I think it was 1976. Our two youngest kids were in a double stroller, and we had brought an umbrella stroller along just in case our older one got tired. It was a Sunday afternoon and we thought we'd do some quick holiday shopping and then go home to eat dinner.
We were on our way to the car, walking through Sears in Sioux City, which is now the location of the city's only skyscraper (actually only a cloud scraper), and spotted two TV sets that had joy sticks wired to them. Jay and I each picked up a joystick, wondering how this would work. It was exciting! It was challenging! It was really fun! Our oldest child whined at us and we unfolded the umbrella stroller. The two babies fussed and I dug out bottles for them. We took advantage of their quiet and continued to play.
Finally our oldest nearly screamed, "I want to go home!!!!" Both Jay and I looked around and there was no one in the store. We noticed that most of the lights were out, and we headed for the main door. It was locked. We nearly ran to a side door and came upon a security guard. He kindly led us to the back door which he unlocked so we could proceed to our car.
Neither of us had noticed the shoppers leaving, the doors closing, Santa leaving his chair, or the announcements that must have been made. We had fallen deeply into the coma induced by one of the first video games. Our children are now adults with children of their own, and they cannot resist a computer game. They have given them to their own children. We have noticed, perhaps because of our parental failing, that they time how long their own kids can play, and closely monitor the games that they play. But, after the kids are in bed, we suspect that they are drawn into that deep dark world that drew their parents in and created an example that influences their own lives. Then again - they probably don't remember at all!
Friday, December 19, 2014
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Putting Up (With) the Christmas Tree
I remember the excitement of decorating the Christmas Tree for the holidays, first as a child, and then as a young wife, and later when our children were growing up. Choosing the tree, putting on the strings of lights, choosing the exact placement of ornaments. It was so much fun.
As the years went by, it became more difficult to find a tree and fit it into or onto the car with the kids along, and it wasn't that much fun without them helping to choose just the right tree, so we resorted to an artificial tree. The ritual of decorating the tree was only slightly diminished.
Our front windows are two floors high, and so we eventually purchased a 12' ft. artificial tree, and that at first seemed like fun. The staircase is next to our annual placement of the tree, and so decorating its higher branches was not too much trouble.
The kids moved out, and we took in pets (five of them). The breadth of the bottom branches became a real nuisance as the tree became a curry comb for the collie, and a source of frantic playfulness for the cats as branches crossed their paths. We replaced the tree with another very tall tree, but of "slender" stature. Because I prefer to change the colors of the light strings from year to year, we choose an unlighted tree. As my age crept on, I discovered that garlands do not have to go around the tree, but can be hung from the top, so that they cascade vertically down the sides of the tree. The need for additional ornaments was a result of "vertical decoration", so they have been eliminated, as long as the treetop ornament is sufficient to cover all of the ends of the garlands.
This year, getting the tree out of storage, into the house, and assembled was a major project. With my husband and I working together, it took several hours just to get the tree standing in the living room. It stood for three days before I found the energy to hang the lights. Then it stood for another two days before I placed the decorations on it. I plan to take it down Christmas Day after the family and grandchildren leave.
We've decided. The tree has to go. Perhaps, after Christmas when they are on sale, we will purchase a six foot pre-lighted tree. For the years we will not have a Christmas celebration with grandchildren at our house, we'll probably elect to not have a Christmas Tree. Maybe we'll get one of those pre-lit, pre-decorated tree that pulls up from the center, although that seems like it could be intense exercise.
Well, smaller tree disposal can't be too difficult. Now, how do I get rid of the old one after Christmas?
As the years went by, it became more difficult to find a tree and fit it into or onto the car with the kids along, and it wasn't that much fun without them helping to choose just the right tree, so we resorted to an artificial tree. The ritual of decorating the tree was only slightly diminished.
Our front windows are two floors high, and so we eventually purchased a 12' ft. artificial tree, and that at first seemed like fun. The staircase is next to our annual placement of the tree, and so decorating its higher branches was not too much trouble.
The kids moved out, and we took in pets (five of them). The breadth of the bottom branches became a real nuisance as the tree became a curry comb for the collie, and a source of frantic playfulness for the cats as branches crossed their paths. We replaced the tree with another very tall tree, but of "slender" stature. Because I prefer to change the colors of the light strings from year to year, we choose an unlighted tree. As my age crept on, I discovered that garlands do not have to go around the tree, but can be hung from the top, so that they cascade vertically down the sides of the tree. The need for additional ornaments was a result of "vertical decoration", so they have been eliminated, as long as the treetop ornament is sufficient to cover all of the ends of the garlands.
This year, getting the tree out of storage, into the house, and assembled was a major project. With my husband and I working together, it took several hours just to get the tree standing in the living room. It stood for three days before I found the energy to hang the lights. Then it stood for another two days before I placed the decorations on it. I plan to take it down Christmas Day after the family and grandchildren leave.
We've decided. The tree has to go. Perhaps, after Christmas when they are on sale, we will purchase a six foot pre-lighted tree. For the years we will not have a Christmas celebration with grandchildren at our house, we'll probably elect to not have a Christmas Tree. Maybe we'll get one of those pre-lit, pre-decorated tree that pulls up from the center, although that seems like it could be intense exercise.
Well, smaller tree disposal can't be too difficult. Now, how do I get rid of the old one after Christmas?
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