Friday Fives: Holiday Stories

I'm so glad it's Friday. Y'all have no idea. Granted, I did have a final today, but it wasn't one I was worried about, so it doesn't play into this post at all. Forget I even mentioned it.

Anyway, this post is going to have to tide me over until next week because Monday through Wednesday will be the Days of DEATH. This weekend is going to be my attempt at preparing for murder by final exams.

If I don't see any of you again, just remember me as I was.

Now, enough of that dramatic stuff. Let's get down to the real reason behind this post.

1. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss
2. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
3. The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg
4. The Fir Tree by Hans Christian Anderson
5. The story of Jesus's birth in the Bible.

It used to be a tradition for us to gather in the living room on Christmas Eve and read the story of Mary and Joseph in search of a place to stay in Bethlehem. We haven't done it lately (I don't know why), but I can remember wanting desperately to be the one to read it aloud when I was younger.

Hope everyone has a great holiday season!

Happy Daddy Day!

Image via WikipediaFor a while, my favorite movie was Daddy Day Care. I still quote parts of it, like "I missed." "What do you mean, you missed?" "I missed." *cue scary music as Eddie Murphy looks in horror at what "missed" meant for his wallpaper*

I still can't help but chuckle at the thought of three men trying to take care of the demon spawn that some of those kids were. It's hilarious. The entire movie is, in a way, a testament to the fact that daddies do exist and can contribute to their children's well-being.

While I know that there are exceptions to everything, I can't help but be grateful that I've had my Dad to count on my entire life. He's been a great role model, and although at times he can seem to be a little overbearing, I know it's just because he loves me.

Thankfully though, he's pretty cool most of the time. I like to think he's a mixture of Mr. Weasley and Tim "The Tool-man" Taylor. (He looks a lot like "The Tool-man" in my opinion.)

It's funny now that I think about it, but Mr. Weasley is the only literary dad that I can actually think of. There has to be more. Maybe I'm just having early-morning, caffeine-deprivation block. If y'all can think of any more, let me know. I'd appreciate it!

Happy Father's Day to all those dads out there!!

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Image via WikipediaYes, it is that time of year again. The time of the year where beads and moonpies are being chucked at people's screaming faces and I feel the sudden inexplicable urge to brave the massive crowds of children, parents, and freaks that only come out once a year, to catch my share of cups and beads and dodge any crazy people waving their arms and staggering from inebriation.

Mardis Gras always brings out the weird in us all. Last night I caught my first parade of the year and only got hit in the head once by a whiplash of beads. That's what I call a successful night of revelry.

Spring has come early this year on the Gulf Coast and I was happy to find that I wasn't freezing or getting hit with frozen moonpies. You don't know how bad it hurts until it's happened to you. And it always seems to happen to me.

It was strange, but as I watched the floats filled with middle-aged men in masks as they slung handfuls of cheap plastic beads at the masses of crazed faces and flailing limbs along each side of the street, I had a sort of happy feeling. Normally, I'm too busy defending my position along the barricade and screaming "Throw me something, mister!" or "Is that the best you can do?! My granny can throw farther than you!" But this year I settled for standing in the back and observing the insanity of Mardi Gras madness.

Since Mardis Gras isn't something that the majority of the world gets to experience, I wondered if other people understand the point behind Mardi Gras parades...in any case, I think it has to do with Lent. Since I'm not Catholic, I don't participate in Lent, and even if I did, I don't think I could give anything up. I'm far too happy with my vices.

In my region, Mardis Gras is more of a social event than anything else. We get out of school on Fat Tuesday, since the holiday is fairly well-recognized and celebrated. And let me tell you, it can get pretty crazy down here during Mardis Gras season. People come from all over to see the parades and to participate in the festivities, parties, and balls.

Traditionally, my family has always been very conservative about attending parades. We don't get swept up in the revelry that seems to wipe all rational thought from the minds of some of those afflicted by the good times rolling down the streets. But we appreciate the holiday, all the same. Someday I want to write about Mardis Gras, and I might even include it in one of my books...who knows. The chaos of a parade would make a great scene at least.   

Until next time...let the good times roll!