It's Not 'Happy Holidays', It's Merry Christmas

I rarely get one of those emails forwarded to 5,000 people that I share but this one really hit home. It is something my husband and I have long considered to be one of the biggest problem in society today. I truly believe that the "de-Christianizing" of American society is hampering America's efforts to once again become the great country founded hundreds of years ago.

So here goes:

‘Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.
See the PC Police had taken away,
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say
‘December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod
Something was changing, something quite odd! 
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
 At Lowe's the word Christmas - was nowhere to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears
You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.
Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,
not Happy Holiday!
Please, all Christians join together and
wish everyone you meet during the
holidays a MERRY CHRISTMAS
Christ is The Reason for the Christmas Season!

Even though money is tight I, for one, am looking forward to a Christmas tree with an angel on top, lots of decorations, and a creche with the baby Jesus that will take pride of place in my living room. So may I say in advance "Merry Christmas!"

Oh, and BTW - did you know our nation's capitol Christmas tree came from the forest right here in the White Mountains of Arizona?

A River Runs Through It

Although the calendar says it is still winter, the temperatures are indicating an early start to spring. With the weather being so beautiful this past weekend, I decided to go on a hike and check out the Indian ruins again in the forest land behind my house. Imagine my surprise when I found a river running through it!

Since we moved up here to the White Mountains in June of last year, I’ve spent some time toodling up around on the mountain and below the rim which is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from my house. But I’ve never seen water, outside of rain water that accumulates in the wash.

Apparently the runoff from the mountains is already melting and it has formed a nicely moving river that is pretty wide in spots. The dogs loved it! Even Colby Jack, who has never been much of a water dog, had a great time. When he and Yogi were done frolicking in the water, they came back up on shore and shook off in the snow.

It’s nice to have discovered just one more thing that I absolutely adore about the place that I live!