“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!”
Today is a lovely, warm winter’s day. Lots of birds are at the feeders, mostly goldfinches and chickadees. Gracie was in the backyard all morning, and when she came back inside, her mouth and chin were covered with dirt. Miss Gracie had taken the opportunity presented by the day to do a bit of digging. I suspect she buried the giant biscuit she got as a gift. I hate to think of what it will look like when she’s decided it’s prime for munching.
Yesterday was A Christmas Carol day. TCM had four different versions on during the day and evening. I watched two of them and have a third to watch later. The first I watched is my all time favorite, the Alastair Sim version released in 1951. I love watching Scrooge’s reclamation and his dance on Christmas morning. The second was an amazing version called Scrooge with Seymour Hicks which was released in 1935 and is the first of them with sound. Jacob Marley is unseen on-screen. He says only Scrooge can see him, and Scrooge looks at an empty chair while he and Marley converse. The best part of this movie is it gives a view of Victorian England and the contrast between the rich and the poor. One scene shows boys watching through a cellar window as a feast for lords and ladies is being prepared and then scraps are thrown through the same window to the boys who scramble for one. I love it when the Lord Mayor is asked if he wants to speak or did he want his guests to continue to enjoy themselves. Scrooge on Christmas morning is as merry as an angel, and there are scenes different from any other film. We watch Scrooge shave with a straight razor and nick his nose, throw his coat over his robe and night-shirt to go the butcher’s shop, and we meet the most charming of all his charwomen. Scrooge sits at his nephew’s Christmas dinner table after shedding a few tears standing at the Christmas tree. The next morning Cratchit is late as in every movie, but this time Scrooge sends Bob home with a raise and tells him to enjoy his family for the day. The last scene is in church where Scrooge sits in a pew and sees Cratchit beside him. He touches Bob’s sleeve and Bob touches Scrooge’s hand. That scene, so warm and loving, is the last in the movie.
I have a few grocery items to pick up but that’s my entire to-do list. The rest of the day will be leisurely. I’ll read, munch a few Christmas cookies my friend made and just delivered and I’ll drink some egg nog, laced just a bit. I’m thinking that sounds like the best of days.
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This entry was posted on December 20, 2013 at 11:44 am and is filed under Musings. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments.
Tags: Alastair Sim, Christmas Carol, Christmas cookies, digging in the yard, egg nog, first Scrooge talkie, Lords and ladies, Miss Gracie the Boxer, reading, Seymour Hicks, wonderful weather
Both comments and pings are currently closed.24 Comments on ““I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!””
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keepthecoffeecoming.blog 
December 20, 2013 at 12:45 pm
I had to change my song of the day to stay in keeping with today’s International theme. Whatever the language, I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!
December 20, 2013 at 1:22 pm
im6,
Thanks for keeping with the theme of the day. This is lovely but then again I suspect most songs in French might be.
December 20, 2013 at 1:36 pm
Friggin Michel Legrand.
Somewhere way back when, My Uncle Pauly became smitten with the movie sound track to Summer of 42 from Monsieur LeGrand and we were subjected to a bunch of LeGrand this and LeGrand that.
Worse than that Charles Asnavour (Charles has a slash) and Sasha Distel (Slasher Distillery) somehow crossed the channel, albeit briefly, and created a small nitch.
Cut it out im6, lets roll out “Fairytale of New York” or Spector or something worthy of this wonderful season
December 20, 2013 at 1:54 pm
Get over yourself, My Dear Hedley. I like the song and suspect others might as well. How can you not appreciate the sheer over-the-top-ness of this? Not everyone shares your love of songs about junkies at Christmas. It’s not all about you. Here it is 50 years later and you’re still whining about some Christmas present you DIDN’T get. You’re worse than Mike Love 😉
December 20, 2013 at 3:02 pm
And the Bells are ringing out for Christmas Day
December 20, 2013 at 1:30 pm
Father Christmas Failure :
It was 1964, I was 10 and there was only one thing I wanted, a Johnny Seven O.M.A. We had been bombarded with commercials for the toy which retailed at 5 pounds, a lot of money. The jolly fat man failed, I wasn’t be to be One Man Army. No grenade launcher, no armor piercing shell, no pistol, no toy. Vincent Davey appeared immediately waving around the Seven, I don’t remember what I got that year but I sure as heck remember what I didn’t get.
December 20, 2013 at 2:24 pm
My Dear Hedley,
I am sorry you did not get the weapon toy to beat all weapon toys but maybe, just maybe, Father Christmas thought you hadn’t been good enough. I’m not saying’, just thinking perhaps.
I agree, though, that not getting the one toy you really want is worse than sad. It is a huge disappointment.
December 20, 2013 at 3:07 pm
it took a while but I recovered. the good news it was extremely poorly made and Vincent’s ace OMA was gone immediately
Many kids of that age wanted and got a Scalextric, (I didn’t) perhaps because their Dads so much wanted to play with it. Now, I wonder exactly what the Prince will be receiving from his Pumpa this year 🙂
December 20, 2013 at 3:13 pm
MDH,
I had to look up Scalextric and can see its appeal to boys of all ages!
What has the Prince told Santa he wanted?
December 20, 2013 at 3:17 pm
He mentioned an ipad, to which we said absolutely not – his response was no problem, he would just ask Santa
December 20, 2013 at 3:24 pm
MDH,
Kudos to the Prince for his response.
I suggest you tell him the story of that sad Christmas of yours so he’ll be a bit prepared.
Our once the only Prince, same age as yours, is getting a Play Station or some such game console. The younger Prince, age 18 months and a cousin, has no idea yet of the potential of Christmas.
December 20, 2013 at 3:33 pm
Kat, we do have plenty of ipads in the house as Mrs MDH and I bought the new ipad air, so he has an older version when he descends.
Right now he is recovering from his spectacular Christmas concert which was held last night at St Lawrence School. This year it was an all ticket event as last December some 2,000 people had jammed in to an auditorium licensed for 1,200. He clearly saw his Pumpa blowing kisses and waving and he had his normal posse of family in the audience
December 20, 2013 at 4:15 pm
MDH,
I love Christmas concerts and looked forward every year to the one at my school with the band, orchestra and chorus.
Our Prince too has his posse. The family from both sides attends his soccer games every week. Luckily it is now indoor soccer. He is used to an entourage!
I figure he will love whatever it is you give him.
December 20, 2013 at 3:59 pm
A sad story, Hedley. I’m sorry that you didn’t get your O.M.A. and had to watch the, no doubt insufferably odious, Vincent Davey wave his around impudently.
Holy carp,though! You really could shoot your eye out, Kid.
Well, someone’s eye, anyway. 🙂
I’m surprised I don’t remember this toy because my brothers were of an age that it would have been on the A-List to Santa.
And it would have been on the No-Way list with my parents, too.
December 20, 2013 at 5:12 pm
Caryn,
The years have passed and the ubiquitous Johnny Seven is still out there. Today they change hands for over 1,000 pounds. But seriously what 10 year old boy would not have wanted to be a OMA ?
Vincent’s family owned Gus Kuhn Motors and motor bikes of all sizes were at their home. My younger sister broke her arm when she opened up the throttle on a mini bike with no sense of braking and drove it in to a fence. I guess Vince’s Johnny Seven wasn’t the most dangerous thing in the house.
My Mum and Dad were cool, they got it right.
December 20, 2013 at 2:24 pm
I do like Scrooged with Bill Murray 🙂 a lighter version of that story 🙂
But I don’t think they’ve shown a single Christmas movie so far, perhaps on the cable channels but usually they won’t star with tghem until the night before Christmnas eve here.
Tonight they’lkl show anothe Startreck movie, the one where they travel back in time to get a hunchback whale. That film has its funny moments 🙂 🙂
Rainy and cloudy here today and on Monday we’ll get a storm passing again. I don’t mind, I’m on Christmas Vacation now 🙂
Have a great day!
Christer.
December 20, 2013 at 2:37 pm
Christer,
I also like Scrooged as it is the only humorous Christmas Carol.
Some radio stations only play Christmas music and there have been many, many movies on TV.
That Star Trek movie is my favorite of the old StarTrek cast. It is funny.
It is in the high 50’s today!
December 20, 2013 at 4:09 pm
Hi Kat,
I’m waiting for A Christmas Story. Christmas Day, all day. It’s tradition! 🙂
The Allistair Sim Scrooge is my favorite, too. He’s so nasty at the beginning and so happy and sweet at the end. I love it.
You remind me that I need egg nog and cookies. Other than that my Christmas stuff is done. Gifts are purchased and sent. Cards are long gone. House is as decorated as it’s going to get. I can sit back and rejoice. 🙂
Rocky and I played in the snow the last two days. He’s done with it for now. It’s a bit deep for him.
Enjoy the evening.
December 20, 2013 at 4:21 pm
Hi Caryn,
Yes, it is tradition. I have a friend who has never seen it and doesn’t care too. She can’t imagine she’d like it. I tried to explain how wonderful it is but it has been to no avail.
He laughs so wonderfully at his own happiness.
I do have gifts to wrap for friends I won’t see until after Christmas, and that’s it. The house is decorated inside and out, cheese and appies in the fridge for company, cards also sent and plenty of egg nog! I too will sit back and rejoice.
Gracie has mud!
Enjoy the evening!
December 20, 2013 at 8:36 pm
Bah Humbug! Here’s a Christmas song that just about sums up the entire month leading up to the holiday.
December 20, 2013 at 9:06 pm
Bob,
This isn’t about Christmas. The singers have missed the spirit of the season and are themselves Scrooges.
I love buying my Christmas tree, putting it up and decorating it. I shop all year and have fun finding just the right gifts for people. Every year I make cookies and date-nut bread, my grandmother’s recipe, and fudge for my sister. We talk on the phone all the time, my sisters and I, offering fun hints about presents. I watch Christmas movies, some every year, and I love watching them. The music is on in my car for every trip, and I love buying or finding new music.
I know you celebrate Chanukah so you probably don’t know how off-base this song is.
December 20, 2013 at 10:44 pm
I just thought it was funny. Of course it’s a spoof and pokes fun at the made rush to over spend, get into debt and get an ulcer that the season can evoke. I would stay away from all malls this weekend.
December 20, 2013 at 11:31 pm
Bob,
The people who get so stressed only have themselves to blame. A little planning makes Christmas far more delightful.
I too would not go near malls between now and Christmas Eve.
Gifts don’t have to break the bank. Sales abound, especially this year.
We all, my family and friends, enjoy Christmas and getting together for dinner or even just a drink and an appie or two.
December 21, 2013 at 11:52 am
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