This is my Christmas.......

Christmas dates back as early as 98AD when Rome declared the birth of Christ be celebrated as a time of feast. While no one knew the exact date in which Christ was born, there were several pagan festivals that occurred around December 25th and this date was chosen.

In Colonial America there were very few Christmas celebrations. In fact, as recent as 100 years ago Christmas was declared illegal in parts of the United States, including New England, as devout Christians still considered the celebration of the Christmas holiday as a pagan ritual and in reproach to Christ. In fact, it wasn't until after the American Civil War that Christmas truly became popular nationally. The country used to be as divided about Christmas as it was about slavery. Christmas being very popular in the south and not as popular in the north. I guess that's why I've had a romantic love for the south.....

The first American States to declare Christmas a legal holiday were Alabama in 1836 and Louisiana and Arkansas in 1838...relatively recent historically. It wasn't declared a federal holiday until 1870.

Christmas became "commercialized" with the emergence of Women's Magazines...believe it or not. In fact, it was America that "reinvented" Christmas because prior to this the holiday was a raucous drunken holiday, whereas women' magazines turned it into a celebration of family, love, peace and "making childhood memories". So we have Women's Day and such to thank for that, ironically.

I have been very fortunate. I had a wonderful childhood with loving parents, good friends, a big family---who gathered on holidays. I remember my Mom Mom Pearl's huge tree in her living room that glowed with tinsel and lights. Each package was carefully wrapped and exquisitely decorated---and the presents were always piled high. Goodies abounded on the counters---fudge, cookies, cakes, and punch.

Even in the hardest financial times I always tried to make Christmas very special for my children in honor of the memories I had from my own childhood. It is very difficult for me, in this time of financial woe to not be able to load the car down with gifts for everyone I love. I am having to go back to basics...and find joy in the little things in life.

Everyone in all walks of life is feeling the strain right now. Nationally and even globally we are facing uncertain times like we haven't seen in recent history. A lot of this is our own doing---as greed and taking our eye off Christ has brought us here.

So while I won't have a pile of presents under the tree this year---I am thankful that I have my mother who is also my best friend. I traumatize her daily because she worries about me---and I am grateful for her worry because without her---I would be lost. I am thankful for my three daughters who have grown in to beautiful young women who make me proud every day of my life. I am thankful for my grandsons who keep me in touch with my "child within"--and help me reconnect with my own wonderful childhood memories. I am thankful for lifelong friendship from several people in my life who have stood by me for fifty years--even when I was not worthy of that friendship---as I am human--and in my humanity--I am flawed.

I am thankful for my very special new-found love, Danny who makes me smile--laugh--and fills each day with a joy for the future.

And most of all I am thankful for Christ---who came and walked among us so that we could see, by example, how we should treat one another. I am thankful for a loving, forgiving, and compassionate God who has loved me unconditionally---who has taken me back into his loving embrace even after I ignored him for years.

So on this Christmas Day....presents will still be abundant...they just might not be in shiny packages with bows and tinsel....they will be in the loving hearts that gather around me...they will be in the glistening eyes of my grandchildren as they laugh and play raucously about the room...they will be in seeing my mother smile when I know her heart is broken in missing my father.....they will be in the soft touch of the love of my life.....

And I bow in such esteemed gratitude to my Lord and Savior for these gifts........

Merry Christmas to all of you.....

Debby

I Want To Be Thankful For Love, Acceptance & Tolerance

I have always been fascinated with the real story behind Thanksgiving.  In school they lead you to believe that the Pilgrims and the Indians sat down to share a meal together and were great friends forever and ever Amen----

It simply didn't happen that way.  If so...where are all the Indians?  I mean, I occasionally see them but for the most part the majority are on reservations or they keep to themselves.

I go to church and love my church family.  However, I also have some very dear friends that practice non-standard religions or---esoteric religions.  I always look more at the soul than what denomination someone belongs to....and while I have a LOT of flaws personally---I hope to never change this about myself.  I still believe I will go to heaven and be with my Jesus when the time comes.  I had a couple of people in my life growing up that showed me this "tolerance"--leading by example----My earthly father (Bob Lyons) and my Aunt Patsy (Kenton).  They were cousins and they both had a great sense of humor and loved everyone.  Both went to heaven this year.

The irony is that as human beings, children of God, we tend to let history repeat itself--especially when it comes to making the same mistakes--over and over again.  The Puritans arrived around 1620, fleeing persecution in England because they had religious beliefs that were different from the majority.  They wanted the "freedom" to practice their religion without persecution.  Sounded like a good idea---in theory.  Right?

When they arrived their diets were based largely on wheat products which didn't grow very well in the rocky soil here in America where they had set up their homes.  England had told the Pilgrims that they were to live in a communal territory--a community owned by all.  They didn't really own land, the land was parceled out and equally shared among the settlers.  Of course, being human, that was not enough.  Greed quickly played a part and the settlers wanted more land...they had to have more than the guy next door because it is human nature to want to "have a bigger house---a faster car".

They would have starved to death if not for one Indian in particular named Squanto who helped the Pilgrims by teaching them how to grow local crops like corn, squash, and pumpkin---the difference between the local poisonous plants and the plants that were good for food or medicine---and how to hunt.  By the time fall arrived things were looking much better for the Pilgrims--thanks to good ole' Squanto, so they decided to hold a feast and invite Squanto's family (which turned out to be more than 90 people---boy were they surprised).

That's the "nice" part of the story---the part we celebrate today.

However, there's a dark side because in our "human" sin filled nature we can never be satisfied.  The Pilgrims wanted more land and coveted the land the Indians possessed.  The Pilgrims (who if you remember ironically fled England because they wanted religious "freedom) started to look down on the Indians because they would not accept the Puritan religious beliefs.  The Indians had their own way of worship and the Puritans were intolerant.  In no time war ensued in the name of religion and greed.  Sound familiar?

As an American today we see on Yahoo that "Terrorists may be inspired by the holidays".  The terrorists hate us because we do not believe in their religion.  You cannot turn on CNN without seeing someone killing in the name of God.  This tragedy has been going on for all time.  How do you think God feels about this behavior?

I love my God--he is my salvation, my sanity, my friend, and my counsel.  However, I pray that he keeps my heart open to accept people who are not like me.  Let Him fill my heart with Thanksgiving for what I "DO" have and not be greedy for what other's have.  Let me love all people, of all races, all religions, and all walks of life---

I miss my earthly Father today.  He was a quiet man most of the time.  A quick wit---but ever tolerant of all people---all walks of life.  That man loved to eat and Thanksgiving was one of his favorite holidays.

Hey Dad---hope you and Aunt Patsy are having a great Thanksgiving today in heaven!  I miss you both dearly----

And tell Squanto that I said "Hi".....thanks to him I'll be having Pumpkin Pie today.

:-)

Doodles

The Impact of the Recession on Pets

Pets have always been an “American” tradition. There has been a lot of attention in the news on the human suffering aspect of this recession. No one has gone into depth thinking about or exposing the impact on the many abandoned pets. More people today are abandoning pets because of foreclosures, evictions and unemployment. There are die-hard pet parents that refuse to give up their pets even when facing these situations and they then become the “mobile homeless” population that are living in their cars...or with friends or family because they cannot find housing that is pet friendly—if they are lucky. Some are not so lucky and end up on the street.

There are even horror stories where people are evicted or foreclosed upon and their pets were trapped inside of a home where the pet parent cannot get to them because they are evicted while at work and the locks were changed with their animals left inside. It can take days to get through the legal tape to get access to them and in the meantime they suffer without food or water—scared because they don't know where their pet parents went.

Homeless people stand on street corners asking motorists for money. At night, their homeless dogs sleep with them under bridges or on park benches. These homeless pets suffer parasites, skin disease, malnutrition, heat stroke and exhaustion. When I worked in downtown Philadelphia the homeless people made sure their pets were fed first. However, even when the pet is the homeless person's priority they still do not have a good diet. Some people argue the homeless would be better pet parents if they gave up their pets instead of making them suffer the “life of the homeless”. They say, “Pet ownership comes with far more responsibility than someone with limited means can provide”. However, the same could be said for parenting. Few would suggest ditching your children just because times get tight. Instead of questioning how the homeless or poor can allocate their meager resources in a way that you would not...ask what love means to you. Could you love a pet...or a child until it was financially inconvenient to do so?

I am not judging. I am very sympathetic to everyone in today's harsh economic climate. I totally understand surrendering a pet because you feel they would have a better life with someone else. But I do suggest that maybe we need to do more to help one another so people do not have to make these choices. Landlords need to be more lenient and understand that pets are part of the American way of life. You can have as much damage done to a home from small children as you can have done by a pet. I had three children...I KNOW what they are capable of.

There's a lot of very scary things happening in our country right now. Stock market is like a bouncing ball. One in four homes is currently in foreclosure in the state of Maryland. Jobs are hard to find. We need to put AMERICA BACK TO WORK.

If I were a politician I would suggest the following:

1. Eliminate sales tax to encourage people to shop in the stores

2. Lower income tax rates

3. Prohibit landlords from being able to turn away tenants based on color, religion, family size, or pets. Landlords can request pet deposits, of course.

4. Pass legislation to allow veterinary care and medication as a tax deduction.

5. Give tax incentives to all businesses that source product, services, and employees from AMERICA. Tax penalties if these things are purchased outside the US.

We feel deeply about these problems. Going forward, I propose we only buy and sell products that are exclusively made in the United States...supporting the American work force.

When Andy and I buy new inventory...we are going to ask the questions about where the product was made and “sourced”. It will be more work...but we need to be part of the solution...not the problem.

We need to save ourselves....the good ole' USA...

We need to save our pets...

God Bless America!

Do Your Friends Think You Spoil Your Dog?

In a good and healthy relationship you will have the following basic needs met:

• The need for emotional support.
• The need to be heard and to be responded to with respect and acceptance
• The need to have your own view, even if others have a different view.
• The need to have your feelings and experience acknowledged as real.
• The need to live free from criticism and judgment.
• The need to have your work and your interests respected.
• The need for encouragement even when your situation seems grim--in fact more so when it's grim.
• The need for freedom from from angry outburst and rage.
• The need to feel that you have value

I believe that if you observe how a person treats their animals--it will define how they treat other human beings. Will Rogers says that "If there are no dogs in heaven then I want to go where they went".

Dog companions respect all of the basic human needs in a relationship that I mentioned above. Yet, there are some pet owners that do not offer their dog the same respect. There are still some dog owners that treat their dogs like livestock. Fortunately, they are more the exception, than the rule.

I want my purpose in life to not be based on monetary gain---or even my own happiness. But let me be useful, honorable, compassionate, and to make a difference in people's lives. In other words...."let me be a dog".

In the current economy I may appear a failure to many---but in my heart I have made a lot of friends. I also truly and honestly can speak the language of the people I come in contact with at my store because I totally understand that life with a dog means the following:

a. You should spend more on your dog's food than you do on a week's groceries

b. Your dog not only should sleep with you, but you should hover on the edge of the bed so as not to disturb his/her slumber.

c. You should go out for a drive just so your dog can get to ride in the car and go "by-by"

d. There's more pictures of your dog in your photo album or facebook than your family members

e. Your furniture is arranged so your dog is comfortable

The dogs in our family growing up have always been family members. Our collies got pancakes every Sunday morning. My father and mother planned their life around the comfort of their dog(s). And that's okay...

When it was all said and done, as my father lay in his hospice bed those final days, his little dog was with him every moment.

Because that's what dogs do.......

Love unconditionally--something as a human being we all desperately need that kind of love

Until next time, Toodles!

Wash my eyes with my tears.........

I've often wondered why God made it so we "cry tears". I understand basic tears are needed for lubrication. But I don't understand the physiology of why we cry. So I did a little research...

Besides humans, the only living creatures that cry are gorillas and crockodiles. (Now there's an interesting combination...God surely has a sense of humor).

I know my dog understands tears. I know my dog understands sorrow. Yet she cannot produce tears. I try not to question God's logic in how he created things...but why didn't he give tears to dogs? Our best friends? I do know when I'm sad and crying, she is right by my side. Just petting her and nuzzling her fur brings me comfort.

When we feel sadness it is registered by our cerebrum. The cerebrum is also the part of the brain that controls speech...so it makes sense that crying is a form of communication. And even though dogs can't cry themselves, they understand our communication to them of our sadness when we cry.

We need to communicate our sorrow as part of the healing process. The cerebrum tells the endocrine system to produce hormones...like leucine-enkephalin which is known to reduce pain and improve mood...it's a natural "drug" that God gave us. We don't need the artificial drugs for this...God gave us our own drug...we just have to listen and let the tears flow.

Crying is a good thing...

I don't look forward to crying. Who does? It ruins make-up and make-up is not cheap in this economy. It makes your face swollen, red, blotchy...and your nose run like a faucet.

But it's healthy. Much healthier than alcohol, cigarettes, or street drugs.

I've done a lot of crying lately. I am losing my daddy to cancer. He is fighting a valiant fight and I am so proud of him. He is the bravest...smartest...and most handsome man in the whole world.

I cry watching my mother stand by his side as she makes every precious day as good as it can be for him and for his children who want to spend as much time with him as possible. She cooks for us. She never thinks of herself...always of others.

Watching a parent suffer that you love, more than life itself, is so very hard. It also makes you face your own mortality with stark reality. It's amazing how 18 years seems like a very long time when you're 20 years old. But by the time you're 50 years old...18 years between you and your parents is but a blink of the eye. In my lifetime I've somehow managed to almost catch up to my parents in age...funny how that works.

The good thing that's coming out of all of these tears is that I'm learning to cherish my children, my friends, my family, my work, my pets...every tiny little thing about my life.............

Perhaps our eyes need to be washed with tears so that we may see life with a clearer view.....

May God Bless All Of You Today.

Go home and hug your pets....hug your family...and let the tears flow.

You'll feel better for it.