A Cowboy Christmas Tree!

Well, I finally found somebody that does "NOT" use the Internet to filter out resumes, and they actually take resumes the old fashioned way ... hand delivered. Why does this make a difference? Well, I got the interview! (smoke that in your pipe) I GOT THE INTERVIEW!

Furthermore, they are as we speak sending my info to the H.R. folks to determine a salary offering and tender me an offer letter! How's that for results? What does this mean? I think our new "e-submission" methods are not working ... at least for most. There are very, very GOOD people out there who are being passed by because some keyword didn't flag on a filter search.

But enough about that! While I was waiting in the lobby of this place, I was checking out their Christmas tree. (NOTE: it's not a "holiday tree", but a "Christmas" tree - just wanted to clear that up for you sensitive types that get easily offended). Yes, this was a traditional Christmas tree, a tradition that has been celebrated here in our country, our Christian nation, for generations!

Check this out though ... when I was a young cowpoke, my Mom and my Dad had a Christmas album (not a Holiday album) that we used to play. For you kids of the 21st century ... we used to play music on something like your CD's you use now, only we called them "LP's", or more commonly "records". Yeah I know, not that original huh. The "LP" stood for "long play". These records were bigger and played at a speed of 33rpms (most smaller records were called "45's" because they played at the faster speed of 45rpm). These "records" were placed onto a platter, commonly called a "turntable". Then an armlike device was placed upon the record, called a "needle", sometimes called a "tonearm". This was the part that took the sound from the record and amplified it so we could hear it.

Now, enough of the history lesson. This record album they used to play was called "Christmas with the Cartwrights". For you Bonanza fans, this should ring a bell! Yes, Ben Cartwright, and Hoss, Adam, and even Little Joe, were all on there! These are now available in CD versions! I have them! And if you close your eyes, you can picture the Ponderosa (their ranch) in the dead of winter, snow on the ground, and horse-n-buggy rigs all over the place, as friends gathered from all over to celebrate Christmas with the Cartwright family!

Through the course of events, there are old Christmas songs, hymns, and stories, that are told as they are decorating the tree, pouring apple cider, and singing Christmas carols! Man, if you're a "Christmas buff" at all, this is the album for a cowboy type! Now, back to my story of the tree at the hospital. It had "candles" on it! No, they weren't lit, but they had 'em! And they also had an "angel" at the top of the tree, liked they did back in the old days! Now, many folks use a star. No problem with either ... I just like the "Old West" way.

The Old West

"In the old days" ... as my youngest son, John, calls it (when his Dad was a kid) they used to go out and cut a real tree for the Christmas tree. It was usually a "fir tree". This tree was cut down with an axe, and tied off with rope to the horse, or sometimes thrown onto a wagon. Once back at the house, the tree (freshly cut) was set up in the home and made ready for decoration. The ball ornaments you see used today are very similar to what was used then, with one exception. Back then, balls were often purchased one-at-a-time. Each had a scene painted on it, or a message of something. Whatever the decor, each and every Christmas ball (not "Holiday ball") had a special meaning. It was purchased at a particular time, or given in memory of someone. The point is, they each had a "story".

And then there were the "candles". Since they didn't have electricity, and no one had ever heard of a 'string of lights', they put 'candles' on their Christmas trees. Now today, this would be considered very dangerous, but since the tree was "freshly cut" it was too green to catch fire. The candles were held in place by candle holders designed specifically to clip to tree limbs. These had to be properly placed soas to hold the candle "upright". Obviously, "lighting the tree" became a tradition as it takes a long while to light a well lit tree using candles! But imagine the wonder of it all when it was done! It's like making homemade ice cream! Homemade ice cream somehow tastes different when you've had to do all the work of mixing it up and turning the crank, and the whole process was a family affair! Everyone pitched in to help!
The Christmas tree was no different! It was a family affair.

This year, when you sit in front of your Christmas tree, on Christmas eve, and you look at all the lights, and the decorations that make it look so festive, take some time and watch the eyes of your children. Take a few moments of silence. Watch the light in their eyes as they gaze upon the tree! The love of a child, and the excitement of all the Christmas season can be seen in the gleam of their little eyes! Christmas is all about memories. Make some special memories this Christmas with your children, or grandchildren. Have them put up the video games, and turn off the TV, and share what your Christmas's were like ... with them. They will remember it for the rest of their lives!

Now, back to the Ponderosa! I rode in on horseback this year. It's kind of cold, but not that bad, really. My "Marlboro coat" keeps me warm. Because it's long, it makes a great "bun warmer" when you're riding in the cold. I take a moment and I thank Ben, Hoss, Adam, and Little Joe, for all the memories ... and then, like everyone who left before me, I wish them all a very Merry Christmas! Hoss says, "I'll see ya' out" and walks me out to my horse. As I step out into the snow, and mount up, the night is quiet. The moon's out tonight, and it lights up the countryside. Not a breeze to be had. It's going to be a quiet, thoughtful ride home tonight. I bid Hoss a good night, and ride off into the beautifully white, moonlit night. It's so peaceful.

Goodnight to you all!

Stay warm ... and remember.

Make me proud!