1. With Easter just around the corner, it occurs to me that the continued downward slide of average Christians who won't give this holiday its true respect and observance continues on. Everyone's all into Christmas. But Easter? Nah, that's not important enough to celebrate -OR- it's just seen as some kind of "spring festival," a hopeful prelude to summer. Unfortunately, it should be just the opposite: Easter is the most important celebration for a Christian. The point of Easter is that death does not win. THAT'S something to celebrate. In the end analysis, what's more important? A bunch of gifts wrapped in green and red ribbons or the actual hope that after the suffering of death, we might just get to live on forever, whether in heaven or on a new earth? I think the latter wins, hand down.
The problem, in my mind, is twofold. First, Easter is NOT a materialistic, consumer-centric holiday (despite efforts to the contrary by retailers.) That alone is enough to drive people away....."What? No gifts? Well then, it's not worth my time and effort if there's nothing in it for me." Second, Easter is predicated upon the foundation of actual believing, professing Christians. Which are severely lacking these days. Whether though apathy, bad catechesis, or new-fangled Christianity putting the focus on self-affirmation and "feel good" religion, Christianity is not what it used to be. As a result, if the Easter holiday doesn't match up to SELF expectations, it's devalued or abandoned all together. What a shame!
2. Nature is amazing. Last weekend we got a big snowstorm, with the heaviest, wettest snow we've seen in years. (I have pulled chest muscles to prove it, from shovelling.) The weight of the snow downed our old, beautiful lilac tree and the neighbor's fence. But it did something else, too - the 6 inches of snow has since melted, leaving behind a beautiful green carpet of grass everywhere you look, as well as near overnight jumps in growth of the tulips and daffodils that were just starting to peek out of the ground - and the the crocuses and lawn violets are in full bloom. I find it amazing that all that snow lent itself so nicely to making spring come more quickly and brilliantly. Well, at least visually. (As I write this, it's sleeting outside.)
3. I don't exactly understand why, but I'm reading this book right now, about Tori Spelling. I think after watching a few episodes of her show, Tori & Dean, I felt drawn to her for some reason. Years ago, I hated her. I maintain that I have never watched a single episode of 90120. But I think what's happened is despite the fact that her celebrity is still large enough to be able to have a tell-all book and reality show, she's trying to become more honest and real about her life, and that appeals to me. Also, I've always had a penchant for Hollywood and royal biographies. If you're wondering why I'm not reading anything more intellectually or spiritually challenging, well, it's because I'm a mom to a toddler. There's not alot of coherent, deep anything going on right now.
4. Know what a Brazilian is? (No, I'm not talking about citizens of Brazil.) If so, have any thoughts on them? I do!
5. I have to state here that I think Obama giving Queen Elizabeth an iPod as a gift is the height of bad taste. First of all, she already had one (documented in British papers in 2005). But beyond that, what kind of man gives a woman of esteem or high rank an appliance? Because really, that's what it amounts to. What if your husband, on a first date, came to the door not with flowers, but a new walkman? What would your reaction be? Exactly. OK, so maybe some of you would welcome an iPod as a gift; I admit it's a nice thing to have. But the point is - she's the friggin' Queen of England! She can afford to get one if she wants one, you know? Diplomats are supposed to give unique, lasting gifts of meaning. An iPod hardly qualifies, seeing as it's an item of commercial consumption. (I'd also like to add that there's a rumor out there, that in addition to the show tunes that were preloaded onto the iPod, various Obama speeches were also loaded on, as well. Can you say EGO?)
6. Guess what? If you watch enough infomercials over and over, you might just start wanting to buy what they're advertising. I never thought it would be true; I've always laughed at the prospect of buying one of those gadgets or programs. But lo and behold, because the TV station I keep on all night switches to infomercials toward the early morning (I leave the TV on at night because I have ringing in my ears), I wake up to these slickly-produced commercials each morning. Am I to divulge which products are starting to interest me? Not on your life! But if I do break down and buy something, and if that something actually works, I'll let you know.
7. Speaking of breaking down into sucker purchases, my son now has a pet goldfish. Attribute it to the utter fascination he had with the fish tanks at the pet store. We named the goldfish Dorothy, since Elmo's goldfish has the same name. He persists in calling the fish "wa-wa," since the fish is in the water. I know it's just one little fish, but we all know that one fish brings with it the extra work of cleaning the tank. In attaining this new family pet, I take some light comfort in knowing that I am not unlike millions of other parents who make emotional decisions for the happiness of their child.
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4 comments:
I'll admit it. I want a Magic Bullet. I'm just unwilling to pay three easy payment of $33.95 (or whatever it is...LOL)
Do you think the Queen's gift to the Obamas, a photograph of herself and her husband in a silver frame, was less egotistical? Apparently she gives the same exact thing to all visiting dignitaries. No thought involved.
River Otter,
I think the framed photo is appropriate because it's PERSONAL. It's a visual memento of the people you just visited or saw with your own eyes. It's also nice and neutral, but in a personal-neutral way.
I also think the fact (if that's true) that the Queen gives that as a gift to everyone is a SMART move. It disallows non-stop commentary from the press and other dignitaries about what she did or did not give, or whether what she gave was or was not good enough/appropriate enough.
I hate to say it, but tradition and the impeccable manners of the British wins on this one. They've had it down pat for centuries, and we Americans have much to learn from them - and that included George W.
If the goldfish keels over, try a beta. We've got a male beta that we've had for 3 yrs and he just refuses to die. (I'm not the queen of tank maintenance.) Although, you do lose the Elmo connection with a beta.
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