A Depression Christmas Tree

Oh, the memories brought back by this photo taken in our dining room in the 1930's! The black telephone on the wall was a party line shared by neighbors who, at opportune times, listened in to others conversations. There was no TV, cell phones, computers or any other instant messaging. It took longer to get the news. We actually learned the latest through the newspapers, magazines, radio or the gossip line. That allowed time to reflect during bus rides, meandering walks, fingering through the garden dirt, biking, cleaning the house, washing, hanging and ironing the clothes, petting the cat, peeling potatoes, washing the car or putting a puzzle together.

The Christmas tree selection each year was a lengthy process. We joined our Dad in venturing out into the woods to pick that perfect tree. If it wasn't to Mom's satisfaction, we drove back out to choose another one. Some years it was a spruce, another year a balsam or pine, but each and every year it had to be perfectly formed to meet my mother's approval.

Next came the lights, and that was not a simple task. Every year there were some lights that were burned out and needed replacing before we could place the decorations, carefully and individually wrapped, on the tree. Last of all, and most agonizing, was the final touch, the silver tinsel that had to be, and I mean, had to be, hung straight and with utmost care on each branch of the tree.

Although we all contributed to this holiday perfection, most of the work was left to the oldest in the family. I, being the youngest, gave up the fastest. This tinsel hanging was difficult and tedious and the final touches were often left to my oldest brother. After the season when the tree was taken down, each piece of tinsel was carefully removed and wrapped around a cardboard sleeve to be re-used the following Christmas.

Looking at this photo taken so many years ago (although it seems like yesterday), I marvel that we took the time to slowly and carefully hang each piece of the shiny tinsel. But then we had more time, with less distractions, to create perfection. We were not bombarded by the instant media and demands of today. Perhaps we achieve more today than yesterday, but in the process do we lose some of the thoughtful creativity that comes with time, peace and quiet?

Inventions are wonderful and I appreciate them to no end, but at times, during moments of solitude, I can't help but wonder. Have we lost more than we have gained? These thoughts filter through my mind as I look at this fading photo from long ago.

Our Magic Circle

This holiday season I did it! I went into every store in town and found gifts for everyone on my gift list. I did not want to support Amazon, Walmart or any other big on-line business. I love to touch and see my gifts. Can't do that on-line. Secondly, I want the money I spend to support my community. I want those who live and work here to help their kids attend school. I want them to pay the city taxes that pay for everything we all use. I want the businesses to be able to support our local charities, such as our Boys and Girls Club, our museum, Mammoth Site, nursing home, food shelf, etc.

I published an editorial in our home town paper titled "The Magic Circle." Briefly I said if I spend money at a local restaurant, that person goes to another business to make a purchase. Later someone in the business eats at that restaurant. What goes around, comes around. I'm not sure how many will take heed. I know some want the packages dropped at their front door. They don't want to bother to go into our local stores, browse, touch, admire and maybe, just maybe, find a thoughtful gift for someone they love. Even if it is not the perfect gift, the purchase helps those who live among us and who spend some of their money in our town.

We are losing the small stores in our country and in the malls. They are disappearing to the on-line businesses. On-line is convenient, especially for those who cannot get to the stores to see the merchandise first-hand and examine it closely. I use it occasionally when I cannot find an item locally. On-line is convenient and easy, but for the most part, while I am able, I will struggle through the wet snow and sloppy streets to browse and enjoy visiting with those who are our neighbors and who spend their lives trying to share with us and make a living for themselves.

I do not want the small businesses to have to fold up and leave deserted store fronts. I do not want the malls to disappear from the city suburbs. It was a way of life that I long enjoyed when I lived in the Twin Cities, but for now, retired in a rural town, I will forgo convenience of the Internet in the hopes that the small stores will, perhaps with a struggle, remain to brighten the quiet streets of our peaceful community in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Here's to the small business owners everywhere. Long may they reign!

December in Hot Springs

Lights, lights, everywhere. In fact, it was so bright that one night as I was driving home from a meeting I was stopped by the police. "Was I going to slow?" I wondered.

I rolled down my window. "Sorry, officer. I did not see your lights until the truck flashed his lights at me."

"The reason he flashed his lights is because you were driving without your lights, "the officer told me.

No lights! I never noticed. I was too busy admiring the brightly lit store fronts and electric poles along River Street. I guess I saw no need to add my lights to the mix.

It is another December in our small town. We had a Christmas parade, concert and a cookie cruise. The town was filled with people watching, eating, shopping. Earlier in the day we had a meeting with folks of every political persuasion. All were gathered to listen to a common concern, "save our water." It is a good feeling to see those of opposing views on many issues be in agreement on protecting our water from contaminated dumping in our garbage sites and from fracking into our aquifers.

In the midst of the festivities we attended two meetings about and by the EIS regarding the on-going battle to save our VA. The battle continues but is somewhat on hold during the celebratory month of December. There is still some quiet planning on the side, but most of the room in our lives centers around the music and lights of the Christmas season.

Our local artisans have a holiday marketplace each December showing off their hand-crafted items, from homemade jams and jewelry to quilts, dolls and scarves and mittens. Admission into the market is a donation to our local food shelf. There are booths to visit, friends to greet, food to eat, charities selling goodies, music, sleigh rides and, of course, Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus.

Then there is a  Christmas play directed by a local writer and director and acted by local talent, both young and old. On and on it goes. The community is filled with the holiday spirit of sharing and giving. It is a feeling of warmth and few "bah, humbugs."

It is our sanctuary, for a time, a place of forgetting the stresses of much of the rest of the world. We have our spot of serenity. It is not that we are unaware of the tragedies unfolding each day. The news follows us, but for some time, during the month of December, we can forget for a while and enjoy the tranquility, friendliness and lights that brighten the early darkness of the season.

It is a time of renewal and hope. The shining lights are a reminder of that hope. "It is better to light one candle......." This is our reminder to remember, "better to light one candle than to curse the darkness."

It is the darkest of winter months, but we have lit the lights to help us remember. We are the heartland of America. We have the lights to hope.