I thought I would share with you a little project I undertook on Facebook during December. I called it my Advent Calendar of Uncovered Cover Versions. It is repeated here exactly as it appeared daily on my Facebook pages. I hope that my regular Blog readers enjoy it and that you all enjoy a wonderful Christmas and a brilliant 2010

December 1^st

OK so the advent calendar is all about uncovering something good each day leading to Christmas right? So Ithought I would try to do something slightly related and try and post a cover version each day until Christmas. Starting today 1st December with Patti Smith’s version of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit“

December 2^nd

December 2nd of my advent uncovered cover versions project (did you like yesterdays?) Todays is Florence and the Machine with an excellent cover of the Source featuring Candi Staton’s “You Got The Love“…….. enjoy!

December 3^rd

and so on to Day 3 of my under the cover versions advent project. The top tune for today is a cover of Britney Spears’ ‘Oops I Did It Again’ by the rather talented Richard Thompson. What do you think of it?

December 4^th

Day 4 (December 4th) of the Advent Calender uncovered cover versions project (or obsession) of mine Under the little cardboard flap today you won’t find some cheap and bland chocolate. Instead you will find Jimi Hendrix playing what in my opinion is the greatest cover version of all time. It’s Jimi’s version of Bob Dylan’s “All Along The Watchtower” recorded at the Isle Of Wight Festival in 1970 … enjoy!

 December 5^th

 It’s December 5th and here is Day 5 in my advent uncovered cover versions project. This one is a real doozy! It’s Richard Cheese covering the rather spiffing Blink182 song “What’s My Age Again?” I love this one, what do you think?

 December 6^th

 December 6th and day 6 of my Advent oncovered cover versions project. Today it’s the turn of Suzi Quatro with an Elvis classic “All Shook Up” . I chose this one because it is even in the news today. Check the story here

 December 7^th

 It’s December 7th and therefore Day 7 of my Advent uncovered cover versions. Today’s is a bit obvious, but nonetheless a great cover. It’s Jacko’s ‘Smooth Criminal’ as done by the fantastically named Alien Ant Farm

 December 8^th

 It’s December 8th and therfore Day 8 of my Advent Calendar Uncovered Covers project. Today’s was an easy choice really. On the 29th anniversary of his death this is John Lennon with a great cover of Ben E King’s “Stand By Me” I love this song

 December 9^th

 Hello again peeps, it’s the 9th December which brings us to song number 9 in my Advent Calendar uncovered cover versions. Todays is a bit of an indulgent one in that it is a cover of the excellent Pendulum’s “Blood Sugar” by my son Luke’s band Steal The Smile. Enjoy!

 December 10^th

 Hello folks. December 10th and obviously day 10 of my Advent uncovered cover versions project. Todays is one of my favourite songs as covered by my favourite band ever! It’s the Clash with Junior Murvin’s “Police And Thieves“

 December 11^th

 It’s Friday December 11th and therefore it’s Day 11 in the Advent uncovered cover versions project. Today it’s the turn of Me First And The Gimmee Gimmees (and let’s face it no covers project would be complete without them). This is their version of the Olivia Newton John hit written by John Denver “Take Me Home Country Roads” By the way this is NOT a country version!

 December 12^th

 December 12th and halfway through Advent calendar time, so onto Day 12 of my Advent uncovered cover versions project. Today’s is a must have as far as cover versions go. It’s Nouvelle Vague with an excellent cover of the Joy Division classic “Love Will Tear Us Apart“. Enjoy

 December 13^th

 December 13th and the thirteenth cover version of my Advent Uncovered Covers Project. Today’s is one of my most favourite cover versions ever. It’s the late, great Jeff Buckley with a live version of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” (You may know it as the one that was somewhat massacred by Alexandra Burke last Christmas courtesy of Mr Cowell! This version really is the dog’s testicles though, what do you think?

 December 14^th

 December 14th and strangely enough Day 14 of my uncovered cover versions project. Today’s is sung by someone who in my opinion the greatest female singer ever (very sexy too). Yes it’s Kate Bush with her version of Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing“

 December 15^th

 Day 15 in my Advent Calendar of uncovered cover versions. Todays is perhaps one of the strangest. It is the Deep Purple Classic “Smoke On Water” a true guitar shop classic as played by Senor Coconut and his Orchestra. Go on give it a listen, you know you want to

 December 16^th

 Day 16 of the Advent uncovered cover versions project and today is a song that many people often don’t realise is a cover. It’s the Beatles with their excellent version of the Isley Brothers song “Twist And Shout“. Listen to this and you’ll see just how weak Olly Murs version from the X Factor was!

 December 17^th

 It’s already Day 17 in my Advent Calendar Uncovered Cover Versions project. Today’s song is performed by the Section Quartet and it’s a great instrumental orchestral cover of the brilliant Muse song “Time Is Running Out“

 December 18^th

 Day 18 of my Advent uncovered cover versions project and I thought it was about time for a Christmas song. This is a cover of “Do They Know It’s Christmas” for a whole myriad of charities and it features some brilliant bands and artists (well in my opinion) Fucked Up, Tegan & Sarah, Bob Mould, the wonderful Yo La Tengo and many, many more

 December 19^th

 Day 19 of my Advent uncovered cover versions and thanks to the inclement weather I nearly missed this one (but more of that story another day!). Todays song may surprise some of you. It’s Marvin Gaye with “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” which was in fact a cover of the original hit by Gladys Knight. Personally I prefer Marvin’s version!

 December 20^th

 It’s now Day 20 of my Advent Uncovered Cover Versions project. This one is especially for the boys at Chris’ 50th last night (so that’ll be me, Glen, Neil, Phil and obviously Chris! Apologies from Bryan and Keith sadly!) The song goes back to the mid 70’s and was originally done by the Glitter Band. It’s “Let’s Get Together Again as recorded and mixed by the Human League. If you’d like to hear the original here it is

 December 21^st

 And on to Day 21 (that’ll be 21st December then!) in my Advent uncovered cover versions project. Today’s song is the Oasis classic “Wonderwall” as sung by the brilliant Ryan Adams (not Bryan ok!!) Apparently Noel Gallagher thinks that Ryan’s arrangement is even better than his own. For the hell of it here is the link to the Mike Flowers Pops version too!

December 22nd

Day 22 of my Advent Uncovered Cover Versions Project and there will be more Christmas songs included but not today. The selection for December 22nd is the Foo Fighters with a cover of the rather good Wings song “Band On The Run“

December 23rd

Day 23 of my Advent Calendar Uncovered Cover Versions Project, that means just one more day after this! So I decided to make today and tomorrow Christmas songs as the big Chrimbo thingy is upon us. Obviously I was always going to use this one. It’s “Peace On Earth/ Little Drummer Boy” from Bing Crosby and David Bowie

December 24th

It’s Christmas Eve and here it is, the final song in my Advent Calendar Uncovered Cover Versions Project (until next year anyway!) It is a song that originally featured on the Phil Spector Christmas Album from 1963 (Incidentally that album was released the day JFK was killed!) It is “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” originally by Darlene Love and played here by U2. The original song is my favourite Christmas song by a long way. Happy Christmas everyone and I hope that Santa brings you what you wish for Joriginally by Darlene Love and played here by U2. The original song is my favourite Christmas song by a long way. Happy Christmas everyone and I hope Santa brings you what you wish for

Well friends, we’re heading off soon for various Christmas activities (much love to the other tribes/non-believers/etc. – we just happen to love Christmas jams!). Make no mistake – EV2BK hopes that you have yourselves some merry celebrations and good cheer this holiday season!

“But what about my present?” you might ask. We couldn’t agree on which version to post, so it looks like it’s got to be a CHRISTMAS BONUS DOUBLE JAM, with two versions of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” The first jam is from John Denver and The Muppets, where Rowlf the dog(g) really belts it out with a gritty yet emotionally evocative sound that contrasts nicely with John Denver’s smooth stylings. The second take is the more classic (and arguably better), with Frank Sinatra holding it down solo on the track. Watch out for the tear-inducing tendency of this song; there’s a reason why your grandmother loves this record.

John Denver and Ralph – Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas:

Frank Sinatra – Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas:

-EV2BK

In Israel, Chip Ingram (author/pastor), saw a little boy reaching up and tugging on his father’s leg and crying, “Abba!  Abba!”  His Abba, or daddy, as we’d say in America, reached down and scooped his son up into his lap….

It brought to life this verse:

“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.  And by him we cry, “Abba,  Father.”  Romans 8:15

Imagine your Father in heaven, your dad, Abba, singing the song below to you.  He does love us so.   Read the words below the video.   If you right click on the video and open it in a new tab, you can listen to the song while you read the lyrics.  Otherwise, as you scroll down on my site, the music will shut off.  Not sure why …

For Baby

I’ll walk in the rain by your side,
I’ll cling to the warmth your hand.
I’ll do anything to keep you satisfied,
I’ll love you more than anybody can.

And the wind will whisper your name to me.
Little birds will sing along in time.
Leaves will bow down when you walk by,
And morning bells will chime.

I’ll be there when you’re feelin’ down,
To kiss away the tears if you cry
I’ll share with you all the happiness I’ve found;
A reflection of the love in your eyes.

And I’ll sing you the songs of the rainbow;
A whisper of the joy that is mine.
And leaves will bow down when you walk by,
And morning bells will chime.

I’ll walk in the rain by your side.
I’ll cling to the warmth your tiny hand.
I’ll do anything to help understand.
And I’ll love you more than anybody can.

And the wind will whisper your name to me.
Little birds will sing along in time.
Leaves will bow down when you walk by:
And morning bells will chime.  ~~ John Denver

Even Jesus called God his Abba.  Here he is in the garden about to be drug off by Roman guards.  He knew they were going to beat and torture him and hang him on the cross the next day.  In his distress, he cried out to his dad:

“Abba,  Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me…”  Mark 14:36

And because he did go ahead and drink from that cup, we can call God daddy, too:

“Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,  Father.” Galatians 4:6

The Abba Prayer (click on highlighted words/phrases to read the verses in full):

Oh, Father in heaven, Abba, daddy.  It sounds so strange to call you that, but that’s who you are.  I do believe, help me with my unbelief!  Increase my faith!  May I trust you like a child, and cling to the warmth of your hand.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Who’s your daddy?  Click on the pic below to meet mine. Maybe you’d like to make him yours:

WORD

rogue [rohg] n. 1. a dishonest, knavish person; scoundrel 2. a playfully mischievous person; scamp: The youngest boys are little rogues 3. a tramp or vagabond 4. a rogue elephant or other animal of similar disposition 5. Biology. a usually inferior organism, esp. a plant, varying markedly from the normal ∞ v. (used w/o object) 6. to live or act as a rogue ∞ v. (used w/ object) 7. to cheat 8. to uproot or destroy (plants, etc., that do not conform to a desired standard) 9. to perform this operation upon: to rogue a field ∞ adj. 10. (of an animal) having an abnormally savage or unpredictable disposition, as a rogue elephant 11. no longer obedient, belonging, or accepted and hence not controllable or answerable; deviating, renegade: a rogue cop; a rogue union local

BIRTHDAY

Joseph Smith Jr. (1805), Robert Bly (1926), Chet Baker (1929), Harry Shearer (1943), Susan Lucci (1946), Adrian Belew (1949), Victoria Williams (1958), Eddie Vedder (1964), Carla Bruni (1967), Corey Haim (1971)

STANDPOINT

In the spirit of the holiday season, I won’t rant about any of the issues making my blood boil right now.

Instead, I’ll just wish everyone a happy holiday season. Truly. Spend time with your family, friends or whomever. Enjoy it. Make it count.

Obviously, I won’t be posting for the rest of the week. Come back Monday for some more.

QUOTATION

If one morning I walked on top of the water across the Potomac River, the headline that afternoon would read:  “President Can’t Swim.” → Lyndon B. Johnson

TUNE

Best Christmas album ever? A Christmas Together: John Denver and The Muppets. Listen to it over and over again. You’ll dig it.

GALLIMAUFRY

→ Listen. I get it. George Lopez is not exactly someone who’s thought of as really hip. But his new late night show on TBS, Lopez Tonight, isn’t half bad. He probably dips too much into the whole Latino thing, but he’s kind of fearless about some of the shit he has to say.  

→ Fucking finally. David Goldman, who’s fought one of the most heart-wrenching battles of all-time for custody of his son, has won. Not sure what kind of bullshit law they’re practicing down in Brazil, but the whole country should be ashamed of themselves for putting Goldman through this ordeal.

→ I’ve been saying this for years. Say what you will about Kevin Costner, but Open Range has the best shootout in the history of Western movies. And AMC.com agrees with me.

Given the season, I thought you’d like some insights into a Christmas CD in my collection.

My festive habits were altered irrevocably when I discovered this album in my beloved’s stash.

It chronicles a TV special Denver did with the Henson creations in 1979.

The Muppet Show was a big part of my childhood, and every voice on here thrills me. It is exactly what you’d expect. A mix of the traditional, but with sufficient chutzpah and irreverence to lighten the heart of the most strident Scrooge.

The songs are well-chosen, and most of the big name Muppets get some airtime. Sure, a few of them are (inevitably?) a little soppy, but loads of them just sound like drunken revellers hassling an earnest caroler. And that’s the Xmas spirit in my world.

Here’s the opening track and scenes from the episode (click through for parts 2-6):

Curiously the line-up on 12 days… varies between the clip and the album, with the “band members” getting less action on the latter. Inexplicably Beaker’s scene-stealing 9th day cameo is missing from the clip. It gets me every time (me me me me me).

As a substitute here’s his more recent clip playing Ode to Joy:

Play this album this Xmas. It rocks.

File under: To hear once a year

Christmas is less than a week away! It’s time we get serious on this site and pull out the heavy artillery. It’s time for John Denver and the Muppets.

One of the ways into any season or occasion for me is through music. So I’ve put together a few items over the years that help describe what Advent means so I can better participate in this time. Here they are, with some help from family, friends, and tweeps (Twitter people) and a few notes. I pray they will help you remain in the spirit of preparation and expectancy this last few days before Christmas.

Prelude - December by George Winston [iTunes link]
I’ve loved Winston’s piano music for a long time, and this short episode from his December album captures the longing and quiet of Advent.

Canticle of the Turning - Safety Harbor by  Gary Daigle, Rory Cooney & Theresa Donohoo [iTunes link]
This Canticle (“song” in Latin) reminds us that Advent is the time of year when God surprises us by turning the world right-side-up. A provocative thought for our complacent times.

Angelus ad Virginem - Christmas by the King’s Singers [iTunes link]
An amazing British a capella ensemble known for their wide-ranging and unparalleled interpretations, the King’s Singers establish a driving rhythmic beat as the angel appears to Mary, which then explodes into glorious choral harmony.

Wait for the Lord - Songs of Taize: My Soul is at Rest from the Taize Community [iTunes link]
Although described as a “dirge” (!) by one of my students, the drawn-out and ploddingly paced chant hauntingly evokes the emotional content of waiting on God’s salvation.

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus – hymn by Charles Wesley
A number of good recording exist of this text, usually set to the Welsh Hyfrydol tune. One of my favorite congregational Advent carols.

Turn Me On - Come Away With Me by Norah Jones [iTunes link]
An odd choice? Perhaps. But Jones perfectly evokes the attitude of anticipation, around which Advent revolves. A love song, if you will, to an intimate and desirous God.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel – Christmas by the King’s Singers [see link above]
Another common Advent carol, this one with an exquisite French melody and a text based on the “O Antiphons,” a set of 7 prayers invoking the coming of Christ in the successive nights before Christmas. The linked version, Veni Veni Emmanuel is sung in the original Latin.

Breath of Heaven - Home for Christmas by Amy Grant [iTunes link]
A perennial favorite in my family, the highlight of the album is Grant’s original song from Mary’s perspective. Revealing the struggle for faithfulness of a teenager at drift in a sea of others’ desires, “Breath of Heaven” weaves back and forth between minor and major, embracing at last the One who called her to play a pivotal role in Salvation.

Shine Your Light On Us - Give Yourself Away by Robbie Seay Band [iTunes link]
“O my God, shine your light on us/that we might live.” RSB caught my attention with this song when they played at Refresh ‘08. The music is sophisticated and lyrics more compelling than almost any other contemporary Christian songwriters I’m familiar with.

Mary, Did You Know - Good News by Kathy Mattea [iTunes link]
Another song with a focus on Mary. This time, the series of questions heightens the emotional relationship between mother and son, and emphasizes the fragility of Jesus’ life both at his birth and at death.

Ave Maria - Schubert’s setting; from When My Heart Finds Christmas by Harry Connick, Jr [iTunes link]
The traditional Latin text was shoehorned into this Schubert tune to beautiful effect at some point a few hundred years ago. Harry’s spare rendering is exquisite; all the more so for the extended piano solo introduction.

Christmas is Coming - A Christmas Together by John Denver & The Muppets [iTunes link]
Just a quick, fun song in the English tradition…sung by Muppets. A good message to be generous with your alms to those who have less than you.

Esurientes - from John Rutter’s Magnificat [iTunes link]
This lyrical rendering of the Latin text of Mary’s poetic response to Gabriel’s visitation reassures the listener, much as it must have Mary, in the midst of the powerful upheavals and corrections vocalized as God’s work.

Christmas Day - Dido’s contribution to A Very Special Christmas, Vol 5 [iTunes link]
“I shall return, for you, my love/on Christmas Day” surfaces the allegorical interpretation I have for this ballad. In a world where lovers break promises, we wait for the One who fulfills all in the name of Love.

Song for the Hopeful - What A Night! by Harry Connick Jr & Kim Burrell [iTunes link]
If a major theme of Advent isn’t hope, then I don’t know what it is. The choir backup, gospel-jazz flavor, and evident good time all involved goes hand-in-hand with the encouraging lyrics.

Gabriel’s Message - Christmas Songs by Jars of Clay [iTunes link]
A Basque carol originally, “The Angel Gabriel” is popular in Britain but relatively unknown here. I especially love the imagery around Gabriel.

The End is Near - Matthew Clark [YouTube link]
Thanks to JD Walt for this link and song. It’s a great engagement with the apocalyptic flavor of Advent, which we far too often neglect in our shopping and partying.

Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending – arranged by John Rutter for Sing, Ye Heavens [iTunes link]
A traditional hymn emphasizing the second coming of Christ. A plea for God to bring to fulfillment all that was ushered in with the coming of Christ the first time, and the final renewal of creation and humanity: “Christ the Lord returns to reign.”

White as Snow - No Line On the Horizon by U2 [iTunes link]
A contemporary carol loosely based on Veni Veni Emmanuel, its poetry challenging to mine for meaning. I particularly like the imagery of the straight and flattened highway…

On Jordan’s Banks the Baptist’s Cry - sung by St Edmondsbury Cathedral Choir on From Advent to Candlemass [iTunes link]
Another traditional carol, this time focusing on that oft-ignored messenger of the Message, John the Baptizer. I particularly like the imagery of health and wholeness that speaks to so many of us in the winter months.

Wake, Awake, For Night Is  Flying - On Jordan’s Banks by John Michael McCluney [iTunes link]
Have you ever stood on the battlements of a castle, or atop a city wall? I can’t imagine what it would have been like to keep watch night after long and lonely night. Yet we are called to cast off our slumber and stay awake for the miraculous and life-giving gift of Christmas!

All Who Are Thirsty - Strong Tower by Kutlass [iTunes link]
Maranatha: Come, Lord Jesus. The ancient prayer finds a driving beat as Kutlass sing their version of this praise-and-worship anthem.

Stay - Zooropa by U2 [iTunes link]
On a somewhat bizarre album, this song anchors the fear, hope, and nonsense that permeates our world. It captures the now-and-not-yet-ness that Advent means with all the complexity and humanity it can grasp.

Tomorrow - October by U2 [iTunes link]
U2 get downright Christological on their 2nd album, as they call for the advent of Christ: “Who heals the wounds? Who heals the scars?…Jesus is coming…”

Prince of Darkness - Indigo Girls on their eponymous album [iTunes link]
My favorite song on my favorite album of theirs, with lyrics that transgress the boundary between light and dark again and again. It expresses both the pain and heartbreak of the world today as well as the hope for a loving Parent who can set all things right…and the need to “reject evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves”…the first step to becoming an Advent people.

Thanks to Christian Scharen for the U2 recommendations and Joseph Matthews for some other suggestions. A related list is available from Bruce Reyes-Chow on the theme of “Hope.”

1. John Denver’s “SILVER BELLS”

2. The Carpenters’ “WHAT ARE YOU DOING NEW YEAR’S EVE”

3. Mindy Smith’s “MY HOLIDAY”

4. “THE HALLELUJAH CHORUS” by Johnny Mathis
I have several versions of this song. But his is the one I listen to most.

5. Amy Grant’s “BREATH OF HEAVEN”

6. Diana Krall’s “HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS”

7. “LITTLE DRUMMER BOY” by Harry Connick Jr.
8. “A CHRISTMAS LOVE SONG” by The Manhattan Transfer

9. “LITTLE ALTAR BOY” by The Carpenters

10.”THE LITTLE BOY THAT SANTA CLAUS FORGOT” by Nat King Cole

11. “I’M THE HAPPIEST CHRISTMAS TREE” by Nat King Cole

12. “SILENT NIGHT” by The Manhattan Transfer

13. “AWAY IN A MANGER” by Mindy Smith

You know, I could go on and on. The Redneck and I have a TON of Christmas music.

Music is a big part of remembering past holidays. What are the Christmas songs / albums that bring back family memories for you? Here are some of mine…

A Fresh Aire Christmas (Mannheim Steamroller)
Before home Christmas light displays were choreographed to Trans-Siberian Orchestra hits, our family would drive around in the mini-van looking at neighborhood light displays with this on in the background. We even realized that the multi-function lights that we had on our tree has settings that seemed to sync up with the Mannheim Steamroller music! This album is a favorite because it has Carol of the Bells.

Holiday Sing-A-Long with Mitch Miller
My husband tries to hide this from me every year. If I didn’t grow up with it, I would probably not be so fond of it now! I wonder if there would be a bouncing snowflake across the screen if it were part of a TV special. Seriously, I have to get at least one round of this in each year.

Christmas Classics & White Christmas (Bing Crosby)

These are classic Christmas, with Bing’s smooth voice. They remind me of snowy Christmas’ at my grandparents.

John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together

My husband introduced this to me and I am now a fan after blending our music for several years. His Christmas cheer doesn’t start until this hits the speakers! The boys are starting to get into it as well. The Twelve Days of Christmas is a great one to sing together as a family!

A Very Special Christmas
Originally released in 1989 (20 years – really?), this was an annual favorite. Who doesn’t love a compilation of Christmas tunes from such an eclectic group as Run D.M.C., Stevie Nicks, Eurthymics and Bruce?

When I was little, I thought that “The 12 Days of Christmas” was the most boring Christmas song ever.   It was so repetitive, and just boring to me after the first few verses.  :P   I’m a little less critical of it now, but it’s still not my favorite Christmas song.

When I was little, “Do You See What I See?” was my favorite Christmas song for a while.  Then it was “Angels We Have Heard on High”.  Two years ago it was the Hallelujah chorus.

Most of my family’s Christmas music is on vinyl records, and since we didn’t have our record player where we could get at it last year we really only had a very limited selection of holiday music to listen to.  One of the CDs we had was a John Denver and the Muppets Christmas CD.  Since we didn’t have very much else, we listened to that one album over and over.  At the end of the season I was a little tired of it, even though I love both John Denver and the Muppets.  I still like that album, but I’m hoping we’ll be able to get out some of our other music this year.

Happy Holidays everyone!  ^_^

Where do you think you’re going? Nobody’s leaving. Nobody’s walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas. No, no. We’re all in this together. This is a full-blown, four-alarm holiday emergency here. We’re gonna press on, and we’re gonna have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny fucking Kaye. And when Santa squeezes his fat white ass down that chimney tonight, he’s gonna find the jolliest bunch of assholes this side of the nuthouse.  The immortal words of Clark W Griswald from 1989’s National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.  A staple for my generation.  I can recite every word!  I have watched it three times already this year.  I have it on DVD and VHS!  That has to say something.

So here is a run down of the things that make Christmas, Christmas to me!

Cadbury Selection Boxes —

Oh how we waited for these on Christmas morning.  Usually they were sent from Ireland and a little worse for the wear but they were still the highlight!

Christmas Caroling in Public School.  Every morning in the two weeks before Christmas, in the wee hours, we would pile into the gym and sing carols!  I loooooved it!  This happened to be and still is my fave! 

As I got a little older and met my best friend the high point of the Christmas Season was to break out the John Denver and the Muppets CD at work and make EVERYONE ELSE CRAZY!   This is the best! 

Now every girl who grew up in the 80s loved WHAM!  I don’t care what you say you did!  This was one of their most famous songs and as a matter of fact is my ring tone right now!    here is the best remake yet! 

Some of the best movies ever made are about Christmas.  Home Alone…

Christmas with the Kranks! 

Surviving Christmas… 

The Family Man.  http://www.family-man.com/

The Family Stone!  I CANNOT watch this with crying! 

And the Best of all time…  Serendipity!  Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack how much more could you ask for! 

Sleeping over at my Grandparents on Christmas Eve, opening one gift before bed.  Waking up on Christmas day to pressies all over the living room.  Breakfast and then playing and then dinner!  OH! 

I still want a But hey I can dream! 

I think my fave Christmas gift EVER was the year that I got chewie!  My Grandmother had hidden it in her closet and was pretending something was growling in there and I had to go find it and there he was.  I still have it too! 

That putting up our Christmas tree was a big affair and how much my father loved putting the glass balls, the tinsle and what he referred to as a Judy but most would know as a Garland!  Ha ha!  Get it?  Our Special icicle lights, our trips to Pioneer Village and having dinner in the half way house! 

Soooooo many things come to mind that I could stay here and write forever but alas.  I have other things I need to move onto!

So now I wish you a happy holiday no matter what you are celebrating.  I wish you love, joy, peace, warmth, family, a full tummy and contentment!  Then onto the New Year, I hope it is everything that you could ever wish it to be.

I will leave you with another set of words of wisdom from Clarkey boy! 

Hey! If any of you are looking for any last-minute gift ideas for me, I have one. I’d like Frank Shirley, my boss, right here tonight. I want him brought from his happy holiday slumber over there on Melody Lane with all the other rich people and I want him brought right here, with a big ribbon on his head, and I want to look him straight in the eye and I want to tell him what a cheap, lying, no-good, rotten, four-flushing, low-life, snake-licking, dirt-eating, inbred, overstuffed, ignorant, blood-sucking, dog-kissing, brainless, dickless, hopeless, heartless, fat-ass, bug-eyed, stiff-legged, spotty-lipped, worm-headed sack of monkey shit he is! Hallelujah! Holy shit! Where’s the Tylenol?

Last week was filled with seeing friends, making good food, doing holiday stuff. Ahh, so fun.

Here are a few highlights…

Thursday night I made butternut squash ravioli (from scratch) with a mushroom walnut cream sauce that was sooooo yummy. But I made far too much of the squash filling, so I had leftovers, but it was too good to just throw out, so on Saturday, I used the rest of the filling to make a delish lasagna.

Layering homemade spaghetti sauce, butternut squash filling, parmesan & mozzarella cheeses, and Trader Joe’s “no bake” lasagna noodles, I cranked that thing out in no time! It’s amazing how easy things are when you have all the components on hand and ready to go.

Saturday was also the day M & I finally did our Christmas decorating. I for one, don’t like decorating for Christmas too early, and I’m glad M feels the same way. (As a child, my parents never bought the Christmas tree until mere days before the 25th. When you’re a kid, that is so lame! But now, as an adult, I can’t start Christmas too early. I just can’t!)

This year, we figured 12 days before Christmas was a good time – not too soon, but early enough so we would have time to enjoy the festive atmosphere. I finally got to break out the John Denver & The Muppets record that I found in perfect condition at Goodwill back in November! And of course, eggnog was had.

We decked the fireplace with faux evergreen garland, sparkling pears & apples, and silvery pinecones.

Our Norfolk pine tree (a year-round houseplant I bought a few years back) serves as our Christmas tree. He looks darling covered in white crystal beads, icy blue led lights, silver mini ornaments, and tinsel made of tiny silver coils.

The next couple weeks are going to be crazy with all the festivities that seem to pop up this time of year (I’m sure many are in the same boat). But at least with decorating accomplished, we’re ready for a little bit of Christmas crazy.

I miss Terry’s dark chocolate raspberries.  They’re the size of their famous oranges, which come in a whole ball which is whacked on a hard surface to break into segments.  They always discontinue stuff people like and keep the less desirable items like fruitcake (fruitcake fans, don’t write back and complain; it’s just my opinion).

I also wonder why, after 30 years of international begging and cajoling from fans every year, John Denver and the Muppets:  A Christmas Together is still not out on DVD.  I’m sure most nostalgic holiday Muppet or Denver fans have worn out at least two copies of the CD soundtrack by now.  Folks just didn’t own VCRs in those days (they were new and cost $1,000 then).  You’d think somebody in Denver’s estate or the Muppet governing body would have jumped on the opportunity to get this one out to the public.

I’d also like to see the California Raisins holiday special again.  Just for those singing camels.

Gara-gara membaca buku yang dipinjamkan Gina Rijken, Keydo semakin penasaran ingin membuktikan kebenaran berita tersebut, bahwa di pusat hiruk teknologi di Amerika sana, ternyata ada sekelompok masyarakat yang justru mengharamkan teknologi itu sendiri. Mereka memilih hidup terasing  dari modernitas, sebagai keyakinan yang tak tergoyahkan, karena teknologi sebagai simbol modernitas bagi mereka adalah sekat yang akan membawa mereka menjauh dari kebenaran Tuhan.

Saban membaca buku yang dilakukannya berulang-ulang tersebut, mata Keydo menerawang menembus cakrawala..melintas samudera dan .terbang ke Amish menyaksikan kehidupan ” primitif ”  di tengah ladang-ladang gandum dan jagung yang terbentang sejauh mata memandang. Atau naik kereta yang ditarik dua ekor kuda melintas di jembatan kayu beratap itu ..dan berkenalan dengan orang-orang berbaju hitam polos….sepolos wajah mereka, dengan anak-anak bertopi lucu seperti yang disaksikannya di serial Little house on the prairie.

Berkali-kali Keydo mencari akal dengan mendatangi berbagai biro perjalanan kelas kakap, siapa tahu ada yang mau diajak kerjasama, barteran program di radio dengan biaya perjalanan ke Amish. 15 kali mencoba, 15 kali pula ditolak. Tapi bukan Keydo namanya jika menyerah. Bukankah nenek Rahmah berulang-ulang menghujamkan dogma padanya, bahwa pejuang sejati takkan mati sekali tikam?.

Entah sudah beberapa kali didatanginya kedutaan Amerika untuk mencari informasi tentang program pertukaran mahasiswa. Tiga sampai empat kali pula ini mengajukan proposalnya untuk ISEP ( International Student Exchange Program ) juga tak ada yang menanggapi. Keydo tak lelah  membangun dan merawat hubungan dengan berbagai lembaga terkait.  juga tak pernah melewatkan undangan untuk menghadiri worldnet dialog dua kali sepekan. Keydo bahkan bela-belain untuk bolos kuliah jika ada undangan diskusi atau apapun namanya dari Library of Congress.

Kedutaan Amerika, seperti juga beberapa kedutaan atau pusat kebudayaan berbagai negara,  memang beberapa kali melayangkan undangan dan kerjasama dengan radio BRH tempat Keydo bekerja, untuk mengikuti berbagai program pendidikan ke berbagai negara mereka. Tapi jelas Keydo tak masuk hitungan, karena kalah abu dengan para seniornya di kantor. Keydo selalu merengek minta bantuan Uni yang sedang bersitungkin menyelesaikan program masternya di Cornell University, agar serius mencarikan bea siswa untuknya. Berulang-ulang pula Uni menjelaskan, bahwa  untuk bidang kedokteran, program semacam itu sulit, belum lagi kalau sudah pulang ke tanah air urusannya tidak sesederhana cabang ilmu lain. Meski melelahkan, tapi menyerah ? bheee… Keydo jelas berpantang.

Dan ketika sampai masanya, yang namanya rejeki memang takkan kemana, meski perlu upaya gigih  meraihnya. Siang itu  Gina  datang ke kampus  membawa formulir untuk mengikuti Youth International Visitor Program ( YIVP ) yang digagas United State Information Services ( USIS ), bagian dari suatu  lembaga informasi pemerintah Amerika di bawah naungan Departemen Luar negerinya.

” Wah…harus bikin paper yang berisi pokok-pokok pikiran kita tentang peran pemuda dalam upaya perdamaian dunia, berikut  alasan kenapa harus kita yang terpilih mewakili pemuda Indonesia, apa yang sudah kita lakukan, program ke depan…dan bagaimana kita memandang Amerika ”, kata Gina menjelaskan.

” Yang ini kan lo ahlinya Key…. ngecap aja….. ”, sambung Gina meyakinkan Keydo.

” Iya…tapi ini waktunya udah mepet banget…pendaftaran tinggal seminggu lagi ”

” Oooh maksudnya nyerah ya ?, tantang Gina

” Bukan gitu Gin, gue kan juga harus mengumpulkan dokumentasi semua kegiatan gue, plus rekomendasi orang-orang yang terpercaya terkait dengan semua kegiatan itu  ”

” Gampang…kan tinggal telepon mas Widi.. ”

” Enak aja ngebudakin orang..ga ah ”

” Lho… siapa yang ngebudakin.? ..kan mas Widi emang kompeten untuk bantu bagian yang itu, lagian dia suka bantu siapapun kan ? apalagi buat yang namanya Keydo… just call my name.heeheheheemmm …and  I’ll be there…. ” Gina mengakhiri senandung The Jackson Fivenya dengan mengedipkan mata dengan genit.

” Ogah ah ”

” Sok jual mahal lo ”

” Terserah lo…yang jelas,  bukan gue banget gaya oportunis kaya gitu  ”

” Ya udah… gue deh yang bantuin, masih gengsi ? ”

” Bagian mana Gin ? ”

” Ngumpulin semua  dokumentasi kegiatan lo yang kececer di sana sini, dan nyopirin ke mana lo harus pergi  ”

”  Hmmm kenapa sih kita tak  melamar berdua ?, siapa tahu keterima, kan asyiiik tuh kita ke Amish Gin… yukkk..yak…yuuuukkk ”

” Ah ga mau ah..gue ga tertarik dengan training atau apalah namanya program cuci otak kaya  gitu ” Gina menggeleng sambil angkat bahu untuk menegaskan bahwa ia tak berselera.

” Apa ? cuci otak ? Wueleh…sabun colek kali ” Keydo terperangah sambil mikir-mikir.

” Beneren Key…gue ga cocok dan pasti ga bakal nyambung deh ”

” Belum dicoba ”

” Karena itu…..baru lo coba ngajakin..belum-belum gue dah mules ” Gina mengernyitkan  hidung bangirnya sambil memegang perut.

” Masak sih segitunya ? ”

” Ya.. udah deh.. lo aja yang maju..gue bantu apa yang lo mau ”

” Serius Gin ? ”

” Ga.lah… tapi kalau…..dua rius gimana ? ”

” Ihhhh jadi terhalu ”, Keydo memeluk Gina sahabatnya.

Keydo dan Gina sejak masuk kuliah menjadi sabahat dekat, padahal tak ada hobby mereka yang sama. Jika Keydo sibuk berorganisasi, bermain teater, ngedubbing suaranya buat film,   latihan musik, dan siaran di radio..maka Gina gadis Indo Belanda-Bogor itu,  memilih memberdayakan diri  dengan mengajar balet, kursus di sekolah kepribadian, dan sesekali menerima order sebagai model. Dan semua kegiatan Gina yang ’feminin ’ banget itu, menurut Keydo adalah  pekerjaan sia-sia. Dan Gina ? kalau dikritik biasanya hanya menanggapi dengan enteng sambil balas menertawakan hobby Keydo yang katanya hanya buang-buang energi ..” Percum tak bergun ”…..istilah Gina.

Peluh dan berbagai upaya kerja keras Keydo selama seminggu penuh nyaris tak mendatangkan hasil.  Hampir sepanjang malam selama sepekan Keydo bekerja, mengetik karya tulis dengan mesin tik kuno manual bermerek oliveti yang kalau dipakai cetak-cetik akan jadi sahabat sejati petugas ronda, bikin mata tetangga ogah merem . Jika ada kata-kata atau huruf yang salah, Keydo menutupnya dengan tip-ex, lalu menunggu sampai cat penghapus itu kering dulu atau meniupnya jika tidak sabar menunggu kering sendiri, baru melanjutkan mengetik kembali. Dengan mata berat dan pedas menahan kantuk, di malam terakhir Keydo bahkan tidak tidur sama sekali.  Selain menyelesaikan karya tulis, Keydo juga harus belajar.

Hari terakhir batas penyerahan formulir bertepatan dengan jadwal ujian susulan Audiologi dengan dokter Indro yang terkenal berdarah dingin. Gara-gara bolos ia dianggap HER.  Mulanya tempat ujian disepakati di kampus, tapi karena dokter Indro harus melakukan operasi di sebuah rumah sakit di Jakarta Utara, maka jadwal ujian pindah ke sana. Hari kantor di saat jam sibuk sudah terbayang bagaimana padatnya angkutan umum ke wilayah Koja itu. Meski sudah minta ijin untuk tidak masuk kerja, namun tetap saja Keydo lelah  terpontang-panting antara tempat kos, terus ke Salemba. Di kampus Salemba Keydo dapat pemberitahuan pindah tempat ujian, maka ia lari mengejar bis kota ke arah Priok. Usai ujian di ruang yang udaranya sangat panas tanpa berpendingin itu cobaan rupanya belum berakhir, karena disambut  hujan lebat pula.. Penderitaan masih ditambah dengan jipratan pengendara motor yang berlalu lalang menampar badan bahkan sampai ke wajah Keydo, dan map yang ditenteng-tenteng itu kian berat….. hanya sebagian saja yang kering tersisa. Payung yang dipakai Keydo rupanya tak mampu mengamankan dirinya.

Keydo susah payah mencari telepon umum, di tengah beberapa ruas jalan yang mulai digenangi air,  ketika hari berangsur petang.  Untung saja Mr James Ellickson Brown penanggung jawab program YIVP  untuk region Asean, sudah dikenal baik Keydo. Bahkan Keydo tak segan-segan memanggilnya pak ” Jim ”, sebagaimana Mr Brown dipanggil sekretaris dan beberapa loko stafnya.

Sebetulnya jam segitu adalah menit-menit terakhir penutupan pendaftaran. Tapi Keydo menghiba agar diberi kesempatan untuk mengantarkannya sore ini juga. Sayang Pak Jim menolak permohonan Keydo, karena hari sudah sore dan kantor sudah hampir tutup. Tapi berkat strategi komunikasi dan peran Sang Maha Penentu tentu,   akhirnya Keydo diperkenankan besok paginya saja mengantar aplikasi dan semua dokumennya.

Huuuffff…Keydo merasa lega usai mendapat jawaban itu. Ia bisa dengan agak santai memilih bis yang tidak terlalu padat, agar tidak  bergencet-gencetan di atasnya. Keydo  trauma menumpang bis kota dengan penumpang melimpah. Entah sudah beberapa kali ia jadi korban pelecehan seksual di atas transportasi rakyat itu. Ia capek karena tak terhitung  kali pula terpaksa harus menghardik  sampai pernah juga  menampar dan menendang orang-orang ’sakit’  itu. Keydo kerap menyalahkan dirinya sendiri, mengapa roknya kurang lebar, atau blousenya  terlalu jingkrang dengan ukuran pas-pasan,  sehingga bagian-bagian tubuh yang ’bermasalah’ itu leluasa dipadang laki-laki bermata jalang. Keydo pernah menangis ketika suatu sore mendengar celutukan saat berdiri di depan beberapa pemuda yang duduk bergerombolan di kursi bis kota paling belakang. Boro-boro mempersilakan Keydo duduk di situ, tapi mereka malah bersenda gurau cekakakan dengan omongan yang sangat melecehkan:  ” Wadauuuu.. gile….tuh pantat bohay banget, bikin gua terangsang mak jang….”. Sejak itu Keydo bertekad akan  kian bergairah menggunakan jilbab dengan busana yang syar’i, dan bersumpah tidak akan lagi memakai  celana atau rok jeansnya yang super ketat itu.

Cobaan belum berhenti sampai di situ. Beberapa minggu setelah proposal diserahkan, Keydo harus menunggu…untuk beberapa tahapan wawancara, kemudian menunggu lagi buat presentasi makalah lalu menunggu dan menunggu untuk dipanggil berulang-ulang, dan menerima pengumuman. Siapa bilang tidak  melelahkan ?

Dan Hiaaaaah…akhirnya semua lelah itu berbuah sudah, masih di lembaran 1980an.. Hari ini Keydo akhirnya bisa juga menghirup udara Amerika. Pesawatnya mendarat  mulus di bandara Washington Dulles. Sejak di airport Keydo sudah diperlakukan dengan sangat istimewa. Ia ditunggu panitia yang terdiri dari petugas USIA ( United Information Agency ) di depan tangga pesawat. Beberapa peserta dari daerah lain sebagian besar sudah duluan datang. Sambil menunggu yang masih di perjalanan, Keydo dan beberapa peserta lain diajak ke sebuah penginapan  di  daerah Arlington. Masing-masing peserta dibagi dalam kelompok yang terdiri antara enam sampai sembilan orang. Di kelompok Keydo sendiri ada 7 orang peserta, dan hanya tinggal satu yang belum datang, namanya Myrna dari Puerto Rico. Kawan satu grup lainnya sudah menunggu karena datang sehari sebelumnya. Mereka adalah Bob dari Jerman, Maggy dari Spanyol, Andrea dari Columbia, Dastagin dari Pakistan, dan Lisa Ono dari Jepang. Keesokan petang acara seremoni dimulai. Setelah itu peserta diinapkan di lembah Shenandoah.

Sepanjang jalan melintas padang hijau di seputar Taman nasional Shenandoah, Keydo tak henti-hentinya berucap syukur. Mengaturkan sembah dan puja-puji pada DIA yang Maha layak untuk disembah dan dipuji…..Semua yang terbentang di depan mata, semua keajaiban yang diraihnya dalam hidup ini tidak semata akibat prestasi dan upaya diri yang perlu dibanggakan. Sepanjang sejarah hidupnya, Keydo merasa termasuk manusia beruntung. Dan ini bagi Keydo penting. Ia tak hendak meminta lebih. Begitu banyak selama ini tangan-tangan ajaib yang tak kelihatan telah membantu melontarkannya ke area yang mencengangkan. Keydo menyadari, jika hanya melagakkan kepintaran, kerja keras dan prestasi, duh jadi minder sendiri. Dia  belum apa-apa. Sementara   di luar sana begitu banyak orang-orang cerdas,  pekerja keras dengan seabreg prestasi yang layak diperhitungkan.  Tapi kenapa dalam banyak hal Allah memilihnya ? Air mata Keydo merebak…. malu sungguh malu, tak kuasa membalas semua kenikmatan dan kemudahan yang telah Allah anugerahkan. Semua kasih sayang Allah itu, sungguh tak layak dibanding dengan bhakti yang terwujud dalam ibadahnya selama ini.

Keydo melamun teringat lagu-lagu John Denver….., apa yang dibayangkannya ketika mendengar seniman yang terkenal baik hati itu menyanyikan lagu ” Country Road ” kini hadir nyata di depan mata. Damainya kehidupan masyarakat  di pedalaman, yang bertiup seperti angin, yang lebih tua dari pepohonan tetapi lebih muda dari gunung….  Blue Ridge mountain dan lembah Shenandoah   Hmmmm….Tak salah kalau orang menjuluki  ” Virginia is for Lovers ”

Country road…take me home..to the place..I’ll belong…..

Setelah tiga hari ’disekap’ di camp Appalacian, di hari berikutnya Keydo dan kawan-kawan sudah berhamburan  ke Luray Cavern. Meski tak semisterius goa Waitomo Glow di Selandia Baru yang dipenuhi kunang-kunang, tapi di goa yang sarat formasi stalaktit yang terukir di lorong sepanjang l3 hektar lebih, Keydo  dapat merasakan atmosfir kegigihan orang-orang Indian menghadapi penjajah kulit putih sebelum  tahun 1700. Goa ini ditemukan pertama kali oleh  masyarakat kulit putih Amerika  tahun 1725. Sebelumnya goa yang berada di tanah suku Algonquian  ini adalah tempat persembunyian rahasia kelompok Indian Amerika itu.

Menurut cerita Tomocomo, seorang  Indian pemilik toko souvenir di sekitar lokasi,  Pintu goa terletak di dalam rumah Ohetica Rolfe, salah seorang keturunan putri Indian terkenal Matoaka….yang akhirnya terkenal se jagad raya  dengan sebutan yang melegenda ” Pocahontas ”  alias tukang  becanda..

” Wah namamu kok mirip nama sepupu  Pocahontas ya ? ”, Keydo langsung menyuguh tanya ketika mereka berkenalan.

” Ha..iya…. orang tua menamakan itu untuk mengingat leluhur kami itu ”, jawab Tomocomo acuh tak acuh.

” Jadi kamu masih keturunan Pocahontas ? ”

” Begitulah ”

” Wah kebetulan…aku sudah lama ingin tahu bagaimana kisah Pocahontas di balik cerita-cerita yang dijadikan fakta sejarah itu ? ”.

” Semua bohong…tak benar cerita yang dikarang John Smith itu ”. Tomocomo menjawab dingin tapi membuat mata Keydo terbelalak panas.

” Hah betulkah ? Jadi kamu lebih percaya versi Samuel Purchas ? ”

” Tidak juga ”, jawab Tomocomo yang kini terlihat mulai serius.. menatap Keydo tak berkedip…mengapresiasi semua bekal yang menumpuk di kepala gadis itu..

” Yang tidak bagian mana ? ” selidik Keydo penuh rasa ingin tahu seperti  biasa.

” Cerita utamanya itu, bahwa Pocahontas dikirim dengan sukarela ke London tahun 1616 sebagai penghargaan atas jasanya yang telah menyelamatkan Smith dari tiang gantungan Powhatan ayahnya ”

” Yang benarnya gimana dong ? ”

” Yang benar adalah… Pocahontas diculik…dilarikan ke London bersama-sama Tomocomo dan istrinya ”

” Kenapa diculik ? ”

” Ya….agar bisa dibawa….. untuk mengelabui dunia, seolah-olah putri tokoh Indian sudah berdamai dengan pihak kolonial. Tapi perlu kalian yakini, tidak mungkin nenek moyang kami itu menghianati bangsanya sendiri yang telah jatuh  berdarah-darah dijajah bedebah  Inggris itu ”

” Wahh..kenapa sejarah diputar balikkan begitu ya ? ”

” Tergantung untuk kepentingan siapa sejarah itu dibikin. Kalau yang ini jelas untuk sebuah citra sang kolonial ”

” Tapi betul Pocahontas menikah dengan Rolfe penjajah itu ? ” desak keydo tak sabaran.

” Yeah terpaksa ! ”, tegas Tomocomo.

” Mereka punya anak bukan ? ”

” Yup…..namun perkawinan itu tidak membawa kabahagiaan. Pocahontas sengaja mengorbankan dirinya didorong keinginan untuk menyelamatkan Indian Virginia yang tengah dilanda kelaparan hebat saat itu, dan untuk melepaskan mereka yang ditawan dan disiksa tanpa perikemanusiaan ”

Keydo terhanyut dalam pesona keperkasaan Pocahontas yang diceritakan Tomocomo. Ternyata jauh lebih dahsyat ketimbang dongeng yang pernah didengarnya selama ini. Gadis anak kepala suku Powhatan yang berjuang mengorbankan semua milik dan hidupnya. Ia rela terjun ke dalam labirin cinta, kekuasaan dan penindasan yang begitu rumit. Yang bikin Keydo tambah kagum adalah kisah penyerta, bahwa Pocahontas adalah seorang periang, pembanyol optimis, yang selalu memperlihatkan semangat dalam membela kaumnya yang  tertindas itu. ” Ia berjuang dengan kasih ..penuh canda…tanpa kebencian dan dendam ”, ujar Tomocomo di akhir obrolannya.

Keydo mengingat-ingat, kata-kata itu adalah salah satu nasehat bijak pak Djoko waktu di ekspedisi Kharisma Nusantara dulu. Menurut pak Djoko, perjuangan yang penuh ’attachment’, sarat dengan kebencian dan dendam, begitu mudah dideteksi sebagai penguasaan kehewaniahan dalam diri kita. Malah bisa-bisa merupakan ekspresi dari penguasaan iblis, jika perjuangan itu juga diikuti dengan penyakit-penyakit hati yang lain termasuk angkuh, jumawa, merasa paling benar, paling hebat, paling berjasa. Nah perjuangan macam ini biasanya akan melahirkan penindasan baru. Jika kekuasaan diamanahkan kepada para pejuang tipe begini, maka ia cenderung menjadi penjahat, tirani baru yang tadinya ia gulingkan. Berat menurut pak Djoko, gaya begitu dijadikan acuan patriot sejati.

Usai berbasa-basi membeli beberapa kerajinan milik Tomocomo, Keydo bernapak tilas sembari membayangkan peristiwa 370an tahun silam. Pernah suatu ketika, saat penjajah Eropa datang menyerang…setelah memporak porandakan daerah hunian itu. Ternyata tak satu mayatpun mereka temukan di bawah reruntuhan itu. Mereka menyangka bahwa suku Indian sakti, bisa menghilang dalam sekejap…..padahal mereka hanya bersembunyi masuk goa yang ujungnya bersambung dengan hutan. Mereka bisa survive bersembunyi karena di dalam goa tersebut karena di sana ada sumber kehidupan. Ada mata air yang menggenangi telaga, yang  airnya sangat dingin dan bening laksana kristal.

Bob dan Maggy dua manusia yang paling rame dan kocak di kelompok mereka, tak henti-hentinya memerankan adegan peperangan dan saat-saat tentara penjajah mengobrak-abrik perkampungan Indian. Dengan mata ditolol-tololkan Bob mengaiskan ranting kayu seolah-olah senjata…mencari-cari mayat orang Indian yang tidak ditemukan satupun.

Sementara itu Keydo, Andrea dan Dastagin mencari kesibukan lain,  berlomba berlari-lari kecil di tangga yang terbuat dari bebatuan alam pahatan asli Sang Maha Pencipta. Beberapa kali mereka berhenti berfoto bersama, terutama di dekat pualam yang di atasnya ada batu persis telor mata sapi yang dihidangkan.  Sampai di ruang paling bawah, Keydo ternganga…ternyata di sana ada sebuah ruangan sebesar ballroom di hotel-hotel bintang lima. Di depan ruang yang didekor bak altar itu terdapat stalacpipe organ, yang biasa mengiringi kidung suci upacara pemberkatan perkawinan berbagai pasangan antik yang ingin melaksanakan pernikahan dengan cara yang unik di goa itu.

Dengan isengnya Bob menggamit tangan Maggy, berlagak bak pasangan penganten berjalan dengan iringan lagu ” the wedding ” yang digumamkannya sendiri. Kelompok aneh itu, merasa seakan-akan hanya mereka yang menjadi pengunjung goa. Tak hirau orang lain terganggu dengan canda tawa mereka yang berisik. Terkadang mereka menggunakan istilah yang hanya dimengerti sendiri….lalu ’ berhahahihe’ cemerintilan tak karuan. Namanya juga anak muda yang sedang bahagia !

Hari sudah sangat siang ketika Keydo mulai menggigil kedinginan. Dastagin yang paling pendiam di kelompok itu membuka jaketnya dan menyerahkan kepada Keydo. Namun Keydo hanya menjadikan jaket itu sebagai mainan yang dilontar ke atas dan diperebutkan rame-rame. Keydo merasa sukses membuat Dastagin protes, bereaksi, karena pemuda pendiam ini, pelit sekali mengeluarkan suaranya. Kalau ia ditanya, jawabannya hanya geleng atau angguk paling banter tersenyum super hemat. Keydo penasaran, merasa ada sesuatu yang tak beres dalam sejarah hidup Dastagin. ” Awas saja… suatu ketika aku akan membongkar kemisteriusanmu itu ”, gumam Keydo sok percaya diri.

Lalu Keydo kembali berlari-lari kecil  sambil mengajak kawan-kawannya itu  meninggalkan goa yang menjadi landmark alam dengan suguhan warna-warni  yang tak tertandingi.

Sorenya rombongan itu melanjutkan perjalanan Ke Washington DC. Di distric Columbia ini mereka berlabuh sementara, masing-masing bekerja magang selama 3 bulan  di berbagai  lembaga sesuai dengan minat dan kompetensi keilmuan. Keydo kebagian  tempat  di  Georgetown University Hospital, namun selama di situ mereka tetap rajin ngeriung. Keydo paling rajin  menginisiasi program sosial dengan kawan-kawannya  guna memanfaatkan waktu luang, sekalian membangun jejaring. Hampir semua program yang diusulkan Keydo dalam rapat rutin bersama Program Officer di USIA itu diakomodir, termasuk yang tadinya ia ragukan karena terlalu remeh-temeh.

Tapi di luar itu sebetulnya  mereka juga biasa bersama hangout kemana mereka mau. Pernah melongok National Museum of Natural History, menyaksikan kerangka para dinosaurus dan makhluk purba yang dipamerkan. Tapi Keydo sama sekali tak tertarik dengan makhluk purba itu, ia lebih tertarik pajangan baju-baju dan perlengkapan tampilan  para pemimpin Amerika. Menurut Keydo, lewat mode akan terbaca sejarah masa itu, karena mode  merepresentasikan kecenderungan gaya hidup, dan budaya. Di museum itu Keydo sempat terpana melihat  Hope diamond, batu termahal di dunia yang bernilai ratusan juta dollar, sambil berfikir dan meneriakkan protes kepada kawan-kawannya…berapa banyak anak-anak di Afrika yang bisa diberi makan jika batu itu diuangkan. Keydo bersungut-sungut…upaya untuk memuaskan hasrat ’ menguasai’ hanya segelintir orang, ternyata tak sepadan dengan penyelamatan demikian banyak orang. ”  Huh sungguh tak adil ”, ucapan basi yang selalu meluncur dari mulut Keydo.

Sebelumnya Keydo sempat keranjingan bertandang  ke Smithsonian Institution, bertemu orang-orang Indonesia yang tengah menyiapkan pameran sclupture Indonesia di Amerika. Keydo mendapat laporan, patung-patung dari berbagai tanah air akan diboyong ke sini, termasuk yang dari Papua. Hah Papua ? Keydo, berharap…siapa tahu lewat pameran ini akan bertemu dengan Mama Dobon,  Ibunda Kinang.     ” Duh… Kinang..kenapa aku harus  memikirkanmu… ” Keydo mengeluh entah untuk yang keseribu sekian kalinya.

Pernah suatu hari Keydo nyaris tergoda untuk mencari tahu apakah  Kinang baik-baik saja, ataukah masuk tahanan lagi kah. Ia penasaran seperti apa kabar pergerakan kawan-kawannya sesama eks alumni Zamrud Khatulistiwa, tapi niat itu tak dilanjutkan. Pernah juga terlintas dalam hatinya untuk menyurati Sumi di Jogja, bukankah mereka satu kampus dan satu fakultas ? siapa tahu mereka saling kenal. Tapi niatan itu juga tak dilakoni, karena keydo malu sendiri, buat apa ia mencari-cari tahu tentang Kinang ? mengapa harus  mempermalukan dan melecehkan dirinya sendiri ? Lagian bukankah ia yang tak pernah mau membalas lagi surat-surat Kinang ?

Duh lagi-lagi Kinang. Keydo kerap mengeluh dalam hati, mengapa masih saja melihatnya dalam berbagai situasi. Ketika camping di Deep creek lake, hingga memandang  cantiknya  cherry blossom di Jefferson Memorial. Keydo lemas jika terperangkap dalam pikiran itu. Ia merasa sangat bodoh karena tak kuasa mengusir bayangan yang satu itu. Padahal batas pemisah sudah sedemikian jauh…bukan hanya jarak pandang dan ruang, tapi juga waktu dan segala rupa.

Dalam banyak hal, Keydo kerap meraba-raba, apakah jiwa yang tengah menguasainya masih reseptif terhadap petunjuk Ilahi kah, atau jangan-jangan dalam kungkungan kekuasaan kehewanan atau malah bisa-bisa syaitan. Duh Keydo tak ingin mendiskusikannya. Yang jelas kini ia harus hadapi tantangan yang di depan mata.

Dasar Keydo, diam-diam selama magang itu, ia sempat-sempatnya mengajukan usul agar seluruh peserta YIVP  juga bisa  diikut sertakan dalam program  hospitality county sebuah lembaga sosial PBB, dengan alasan, para pemuda duta dari  berbagai bangsa ini dapat mengenal dan bersentuhan langsung dengan basis masyarakat itu. Tinggal dan berinteraksi dengan keluarga-keluarga lokal. Padahal tujuan utamanya hanya satu, semoga bisa ditempatkan di satu keluarga di negara bagian Pensylvania..atau di sekitar Lancasterlah….dengan harapan pokok…. secepatnya ke Amish. Namun apa daya program yang tersedia waktu itu hanya ada di Massachusetts, sekalian  mengikuti Enviromental Science Camp..

Jumat akhir pekan di minggu ke lima, Keydo dan kawan-kawan   menyusuri jalur megapolis, antara Washington dan New Hampshire. Mestinya mereka start dari Virginia, tapi demi kemudahan peserta yang sebagian besar beraktifitas di Washington, maka pemberangkatan dilakukan di Union station Washington DC.     Jalur Megapolis ini merupakan konsep  highly urbanized, temuan profesor Jean Gottmann seorang ahli geografi Perancis tahun 1961.

Konsep Megapolis Gottmann yang dimatangkan dalam kurun 20 tahun itulah, salah satu isu dasar Enviromental Science  Camp mendatang. Tema yang diusung proffesor Gottmann menyangkut ” Kekotaan ”, dalam tingkat yang berbeda-beda, mulai dari bentuk pelayanan yang seimbang terhadap jutaan penduduk dan kebutuhannya seperti, perumahan, perkantoran, pabrik, taman-taman dan area penghijauan, serta areal pertanian. Kawasan Megapolis menjadi penting, karena 10 dari 46 daerah metropolitan terletak di kawasan ini.

Salah seorang panitia yang menjadi pendamping mereka Dane Penn menjelaskan, Megapolis membawahi sejumlah pelabuhan terbaik di negeri paman Sam ini, karena itu sangat berpotensi menyandang dampak perubahan iklim yang isunya bakal mendunia dalam waktu 10-20 mendatang.

Di sebagian daerah utaranya ditutupi es selama gletser terakhir  yang melintasi benua itu. Setelah es mencair terbentuklah aliran sungai-sungai besar dengan daya kikis yang hebat, yang sanggup mengeruk daerah pantai dengan sangat dalam. Itulah permasalahannya, ketika permukaan laut naik, maka seluruh lembah dipermukaan sungai akan terbenam.

Sesungguhnya Keydo tak terlalu tertarik karena kurangnya pengetahuan untuk memahami isu enviromental science ini. Paling banter ia cuma bisa ikut mengkaji perubahan pola hidup di Megapolis, akibat perluasan besar-besaran kawasan metropolitan utama. Tapi nampaknya panitia meluluskan usulan Keydo, mumpung wakil para intelek muda dari berbagai kawasan dunia berkumpul. Keydo jadi geli sendiri, di saat orang sibuk mendefinisikan program dengan tujuan-tujuan yang njelimet jauh di atas langit sana, dia malah tenang-tenang tanpa beban, karena niatan utamanya hanya sesuatu yang sederhana……. bagaimana bisa melewati negara bagian Pennsylvania…siapa tahu ia bisa kabur ke Lancaster….dan mewujudkan impiannya melihat Amish !

Perlahan-lahan kereta yang ditumpangi Keydo meninggalkan Union station DC menyusuri  Annapolis- Baltimore- Willmington dan Philadelphia…..  opst… beterbangan keinginan Keydo untuk turun di situ…. cabut ke Lancaster…dan Amish telah menanti.

Tapi itu tak mungkin ia lakukan karena tujuan utama mereka Springfield Union Station di Massachusetts. Dan Keydo….tak akan menyerah…..

Jika berbulan-bulan belakangan ia telah berjuang mewujudkan mimpi yang tadinya hanya ada di awang-awang, tentu tak ada alasan menyerah jika kini dalam tahapan tinggal selangkah…jangan sampai lengah. Ia tetap optimis…. suatu hari esok akan menyaksikan Amish. Toh selama ini juga banyak hal-hal yang tidak masuk akal justru terwujud nyata. Keydo selalu merasa  ditarik oleh kekuatan-kekuatan ajaib yang entah dari mana bermula.

Keydo memaknai hasrat dan keinginannya mencari tahu dan menjelajah itu,  sebagai sesuatu yang positif, yang digerakkan oleh cahaya atas perintah iman dan akal, dan tentunya dengan arahan Sang Maha Pengarah

Ia yakin,  kalau tak satu jalan ke Roma, maka tentu tak satu pula jalan ke Amish.

( Tatty Elmir@fiksi Keydo dan bintang-bintang)

***

This playlist evolved in a bizarre way. I started going through some of the old school music I’ve collected and pulled out pieces that I haven’t listened to in ages. It eventually all came together. Reminds me a lot of when I was growing up.

Annie’s Song ~ John Denver

Hello Again ~ Neil Diamond

Fire and Rain ~ James Taylor

Love on the Rocks ~ Neil Diamond

Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone ~ James Taylor

Against All Odds ~ Phil Collins

Endless Love ~ Barbara Streisand

Cats in the Cradle (ft Cat Stevens) ~ James Taylor

Mockingbird (ft Carly Simon) ~ James Taylor

Leaving On A Jetplane ~ John Denver

Something In The Way She Moves ~ James Taylor

Nobody Does It Better ~ Carly Simon

Sometimes When We Touch ~ Air Supply

Danny’s Song ~ James Taylor

Coming Around Again ~ Carly Simon

Just As I Am ~ Air Supply

True Colours ~ Phil Collins

Even The Nights Are Better ~ Air Supply

I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight ~ Air Supply

You’re So Vain ~ Carly Simon

Nothings Gonna Change My Love ~ Air Supply

Lady In Red ~ Eric Clapton

Groovey Kind of Love ~ Phil Collins

Anticipation ~ Carly Simon

Castles In the Air ~ Don McLean

Back Home Again ~ John Denver

For You ~ John Denver

Don’t Give Up (ft Kate Bush) ~ Peter Gabriel

Sunshine On My Shoulders ~ John Denver

Do That To Me One More Time ~ Carly Simon

Its December so it is time to post Christmas songs.

In 1979, John Denver and the Muppets sang a classic song that will ALWAYS be my favorite Christmas song of all time.

This version, sung in the TV special is ok, especially when Fozzie forgets his lines. But the CD version, which includes Beaker and Honeydew is beyond amazing. I will try my best to find it, to play it over and over at home until my family wants to burn down the Christmas tree.

YAY HOLIDAYS!!!!

Ba-Dum-Dum-Dum!!

Yeah Yeah Yeahs "It's Blitz!"

Every month Amazon offers 50 albums for $5 each, but Happy December – they’re offering 100 albums!

I like this month a lot. We got: Switchfoot, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Lady GaGa, White Rabbits, David Gray, The Hold Steady, My Morning Jacket, and more.

They’re also doing Christmas albums, including the absolute best Christmas album ever: John Denver & The Muppets!

Of the conservative estimate of 10 million species on planet Earth, there currently exist 2,500 different kinds of mosquitoes. Yet despite being the size and weight of a grape seed, these are deadly and fearsome creatures. Mosquitoes are benefiting from global warming meaning once near-decimated strains of diseases like malaria are on the rise again. So how has something so tiny, yet so deadly, been able to successfully inhabit our planet for the past 80 million years?

It’s all in the size and, in this case, it matters to be small! Mosquitoes are adapted to every terrestrial ecosystem from the top of mountains to valley bottoms, from the Arctic Circle to the Sahara desert, and everything in between. They have thrived and adapted with the spread of human beings. In 300 years, the common house mosquito which started in Africa is now global.

The mosquito is a self-serving creature. She’s not an aerator of soil like ants or worms, nor a pollinator like bees or moths, and not an essential food source for a particular species. Her goal is to feed and breed. Mosquitoes and the pathogens that they carry are extremely hardy. They are clever and relentless critters. Our troubles with mosquitoes are getting worse as they infect and kill millions of people each year, despite all out war by modern science.

Within 15 minutes a female can lay about 250 eggs. One by one, they are symmetrically orientated head-first and placed in water into a craft that has a pointy bow. All 250 float together in a war canoe formation. Incubation takes about two days and then the larvae hatch. Much longer, segmented, wriggly, whiskered, with specialized air tubes for breathing, they are set to grow and move into their next stage of development. Under magnification, they are as gruesome as any sci-fi monster! About 14 days after birth, they possess wings for moving, jaws for chewing, large compound eyes for finding their victims, a long spear-like drill for cutting through skin and sucking blood, and fuzzy antennae for smelling victims or sensing mates. 

Its wings beat at about 250 to 500 strokes a second and it can attain and maintain speeds of 5 km./hr. and, rather clumsily, hover.

 Like humans, their appetite for sex is insatiable, so two days after they become adult they search for a mate. The process begins at dusk or dawn when hundreds or perhaps thousands of males form a dancing swam in the air near a landmark like a chimney or a church steeple. Males smell the females, lock together and copulate. In many cases the fit is so tight that the male has some difficulties escaping and an unfortunate few manage to get away only by leaving their sex organs behind.

The female mosquito needs just one other ingredient to nourish her eggs – blood. Mosquitoes sense with their antennae carbon dioxide and lactic acid as we exhale and other chemicals from our bodies. This usually occurs at ground level because our scent plume is heavier than air and sinks to ankle level. Next, their compound eyes, similar to a house fly, locate the unsuspecting victim. Lastly, the heat from our muscles guide them to the most radiant spot on our bodies – that bit of flesh not covered by clothing. She lands softly, probes skin up to 20 times with her long snake-like apparatus called a proboscis. Her salivary tube will deliver a chemical that inhibits the body’s ability to stop any bleeding that might begin. Ninety seconds later, her body weight is three times that before feeding, and in an aeronautical feat, she just manages to sputter away.

 In one of nature’s most remarkable processes, within 45 minutes, she digests the blood by separating the water from the proteins and urinates pink droplets from her anus. The light solids are stored for creating future offspring. What she leaves behind from saliva will either irritate the skin or kill you! An old female mosquito may live for about five months.

Yellow fever, malaria, dengue, encephalitis and West Nile diseases have all, at one time or another, penetrated southern United States. Each pathogen carried by loathsome species of mosquitoes is excruciatingly painful and, in most cases, lethal. Malaria kills millions of people each year. DDT, although toxic to our environment, is still the only known effective mass antidote to curtail the spread of malaria.

West Nile disease, carried by the common house mosquito, has a relatively short history first appearing in Israel in the 1950s. It appears to follow flyways of migratory birds as vectors of the disease. Crows, ravens, jays and other Corvids are particularly susceptible to West Nile.

 The Rocky Mountains in their entirety and parts of British Columbia are the only regions in North America not yet permeated by this disease. The chemical DEET appears to be an effective insecticide to ward off mosquitoes as does the natural chemical citronella, but it must be frequently reapplied.

Instead of destroying this enemy, modern science is trying to genetically convert her. The race to find the genes to prevent pathogens from developing in mosquitoes is on. But in the meantime, human beings are perishing by the millions as mosquito diseases expand worldwide at an alarming rate.

SAVE THE HONEYBEES http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6w-Z7XlnHI

Dr Reese Halter is a public speaker, conservation biologist and founder of the international conservation institute Global Forest Science. His most recent book is The Incomparable Honeybee and the Economics of Pollination http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=The+Incomparable+HoneyBee+reese+halter&x=0&y=0      Contact him through http://DrReese.com

What most people don’t know is that John was a big fan of the jadeite.  The original lyrics to “Sunshine On My Shoulders.”  The companion piece to this bit of whining set to music.

xxxxxxx

Jadeite from my vendors makes me happy

Jadeite in my eyeball makes me cry

Jadeite in my settings looks so lovely

Smoking jadeite doesn’t make me  high

xxxxx

If they had some Jadeite they could sell me

That looked just like the jadeite in this ring

If only they could sneak some in from Burma

I’d have a very different song to sing

xxxxx

refrain

xxxxxx

I’m not suggesting anything illegal

But if you know a guy who knows a guy?  That’s great.

By now I’d sell my mother for some jadeite

One shady deal then I swear I’ll go straight

xxxxxxxx

* Jake would like me to appease the history geeks (erm…him?) by making note of the error in my lyrics.  Burma ceased to be many years ago (1962) after a coup which led the country to be governed by a military junta and renamed The Union of Myanmar.  We all happy now?  Whew, that’s a relief.  I hate historical inaccuracies in my spoof lyrics.

The amazing whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis)  reach ages in excess of 1,000 years old. It lives in the harsh environs of the Rocky Mountains and has cooperatively co-evolved with a bird – known for its extraordinary memory – called the Clark’s nutcracker.

White bark pines can reach heights of 65 feet, but more usually they are recognized as a stunted multi-stemmed tree. Named after its whitish bark with scaly plates on older trees, its needles grow in bundles of five and egg-shaped, sticky-with-resin purple cones, take two years to ripen. The wingless seeds are large and filled with high concentrations of fats and proteins. Cones mature in late August, but do not open widely enough for the seeds to fall out. If the seeds over-winter in the ripened cones, by springtime they become moldy and turn rancid. So how does viable seed get out of white bark pine cones?

Clark’s nutcrackers belong to the 113-member group called the Corvids. Corvids have unusually large brains compared to all the other 10,000 bird species. They eat some insects and occasionally a bit of carrion.  But it’s their chisel-like bills that are specially adapted to ripping into white bark pinecones and with precision extracting the large protenacious seeds. These seeds, as a primary food source, enable the throaty squawks of resident Clark’s nutcrackers to live year-round in the otherwise inhospitable environment of the Rocky Mountain alpine (above tree line).

This is a story of a mutual relationship between bird and pine, offering insight into the marvels of Mother Nature. Together, Clark’s nutcrackers and white bark pines build high elevation ecosystems.

Nutcrackers start to feed on white bark pine seeds in mid-August. They chisel into the purple, pulpy cones and extract seeds, one at a time. They store the seeds in a sublingual pouch in the floor of their mouth, underneath the tongue. This pouch can hold as many as 80 seeds. The August and September seed harvest must sustain the birds and their offspring, for the coming 10 months.

The Clark’s nutcrackers then carefully deposit the seeds, one at a time and up to 15, 1 inch deep into the soil. Occasionally these caches are close to the tree where the harvest took place, but more often it’s up to 6 miles away. Seeds are buried in open areas and in recently burned-over high-elevation forests. Some of those openings remain windswept during the long winter months. Others can have over six feet of snow covering the cache and I have observed Clark’s nutcrackers burrowing into deep snowpacks to retrieve white bark seeds.

One bird can cache up to 98,000 seeds in over 30,000 sites. About half those seeds will be recovered by Clark’s nutcrackers. Multi-stemmed white bark pines denotes a cache was not retrieved and that several or more seeds sprouted at the same time and have grown together.

How does the Clark’s nutcracker locate all of its caches? Experiments have clearly demonstrated that these birds, like other Corvids, have excellent memories and in fact remember where they placed the seeds. They use a system of triangulation to reference where caches are located. That is, they use a tree, stump, rock, log or other landmark and remember the angles between the caches. Their memories, especially long-term, are remarkable, since they are able to recover seeds some 10 months after storing them. They must also use other cues to assist them because snow modifies the landscape.

White bark pine seeds are also an important food source for ground squirrels that also live full-time in the alpine of the Rocky Mountains. They too harvest the cones and take them to large caches called middens. In addition, ground squirrels raid Clarks’ caches and relocate seeds. 

In the autumn and occasionally the springtime, black and grizzly bears raid ground squirrels middens. I have watched bears gingerly extracting the delectable white bark seeds. Prior to hibernation a sow must add about 7 inches of fat around her tummy or 99 pounds of body weight, in order to give birth – while she’s hibernating – to cubs. So the white bark pine seed is a very important food source for many different big and small alpine and subalpine animals. 

Soon after the spring snow-melt, white bark pine seeds germinate and grow 8 inches deep tap roots. White bark pines require full sunlight – they are shade intolerant and cannot grow under other trees. White bark pines change the micro-climate, causing warmer winter and cooler summer under their cover. Over time, openings along the high elevation landscape are filled in by white bark pines and clumps of young trees form new forests high in the mountains. 

In time, Englemann spruce, which require some shade, seeds itself into the under-story of the white bark pine forests. Other tree species like subalpine fir follow soon thereafter.

Some trees die young and their wood serves as a decomposing base to feed bacteria, fungus and wood boring insects, which assist in the breaking down of wood and making new soils. Other, like old white bark pines, become victims to pine bark beetles and die but remain standing upright for another 100 years. Woodpeckers, nutcrackers and other cavity-nesting birds use these trees for roosting and nesting. These forests are occasionally used by big game animals like mule deer. In the autumn, finches, siskins and crossbills forage in the Englemann spruce treetops.

In the wild, Clark’s nutcrackers can live for 12 years. They can fly at speeds of 30 miles per hour carrying a load of seeds than can exceed 20 percent of their body weight, for distances up to two miles. About 22 species of high elevation pines worldwide depend on a dozen or so Corvids to help disseminate their seeds, create forests and habitats for many animals. 

Eventually, one hot and muggy summer afternoon a bolt of lightning ignites the forest. The assiduous Clark’s nutcracker will return to replant the forest, feed other animals, and recreate the tenacious forested mountain ecosystems of Rocky Mountains.

SAVE THE HONEYBEES http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6w-Z7XlnHI

See Dr Reese in Northern Rocky Mountains in the snow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuLz6iHdV2U

Dr Reese Halter is a public speaker, conservation biologist and founder of the international conservation institute Global Forest Science. His most recent book  The Incomparable Honeybee and the Economics of Pollination http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=The+Incomparable+HoneyBee+reese+halter&x=0&y=0 He can be reached through http://DrReese.com

When I started dating my wife, I acclimated to a tradition of her family by venturing out into the wilds of Indiana and selecting a fresh Christmas tree, cutting it down and dragging it home to decorate.  Previous to this, I had merely pulled out the dusty tree from a box in the closet and placed it in the corner, but now, here was a new exciting part of the holiday that felt exotic and exhilarating.  There is truly something invigorating about wandering in a field in the cold, crisp weather and breathing in that beautiful pine scent; the sharp odor of fresh cut wood.  I really enjoy the moments outdoors selecting our tree.

All of this is to say that yesterday, we went out again into the cold with our daughter and C.’s mom and dad and we chose our tree and it was, yet again, a serene experience to be in the company of family, participating in an old-fashioned tradition, and enjoying the beginnings of our holiday season.  Also, part of this tradition is the listening to Christmas music, particularly John Denver and the Muppets, but several other Christmas CDs as well, which leads me to my minor “conversion” moment this morning on the way to church.

Now, one would think if I were already headed to church, I wouldn’t have needed a conversion moment.  And, I don’t want to alienate anyone who thinks I’ve jumped on the “crazy Christian” bandwagon, because that wouldn’t be an accurate account either.  Truth is, I attend church for a lot of reasons…one is that it’s a job, I get paid to sing.  Second, the community that is shared among the group of friends at our church is really second to none.  We, my wife and I, really enjoy the friendships we’ve made at church.  But, the main reason I attend church is that I don’t have all the answers and, honestly, there’s quite a bit of doubt.  I AM the “Thomas the Apostle” for my generation.  Still, there are clear and shining moments wherein the voice of God breaks through the cloud of mystery and doubt and floods my heart and mind.  This morning, I was going to change the cd in the stereo because we’d listened to it at least 3 or 4 times yesterday during various trips across the county, but I left it in because I wanted to hear Earl Scruggs play “Jingle Bells” on the banjo.  Well, a few songs later, Patty Loveless began her version of “O Come All Ye Faithful” and that is the moment that it made sense to me:

O Come, All Ye Faithful

It was an invitation; an invitation to be a part of a season, a tradition.  Sure, it specifies the faithful, but also the joyful and the triumphant.  I would venture to say that it was also an invitation to the doubtful, the disheartened and the downtrodden.  I felt a part of the faithful, not necessarily the believers, but those who have faith, however shaky it might be, that there is good and purpose in the world.  And, we’re invited to share in a community with other faithful.  I’d like to propose that the comma in that opening line is maybe premature.  Maybe, instead, it should read:

O Come All, Ye Faithful

So, during this season of Advent Aside: for those of you who didn’t go to church this morning, Advent is the season of preparation that precedes Christmas.  You won’t find it in the Hallmark card section as it goes largely unnoticed by the general populace. as we prepare for our Christmas traditions with fresh or dusty trees, fresh or dusty faiths, I’d like to believe that we’ve all been invited to attend, to celebrate in the joy of this season.

Finally, in keeping with Gwen Bell’s Best of 2009 challenge, today’s “Best of” is workshop or conference.  I don’t attend many workshops or conferences.  My job is not such that it’s necessary, however, this year I did attend a marriage retreat that might fall into this category.  My wife and I, as part of the aforementioned church, journeyed down to the All Saints Conference Center in Leitchfield, KY for a short marriage retreat.  We truly enjoyed the retreat and were able to further solidify our marriage by recognizing that we share many of the same constructs for making our marriage work smoothly and joyfully with a minimum of distraction and discord.  It was a very nice weekend and I feel like it strengthened our marriage.  So, even though it’s the only one, I’d say it was the best one of 2009.

See you in the funny papers!