Ice and pyramids
Ice coated the windows. Inside.
When electric blankets were invented, we Littles knew there was a God.
Of course sleeping under piles – mounds – absolute pyramids – of old heavy cotton batted quilts would have been good practice to withstand interrogations if ever involved in witch trials. Pallets of rocks couldn’t have been heavier.
Christmas meant gathering at Brushy Creek.
There was a stove in the kitchen, a fireplace in the front room with the light bulb, and a card table with bored games.
When older, we’d shiver outside on the porch trying to tune in rock and roll from the big Chicago radio station.
But mostly there was radio – and normal life – silenced.
With stars.
In a deep velvet sky.
Walking in the dark doesn’t bother me still.
I’ll use the dog for an excuse and do some of that these holidays, even though light pollution dims the heavens.
If only the wind would blow the scent of hay this way. It would be almost there again.
And then it would be Christmas.
Christmas is hard without a barn. Cattle lowing and all.
However, running water, central heat and microwaves, does make up for a lot of it.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a peaceful starlight.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.
Jingling on out of here until next week except for catching up on some blog reading
A few holiday offerings to amuse until then:
- There’s a Great Pyramid in Texas – one constructed by a German guy named Emil, 1870. A German Christmas tradition created for his small town that is now considered “one of the finest pieces of folk art ever made in the Lone Star State.” Settlers brought a little bit of their homeland with them to Texas for comfort. Now we stand with the German people at this difficult time offering what comfort we can.
- “Christmas Pining: a matter of difference” It was a mixed marriage. They choreographed life…until it was Christmas….
- “Fa LA LA LA LA: thought, time, and paste” Now that’s Christmas well dressed. Just don’t tear through it…
- “Mistletoe and 22 shells. A Christmas job?” Would Santa come through?
- “Christmas is piggy greedy” Well, it is you know….
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32 Comments
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I loved this old christmasses just with the radio… and I loved our rituals… to feed all farm animals first (different things for the chicken that they will lay lots of eggs next year) before we attacked the christmas tree…. Have a good christmas :o)
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Special treats for chickens. I like that idea as their kind generousity is taken for granted so often. We never had chickens either. Mom had scars on the backs of her legs from rooster attacks as a child. (Even city folks had chicken coops back then)
May Christmas cheer fill your home and hearts. Thanks for the jingle
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Did you ever sneak out to the barn at midnight on Christmas Eve, to see if the legend about the animals kneeling was true? If I had a barn now, with animals, I’d do it. I’d not expect it, but I wouldn’t bet against it, either.
Merry Christmas to you and all of yours!
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There’s something right about standing in a warm barn full of hay and animals on Christmas Eve. They do seem amazingly peaceful and looking at something we can’t see. (Always liked that little carol of the animals discussing what they gave on that night…even the sheep with the curly horn. Always liked that sheep.
Always thought it was an English carol, but it apparently has French heritage (so what English doesn’t? HA HA) https://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/friendly_beasts.htm
Thanks for gazing along. Merry Christmas!
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Wishing you a merry Christmas!
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May merry find you and yours. Jingle on!
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and you!
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Enjoy all the delights and joy! Merry, merry Christmas and jingle on!
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Emil certainly was a character! Love his creation which is… odd… but fascinating. Would love to ride on a “four pig open sled!” Fun post.
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Four pig open sleigh. You win the gold start for that one! Thanks for the jingle
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Our old house tended to be cold upstairs even with “central” heating (and I use that term loosely). We always stood in front of the kitchen oven with the door open to warm up after climbing out of toasty beds. We also had some frozen condensation on the inside of some of the “less secure” windows. I wonder how we survived all these inconveniences….
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People seemed to be sick less back then. Something to be said for hardy souls with unheated house immunity? Thanks for the jingle comment. Merry on!
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a very happy Christmas to you! wonderful post- love the frogs!
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Thanks for hopping by. Hoe the new year brings lots of smiles and adventures your way!
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and to you fellow mouse!!
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May all the lovely residents of the Hedge have a Very, Very Merry Christmas!
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Even now those of the realm are participating in the endless marathon around the Christmas tree. It’s on a short table off the ground for a reason…sadly RC cat keeps forgetting that her undertable passage is sometimes blocked by packages forcing creative alternatives. Exercising brain and muscle. (Please can we take the tree down now?)
Merry merry and cheers for a happy new year!
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Pure Phil, here. One of your best! Merry, Magical Christmas my friend to all members of the Realm. Alice sends her love.
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There’s magic in the air during Christmas. Thanks for believing along
(Paw waves and stay warm!)
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Christmas is hard without a barn… and without all those things that Seem to reconnect us to “all what matters”. I liked these piece very much dear Philosophermouseofthehedge… There is a longing feeling that trascends everything here! ….
Merry Christmas with bright stars in a deep velvet sky! ⭐ Sending love! 😀
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Ah, I love to sleep under what we call an eiderdown (or used to) – nothing like a heavy warm quilt of feathers for sending one to sleep! Happy Christmas and thanks for sharing your quirky view of the world all year round. I don’t always find time to comment sensibly (or sillily!) but do pop by often. Here’s to a better 2017 all round, eh?
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Eiderdown warmed up images of elegance and luxury. Our quilts may have had chicken feathers sticking out or more often cotton which became heavy and damp over the years. But either from fresh air, farm activity, or being weighed down, we all slept quickly and fine. Thanks for the kind words and wandering along here
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Merry Christmas to you! Peace and joy! 🙂
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And to all a Happy New Year!
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Your work brings me peace and lights my heart, old friend.
Thank you.
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Your bright comments are probably the result of reflections of the Falls’ magical winter lights. Beauty is out there – and it’s nice to share. Cheers and thanks
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I love that pig picture. I’m pretty sure every animal we ever owned was at some point hitched to a sled or other moving implement in the hopes that it would pull us along. It never seemed to work as well as hoped.
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The Victorians seem to adore pigs for holiday cards. Some very amusing ones out there. We tried hitching red wagons to dogs, but only got dumped over: sand too deep and dog less than inerested…FYI that treat/carrot suspended from a stick ideas is so overrated…
Thanks for sliding by to chat
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How whimsical! Reading my first post by you, and it would be read too late to wish you a Merry Christmas properly. Perhaps you can pretend I did, and have a marvelous New Year. And, I’ve got to say, “bored” games is quite accurate at times.
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You can laugh as I’m even more late responding to comment. Glad you got game and wander over. Thanks for stopping by to chat
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I love your poetic prose that evoke fond images, whether real or imagined. I, too, have slept under the heavy batted cotton quilts, barely able to move from the weight. My aunt had a brown down comforter, so I loved sleeping with her when I visited.
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Childhood textures wrap closely around you despite the years. Soft light down was such a luxury and kids are happy with the smallest things. Thanks for running over to romp in the comment basket
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