WHERE TO SPEND CHRISTMAS

 The shopping is done, and before long, the traveling will start, at least for Amy and me. It’s another year where we “roll with the flow” to be able to see our children. Just like millions of Americans, we’ll be in a dither for the next couple of weeks. That’s all right because the hubbub is worth it. 

Not long ago, I swore that our Christmases would remain traditional. That meant that Dal and Brenda would come home from Nashville and Nick, Lacey, and Madden would arrive in Knoxville from Bellevue. Jim’s family would drive just a few miles from Emory Road, and our brood would walk through the woods to meet up with everyone at Mother’s house. I couldn’t imagine any different kind of Christmas. 

When Lacey reached the age of three, we told Amy’s parents that we would stay home for Christmas instead of driving to Cookeville and then zipping home on Christmas morning. Amy told them they were more than welcome to come to our house for the holidays, and since she was an only child, they took us up on our offer. Some years, her uncle and aunt came as well, and sleeping arrangements tightened, but we still managed it. My mother welcomed the four of them and fed just a bigger crowd. 

During college, our two children came home for the holidays. It was sometimes difficult for them to bounce from lives at college and freedom to home and rules and loving parents. Like I did back then, they returned to their places as soon as possible because there they felt comfortable, not overwhelmed with things discordant to the way they lived on campus.  

When Madden arrived, Lacey told us what we’d told Amy’s parents. It was tough, but we spent our first Christmas away from home. At 5:00 a.m., we drove to Lacey’s house to watch the boy open presents. During the afternoon, the children came to our condo for Christmas dinner. Dallas struggled the most with that because he had to drive from Chattanooga. He always left during the afternoon to be home for his part-time job. 

These days, we travel to Hendersonville a few days early to spend time with Lacey’s bunch. Then we hopped in the car to be home at least by Christmas Eve. Dallas is still single, and to us, it’s important that he has family with him to celebrate Christmas. He swears that his dog Harvey is all the company he needs, but I don’t believe that for a minute. Besides, I want to be with him to share presents and food.  

I’d much rather sit a home for Christmas and have things as they were all those years ago. Things change, and I understand that. I am thankful that we can see both children and spend some time with them around the Christmas season. It’s okay to travel elsewhere, just as long as I can hug my children and give them a present. I’ll spend Christmas Day with Amy Dallas, and Sadie. At some point we’ll eat an alternative to the traditional Christmas meal, and then later snooze on the recliner couch.  

I hope you all have worked out your holiday plans so that you can see family and good friends. In addition, give calls to those with whom you aren’t able to spend time. They miss you, as you do them. Above all, be careful and always remember the reason that we celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Day. 

Since I wrote this column, Amy and I tested

HOW TO ENJOY NEW YORK CITY

 It only took until now for me to finally reach New York City. I’ve said for years that I wanted to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and the window decorations at Macy’s. I learned plenty from this first and last trip to “the Big Apple.” They all deal with making such a trip a huge success.  

The first thing to do is pick a good company for a bus tour. Amy found a company named Common Sense Tours. Their prices are fair, and the variety is large enough to keep a traveler on the move year-round. Common Sense Tours keeps in mind customers that aren’t rich. They plan trips with clean rooms, good food, and plenty of time to see things.  

The next consideration is the guide(s). For our adventure, Liz Mitchell and Debbie Goff led the way. Both women had years of experience on tours, some of their own making and some with the company. The hosts like people, a vital point that is often overlooked. During our jaunt to NYC, Debbie kept us entertained with stories and jokes. She passed out snacks as we traveled on the bus. One rule during the trip was that no one should use the bathroom on the bus because what anyone left in there traveled with us the entire time. Instead, the bus pulled in places every couple of hours so that we old folks could take care of failing parts.  

At one place we were supposed to eat at a certain time, but a party was going on in the front room, and we couldn’t get to our seats. Liz finally had waited long enough and scolded the manager. The party broke up, and we were allowed in. Guides like Liz and Debbie are worth their weights in gold when it comes to a successful trip. Thanks for taking care of us. 

A good bus driver is also essential. Teresa was ours. This woman was no taller than five feet, but she handled a tour bus as if it were a toy. She made U-turns to move us onto the right roads, kept a steady hand to guide the bus during downpours of rain, and she even parallel parked the monstrous vehicle, something most of the passengers struggle with in cars. Teresa pulled the bus down one street that was narrow. Cars were parked on one side and outdoor eating sheds were on the other. With literally inches to spare on either side, Teresa maneuvered that bus without touching anything. Folks along the sidewalk gave her an ovation for her tremendous skills, as did passengers.  

Adventures are a necessary part of a trip, and we had some. Amy and I walked across the city to visit Central Park. We hired a bike-powered rigshaw to cover the entire park and then return us to Time Square. At that place a street show was just beginning. Our guide Debbie was picked to participate as one acrobat jumped over a line of folks. After more stunts and break-dancing, the performers passed their bags for donations. My wife put a bill in, and the music stopped. A new song played, and the leader came dancing toward her. Then, this reserved woman began dancing as well as I stood and watched in total shock.  

The most important ingredient for a successful tour is the group. Ours turned out to be wonderful. Most were from the Cookeville area, and before long, Amy was figuring out how she might know some of them through direct contact or through knowing their family members. Everyone was relaxed and ready to have a good time. By the end of each day, we wanted to eat a meal and return to our motel rooms in New Jersey for an early turn in.  

Amy and I are looking at the list of trips offered next year. We’ll choose one with Common Sense Travel and hope either Liz or Debbie is in charge again. Anyone who is like me will want to give a bus tour a try. Debbie would tell first-timers all they need to do is get on the bus and leave the rest to us.  

My next column will be about a special man who was on the trip. Anyone interested in a bit more information about our travels can visit www.thecommonisspectacular.com. 

NEW YORK AND NEW FRIENDS

 t only took until now for me to finally reach New York City. I’ve said for years that I wanted to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and the window decorations at Macy’s. I learned plenty from this first and last trip to “the Big Apple.” They all deal with making such a trip a huge success.  

The first thing to do is pick a good company for a bus tour. Amy found a company named Common Sense Tours. Their prices are fair, and the variety is large enough to keep a traveler on the move year-round. Common Sense Tours keeps in mind customers that aren’t rich. They plan trips with clean rooms, good food, and plenty of time to see things.  

The next consideration is the guide(s). For our adventure, Liz Mitchell and Debbie Goff led the way. Both women had years of experience on tours, some of their own making and some with the company. The hosts like people, a vital point that is often overlooked. During our jaunt to NYC, Debbie kept us entertained with stories and jokes. She passed out snacks as we traveled on the bus. One rule during the trip was that no one should use the bathroom on the bus because what anyone left in there traveled with us the entire time. Instead, the bus pulled in places every couple of hours so that we old folks could take care of failing parts.  

At one place we were supposed to eat at a certain time, but a party was going on in the front room, and we couldn’t get to our seats. Liz finally had waited long enough and scolded the manager. The party broke up, and we were allowed in. Guides like Liz and Debbie are worth their weights in gold when it comes to a successful trip. Thanks for taking care of us. 

A good bus driver is also essential. Teresa was ours. This woman was no taller than five feet, but she handled a tour bus as if it were a toy. She made U-turns to move us onto the right roads, kept a steady hand to guide the bus during downpours of rain, and she even parallel parked the monstrous vehicle, something most of the passengers struggle with in cars. Teresa pulled the bus down one street that was narrow. Cars were parked on one side and outdoor eating sheds were on the other. With literally inches to spare on either side, Teresa maneuvered that bus without touching anything. Folks along the sidewalk gave her an ovation for her tremendous skills, as did passengers.  

Adventures are a necessary part of a trip, and we had some. Amy and I walked across the city to visit Central Park. We hired a bike-powered rigshaw to cover the entire park and then return us to Time Square. At that place a street show was just beginning. Our guide Debbie was picked to participate as one acrobat jumped over a line of folks. After more stunts and break-dancing, the performers passed their bags for donations. My wife put a bill in, and the music stopped. A new song played, and the leader came dancing toward her. Then, this reserved woman began dancing as well as I stood and watched in total shock.  

The most important ingredient for a successful tour is the group. Ours turned out to be wonderful. Most were from the Cookeville area, and before long, Amy was figuring out how she might know some of them through direct contact or through knowing their family members. Everyone was relaxed and ready to have a good time. By the end of each day, we wanted to eat a meal and return to our motel rooms in New Jersey for an early turn in.  

Amy and I are looking at the list of trips offered next year. We’ll choose one with Common Sense Travel and hope either Liz or Debbie is in charge again. Anyone who is like me will want to give a bus tour a try. Debbie would tell first-timers all they need to do is get on the bus and leave the rest to us.  

My next column will be about a special man who was on the trip. Anyone interested in a bit more information about our travels can visit www.thecommonisspectacular.com. 

GRATEFUL LIST

 I watched a movie the other night, and although I have no idea what the title was, it made me start thinking. I’m the same way with books. Most of the time, I have no idea who wrote the novel nor what the title is. If either a movie or a book catches my interest quickly, I stay with it to the end. If not, I put it down or turn it off. One character says that he writes to the sky his daily 10 things for which he is grateful. This is the season, not just the day, that all of us should all take a little time in the morning to come up with 10 things, great or small, that raise in us gratefulness. This should be an easy project, so here goes. 

I’m grateful for my immediate family. My wife is my best friend and has held that position for 48 years. Amy has single-handedly been responsible for making sure the bills are paid and that a little money is saved. Her attention to our financial well-being has ensured that we will be okay in the years to come. She’s always had time to listen to my hair-brained ideas. When they are too far out, she gently reels me back to reality and logical thinking. My children, Lacey and Dallas, have given me joy for the most part. Some years were rough, but as adults, they’ve proven themselves to be fine individuals. I couldn’t be prouder of them. Grandson Madden has always made me smile. He now is a teenager, and other than when he was a toddler, I like him best at this age.  

I’m grateful that God gave me a twin brother.  He’s been my best buddy since our lives began. As a little one, I’d tell Jim, “Get up and get me up.” He’d work his bed until the side fell, climb down, and rescue me from those baby bed bars. We’ve fought over the years, but for the most part, we’ve been close. These days, we work well together to complete all sorts of projects.  

I’m grateful for Sadie, our rescue pooch. She came to us at a low time in our lives, and she loved us and gave us something on which to focus our minds other than the problems that had appeared. I say she’s Jesus’ dog who is on loan to us. Amy and I are trained well and snap to attention when Sadie unloads a loud, mean-sounding bark. No night is complete without the three of us sitting on the couch together. When this child stretches out for a nap, her snores come so loudly that we adjust the tv volume.  

I’m grateful for a warm home. Fall turned to winter in the blink of an eye, but we were able to adjust the thermostat and sit in the family room and enjoy the warmth.  

I'm grateful for the new winter coat that Amy found at a good price. It will come in handy on our trip to New York. That coat will come in handy around her as well. We never know what kind of weather is coming.’ 

I’m grateful for this paper for allowing me to write a weekly column. Having someplace to express my feelings and ideas is a blessing. This paper has been a good friend for years. 

I’m grateful for my 1987 Pathfinder. We bought the car for $10,300. For 35 years, this car has hauled baseball players, landscaping timber, and items headed for KARM. A couple of rust spots have popped up, but other than that, she’s good to go.  For such an old car, it has low mileage. My son knows this is part of his inheritance.  

I’m grateful for my battery-operated impact drill. That tool makes driving long screws simple, and its poswer is a blessing to someone whose strength is slowly dwindling.  

I’m grateful for my yard. The leaves are under control after 10-12 mowing time.This piece of property is small enough for me to take care of, but large enough to keep folks from moving in on top of me.  

I’m grateful to live in a country where individuals realized the dangers to the country and show up in unexpected numbers to save democracy. I’m also proud of al those who participated in the process. 

See if you are able to come up with ten things. It might take a while, but focusing on those things makes our lives fuller. Do this for a week and see if you don’t look and the world differently.