The Gobble-Uns Who Getcha

     Every culture on the Earth, it seems, has a demonic creature designed to punish, terrify, or simply eat disobedient children.  Sometimes demons, sometimes cranky witches, children are informed, will carry them away or sometimes just give them a solid thrashing.  And no holiday draws them out, at least in Europe, like Christmas.  Pere FouettardContinue reading “The Gobble-Uns Who Getcha”

Carol of the Yells II

     Once upon a time, the story goes, a Methodist preacher was on a voyage when a horrible storm sprang up.  The crew of the ship was doing its best to keep the vessel from coming to grief in the high winds, and several able-bodied passengers, including the preacher, had come on deck to helpContinue reading “Carol of the Yells II”

Screen Scrooges: The Stone

      “Spirit,” said Scrooge, “Something informs me that our moment of parting is at hand.  I know it, but I know not how.  Tell me what man that was we saw lying dead?”      The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come conveyed him, as before—though at a different time, he thought; indeed, there seemed noContinue reading “Screen Scrooges: The Stone”

Santa Blogs XXXIX

Dear Santa Blogs:      I took your advice last year, and sent my niece a number of highly collectible postcards featuring cheerful Santa Clauses.  I received, the following Groundhog’s Day, a quite charming thank you email, saying she appreciated the thought, and would of course treasure these valuable artifacts, but that she was getting aContinue reading “Santa Blogs XXXIX”

Santa Blogs XXXVIII

Dear Santa Blogs:      For years I have enjoyed your advice on how used books and/or used postcards can make excellent gifts at this festive time of year.  I have a slightly different problem.  I am finally getting around to thinking about possibly arranging to get ready to do my Christas cards.  Have you anyContinue reading “Santa Blogs XXXVIII”

Tricky Treats (Wrong Holiday)

     This is not, as mentioned hereintofore, a food blog.  But special times call for special measures, and it is time to speak of holiday food.      Every family has its particular recipes at this time of year, whether they be for sausage gravy, lefse, fruitcake, or alcoholic enhancer to pour into the punch and/orContinue reading “Tricky Treats (Wrong Holiday)”

Screen Scrooges: Some Tenderness

     The Ghost conducted him through several streets familiar to his feet; and as they went along, Scrooge looked here and there to find himself, but nowhere was he to be seen.  They entered poor Bob Cratchit’s house; the dwelling he had visited before; and found the mother and children seated around the fire.     Continue reading “Screen Scrooges: Some Tenderness”

Entirely Disinterested Gift Guide

     Gather round, kiddledybooks!  It is that time you wait breathlessly for: the appearance of Uncle Blogsy’s Annual Holiday Shopping Guide!  We will once again…..What’s that?  You don’t recall Uncle Blogsy’s Annual Holiday Shopping Guide from last year?  Listen, mistletoe meatball, these annual traditions have to get their start somewhere.  You didn’t realize you’d beenContinue reading “Entirely Disinterested Gift Guide”