I have created an extensive file of articles over the last few months. With my recent travels and being away from my study for weeks at a time, this makes it simple for the staff to reach in and grab one for the next deadline. However, sometimes they get out of order, and you may notice a happy Halloween for the Thanksgiving edition, or I may wish you a happy Thanksgiving for the Christmas paper. Please don’t “read” too much into our timing, just enjoy the content for what it brings. So, here goes with a “Christmas” run.
My travels west for fun have concluded unless I decide to make a duck and quail run in January. The annual company meeting in Dallas has concluded and so has the vector meeting in New Orleans. Sixteen hours of computer training on how to embrace DEI, cybersecurity, safe driving, etc., with videos and exams is complete with passing grades in all areas. You can probably already tell this hectic schedule hasn’t been conducive for me to slip into my haunt for a morning or evening sit yet. Hopefully by the time you read this one, I will have had some meditation time on the limb of my ancient oak tree that has welcomed my presence for over thirty years, but at the time of this writing, I have yet to make a sit. And to think my entire agenda early in the writing season is to not only invite you, but to encourage you, not to miss “IT.” I must do a better job of heeding my own advice. Is this crazy, or what? It’s far into December and I haven’t left any mud in the driveway or tracked any into the kitchen. Surely, this will change.
With the moon full, an east wind, and 80-degree days, I keep telling myself that I haven’t missed anything. I will bide my time and barring numerous parties, functions, and gatherings, I will wait until it’s “right” before venturing into sacred sanctuaries. I could rush it just to make time in the woods, but I fear I would only stink it up announcing my intrusion with a vengeance. Patience grasshopper, patience! Better to maximize your efforts and stack the deck in your favor than risk ruining it for the season with reckless abandonment. No extra charge for this tip, but it will be interesting if anyone picks up on this. So, if I’m not hunting, what gives?
Stacey and I made the best Christmas trash I think we have ever produced. The recipe was embellished with more peanuts and cashews than in the past. The “heat” was perfect, with just a tad bit more tabasco than what was called for. It reminds me of making jerky though, it disappears much quicker than the time it takes to make it. I sure have enjoyed it while watching these iconic Christmas shows that have been airing for the past few weeks.
I was trying to decide which one is my favorite, and this is a difficult choice to make. I love “It’s a Wonderful Life” and I understand it recently aired at a local cinema. “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is one for the books as is “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Frosty the Snowman,” and let’s not forget Ralphie in “A Christmas Story.” However, the kid jumps out of me when the original “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by Dr. Seuss comes on local television. I have told you in the past, I’m a kid at heart and even more so during Christmas. Our timing was perfect when we returned from NOLA, for the “Grinch” greeted us that night in our den. A little history is in order.
Based on the 1957 children’s book, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” this American animated television special first aired in 1966. I still remember when it made its debut. The main plot is about a surly, antisocial, green creature (the grinch) with a heart “two sizes too small.” He lives alone in a cave atop Mt. Crumpit located above the village of Whoville. He especially despises Christmas and is annoyed by the celebration of Christmas by the citizens of this quaint village. One Christmas Eve he decides to stop Christmas from coming by disguising himself as Santa Claus, his dog Max as a reindeer, and in a reversal of Santa’s visit, steals all the presents, decorations, and symbols of Christmas. Of course, I’m sure you know the rest of the story.
Directed and co-produced by Chuck Jones, this iconic film is narrated by Boris Karloff, also the voice of the Grinch. Upon its initial broadcast December 18, 1966, it received generally positive but muted reviews from critics. What were they thinking? Roy Shields of The Toronto Star called the special “perfect,” praising it as “faithful to the artistry of Dr. Seuss.” The Macon Telegraph recommended the program calling it “superb, delightful, and a tender animated presentation of Dr. Suess’s beloved children’s book.” John Heisner of “Democrat and Chronicle” described the special a “fascinating bit of fantasy with a simple message.” Hal Humphrey of “The Los Angeles Times” called the production a “disappointment,” however he praised the animation and music.
A 1970 “Top View” survey of viewers published by Clarke Williamson ranked the show with a 70.2 “good” score, ahead of “Frosty the Snowman” but lower than “A Charlie Brown Christmas, The Little Drummer Boy, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” To those that criticize this wonderful production, I say to you, “Bah Humbug.”
Regarding the music of this film, the score consists of 60 musicians playing a 34-piece orchestra. They worked for a total of eight hours, and it included three songs: “Trim Up the Tree,” “Welcome Christmas,” and “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” On October 5, 1999, Rhino Entertainment released a new soundtrack which included the soundtrack for another Dr. Seuss cartoon, “Horton Hears a Who.”
Wyatt is a noble critic of articles, books, authors, and films. I’ll have to ask him what he thinks of “The Grinch.” I will need to do a little research, but I wonder if this “play” has been presented at New Stage? I would go see it. Multitudes of other Christmas films have been airing recently and I try not to miss them. Keep in mind, Christmas is still a week away during the production of this article. And guess what? Charlie Brown is about to come on right now. I think I’ll grab a double handful of trash and enjoy. The crumbs that find their way through my recliner can be picked up later. Lord, I hope a mouse doesn’t find them.
Which Christmas film is your favorite? Truthfully, they’re all good. This is why Baskin-Robbins has 31 different flavors, to each their own. Enjoy all of them. We’ll be ringing in the new year before you know it and off to the rat race again, we will trudge. Enjoy your time with your families, make some trash, and watch the shows of the season. Maybe cold weather will return, and the bucks will get on their feet and the ducks will fill the skies. Depending on when this one arrives, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Easter, and whatever follows, it really doesn’t matter, just keep enjoying our column.
Until next time enjoy our woods and waters and remember, let’s leave it better than we found it.
