The Angel Tree (a heartwarming Koch family Christmas tale)

.
.
Every family has their own “family lore” – stories handed down from generation to generation.  These are generally told around the campfire, on the front porch, or around the dining room table.  The good ones are side-splittingly funny; the really great ones are the ones which manage to embarass one or more family members.

Every year, Paul or I will drag out this old chestnut – it never fails to leave friends and family rolling in the aisles:

When Rebecca was a baby, Paul would oftentimes get Sarah and Michelle ready for school in the mornings.  Since they were ages 9 and 10 at the time, this consisted of waking them up. telling them to get dressed/ready, and driving them 3 blocks to the school.

Continue reading

Posted in Family, Holidays, Humor, Messin' with my kids, Think about it | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

A Thanksgiving Classic

.
.

From 1978, this classic clip from the sitcom “WKRP in Cincinnati” never fails to leave me in stitches:

.
.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
.

Posted in Holidays, Humor, Just Because | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Thanksgiving Music: “Come Ye Thankful People”

Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving

.
Whenever I think of Thanksgiving, this is the song that comes to mind – and this is a beautiful arrangement sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir:
.

.

Posted in Family, Holiday/Patriotic, Holidays, Inspirational, Music, Tuesday Tunes | Leave a comment

Tuesday Tunes: “Simple Gifts”

.
There are plenty of videos with this beautiful song out there, but I absolutely LOVE the photography used in this one – it’s full of the people and things that make America such a great country:
.
.

(“Simple Gifts” from “Appalachian Spring” by Aaron Copland, performed by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, and conducted by Leonard Bernstein, is available in CD and MP3 formats)
.

Posted in Classical, Contemporary, I Love America, Inspirational, Just Because, Music, Think about it, Tuesday Tunes | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Of the People, By the People, For the People”

Gettysburg Memorial.

Today marks the 153rd anniversary of a most solemn occasion:

.
Continue reading

Posted in Annual Posts, I Love America, Inspirational, Think about it | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Sunday Funnies: “How Long Does It Take You People To Shop?!?!?!?”

.
They’ve started already – the ads for Christmas come earlier and earlier each year. I’m old enough to remember when we actually got through Thanksgiving before we started seeing and/or hearing Christmas stuff. I may not always agree with Lewis Black’s political views, but when I heard this bit about Christmas years and years ago, I was laughing so hard that I was in tears.

STRONG warning for language – even stronger warning to go pee before you watch this:
.
.

Posted in Holidays, Humor, Just Because, Sunday Funnies, Things That Make Me Crazy, Think about it | Tagged , | Leave a comment

On Jonathan’s Birthday – “Autumn Leaves”

.
Today would have been my friend Becky’s oldest son’s 34th birthday.  Jonathan left us much too soon (a car accident in 2001), but he left lots of great memories behind for those who loved him best.

One of the things that his family ran across while looking for things to include in his memorial service was a poem that he had written in one of his classes about a leaf falling to the ground.  It gave them great comfort, and ever since then whenever Autumn rolls around I like to think that Jonathan is surrounding everyone who knew and loved him with his presence.

Every time I hear this song, I think about Jonathan and his family:


(“Autumn Leaves” sung by Eva Cassidy is available in CD and MP3 formats)
.

Posted in Annual Posts, Contemporary, Just Because, Music, Tuesday Tunes | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

“A Republic, If You Can Keep It”

.

.
The story goes that as Benjamin Franklin emerged from Independence Hall at the close of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia on September 18, 1787, a woman asked him, “Well Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?”.

Mr. Franklin replied, “A republic, madam – if you can keep it.

Ladies and Gentlemen, in looking over the events of the past few months, I would submit to you that Mr. Franklin’s Republic is still intact.

Continue reading

Posted in Elections, I Love America, Inspirational, Think about it | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“When October Goes”

October Leaves.
Just ask my family – I’m one of the original “Fanilows“, and I’m not ashamed to admit it.  I’ve been hooked ever since I heard “Mandy” on the radio in 1974 (what can I say?  Other girls my age went gaga for Donny Osmond – Barry’s always been “my” guy).

When October Goes” is one of my absolute favorite Barry Manilow songs.  I first heard  this song on his amazing “2:00 A.M. Paradise Cafe” album*** – I managed to wear out the cassette tape from rewinding it to hear this song over and over and over…..

.

.
Have a great day –
.
***”When October Goes” is available in CD and MP3 formats – there are lots of good songs on the album (including duets with Sarah Vaughan and the “Velvet Fog”, Mel Torme).

Posted in Annual Posts, Contemporary, Just Because, Music | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Happy Halloween!

I love Halloween – it’s the only night of the year when you are allowed to wear a costume without being in a play:

I’ll be rocking this “Maleficent” costume tonight…

Continue reading

Posted in Annual Posts, Contemporary, Foodie Friday, Holidays, Humor, Just Because, Music | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment