Mountain Musings with Uncle Mott

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

It’s that most wonderful time of the year once again, time to drag the Christmas decorations out of the closet and festoon the tree with colorful lights and ornaments, which reminds me that I still need to get one…a tree, that is.
But that’s not all – I have yet to begin shopping for gifts. I just can’t seem to get in the mood, not when there are thousands of men, women and children dying, all across the fruited plain, from mass shootings and other gun-related incidents.
Maybe if I have some eggnog and some nice Christmas music it will help get me in the mood. Excuse me while I pause for a moment to wipe the eggnog from my chin and plop a record on the turntable. I have chosen my favorite version of this yuletide classic, which is performed by Chrissie Hynde and the Pretenders.
Have yourself a merry little Christmas, let your heart be light. From now on, our troubles will be out of sight. Have yourself a merry little Christmas, make the yuletide gay, from now on, our troubles will be miles away. (“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Judy Garland, 1944; Frank Sinatra, 1957; The Pretenders. 1987)
There, I feel better now, and I sure hope that “all our troubles will be miles away.” It would help an awful lot, though, if you didn’t buy war toys and violent video games for your children and grandchildren. Yes, I know I keep saying this around this time every year but, apparently, very few are listening, because people are still slaughtering other people in these dang mass shootings.
Just in case you were thinking about getting your kids or grandkids war toys and violent video games, please reconsider. And if you have already done so, it’s not too late to return or exchange them for something more appropriate and educational, such as a chess set or game of Scrabble, which is great for encouraging them to think independently and expand their vocabulary skills.
I’m constantly amazed at the many harmful toys and games that mass marketers attempt to foist upon young, impressionable children each and every year. It’s sad, not to mention ironic, that so many youngsters will be celebrating the birthday of “The Prince of Peace” on Christmas Day by playing these violent and inhumane games. Please don’t let this happen to your children or grandchildren.
Now that I’ve gotten that off my chest, I think I’ll go shopping for some presents and a tree… oh, and some more eggnog. In the meantime, do have yourself a merry little Christmas.
Here we are as in the olden days, happy golden days of yore. Faithful friends who are dear to us gather near to us once more. Through the years we will all be together if the fates allow. Hang a shining star upon the highest bough and have yourself a merry little Christmas now.
Keep it flyin’,
Uncle Mott