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Friday, August 28th, 2026

Mountain Musings with Uncle Mott – Holly Jolly Christmas

Dec 29, 2024 | Uncle Mott

Uncle Mott at Mottsville entrance sign

Back in the day, when I was a young lad growing up in the OC, Mr. Holly Jolly Christmas himself, Burl Ives, showed up at an assembly when I was in second grade at Tustin Elementary School and entertained us kiddos with a whole mess of Christmas songs, one of which, of course, was “Holly Jolly Christmas.”

Have a holly jolly Christmas, it’s the best time of the year. Now I don’t know if there’ll be snow but have a cup of cheer. Have a holly jolly Christmas and when you walk down the street, say hello to friends you know and everyone you meet. (“Holly Jolly Christmas” – Burl Ives – 1957)

Now that was cool, but not as cool as the day that cowboy movie star stuntman Montie Montana showed up on the playground riding his horse and demonstrated skads of rope tricks.

Now, I don’t know what this has to do with Christmas, probably nothing. Back then, Tustin was a hick town of less than 1,000 hicks. Nowadays, Tustin’s biggest claim to fame is that it’s the home of mega diamond superstore The Jewelry Exchange (as seen on TV) where folks flock from near and far to buy genuine faux (fake) diamond jewelry made from cubic zirconia.

I hear that when you grow old and assume room temperature (die) you can have your ashes compressed into beautiful faux diamonds. Not me, no sireee. First of all, I refuse to be cooked. You can just dig a deep hole out on the grassy knoll, next to where the cat is buried, and toss me in. I’m taking my real diamonds with me.

You know what, I don’t much care for Burl Ives or “Holly Jolly Christmas.” A much better Christmas song is “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Crissy 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. Through the years we all will be together, if the fates allow, so hang a shining star upon the highest bough and have a Merry Little Christmas now. (“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” – Crissy Hynde & the Pretenders – 1986)

Well, once again this year, I must ask you to refrain from buying war toys or other violent toys and games. Jesus (and I) would not like that at all. Afterall, he is “the Prince of Peace.” Please pray for peace and remember to keep Christ in Xmas.

Keep it flyin’,
Uncle Mott

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