THE WEARER OF MANY HATS

My 2 Month Experiment...

noreply@blogger.com (Justmeandb) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:09:00 +0000

has ended. I am not sorry to see it end. It was so much more trouble then it was worth!

Back in early December I created, and went online with a Grandparents Support Group. Not for just any group of Grands, but ones that are parenting their grandchildren, hence the title of the group, Grandparents Parenting Again.

The members of the group were from a previous group created by someone else, and was hosted at MSN Groups. Four "top" members of that group had a falling out and the group left MSN and splintered. I, having been a long suffering glutton for punishment, joined both groups.

I had a falling out with the owner of one of the newly formed groups and began my experiment in hosting my own group.

My experience with these women, and the occasional man, was that they were mostly very superficial, with the obligatory signing-in, saying "good morning", maybe "good night", with trivial crap in between. This was not what I had hoped for my group to be.

"My members" wanted my site to be a cookie-cutter site of the lame, scarce optioned, MSN. I on the other hand believe that when it comes to technology, change is good. But I was dealing with people who are mostly in their late 60's, early 70's. I am only 49. I didn't want to believe that the gap in ages would matter, but I think it did. I am not "like them" either.

I am the kind of person you either like or you don't, there is no middle ground. I speak my mind, I do not sugar coat my feelings or words. As anyone knows who frequently corresponds in one form or another through the Internet, words without benefit of body language or eye contact can be very misconstrued.

My group is not one that anyone who wishes to be hand held and told "Oh you poor thing", as they repeatedly tell a story of being victimized by their adult children, should belong to. My words of encouragement would exist of "why do you put up with this crap?", and to explain to them, yet again, how they had the power to change the things in their lives.

At the most active point of the 2 month experiment my group had 29 members. It is a totally private, secure group, with potential members having to apply to join.

Towards the end of the experiment it would seem that I irritated one member, and then a second one. The first rule when starting a group; "Start With New People!" I would never be able to overcome the little cliched that had formed way back in 2002 on MSN during the very first Grandparents group.

I joined the original support group in November 2007, just to see what it was all about. I quickly learned that there were liars, sympathy seekers, and gossips within the group. People with far more issues then being court ordered parents to another generation should have. Not everyone fit into one or more of these categories, just a powerful handful. I frequently would find my self thinking, "how in the world did a judge deem these people to be fit Guardians or Conservators?" I was always amazed why none of them every questioned why new people would join, stay a couple of months, then never to be heard from again. I questioned it and was told, "that's just the way things are". Hmmm...sometimes it takes me awhile before I "get it". Remember, this was the same group of people who joined my group. Hmmm....

Oh it's all just fine with me that it has ended. I announced to one member only that I was closing the group, and in a batch I deleted every single member from my group. The group is not really closed, it remains open for new members to apply to join. Right now it is more of something for me to play with. I enjoy designing new icons, headers and footers. This gives me a format to try out my new designs without having to worry about the "posters". If someone does happen to come along that would like to join a group for fun, and non-fakeness (is that a word? Spellcheck says no.), then my group is for them. Upon the deletion of members I received a couple of not so nice emails about it. Whatever. I told them they should start their own group at their own site, it's truly not that hard.

I did have one member rejoin the group. I have "known" her over about two years, have talked to her on the phone, through email, and through other applications that we both have installed. We seem to be like minded individuals. But who knows, this too could change.

It has been a learning experience for sure. I am glad the experiment has ended.

On to my next challenge.

That Time Of Year Again...

noreply@blogger.com (Justmeandb) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 19:36:00 +0000

I didn't want to miss the opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Season's Greetings!

Also a reminder to never forget the true meaning of the season.

Peace to All Everywhere,

Holly

NO ELECTRICITY IN THE NORTHEAST

noreply@blogger.com (Justmeandb) — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 17:03:00 +0000

We are still without power. It has been out since December 11, 2008. The article below is the latest news update.

Article Date: Sunday, December 14, 2008 CONCORD, N.H. (AP) �?? An army of utility crews is expected in New Hampshire Sunday to help restore power to hundreds of thousands of residents still in the dark from Thursday night's devastating ice storm.Gov. John Lynch and utility officials say residents should be prepared for extended outages.Public Service Company says it likely will be Thursday or Friday �?? a week after the storm �?? before all power is restored. Spokesman Martin Murray said the company will have to rebuild the entire infrastructure of some sections of the electrical delivery system, but progress is being made. As of Sunday morning, about 194,000 PSNH customers were without power, down from 313,000 Saturday.At its peak Friday, more than 430,000 homes and businesses in New Hampshire had lost power.

AND IT'S ABOUT DAMN TIME!

noreply@blogger.com (Justmeandb) — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 01:06:00 +0000

What Happened To September?

noreply@blogger.com (Justmeandb) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 01:44:00 +0000

Well, what happened to September? I can only hope winter flies by as quickly.

Nothing earth shattering has really happened here lately, just the norm. We, like everyone else, are trying to ride the wave of the U.S. financial mess. So far we're surfing the wave. I just hope we have a safe landing.

I will be very pleased when the presidential election is over. All this preliminary crap has gone on long enough. Let's just friggin' vote already! Rock on Obama!

Oh, our dog has been sick. During one of my many sleepless nights I heard a very weird noise. It was my dog shaking her head vigorously from side to side which made her ears make a flapping sound. Something was wrong. A trip to the vet was in order.

The vet says our dog has an ear infection, caused by allegies. She's an indoor dog. What is she allergic too? Could it be from sleeping in our bed? Or possibly from laying on the couch? Maybe from a bowl that is always full of food? Or from stretching out on the carpet basking in the sun shining through the window?

This dog lives better than some people. I think she has a bug that crawled into her ear causing the infection. But hey, I'm not a vet.

TTFN

The Art Of Resolution With Nasty Neighbor

noreply@blogger.com (Justmeandb) — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 11:30:00 +0000

It has been a long summer in dealing with our neighbor, Ann.

It all came to a head on Saturday when a man I have never seen before came onto my property and began screaming at me. He called me a "bitch", and a "cunt". He threatened to "smash my face". He is a friend of Ann's. I called the police.

After the policeman had spoken with Ann he called me to say that Ann would like to have a civil conversation regarding the property line issue.

We met with Ann on her porch for over an hour. She was sweet and nice. She made small talk, we listened. Ann grew up as an orphan. At the age of three she was taken in by two elderly spinster ladies. She married and had two children. She has out lived both of her children and her first husband. She remarried, and this husband died as well. She is now alone in the world.

Back to the property line dispute.

We showed her proof from the city that the corner of her garage actually sits very close to the property line. It's construction does not meet the city regulations for the required setback from the property line. We are not asking her to remove the garage, we just want to put up a fence along the property line. She did admit that the property belongs to us (Hurrah!), but that she did not like the way we went about things. Apparently she wanted us to discuss the fence with her prior to putting it up.

OK, so maybe we should have knocked on her door and told her we wanted to put up a fence, but it honestly never occurred to us. The fence was being put up on our property so why should we check with the neighbor that we rarely see and do not know?

Throughout all of this Ann knew that the property was not hers, but for whatever reason, she required that we ask her permission to clean up the false property line that she has created with debris, and to erect a fence on the true property line.

I'm not going to say that I understand any of this because I don't. I do know (now) that this is a lady who has suffered great loss in her life and I am now very empathetic towards her.

Ann has told us to go ahead and do whatever we want to do regarding the fence and putting up our new shed. She asked if I wanted to dig up her flower garden which sits right on the property line. I told her absolutely not, she could keep her garden, we will put the fence right behind it.

It is not our goal to take anything away from Ann. Our only goal is to clean up the debris that she has dumped and to erect a fence to keep our dog in our yard.

There are life lessons to learn here. I have learned several.

The Unsightly Mess That Ann Has Made

noreply@blogger.com (Justmeandb) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 02:09:00 +0000

A Nasty Neighbor

noreply@blogger.com (Justmeandb) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:11:00 +0000

We officially have a nasty neighbor! It is my understanding that she is at least 82 years old, but that is no excuse for being nasty and rude. For many years now (over 12) our next door neighbor has been raking and throwing her yard scraps on the property line that joins our two properties. This was a practice established prior to our purchase of the home, that was allowed by the previous owners. We never realized the depth of the issue until we began to cut back the growth of brush at the property line to accommodate our new pool.

This neighbor, who I will call "Ann", has raked and raked until the piles that border the entire property line have fallen over directly onto our property in great unsightly heaps. These heaps are now in clear view for all to see.

I spoke to Ann last month and asked her to please stop doing it. I explained that it was bad enough that year after year we had to continue to clear from our yard all of debris that falls from the huge pine trees that she refuses to maintain, but now we also had to clear this mess as well. Ann's reply was, "well dear, at least it is not falling on your house". She then encouraged me to draw a line from one metal post to the other (property markers) and I would surely see that I was wrong.

So I did just that. I ran pink, plastic tape from post to post, the entire length of the property in dispute. She is very clearly misinformed.

Over the past two weeks she has repeatedly and purposely, dumped more debris on our property, and has ripped or cut the tape that I have put in place. I have continued to repair the tape as it has been torn down and removed.

Today in the mail we received a letter from a local lawyer. It basically states that he represents Ann, that we have "encroached" on her property, and are ordered immediately to remove the pink tape that I have put in place.

We are furious! We will not remove the tape and instead will begin to put up a fence much sooner than originally planned. We will sue Ann in small claims court for the clean-up and removal of all of the debris that she has left, and continues to leave, on our property. I have taken photos.

I am sure that we have not heard the last from Ann, and she can be sure she has not heard the last from us.

This Is Getting Old Real Quick!

noreply@blogger.com (Justmeandb) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 22:15:00 +0000

A couple of months ago I started getting Social Security Disability checks after waiting 2 long years and being denied twice. I have not started getting Medicare yet, that will begin in December. From what I can see, it will offer very little help and will only further complicate an already complicated situation. I used to qualify for Medicaid with no strings attached. Now, since I am getting Disability checks, I only qualify for Medicaid AFTER I spend $211.00 of my own money on medical expenses each month. This procedure is called a "spend-down". At first glance it doesn't seem like a bad deal. I realize that many people pay out far more than that each month for medical insurance coverage. When I was physically able to work I was one of these people. However, things have changed. My Social Security Disability check that comes the 3rd of each month is for a whopping total of $815.00. If you have any math skills at all you can very easily deduce that $211.00 subtracted from $815.00 leaves me with $604.00 for the entire month. My rent is $625.00 each month. After I have spent $211.00, which by the way is the cost of a single prescription that I take twice daily, I must take the receipt down to Health & Human Services. The case worker assigned to me then puts this information into their computer system. The system updates overnight, so the next morning I have medical coverage for whatever days are remaining in the month. Each month my medical coverage expires at midnight on the last day of the month, regardless of the date that I meet the "spend down". So it is my best interest to meet this "spend down" as early in the month as possible. Three out of six of my prescriptions require that I pick up the prescription from the doctor's office due to the type of medication. Three days ago I called my doctor's office to get refills. This doctor has a policy of needing 24 hours to sign off on prescriptions once they are notified that I need them. The 24 hour period has come and gone, I sit here waiting for a phone call from the nurse stating that they are ready for pick up. Today is the 30th, the last day of the month. My insurance expires at midnight. On July 3rd I will reach my "spend down" and on July 4th I will once again be covered until the 31st. Then the whole process begins again. There must be a better, easier way for people in need to acquire the services they must have to survive. I would publicly like to state that the way New Hampshire runs their Medicaid program sucks! Changes are desperately needed.

GOT GAS?

noreply@blogger.com (Justmeandb) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:36:00 +0000

Happy Birthday To Me

noreply@blogger.com (Justmeandb) — Tue, 27 May 2008 21:54:00 +0000

Today is my birthday, 49 years. My body feels 49 years and then some. The mind, well, that is a different story. My mind is still somewhere between 18-25, but much wiser and somehow sharper. It is so true that "youth is wasted on the young". My day started out crappy and then mellowed out, dissolved into quiet with a nap. I guess it could have been worse. Next year is the big 50. A half a century old. What does one do when they turn a half a century old? Oh well, I have 364 days to think about it. So tonight I will thank God for granting me another year of life. I pray he sees fit to grant me another 49, at least. Ahh old girl, your're ok, you really are.

Summer Is Coming, I Can Feel It

noreply@blogger.com (Justmeandb) — Wed, 21 May 2008 14:32:00 +0000

We have been trying to do a "makeover" to every room in this old house. Slipcovers, new carpet, bed linens, applances, TV, windows, have all been brought in to spruce things up. Now our new pool is up and filling with water as I write. Our trampoline is also up, and we have been laying bark mulch around all of the flower beds. I need to go to the greenhouse and buy my summer flowers. Ahhhh, I love summer! Everything looks so green and pretty in the summer. All winter long I crave the sunlight, and am reduced to the artificial light at the local tanning salon. It's better than nothing. It warms my soul. There is a new bird in one of our trees. He doesn't just chirp, he actually sings a song. I can hear him right now. I have never seen him so I have no idea what kind of bird this is. The sound is simply perfect. My sister is coming for a visit this summer from Virginia. She does not come up here very often. The last time she visited this house was 1999, the year I graduated college. She is part of the reason the house is getting a makeover. She has a very nice home of her own, with many nice things inside. We want her to be comfortable. I am sure she will be. My days have been filled with "honey do" lists for Chris. He has been wonderful about all of the new changes. His adjustment to them does not come easily I know. I love change and embrace it. He does not. Thank you Chris for putting up with me through all of this. When it is all done you'll see, you will love it! I promise! Before long it will all be done and we will be playing in the pool, and enjoying everything! Summer is coming! Can you feel it? I can.

Good Deeds & Karma

noreply@blogger.com (Justmeandb) — Sun, 04 May 2008 00:51:00 +0000

Today the new appliances that I had purchased arrived. A shiny, white, new refrigerator, dishwasher, washer, and dryer. I have never owned new appliances in my life, I have always had someone else's "cast offs". But they were new to me, and better than nothing. We had planned to sell the old appliances, they still worked and were hooked up until the new ones arrived. But we didn't. We gave them away, free of charge. I placed an ad online and the emails started coming fast. People could not believe they were free and still worked. There must be a catch they thought. At first I questioned myself as to whether or not I was doing the right thing by giving them away. We are by no means rich. We really could use the extra cash. Now they are gone. Free of charge. About an hour ago I received an email from the man who came this afternoon with a U-Haul and picked up the washer/dryer. He thanked me for our kindness and generosity. He said that his family was very appreciative. My heart soared. We did the right thing. Isn't that what life's about anyway, helping others when we can? Many people have come to my rescue throughout my life. Giving back is what we all must do. "Pay it forward". Who have you helped today? Who can you help tomorrow? Be kind to someone in need. They will never forget it. Neither will you.

It Arrived This Week

noreply@blogger.com (Justmeandb) — Thu, 01 May 2008 21:22:00 +0000

"It" arrived this week, at last. The readers of my blog know what "It" is. All week long I have been doing my fair share of "stimulating the U.S. economy". I must admit that I have enjoyed procuring all of these long awaited, some unnecessary, items. I am thoroughly exhausted and I am hurting badly. I will be staying home tomorrow for some much needed rest and repair. As the weekend approaches you might find me stimulating the economy just a bit more. It's your turn now. Get out there and shop till you drop!

Home Sweet Home

noreply@blogger.com (Justmeandb) — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 17:11:00 +0000

We have returned from our vacation. I think we are all more tired then when we left. There is so much to see in Florida! SeaWorld is fabulous! So much better than Disney! The weather was sunny and warm.

I pushed myself a bit too much and am now paying the price with much pain. Oh well, I know it will subside eventually.

I think Social Security is finally getting their act together. Everyday I receive something in the mail that explains to me what to expect next. The one thing that I want to know most of all is when are they going to send me my money? I still have no answer, but we must be getting closer to the answer.

Screw You, Skybus!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Justmeandb) — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 22:37:00 +0000

Effective at midnight last night Skybus Airlines closed up shop. No warning, just "sorry for the inconvenience", see ya bye! Normally I would say "that's a shame" and that would be the end of it. Not today. My family had tickets for a Skybus flight that was heading to Orlando, Florida for an eight day vacation. Today is April 5th. We were leaving April 8th. Chances are that if you are flying from New Hampshire to Orlando in April it is because you have planned a vacation, NOT a business trip. This vacation has been planned and paid for since October 2007. They sent me an email informing me of their closure, this morning. They said to contact my credit card company for a refund. We paid with a debit card. We have probably lost our money. We won't be making it to historic St. Augustine, Florida. I hear it is a beautiful place to go. After much scrambling we booked with a different airline, changed our car rental, etc., so we will be leaving after all. SO SCREW YOU SKYBUS!!!!!

Grande Vista Resort, Orlando, Florida

noreply@blogger.com (Justmeandb) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 20:44:00 +0000

Time draws near for our return to sunny Florida! This is the Grande Vista Resort. It is where we will stay during most of our vacation. We will also stay 3 days in historic St. Augustine, Florida.

I am so excited with anticipation that my mind is just spinning! It has been a long, cruel winter here in New Hampshire, and I can hardly wait to leave it all behind!

If He Could Vote...

noreply@blogger.com (Justmeandb) — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:55:00 +0000

And The Wait Continues

noreply@blogger.com (Justmeandb) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 22:36:00 +0000

In August 2005 I was diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis (IC) by a urologist, and a surgical procedure. IC is an extremely painful, and often chronic desease of the bladder. There is no known cause or cure. This condition is rarely relieved through medication. You will need to look this up yourself because I get tired of hearing myself explain it. In 2006, after being diagnosed with a secondary desease of Fibromyalgia, it became quite clear to me that my days as an employee were numbered. I filed for Social Security Disability in 2006. I was denied benefits twice. I then hired a lawyer. In November 2007 I was awarded full benefits by an Administrative Social Security Judge. Three days later a letter arrived stating that the Social Security Review Board had selected my case to be reviewed. So the wait continued. This month I received notice that the Review Board agrees with the Administrative Judge, and the ruling stands as "Fully Favorable". So, ok, I have waited long enough for my money. Were is my lump sum check? I want it, and I want it now! The lawyer will get 25%, but that still leaves me with plenty. I have plans for that money. Because I also receive medicaid, I will have 30 days to spend every dime, or risk losing medicaid if I save it. That's ok, I can spend money fast. New laptops for Shaun and me, bedroom furniture, carpet, clothes. Maybe a prepaid, week long vacation on the beach in Maine. These have all made it to my list. Everyday I wait for the mail lady. No money yet. And the wait continues. Stay tuned.

A Man Called Walter

noreply@blogger.com (Justmeandb) — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 21:46:00 +0000

I'm sure you've heard of Walter Mitty

The man of fiction

with dreams and grandiose plans

that he is unable or unwilling to fulfill

because he lacks skill, it is so much easier to dream and plan

than to take action.

Paying lip service with "One day I'm going to..."

Promises broken, plans not put into action,

Screw the dreams.

I am tired of Walter, do YOU hear me?

I AM TIRED OF WALTER!

I have played Mrs. Mitty long enough

And I am through

Do YOU hear me?

The dis/unorganization of it all

Has brought me to the brink

I pick my battles and now I am done

YOU, my dear Walter,

are now left to your own devices and indecisiveness

YOU have turned me into a nag

A nag that never was, until YOU.

YOU are driving me crazy

What a disappointment this whole ordeal has been

What a tremendous waste of my time and efforts

Good bye Walter, or whoever

in the hell you are!

I'm Baaack!

noreply@blogger.com (Justmeandb) — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 14:35:00 +0000

It's been awhile but I have been busy! First off let me say that getting a foot of snow each week since before Christmas has become a major drag. I thought global warming was in effect? We had a foot of snow at the beginning of the week and another storm is coming at the end of this week. Green is my favorite color, not white. I spend much of my time reading and writing posts to the MSN group that I belong to called Grandparents Raising Grandkids. It is a marvelous group of dedicated grandparents who, like me, have taken on the daunting task of becoming "parents" to their grandchildren. May God be with us all through our struggles and triumphs. American Idol has returned for another season. I guess it's better than nothing. Sometimes this show is hard for me to watch, I get so embarrassed for the mentally deficient, can't carry a tune in a bucket, people. This writer's strike is killing me. C'mon people! Settle your issues and get back to work! The politicians left our state a week or so ago. I was not sorry to see them or their redundant television ads go away. Never fear, they will be back. We are anxiously waiting for our return to Florida in April. Ahhhh, I crave the warm, sunny weather. My body requires it. Hang on, just a few more months, I tell it daily. Enough for now, I'll talk to ya'll later. Stay warm.

Why Can't It Be Summer All Year?

noreply@blogger.com (Justmeandb) — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 02:33:00 +0000

2008

noreply@blogger.com (Justmeandb) — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 18:50:00 +0000

The holidays are almost over, and a new year will soon be here. I had a good Christmas, and that is all I will say on the subject. I am ready to move on, into the New Year of 2008. 2008 will bring us a new President, finally. Eight long years of the Bush regime has been economically, politically, and socially brutal. The current administration has misled it's trusting citizens. We have been lied to numerous times, and led into a war that is unjustified and criminal on every level. I support the troops that are fighting and dying every second. I DO NOT SUPPORT THIS WAR OR THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT THAT CONDONES IT! I remember the anti-war protesters of the 60's and 70's. I remember them fondly. They were a driving force with a loud and determined voice. Where are the voices now? Where is the press coverage? The media coverage of the Vietnam War was astounding. Does it take the reinstating of a forced military draft for people to see what is happening and become outraged? Coming soon to a neighborhood near you. The current administration has kept it's citizens so preoccupied with the escalating costs of gas, food, home heating oil, rent, the current mortgage crisis, and basic individual survival here at home, that they do not have the time or energy to have a voice. We have become a nation distracted. There is a method and a reason to the madness of this administration and the dire straits that many families find themselves in. The art of distraction. Let 2008 be the year that you are heard. Be loud, obnoxious, protest and vote. Do whatever it takes to effect meaningful and lasting change. Take back the United States, the country we love, the place we call home. Peace

It is Christmas but...

noreply@blogger.com (Justmeandb) — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 23:48:00 +0000

It is Christmas, my favorite time of year

Yet I am sad, very sad

I don't want to be, and I fight it every minute

There are things that need to be said

to certain people right now

but it must wait until after Christmas

It is eating me up inside, these feelings of mine

may the powers that be

find me and bring me peace

maybe if I am very, very still

I will hear the voice

Peace, Peace

Yes, Virginia

noreply@blogger.com (Justmeandb) — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 00:25:00 +0000

Eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York's Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history's most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps. I reprint this as my gift to all of you.

"DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old. "Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. "Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.' "Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?"VIRGINIA O'HANLON."115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET."
VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding. No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO US ALL!