THIS AND THAT * Who remembers hanging silver tinsel on your Christmas tree? You were either the family that strung it up one string at a time, or threw it on the tree in bunches. Both were acceptable because there is no wrong way to hang tinsel.

Dear Editor: As I write this I am reflecting on December 7th, Pearl Harbor Rememberance Day, and while sitting here at home, I thought about what happened to the thousands of people who lost their lives that day. Can you imagine that it happened just before Christmas, the most joyous day of the year? I watched President Trump Saturday night, and got to thinking why all those people had to die now that we are turning communist.

Several weeks ago, a little book titled “Stories behind the Best Loved Songs of Christmas” caught my eye. Many of us love the music of Christmas, and we are always looking forward to the Advent and Christmas season so we can sing or hear these songs again. Christmas carols are timeless traditions in many households; but did you ever wonder where they began?

THIS AND THAT * Here’s an idea…This Christmas purchase some of your gifts from your hometown and home-based stores, and your turkey or ham from the local grocery store. During this crazy year, we need to come together and support each other, and what better time than at Christmas? * As a grownup I’ve learned that all the “Christmas magic” I felt as a kid was really from my mom and dad who loved me so much.

It’s Thanksgiving Day, and what a wonderful day it is! The kids are here, having driven in from Flint, Texas and Cheney. Grandkids are everywhere—playing the Wii, a granddaughter is playing the piano, the youngest grandson is acting crazy with Grandpa. The house started out perfectly clean, but right now it is a disaster—a crazy, wonderful, blessed disaster. The happy noise in the house is what I live for at this time inmy life! I had prepared a lot of the meal early, so today I can just relax, enjoy the family, set the table, and then sit down and enjoy a feast with our loved ones all around.

Mom and Dad’s anniversary was November 26th, so this year since Thanksgiving lands on that day, here is a poem I read that reminds me of them since they always had such a bountiful garden every year.

Dear Editor: When Biden and Harris defund our law enforcement protections and Harris uses executive orders to ban our firearms, she needs to save the taxpayers the cost of her security guards. Also, if she thinks it’s safe for “we the people” to not need protection, then she needs to live out here with us.

The recent election season shook me to my core. There has not been, in my recollection or lifetime, an election more exhausting and divisive. I don’t handle conflict well; it settles into my bones and affects my whole body, makes me anxious and ill. It ties my stomach in knots and makes my head hurt. And that’s the way I felt for many weeks, leading up to the election. I didn’t want to watch the news on TV, and I didn’t want to NOT watch the news. All the angry, negative rhetoric seemed to work its way under my skin and fill me with angst. I wasn’t pleased with or supportive of either presidential candidate, regardless of party affiliation.

THIS AND THAT! * Sir Sean Connery, the James Bond all other actors aspire to be! He was my favorite Bond, but I also enjoyed many other movies he starred in, and I do mean “starred,” in through the years. He had that charisma on and off the screen, and had such a commanding, yet lilting voice.