tis the season reprise

(also intended to post this much earlier)

Because of this over-abundance of holidays and celebrations in five short weeks, I am somewhat of a holiday scrooge. I don't adhere to any religious doctrines so the religious aspects of these holidays have no meaning to me. As the years progressed and the children grew up and my parents passed away, I let more and more of the trappings go. I am mostly non-observant. I buy gifts for my grandkids, kids and sister but that's about all. I don't decorate although I enjoy seeing others do so and I don't do any holiday cooking although I will happily consume anything anyone wants to share.

I wonder how much of what people do in this season is generated out of a real desire on their parts or a subliminal product of the carefully cultivated and programmed script created by capitalism of what we should be doing, should be feeling? We are inundated during this time of year with the image of the perfect family with the perfect tree in the perfectly decorated house opening the perfect gifts (that actually make your loved one cry with happiness) and eating the most perfectly prepared food. No wonder depression skyrockets this time of year. I'd be depressed too if I had to endure all that perfection. ba da boom (that's a joke, Ah say, a joke son.)

Not to mention the frenzy they whip up over the shopping and the bargains and the whole Black Friday thing with the news reports consisting of how full the parking lots are. It's a horrifying spectacle, like a train wreck, watching those masses of people streaming into the stores after standing in line all night as if they won't have another opportunity, fighting over merchandise (lady, it's just a TV!). One woman they interviewed on Black Friday started listing the stores she was going to after she left wherever it was she was. I don't know what kind of a job she has but I sure would like to know if they're hiring. hee hee (That's another joke.)

update:

All four grandkids are going to descend on us on Sunday for three or four days so perhaps I will indulge in some holiday cooking. Maybe we'll try cream puffs with real vanilla pudding of the cooked variety and not that white whipped stuff you get now. I've never made them before but they were always a favorite when I was growing up.