Winter In Iowa

Rudolph

A man named Bob May, depressed and brokenhearted, stared out his drafty apartment window into the chilling December night.

His 4-year-old daughter Barbara sat on his lap quietly sobbing. Bob's wife, Evelyn, was dying of cancer Little Barbara couldn't understand why her mommy could never come home. Barbara looked up into her dad's eyes and asked, "Why isn't Mommy just like everybody else's Mommy?" Bob's jaw tightened and his eyes welled with tears. Her question brought waves of grief, but also of anger. It had been the story of Bob's life. Life always had to be different for Bob.

Small when he was a kid, Bob was often bullied by other boys. He was too little at the time to compete in sports. He was often called names he'd rather not remember. From childhood, Bob was different and never seemed to fit in. Bob did complete college, married his loving wife and was grateful to get his job as a copywriter at Montgomery Ward during the Great Depression. Then he was blessed with his little girl. But it was all short-lived. Evelyn's bout with cancer stripped them of all their savings and now Bob and his daughter were forced to live in a two-room apartment in the Chicago slums. Evelyn died just days before Christmas in 1938.

Bob struggled to give hope to his child, for whom he couldn't even afford to buy a Christmas gift. But if he couldn't buy a gift, he was determined to make one - a storybook! Bob had created an animal character in his own mind and told the animal's story to little Barbara to give her comfort and hope. Again and again Bob told the story, embellishing it more with each telling. Who was the character? What was the story all about? The story Bob May created was his own autobiography in fable form. The character he created was a misfit outcast like he was. The name of the character? A little reindeer named Rudolph, with a big shiny nose. Bob finished the book just in time to give it to his little girl on Christmas Day. But the story doesn't end there.

The general manager of Montgomery Ward caught wind of the little storybook and offered Bob May a nominal fee to purchase the rights to print the book. Wards went on to print,_ Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer_ and distribute it to children visiting Santa Claus in their stores. By 1946 Wards had printed and distributed more than six million copies of Rudolph. That same year, a major publisher wanted to purchase the rights from Wards to print an updated version of the book.

In an unprecedented gesture of kindness, the CEO of Wards returned all rights back to Bob May. The book became a best seller. Many toy and marketing deals followed and Bob May, now remarried with a growing family, became wealthy from the story he created to comfort his grieving daughter. But the story doesn't end there either.

Bob's brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, made a song adaptation to Rudolph. Though the song was turned down by such popular vocalists as Bing Crosby and Dinah Shore , it was recorded by the singing cowboy, Gene Autry.  "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was released in 1949 and became a phenomenal success, selling more records than any other Christmas song, with the exception of "White Christmas." 

 

The gift of love that Bob May created for his daughter so long ago kept on returning back to bless him again and again. And Bob May learned the lesson, just like his dear friend Rudolph, that being different isn't so bad. In fact, being different can be a blessing.    

Snow

        Well Jeanie,  the snow finally found it's way here.   Yesterday we had a warm snap so all the snow we had,  which wasn't a lot melted.   Now we are busy snowing and blowing away.   My son will be thrilled  as he got a new Kia Sorento and this will be his first snow to drive in..

   I just looked it up to get a photo and find they have been recalled for bad brakes.   Hummmm.   Had to text Dan and let him know before he gets out in it.  Bummer.  But they should fix it.    I like the Kia Sportage in red.   They have one where Dan got his and it is so pretty.   Might have to see if they would give me a good deal on a trade in for my van.

          I brought my popcorn cake to work and it was a great success.   It vanished quickly and turned out pretty good if I must say so myself.  I just had to have a piece,  heck with the diet for a minute.

       Last night we went to a Templeton Rye speakeasy party.   Man oh man whiskey is not my drink of choice but it was fun and everyone was dressed up like gangsters from the 30's. so the mood was light and fun.   It was a late night for us though.   We are usually home and in our PJ's by 9.   I don't know how you do those late nights Jimmy.   In our defense we had been shopping all day.   I bought a couple of books.   One is called A big little life, a Memoir of a Joyful Dog by Dean  Koontz.   I have heard it was good.    The other is called A Secret Gift by Ted Gup.   It's about how one man's kindness-and a trove of letters- revealed the hidden history of the Great Depression.   It was recommended by a friend who is a historian and knows I like books like this.  So I am set for a couple of days.

   Next week I have to had a class all day to get renewed for my ACLS,  or Advanced Cardiac Life Support.   Then the next day I have a skills lab class.  So much for my days off of laziness and joy.   But it has to be done.   After 30 years though I think I have it figured out.

    Zoey,  who is laying next to me just sat up and gave me a hug,  isn't that sweet.   I promised her I would cut her nails today and I have to clean the other critters cage.   My hands are weak enough that clipping Zoeys nail is difficult but she won't let Rick do it. I am blessed with the job.   Last time I had it done at the vet they trimmed 2 too short and she remembers that also.

   Oh man,  I just heard some banging and looked outside,   it is really snowing and blowing.   Maybe I will skip the gym and work out at home today and have hot chicken chili for supper tonight.   A good book, and hot meal and a cuppa tea.   My idea of a nice night off work.   

Well enough rambling on.  Time to get my breakfast of a green monster and start my chores for the day.   Have a great weekend all.

Popcorn Cake

See,  I cook, kindof.

Gee, another Post

         The day that will live in infamy,  Remembering the day today and as always, our brave soldiers.

         The tree is up,  the stocking are hung by the fake chimney with care.  My shopping is done.   I can sit back and enjoy the season without any mad dashes to the stores.   We got great news today about my son's job so our spirits are again high.   I just love this season.

             Besides having to get a new water heater everything is going well.   My son just bought a new Kia Sorento and it is so cool.   I never had the courage to buy a new car,  hate the way they immediately are worth less the minute, second, you drive off the lot.  Doesn't seem right.  But he has to drive 30 miles to work and after last winter he wanted a 4 wheel drive.  I know I will worry less about him on the roads.

         I threw my neck out last week so have been taking it easy and haven't been to the gym all weekend.  But I did work so I don't hit the gym much when I work 12 hours.  I am at the age where sleep is more important.    I do like working out though and love that I feel so much stronger.  It's a good thing.    

     I am even off Christmas this year.   I am thinking about getting a big ham and having everyone over for dinner.   It will be nice to just relax and visit with family

  Our carbon monoxide alarm went off last night at around 2:30 in the morning.  Poor Zoey freaked out and kept trying to get out of the house.   It was saying error so we decided it was just not working well but her getting so freaked out did worry us,  well Rick at least.  I went back to bed and decided if I woke up in the morning  it just meant it was time to get a new one, and if I didn't get up, means it was working, LOL.  They only last about 8 years.   Poor Rick though was up for another hour trying to get Zoey to relax.   Now this morning she is just exhausted and curled up on the couch.  She is so cute.  Just a nervous Nellie in her old age.

    Well,  time to pop in the shower.  2 more nights of work.   I am just really liking my job these days.   The staff I work with are so fun it makes going to work much nicer.    And since I am finally recovered from all my medical issues it is easier to do the work.   Losing so much weight has helped also.   I hope it lasts.   I love feeling better.  Its a good thing.  I hope everyone is having a Merry Month and will have a Merry Christmas.   Oh, and I am still looking into finding the perfect church for me.  I think I have one picked out.

  

Not just in our Country, This is Brilliant!

My favorite Season is coming

            Rick is putting the tree up and I am enjoying the fact my shopping is finished,  minus one last gift.   Early enough I can relax and enjoy my favorite season.    I love almost everything about it.   

            Yes,  the commercialism gets to me,  the mad dash to spend more then necessary.   Putting up with Rick's Bah Humbug Scrooge attitude.   He hates it.  I know why.   His family always had a ton of relatives get together.   Lots of laughs,  ton's of great food,  traditions starting weeks before Christmas to be completed.   All gone.  His family is almost all gone.  What is left is scattered around the country and starting their own traditions.   His reason to enjoy the season is gone.   I never created any traditions because we had his.

              His brother is still around.   We get news of him occasionally and he pops in when he needs something.    Rumor has it he has gone through all the money he inherited.   But..... why talk about him.  Back to the season.

         I have been missing the Christmas I grew up.   My Christmas was full of making gifts and church.   Working on the Christmas plays.  Going around to the nursing homes and singing Christmas carols.   Volunteering to wrap gifts for the poor.   Pulling taffy and making fudge.   Church on Christmas eve and Christmas morning.   The songs of the seasons.

       After a bad experience with organized religion I remained religious,  but not a church goer.  My believe remained strong but my mistrust of churches and their reasons went deep.   But as we do I have mellowed and now will admit it is not all churches that are like that,  maybe not even most.    And I feel the need to belong to a church again.   Selfishly for the joy of my childhood Christmas's but mostly to spiritually reconnect.   Does that make any sense?

      I am going to have to find a church I like and one that I will have to go to myself because I know Rick won't go.  Not that he doesn't believe either.   But he hates the routine.   I find myself needing a routine these days.   Needing to reach out to people again.   Ready to connect.  

      The stages of your life are interesting.   The changes of my views and opinions,  the things I once thought important and the things I now think important.   I am not where I thought I would be but that is OK and I am not unhappy with where I am, but I think I need to do something to grow more.  I feel stagnant.  And what better way to freshen up your life then with some growth.  Mentally and spiritually.    I think this will be a lovely Christmas.