This is the time of year I pop a YouTube video to all by way of a "Christmas Card." Sometimes they're majestic, sometime pure fun. THIS year I decided to go for the wacky! If you think Ebenezer Scrooge was tough, get a load of THIS guy! I've been waiting for six months to drop this!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iA0vD2Qgdqk
Need a little calm-down? Here you go!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQcRL0WxITY
And a Merry Christmas to you all! Stay strong, better days are coming!
See the thread on this in the MR forum.
It does have to be said that historic celebration of Christmas, with its tradition of trick-or-treat and Lords of Misrule, is as much the residue of paganism as... well, Easter. And that cobbled-up date of propaganda! (They didn't even get the year right -- that takes some work.)
Why he did not mention the very many Biblical warnings and proscriptions concerning trees and aggrandizement thereof is an inexplicable oversight. Perhaps that's an occupational hazard of being a Calvinist?
Nonetheless, even if Jesus isn't the reason for the season, we can at least embrace the idea of furthering love and selflessness this time of year -- as Garner Armstrong said in one of his very last sermons, "on Christmas day ... and every day!"
You mean somebody beat me to it? Great minds think alike. Or something.
I just took a look on MR's Forum. I saw some nice stuff on JaBear's "Merry Christmas" thread, but not this. If it's there where should I look, mind you, I don't go the MR Forum very often.
Off to "Classic Trains" now...
Can't forget Saturnalia, from Roman times...
That said - have a safe and happy holiday season, whatever your holiday may be.
And don't forget to water your Christmas tree...
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Flintlock76I've been waiting for six months to drop this! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iA0vD2Qgdqk
Wow, Glad he didn't get elected. And as for what he was preaching, I would reply, "BAH HUMBUG!"
But to all, I wish you GOOD HEALTH and a successful vacination and a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!
tree68And don't forget to water your Christmas tree...
Certainly not! I'm married to a firefighters daughter, and she's a chip off the old block! If I didn't call her Lady Firestorm I'd be calling her Ms. Seagrave!
She'd kick my butt if I forgot!
Merry Merry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aP7yOCNnrBE
Happy Happy
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Merry Christmas, Frohe Weihnachten, io Saturnalia, Festivus for the rest of us.
And a much better and healthier 2021.
BaltACDMerry Merry https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aP7yOCNnrBE Happy Happy
That cartoon sure got chopped to pieces! I assume all those cutouts had some form of graphic violance or verbal threats of voilence in them. Like Daffy holding a bomb and it going off in his face, but all that happens to him is to blacken his features and shred his clothing. Can't show that to anyone lest they think they could get away with the same in real life.
Semper Vaporo
Pkgs.
Semper VaporoThat cartoon sure got chopped to pieces! I assume all those cutouts had some form of graphic violance or verbal threats of voilence in them.
That might be a way of getting around copyright issues. I've seen YouTube videos where posters avoid copyright trouble by flipping the image, blurring it slightly, darkening it, or leaving out dialog entirely and sustituting a generic music soundtrack.
Here's my train around my tree:
https://northcountrytrains.wordpress.com/2020/12/23/a-train-around-the-tree/
https://youtu.be/MzTzJXC7qxk
Music was recorded by me.
Merry Christmas everyone! I'll be doing some railfanning in the Capitol region on the way to visit relatives on the 26th, so look for a video from that...
Harrison
Homeschooler living In upstate NY a.k.a Northern NY.
Modeling the D&H in 1978.
Route of the famous "Montreal Limited"
My YouTube
Happy Holidays, all! Be safe and stay healthy.
Our plan for Christmas is to eat home-made lasagna and watch the movie The Polar Express. It may be a kids movie, but I saw little a bit of it on TV, and I just love the visuals. As does my wife.
Here's some holiday joy for all:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjX4gGUSkA8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ahLMvn7Aaw
Merry Christmas and/or Happy Hanukkah or whatever as the case may be. Paul McCartney sang, "Got to admit it's getting better, it's getting better all the time" and John Lennon came up with "Can't get no worse!" Lets hope for a way better 2021- things are looking up, don't you think?
Lithonia Operator ...and watch the movie The Polar Express. It may be a kids movie, but I saw little a bit of it on TV, and I just love the visuals. As does my wife.
...and watch the movie The Polar Express. It may be a kids movie, but I saw little a bit of it on TV, and I just love the visuals. As does my wife.
Don't forget that the steam locomotive sounds were recorded on PM 1225, and the film makers later requested that SRI video the changing of the headlight bulb. The situation involving said change may be fanciful, but the actual changing of the bulb is technically correct.
In the little bit I saw the other night, I was really impressed with how realistic the train noises were; so those parts, like slack taking up, must be actual train recordings, not synthesized sounds.
I think that Chris Van Allsburg's illustrations for the PE book is exquisite art, among the very best railroad-related art, even though it is fanciful.
MERRY CHRISTMAS, to everyone!
For several years, past, We have had Threaads her that have celebrated stories (tales?) With railroad themes...
My favorite is the Story of Shep, and its celebration at the Town and former NPRR Depot at Fort Benton, Montana.
Several other posters have contributed stories as well.
Since this past year has been so bizarre, My hope is some other posters can contribute some Christmas themed railroad stories, and keep a sort of traditional approach going forward..
Again, Merry Christmas to all, and have a safe and enjoyable celebration.
Dearest John:
I went to the door today and the postman delivered a partridge in a pear tree. What a delightful gift. I couldn't have been more surprised.
With dearest love and affection, Agnes
***
December 15th
Today the postman brought your very sweet gift. Just imagine, two turtle doves.... I'm just delighted at your very thoughtful gift. They are just adorable.
All my love, Agnes
December 16th
Dear John:
Oh, aren't you the extravagant one! Now I must protest. I don't deserve such generosity. Three french hens. They are just darling but I must insist.... you're just too kind.
Love Agnes
December 17th
Today the postman delivered four calling birds. Now really! They are beautiful, but don't you think enough is enough? You're being too romantic.
Affectionately, Agnes
December 18th
What a surprise! Today the postman delivered five golden rings. One for each finger. You're just impossible, but I love it. Frankly, John, all those squawking birds were beginning to get on my nerves.
December 19th
When I opened the door there were actually six geese-a-laying on my front steps. So you're back to the birds again, huh? Those geese are huge. Where will I ever keep them? The neighbors are complaining and I can't sleep through the racket. PLEASE STOP!
Cordially, Agnes
December 20th
John:
What's with you and those birds???? Seven swans-a-swimming. What kind of joke is this? There's bird do-do all over the house and they never stop the racket. I'm a nervous wreck and I can't sleep all night. IT'S NOT FUNNY.......So stop with those birds.
Sincerely, Agnes
December 21st
OK Buster:
I think I prefer the birds. What am I going to do with eight maids-a-milking? It's not enough with all those birds and eight maids-a-milking, but they had to bring their own cows. There is poop all over the lawn and I can't move into my own house. Just lay off me. .
Ag
December 22nd
Hey:
What are you? Some kind of sadist? Now there's nine pipers playing. And do they play! They never stopped chasing those maids since they got here yesterday morning. The cows are upset and are stepping all over those screeching birds. No wonder they screech. What am I going to do? The neighbors have started a petition to evict me. You'll get yours.
From Ag
December 23rd
You Creep!
Now there's ten ladies dancing - I don't know why I call them ladies. Now the cows can't sleep and they've got diarrhea. My living room is a river of poop. The commissioner of buildings has subpoenaed me to give cause why the building shouldn't be condemned. I'm sicking the police on you.
One who means it, Ag
December 24th
Listen Idiot:
What's with the eleven lords a-leaping? All 234 of the birds are dead. I hope you're satisfied, you rotten swine.
Your sworn enemy, Miss Agnes McCallister
December 25th (From the law offices Taeker, Spedar, and Baegar)
Dear Sir:
This is to acknowledge your latest gift of twelve fiddlers fiddling, which you have seen fit to inflict on our client, Miss Agnes McCallister. The destruction, of course, was total. All correspondence should come to our attention. If you should attempt to reach Miss McCallister at Happy Dale Sanitarium, the attendants have instructions to shoot you on sight. With this letter, please find attached a warrant for your arrest.
-Merry Christmas
One of my minor interests is Christmas cards, especially those from the mid-20th century. Recently I made a short video of Christmas cards from the 1930's for my YouTube channel, and in the spirit of the season I'd like to present it here. Merry Christmas everyone!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiMDzEa5xPE&t=2s
Great contributions all!
'54, can you imagine Wendall Ferguson and the VVitchfinder General in the same room?
Harrison, you're quite the musician! But WHY isn't there a D&H train under that tree, hmmmmmm?
Hilarious, Zardoz! I've always wondered "What if?" as far as that song's concerned!
NKP, charming video! Those old cards (which don't seem so old) are just wonderful!
Merry Christmas and happy New Year everyone! And may 2021 be better than the dumpster fire that is 2020...
In response to requests by nobody, I'd like to post my traditional Christmas contribution:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHqcVro7BAY
_____________
"A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner
Psychot Merry Christmas and happy New Year everyone! And may 2021 be better than the dumpster fire that is 2020...
Send a email to a 2020 dumpster fire, literally
Email a dumpster fire | H.E.R.L. (hey.science)
In the long gone years of my youth, Mom would start cooking the turkey the night before, get up in the middle of the night to baste it and get the ham ready to cook in the oven with the turkey later. Early in the morning, she would start cooking the vegetables; mashed potatoes, greenbeens (with bacon), corn, carrots, peas, yams/sweet potatoes (us kids never knew which they were, the two sides of the family each called them one or the other), Of course the Sage dressing was in the bird, under the bird, around the bird and some extra was in a pot on a back burner of the stove. We didn't have enough pots to cook all of those at the same time, nor the number of burners on the stove, so some would get cooked, then put into a bowl, covered with aluminium foil and placed over the oven vent to keep them warm, the pot washed and put to work cooking another vegetable. She also started making the 3-lobe yeast bicuits so they could rise a while and to get them cooked right before the meal was served. Also just before serving, she would drain the drippings from the bird and make plenty of gravy while Dad carved the bird and ham. Of course, the day before she had made persimon pudding, mincemeat pie, lemon pie and Dad had laid in a couple of gallons of ice cream, and real cream for whipped topping on the pies and ice cream.
Then the relatives would start showing up... maybe 12 to 16 of us would gather round the dining room table (and the card table in the corner for us younger kids).
At least 20 to 30 hours were involved in creating this feast that was consumed in a wee bit over 1 hour amidst chatting, catching up and laughter... lotsa laughter.
In the last few years, I have tried to duplicate at least a small portion of this in my home... but I live alone, so doing a whole turkey and a ham and 6 vegetables are a bit much... besides, I HATE peas, and cannot eat corn any more (rips up my insides) and I don't care much for pies of any type. So I down-sized the whole thing to something the old retired male can handle.
I got a pound of roasted turkey, sliced thick, at the deli counter of the grocery store, a box of "Stovetop" Sage dressing, a 2 pack of individual servings of Bob Evans mashed potatoes, a jar of Turkey gravy, a can of greenbeans and some pre-cooked bacon slices to heat with the greenbeans. I also got a tube of Pillsbury GRANDS biscuits and a half gallon of ice cream.
I will get started in front of the microwave about 11:30 AM on Christmas day. I think the Dressing will take the longest at about 6 minutes in the microwave, (I will add Turkey broth instead of water in the recipe). While that is cooking, I will put the biscuits in the regular oven. The potatoes will be next in the microwave at about 5 minutes, The greenbeans (with bacon) normally would take less than 2 minutes, but I will put the jar of gravy in a bowl to heat with them so the combined cooking will take it out to about 2 and a half minutes (with a stir about 1/2 way through).
Put 2 slices of turkey on a plate, with a double helping of dressing, dump the potatoes next to them, and a big heaping helping of greenbeans, too. Then smother the whole lot with gravy and put the plate in the microwave to heat the meat. The biscuits will be ready then, so take them out of the oven slice them open to put a pat (or two) of butter on them.
I should be eating just before noon and be ready for the ice cream by 12:15...
DRAT! I forgot to get Coolwhip!
Semper VaporoIn the last few years, I have tried to duplicate at least a small portion of this in my home... but I live alone,...
My daughter generally hosts the holidays every other year - her sister-in-law fills the vacancy the other years.
When it's just me, it's a turkey breast roll, spuds, gravy, veggies (I happen to like lima beans), dressing, cranberry jelly, and a family recipe cranberry relish. Add some rolls and I'm good.
The best part? I have lots of leftovers!
Christmas dinners, let me see...
Tonight, Lady Firestorm made a turkey breast, along with corn and her specialized stuffing. She washed it down with Coca-Cola, I washed it down with Satrico Lazio Blanco, an Italian white wine that tastes remarkably like the homemade white my grandparents used to make.
Tomorrow, I'm making us two eight ounce filet mignons, along with potatoes, gravy, and a French bread, one of Pillsbury's finest! She'll be washing it down with more Coca-Cola, I'll be doing it with some Vallotaj Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, a fine Italian red!
Of course, there'll be the usual homemade cookies, Scottish shortbread, and who knows what else that might be lurking in the stockings?
There may be only two of us in this "Year Of The Plague," but we'll make merry just the same! Hope the rest of you do as well!
Flintlock76 I washed it down with Satrico Lazio Blanco, an Italian white wine that tastes remarkably like the homemade white my grandparents used to make.
I washed it down with Satrico Lazio Blanco, an Italian white wine that tastes remarkably like the homemade white my grandparents used to make.
I've heard stories of those ne'er do wells, apparently homemade liquor used to be officially quite frowned upon out here, and there are stories of the RCMP raiding those dastardly backyard 'winos' as recently as the 1960s. Fortunately they have long since moved on to bigger and better things.
Merry Christmas! And if any of you get trapped by a train at a crossing tomorrow, remember that your relatives can only handle so much train talk at once!
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
In many Roman Catholic countries in Europe, December 24 is a meatless day. That's why Italians customarily serve calamari and Poles have fish. Thus at our house tonight the entree was Walleye Pike. Lady NKP & I have meat on Christmas Day, usually a ham that seems to last for weeks.
But we're Episcopalians, so hey, meatless doesn't have to mean we have to suffer, right? Thus Christmas Eve at our house often features lobster, either Newburg (NYC recipe) or broiled, and a glass of champagne.
And is there anything better than homemade Christmas cookies?
NKP guy In many Roman Catholic countries in Europe, December 24 is a meatless day. That's why Italians customarily serve calamari and Poles have fish.
I don't know about the Poles, but as far as the Italians are concerned a meatless December 24th might depend on what part of the old country they were from. Dad is Italian, Mom is Irish, both sets of my grandparents were "off the boat," but we never had fish on Christmas Eve unless it fell on a Friday. No meat on a Friday for Catholics, not back in those days.
Not that we minded, we loved fish!
Let me give you a bit of "no meat on Friday" trivia. My father worked with a man who was a Spaniard, and one Friday Dad saw him eating a roast beef sandwich on a Friday. Knowing the man was Catholic he asked him "What for?" Turns out the man's ancestry went back to a Spanish seaport that supplied some of the ships for the Battle of Lepanto, a naval battle in the Mediterranean in 1571 that stopped Turkish westward expansion cold. As a reward the Pope gave those Spanish sailors and their descendants a special dispensation to eat meat on Fridays forevermore!
Isn't that something?
Here's another bit of trivia. Miguel de Cervantes, the author of "Don Quixote," fought at Lepanto as a naval infantryman, that is, a marine. Cervantes took two musket balls, lost some use of his left arm, but was alway proud of his service.
Cervantes old outfit, the Infantria de Marina Armada Espaniola is still in existance. Formed in 1537 it's the world's oldest corps of marines.
I am not Catholic, but I try to always have fish on Fridays... as well as Tuesdays... helps me keep track of what day of the week it is (I am retired and all days are like Saturday to me!). Saturdays are ground turkey burgers, Sundays are chicken, Mondays are left over turkey burgers from the 4 I fixed on Saturday), Tuesdays are fish, Wednesday are White Castle Sliders (from the frozen food case at the grocery), Thursdays are a TV dinner of some sort or cold meat sandwiches.)
I also am still trying to duplicate the fish suppers I got at the company cafeteria on Fridays... for a company cafeteria in the 1960's, they had a delicions meal of fish on Fridays (in deferance to the Catholic among the employees). The strange thing is that the gravy was always BEEF gravy so that sorta went against the church teachings at the time.
I have yet to duplicate the Friday suppers I had in that cafeteria, but I have come close a couple of times. Those meals were ALMOST as good as anything Mom ever made.
Now, I'm hungry and it is past bed time. My stomach will make sure I am up early to get breakfast!
Well, it's just the two of us here so we usually don't go through the fuss of a full Christmas meal at home. We find a restaurant that's open and enjoy their food. We can't do that this year so; it's sushi and sashimi take out for Christmas. What the blazes, if you're disrupted embrace the disruption and go nontraditional.
Maybe last year, maybe another recent year, Christmas was unusually warm. Something like 55 degrees. So, after a great meal that started with oysters, included roast turkey and dressing, and ended with peach cobbler and ice cream I went outside for a smoke.
Then, for the only time ever, I was panhandled in Antioch, IL. An older woman came up to me and asked for $2. Well, it was Christmas day, and I was indulging in pleasure. I pointed out that a Catholic Church was across the street and behind its door lay all kinds of help she might need. Material and spiritual, the help was there.
Then I gave her $5, and I felt cheap about that small amount. She headed off in a direction opposite the church. Oh well, I tried.
In this unusual time reassurance is welcome. A couple days ago I saw a CN container train (1x1x0) headed north through town. Just keep on moving the freight. We’ll get through this.
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