TO KNOW MY PREFERENCE ANY WAY, BUT THEN ALL MOTHERS, JUST SEEM TO KNOW THESE THINGS WITHOUT HAVING TO HEAR A FORMAL DECLARATION.
SO I EXPECT, THAT MY ANGEL-MEETING, (YOU CAN ARCHIVE BACK TO BLOGS DEALING WITH MY GUARDIAN ANGEL), VERY EARLY IN LIFE, HELPED ENHANCE MY PERSPECTIVE OF THE CHRISTMAS SEASON. SUZANNE CAN VOUCH FOR ALL MY SEASONAL CHANGES OF ATTITUDE, A LITTLE LIKE THE RECLAIMED SCROOGE, BRINGING ME BACK TO A MORE SPIRITUAL RECKONING WITH MY PURPOSE IN LIFE, OUR FAMILY TIMES, THE NEIGHBORHOOD IN WHICH WE LIVE, AND OUR HOME TOWN GENERALLY. SUZANNE CLAIMS THAT I BECOME VERY PHILOSOPHICAL AT THIS TIME OF YEAR, AND A LITTLE WITHDRAWN AT TIMES, WHEN I SIT LOOKING OUT OVER THE MOOR, WITH THE REFLECTION OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTS IN THE WINDOW, AND THE FLICKER OF CANDLE LIGHT DANCING A FESTIVE JIG, IN THE DRAFT FROM THE WINDOW. THE ONLY WAY I HAVE EVER GOT ALONG WITH FAMILY MEMBERS, AND THEIR CHRISTMAS-GIFTING AMBITIONS, IS TO ANNUALLY REQUEST, INSTEAD OF NEW ITEMS AS OFFERINGS, TO FIND ME A GOOD OLD BOOK I DON'T PRESENTLY OWN, OR SOMETHING OF CONSIDERABLE VINTAGE THAT WEARS ITS HERITAGE PROUDLY. AS A CAREER ANTIQUE DEALER, COLLECTOR, WE SURROUND OURSELVES WITH HISTORY BECAUSE IT'S WHAT WORKS FOR US. SUZANNE IS PARTIAL TO ANTIQUE JEWELLRY, AND FABRIC. THE BOYS, ANDREW AND ROBERT, ARE ROUGHLY THE SAME, PREFERRING A VINTAGE GIFT VERSUS SOMETHING NEW....ALTHOUGH NEW MUSIC EQUIPMENT HAS ITS PLACE. EACH ONE OF US, ENJOY ANYTHING VINTAGE THAT HAS PROVENANCE.....MEANING A CONNECTION WITH A PERSON THAT CAN BE DOCUMENTED, AND ITS LEGACY PRESERVED. WE HAVE THIS KIND OF MATERIAL COMING TO US REGULARLY, AND THERE ARE CERTAIN PIECES, I HAVE TO OWN, PLAIN AND SIMPLY. I CALL IT A SPIRITUAL CONNECTION, OR AN ENCHANTED PIECE (SUCH AS WITH SOMETHING AS PERSONAL AS A CUSTOMIZED CANE), AND MOST RECENTLY, WE ACQUIRED A PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM DATING BACK TO 1953, SHOWING SOME OF THE ITEMS WE HAD PURCHASED FROM THE ESTATE. IN ONE PICTURE, A NEW BETTY CROCKER COOKBOOK IS SHOWN BENEATH THE CHRISTMAS TREE, IN THIS LADY'S APARTMENT, SITTING ATOP THE WRAPPING, WHICH UNDOUBTEDLY HAD JUST MOMENTS EARLIER, BEEN RIPPED OFF THE PACKAGE. WE NOW OWN THAT PARTICULAR COOKBOOK. EVERY TIME I LOOK AT THE ALBUM, I FEEL LIKE A VOYEUR INTO SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE, BUT I COULD NOT EVEN THINK OF SELLING THIS BOOK OF MEMORIES, INCLUDING PHOTOGRAPHS OF TOMBSTONES IN ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, IN WASHINGTON, WHERE LOVED ONES WERE BURIED. I PLAN TO OPEN UP THE BOOK ON CHRISTMAS DAY, TO THE PAGE OF PHOTOGRAPHS, DEPICTING THAT FAMILY'S SIMPLE CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMASES, FROM 1953 TO 1957. I CAN'T REALLY EXPLAIN WHY I NEED TO DO THIS, BUT ALL OUR FAMILY MEMBERS FEEL THE SAME ABOUT THE CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS; THAT TRADITION TRUMPS WHAT MIGHT BE CONSIDERED THE "MODERN" PROTOCOL OF SEASONAL FARE. THE "EVERYTHING NEW" IS BEST PROTOCOL. WE ALL FIND CHRISTMAS A SENTIMENTAL TIME, EXPLAINING THE AGE-OLD ORNAMENTS ON THE TREE, AND SCATTERED AROUND THE HOUSE, THAT HAVE NO REAL MONETARY VALUE.....BUT SPEAK VOLUMES ABOUT ALL THOSE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS IN OUR FAMILY'S PAST.....ON OUR RESPECTIVE SIDES. I CAN REMEMBER STORIES CONNECTED TO AT LEAST HALF WHAT I CAN SEE, EASILY FROM MY CHAIR, WHICH EXPLAINS WHY SUZANNE OFTEN FINDS ME DAYDREAMING AWAY THE WINTER'S EVE. I LOVE IT. IT'S WHAT I WANT TO DO AT CHRISTMAS. DWELL IN THE PAST..... HALF THE TIME. THE OTHER HALF....MAKING FAMILY HISTORY TO RECALL LATER.
IN THE 1820'S, AMERICAN AUTHOR, WASHINGTON IRVING, WROTE ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS HELD AT "BRACEBRIDGE HALL," THE BRITISH COUNTRYSIDE ESTATE OWNED BY SQUIRE BRACEBRIDGE AND FAMILY. HE DID SO AS PART OF THE BOOK, "BRACEBRIDGE HALL," AND HE USED THE NARRATOR, GEOFFREY CRAYON, "THE TRAVELLER," AS THE VOYEUR, OF THE TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION, AS DEMANDED BY THE SQUIRE FOR THE GREAT COUNTRYSIDE ESTATE. BUT IT WAS REALLY IRVING HIMSELF, POINTING OUT HOW BADLY CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS WERE ERODING, EVEN BY THE 1820'S, WHEN THE BOOK WAS PUBLISHED. IRVING FELT THAT IT WAS A GREAT LOSS TO CIVILIZATION, TO LOSE THESE HANDED-DOWN TRADITIONS, DESPITE HOW THE WORLD AND SOCIAL NORMS HAD CHANGED OVER THE CENTURIES. HE USED SQUIRE BRACEBRIDGE, TO POINT OUT, JUST HOW USEFUL AND MEANINGFUL THOSE TIRED OLD TRADITIONS COULD BE, IF THOROUGHLY PRESENTED TO EVEN THE MODERN AUDIENCE OF THE 1820'S. CONSIDER THIS, WHILE THINKING ABOUT THE TIMES, EVEN THIS CHRISTMAS, WHEN YOU COMPLAINED ABOUT TERRIBLE SEASONAL ADVERTISING ON TELEVISION, OR THE MATERIALISTIC REALITIES OF MODERN CELEBRATION; WITH A LOT LESS SPIRITUALITY, AND SOCIAL INTERACTION..... AS WAS ONCE SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE CHRISTMAS TRADITION, OF GOODWILL TOWARD MAN. I BECOME DISGUSTED WITH COMMERCIALISM AT CHRISTMAS, BY MID NOVEMBER THESE DAYS, AND LEARN HOW TO TUNE-OUT WHAT I DON'T LIKE, BY THE EARLY PART OF DECEMBER. BY THIS POINT, I'M ABLE TO DISMISS THEM ENTIRELY. WE DON'T ADVERTISE OUR STORE, EXCEPT ON SOCIAL MEDIA. SO WE DON'T IMPOSE UPON YOU, TO SHOP WITH US. WE DON'T BOAST ABOUT BEING THE BEST BUSINESS IN TOWN, OR HAVING THE BEST PRICES ON THE BEST INVENTORY. WE LIKE TO THINK WE'RE EXCEPTIONAL IN SOME WAYS, BUT WE'VE ALWAYS BELIEVED OUR CUSTOMERS WOULD GRADE US IN THIS REGARD. BUT IT DOESN'T IMPRESS ON ME KINDLY WHATSOEVER, YEAR BY YEAR, TO SEE HOW RAPIDLY CHRISTMAS HAS BEEN MORPHED BY BIG BUSINESS, INTO AN ORGY OF SPENDING; WHEN TRADITION ITSELF, PLACED FAR MORE EMPHASIS ON FRIENDSHIP AND NEIGHBORLINESS; SOCIAL GATHERINGS, COMMUNITY INITIATIVES TO HELP THE LESS FORTUNATE; AND THE SHARED FOOD AND BEVERAGE, AS CRAYON WITNESSED IN THE GREAT HALL, OVERSEEN BY SQUIRE BRACEBRIDGE.....WHERE EVEN THE YULE LOG IN THE FIRE WAS HIGHLY SIGNIFICANT OF THE FESTIVE SEASON, AND THE WASSAIL BOWL HELD SOMETHING SPECIAL BEYOND ITS LIQUID CONTENTS. BEING THAT OF SHARED FRIENDSHIP AND GOODWILL. A TIME WHEN SEASONAL TREATS AND ABUNDANCE ON THE GROANING BOARDS, REPRESENTED THE GOOD CHEER OF THE CHRISTMAS DINNER; WITHOUT EVEN ONE PRESENT BEING EXCHANGED BETWEEN THE GUESTS. WHEN YOU SEE FILM CLIPS, ON THE EVENING NEWS, OF FRENZIED, EXHAUSTED SHOPPERS, TRUNDLING NERVOUSLY AROUND MALLS, BECAUSE SOCIAL CONVENTION DEMANDS GIFT-GIVING, I HONESTLY FEEL SORRY FOR THEM; BECAUSE IT HAS WOEFULLY BECOME A CHRISTMAS NIGHTMARE, NOT A PLEASURE. THERE ARE THOSE WHO ENJOY SHOPPING, AND FEEL THAT IT DOES GET THEM INTO THE SPIRIT, BUYING GIFTS FOR OTHERS. IT'S THE WAY WE SHOP. WE DON'T BUY GIFTS OUT OF A SENSE OF URGENCY OR FEEL ANY STRESS, TRYING TO FILL A LIST TO SATISFY EVERYONE. WE LIKE TO BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT OUR GIFT-GIVING, AND EACH PIECE WILL, I GUARANTEE, HAVE AN INTERESTING PROVENANCE ATTACHED, TO ITS VINTAGE REALITIES. WE ARE DIFFERENT....THAT'S FOR SURE. BUT WE ARE HUGELY TRADITIONAL, AND WE DON'T FIND IT DIFFICULT AT ALL, TO ADHERE TO THE CHRONICLE OF HISTORY, AS MR.IRVING SENSED OF THE TIME; AGREEING WITH THE CONCERNS ABOUT FAILING OBSERVANCES, AND GROWING DISRESPECT FOR THE OLD WAYS.
FOR ONE THING, I ALWAYS READ ALOUD, A FEW CHOICE PASSAGES WRITTEN BY THE GOOD MR. IRVING, AND CHARLES DICKENS, ON CHRISTMAS EVE, JUST TO REMIND US ALL, OF THE TRUE SPIRITUAL, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RECOGNITION OF THE OCCASION.....AS IT WAS SEEN AND LIVED LONG BEFORE WE ARRIVED IN THIS MORTAL COIL. HAVING A TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS, MEANS MORE THAN HAVING A HOMESTEAD JAMMED FULL OF DECORATIONS. IT STARTS AND ENDS, WITH KINDNESSES BESTOWED.....BENEVOLENCE, SHARING, AND NEIGHBORLINESS. IT IS AN UNDER-APPRECIATED CELEBRATION, WITHOUT THESE QUALITIES OF HUMANITY.
THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF GRAVENHURST RESIDENTS THIS CHRISTMAS, WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS; CHILDREN WHO WILL FIND PRESENTS UNDER THE TREE, WHO WOULD HAVE OTHERWISE FOUND NOTHING.....BECAUSE FELLOW CITIZENS, BUSINESSES AND INDUSTRY, OFFERED GENEROUS ASSISTANCE TO GROUPS LIKE THE SALVATION ARMY, AND OUR COMMUNITY CHURCHES. COMMUNITY DINNERS WILL BE SHARED WITH THOSE WITHOUT MEANS TO FINANCE THEIR OWN, AND ONCE AGAIN, WE WILL EXPERIENCE WHAT KIND OF HOMETOWN THIS REALLY IS. WHEN ON OCCASION, WE FIND OURSELVES BECOMING ANGRY ABOUT CERTAIN LOCAL AFFAIRS, IT'S SUCH A PLEASURABLE REALITY, TO KNOW JUST HOW FAR THE HAND OF FRIENDSHIP REACHES, TO ASSIST CITIZENS IN NEED. I KNOW FROM INSIDE SOURCES, HOW MANY CITIZENS ARE HELPED BY THE GENEROSITY OF GOOD NEIGHBORS, AND I FIND IT ALL A GREAT REKINDLING OF CHRISTMAS SPIRIT AND TRADITION.....THE WAY I LIKE IT MOST OF ALL.
THANK YOU, CITIZENS OF GRAVENHURST, AND MUSKOKA GENERALLY, FOR ONCE AGAIN, COMING FORWARD, TO EXTEND ASSISTANCE TO THOSE IN GREAT NEED. THERE'S A LOT TO BE SAID FOR PRESERVING TRADITIONS…..AND IN MY MIND, IT'S THIS ACT OF COMMUNITY BENEVOLENCE, THAT IS MOST ENDEARING.....AND ENCOURAGING, WHEN THINKING ABOUT HOW WE WILL COPE WITH FUTURE STRESSES. COMING TOGETHER AS WE HAVE THIS CHRISTMAS, AND FOR MANY CHRISTMASES PAST, SHOWS JUST HOW SMALL AND INSIGNIFICANT OUR POLITICAL IMPASSE IS, COMPARED TO THE THUNDEROUS WILL OF THE TOWNSFOLK, SHOWN TIME AND AGAIN, HIGHLY CAPABLE OF BASHING THROUGH OBSTACLES, AND OVERTAKING THE INDIFFERENCE OF THE FEW, WITH A DETERMINED, COMPASSIONATE MARCH FORWARD. THE CHALLENGE TO COMPLACENCY AND STATUS QUO, TO ADDRESS, FIRST HAND, INEFFICIENCIES; TO HELP BRIDGE THE CRACKS AND HOLES IN THE FAILING CIRCUMSTANCE OF OUR SOCIAL WELFARE.....IN A WAY THAT THE WHOLE COMMUNITY BENEFITS IN KIND, FROM A DEEP WELL OF GENEROSITY AND CARING....THAT COMES FROM HEART AND SOUL, NOT A POLITICAL AGENDA. THIS IS THE TRUE GRAVENHURST. THE ONE THAT IS OFTEN OBSCURED BY THE FOG OF POLITICS, THE PREOCCUPATION WITH THIN FACADES, AND RELIANCE ON RIDICULOUS PROPAGANDA.....TO MAKE US SOMETHING WE'RE NOT! I'M PROUD TO BE AMONGST SUCH CARING CITIZENS, WHO ARE MAKING SUCH AN ENORMOUS CONTRIBUTION, TO THE REAL AND TRUE PROGRESS OF OUR COMMUNITY......LOOKING AFTER OUR OWN; AS WE HAVE, GOING AS FAR BACK IN HISTORY AS YOU WISH TO TRAVEL......AND I, FOR ONE, HAVE TRAVELLED FAR. AS A MODERN DAY GEOFFREY CRAYON, I AM PLEASED TO NARRATE THIS CHRISTMAS STORY TO YOU.....AND TRUST, YOU WILL HAVE, AS WELL, A HAPPY AND CONTENTING MERRY CHRISTMAS, IN THE TRADITION OF GOODWILL, WE ALL APPRECIATE AT THIS FESTIVE TIME OF THE ROLLING YEAR.
I AM WRITING THIS IN THE COMFORTABLE ENVIRONS OF SON ROBERT'S MUSIC STUDIO, ON MUSKOKA ROAD, AND WHAT A LOVELY DAY IT IS FOR SITTING AND WATCHING THE SHOPPERS AND TRAVELLERS, CARRYING ON THEIR BUSINESS AND PLEASURES OF THE DAY. IT IS BUSTLING OUT THERE. IT'S NICE TO SEE. BUT I'M NOT GIVING UP MY PLACE IN THIS COZY HOLLOW, TO JOIN THEM JUST NOW! LIKE MR. CRAYON, I SHALL CONTENT MYSELF AS THE VOYEUR, UNTIL I'M FORCED TO RE-LOCATE AT CLOSING TIME.
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