tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post70564759157241770..comments2024-03-28T14:37:45.575-04:00Comments on 5 Acres & A Dream: It's All About a BirthdayLeighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-79219082449934705392020-01-09T11:20:55.032-05:002020-01-09T11:20:55.032-05:00I agree. What a beautiful way to celebrate CHristm...I agree. What a beautiful way to celebrate CHristmas.M.K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09205619221345704689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-72477468559559316232019-12-28T17:09:18.625-05:002019-12-28T17:09:18.625-05:00Good simple traditions based on human interaction ...Good simple traditions based on human interaction and togetherness, not gifts. And no post-Christmas regrets. Merry Christmas. PhilThe Wykeham Observerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04223636697571715201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-60214943060224353372019-12-28T05:49:54.125-05:002019-12-28T05:49:54.125-05:00City Creek Country Road, that's profoundly tho...City Creek Country Road, that's profoundly thoughtful. I guess most people try to use the holiday to forget things like that, but then, humankind tends to focus on the wrong things anyway. I think this is exactly what the Birthday Boy would want us to think about. I appreciate your sharing your thoughts with me. It's given me something to think about as well. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-72367428156846810432019-12-27T13:04:13.791-05:002019-12-27T13:04:13.791-05:00Hi Leigh,
For me "No Room at the Inn" i...Hi Leigh,<br /><br />For me "No Room at the Inn" is about my negative feelings (anger and fear) regarding the homeless population/professional panhandlers in my city. <br /><br />Let me explain that when I was a young girl 25-30 years ago, there were homeless in my city but the population was different. Most were older male alcoholics. They slept on benches in the park and would say "Can you spare any change?" outside the convenience stores. They didn't bother anyone and I don't remember ever feeling afraid of them.<br /><br />The homeless population has changed, it is much larger and more ragged. I guess due to drugs and broken families but I'm really not sure. It is more diverse: younger, whiter, more female. It has become more violent and more demanding, almost like "You have money, I don't, give it to me." There are people begging on every corner and no one seems to feel any shame about not looking for work; some of the same people I have seen for years. Probably most are unemployable due to criminal records or drugs. I know there has been some effort by the city to engage them in day labor.<br /><br />Part of my negative feelings are due to the fact that I work an early shift. I go into town at 7 a.m. which is when the transit police wake the homeless up. I've heard them speak very disrespectfully and curse at the transit police. When I mention this to people who don't work in town, they think the people shouting at the police are mentally ill. But they're not. The mentally ill homeless are usually just babbling to themselves.<br /><br />So my heart has hardened a lot against them. I try to use "No Room at the Inn" to remind myself that no one knows what someone else has gone through/is going through but it's not easy.CityCreekCountryRoadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02722859157023008340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-53163816251086526712019-12-26T20:14:19.443-05:002019-12-26T20:14:19.443-05:00Thanks Michelle! My son and DIL are doing a really...Thanks Michelle! My son and DIL are doing a really fine job with their kids. I hope the way he was raised contributed to that. :)<br /><br />Fiona, you're welcome! It's really sad that Christmas has mostly become a retailer's holiday. :(<br /><br />Fern, thank you! And to you as well!<br /><br />Jo, Amen!<br /><br />Unknown, I don't buy into commercialized anything, lol. My blog readers probably get tired of me ranting against it. :)<br /><br />Goatldi, Merry Christmas! Yes, I'm glad to not have little ones to raise now. The challenges are so much steeper than they were in the past. <br /><br />Sue, I wish that were true as well. Still, it's nice to have people speak out here. :)<br /><br />Kelly, that's another good idea. Thank you for sharing it!<br /><br />Sam, it comes naturally go focus on self, so children don't have to be taught to be selfish. It's much harder to focus on others, but it's a challenge to teach. <br /><br />Quinn, thanks! Thinking of others is the first step toward respect. That's something the world needs badly nowadays. <br /><br />Nancy, that's another great tradition! Helps them associate with the real reason for the season. <br /><br />Wyomingheart, thank you!<br /><br />Ed, excellent suggestions, both delivering meals and leaving nice tips. The rationale for paying servers less is that the tips are supposed to make up the difference for minimum wage. Of course, now they have to share it with others. Your oldest is so right. It's a joy to share what we have with others. <br /><br />City Creek Country Road, I appreciate your honesty and insight. I think celebrating Christmas is a struggle for a lot of people nowadays, both believers and nonbelievers. I think what I'm trying to say in this post is that Christmas is not about religion. It's a personal acknowledgment for something that never ceases to amaze me; that the Creator chose to become human. To me, that is a phenomenal thing.<br /><br />I think you made a good choice for acknowledging the holiday. I'd be curious as to what you pondered about no room at the inn. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-4375748185416116422019-12-26T15:12:04.860-05:002019-12-26T15:12:04.860-05:00Leigh,
I loved the simplicity and sincerity of yo...Leigh,<br /><br />I loved the simplicity and sincerity of your celebration, which gets to the heart of it.<br /><br />As a non-believer, I've struggled with how to celebrate Christmas. It doesn't feel right NOT to celebrate it, since it is part of my cultural heritage and my most of my family believes. <br /><br />This year I focused on baking cookies and giving them to people who were working on the holiday to thank them for their service. Also, I pause by the Nativity scene my father built to think about what the phrase "no room at the inn" means. <br /><br />Happiness to all,<br /><br />City Creek Country RoadCityCreekCountryRoadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02722859157023008340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-87295771175260500102019-12-26T10:23:54.667-05:002019-12-26T10:23:54.667-05:00Although we do the Santa Claus thing, at least for...Although we do the Santa Claus thing, at least for a couple more years, with our kids, we also separate time out of the day to celebrate Jesus's birth. This year, we delivered Christmas meals to the needy. They are always so appreciative when we knock on their doors with arms full of food. Another tradition I've been doing for a couple years that was started by my mom is to give a waiter/waitress a very large tip. We generally try to do this at smaller less fancy establishments that don't pay their staff well. My oldest said it well as we walked to our vehicle after doing that last one this year. She said, "giving money to others sure does make me feel good."Edhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13214319366049620074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-32441024655779917882019-12-26T08:48:24.043-05:002019-12-26T08:48:24.043-05:00Perfect post, Leigh! Merry Christmas, indeed!Perfect post, Leigh! Merry Christmas, indeed!wyominghearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11866831359786301254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-64673879253330427142019-12-25T22:38:11.359-05:002019-12-25T22:38:11.359-05:00Hi Leigh, I started the tradition of having a cak...Hi Leigh, I started the tradition of having a cake and singing Happy Birthday to Jesus when my oldest grands were little. Now our daughter carries on the tradition with different ones reading the verses. Sounds like you did a great job with your Christmases. Nancy Cozy Thyme Cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03933769393226611441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-83996738344559532992019-12-25T19:48:45.120-05:002019-12-25T19:48:45.120-05:00Good for you! I love anything that teaches kids to...Good for you! I love anything that teaches kids to think of others, often enough for it to first become a habit and then a natural way of being and growing.Quinnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17292701509476856967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-41046815529566308122019-12-25T16:27:19.804-05:002019-12-25T16:27:19.804-05:00Where were you when I was raising my children? My ...Where were you when I was raising my children? My parents really didn't celebrate Christmas religious or otherwise and I definitely spoiled my children. My in-laws weren't so religious as they were materialistic. I think your traditions are the best I've ever heard. Merry Christmas!Sam I Am......https://www.blogger.com/profile/17358633233189452832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-14875261686793673092019-12-25T14:54:41.269-05:002019-12-25T14:54:41.269-05:00What lovely traditions you established for your fa...What lovely traditions you established for your family! We did Santa, but we also stressed doing for others. My kids always enjoyed choosing a child from the Salvation Army Angel Tree and shopping for them. It helped put life in perspective for them. <br /><br />Happy Birthday Jesus, and thanks be to God!Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00859017153454691633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-26345267739366289322019-12-25T14:45:10.632-05:002019-12-25T14:45:10.632-05:00Merry Christmas to you and Dan. Hope the coming y...Merry Christmas to you and Dan. Hope the coming year is filled with wonderful things and good health. It's nice to be reminded what Christmas is all about. Wish so many more people remembered. Florida Farm Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14788091314337673170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-88766144410069276252019-12-25T11:09:37.168-05:002019-12-25T11:09:37.168-05:00Blessed Christmas Leigh. Wise words to share for t...Blessed Christmas Leigh. Wise words to share for those who may be at a crossroads. It is such a difficult path to walk for many parents. Goatldihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07222031369656684797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-80724491815204527392019-12-25T10:45:17.163-05:002019-12-25T10:45:17.163-05:00Hallelujah! So nice to know there are other people...Hallelujah! So nice to know there are other people who don't buy into the commercialism and frenzy. Thanks for teaching your kids to be considerate, kind, and giving. Those are wonderful attributes to have and last far longer and serve better than any mound of presents ever would. AMEN!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02842386859058576976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-21756867568074613542019-12-25T09:53:08.750-05:002019-12-25T09:53:08.750-05:00Hallelujah! He is born!Hallelujah! He is born!Cockeyed Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12107151148843311635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-54507547623602701732019-12-25T09:07:04.615-05:002019-12-25T09:07:04.615-05:00Blessings to you and yours, Leigh.
FernBlessings to you and yours, Leigh.<br /><br />FernFrank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-46901666026218181272019-12-25T08:13:06.851-05:002019-12-25T08:13:06.851-05:00Thank you more than you will ever know. I have bee...Thank you more than you will ever know. I have been so frustrated with what Christmas has become and your post just touched my heart. Thank you and God Bless you both on this very very special Birthday.Fionahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05348495575211204989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-32712471975057667302019-12-25T00:30:29.700-05:002019-12-25T00:30:29.700-05:00What a lovely tradition you had with your kids! I ...What a lovely tradition you had with your kids! I hope they have continued it with theirs. Merry Christmas to you, Dan, and all the critters!Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01550786937196525098noreply@blogger.com