Christmas Series 2022: Day 9

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Space. An endless mile of matter that keeps us apart but it also brings us together. Space is one of the defining moments of love, where even though there may be space separating two souls, it’s the same space that keeps us together, inside that realm, that room, that place where we call home. Home is where our space is, filled with love and happiness. Filled with joy and hope. Filled with two loving souls, their offspring and all.

I’m not going to go further than this in Day 9 of the Christmas Calendar series and allow you to think about it by yourself and with the ones who love you. However, I am going to present you with a two-pack Christmas video where space plays a key role in loving one another. In both video to be shown below, space kept two loving souls apart but it brought them together, creating a space called home.

In 2019, I presented this feature Christmas commerical in the Files’ series featuring E.T. and his reunion with Elliot after a long absence. And with this, he befriends his family. After being separated by space for a long time, it was time for our little character to reappear and create a Christmas that was memorable for the entire family. E.T. was released 40 years ago in 1982, and it was the film that not only smashed box office records during that time, but it sent the career of Steven Spielberg, the creator, soaring to new heights, making him a legend in his own time. It is still considered one of the top five best films of the 20th Century and one where there has been no sequels nor will there be one. Original is original and that is how movies should be made like that.

*****

The second Christmas commercial had a different type of space with a twist a fate. It was that of a young boy with a very weird ringtone on his Smartphone that went off while on a train, which attracted the attention of a young woman, who had been reeling with a broken heart but whose ringtone of his brightened her day. The man writes down his number on his lottery ticket and throws it out the window at the station she got off. It was her task to find him, though the space was wide and deep and she engaged in a odessy, to find him and in the end, surprise him. The ending of the story was like the beginning- Love with that crazy Ringtone.

This commercial was as emotional as the one with ET released in 2019, but they have one common variable, and that is space. Space can separate us, but it was bind us when two love souls come together, creating a space of their own, and adventures to write for years to come.

And that’s one of the reasons Christmas is a special time of year, in my humble opinion.

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Christmas Series 2022: Day 8

“I hate the radio this time of year because they play “All I Want For Christmas Is You” like, every other song. And that’s just not enough.”

– Bridger Winegar

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There’s more to Christmas than that song by Mariah Carey, which you will see when you click on the surprise below. There’s a little history that goes along with it.

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Link: Merry Christmas by Elton John and Ed Sheeran

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Merry Christmas by Elton John and Ed Sheeran

plus Candle in the Wind

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2022 is the year of John’s departure. Already mentioned in Day 2, the world is still reeling from losing a woman with a gentle voice in Olivia Newton-John. She died on August 8^th of this year after an on-and-off battle with breast cancer, leaving behind almost 60 years of music that will go down in history as one of the best of all time.

2022 is also the year Sir Elton John is leaving the music scene. After a colorful 60-year career, he is currently wrapping up his music career with his retirement tour of his own. By this time next year, the 75-year old will enjoy some downtime to the fullest, sharing his memories with his loved ones, both near and afar. And it was a fruitful one, for after his release of Rocketman in 1972, he rose to stardom where he has stayed up there ever since, with songs like “I’m Still Standing, Club at the End of the Street, I Don’t Wanna Go On With Your Like That, and Heeling Hands,” just to name a few of the 80s songs that were popular during my childhood. “Candle In the Wind” will most likely be his crown jewel piece for when it was first composed in 1973, it was dedicated in memory of Marilyn Monroe (but he used her real name Norma Jeane). It was then reproduced in 1987 and was played 10 years later in honor of Princess Diana.

While Olivia and Elton were not directly related, they became close friends during their early stages of their music careers and remained that way until her passing. They even played a duet in Candle in the Wind, which was presented live in 1980. Here is their piece:

In his statement in response to her death, Elton mentioned:

“Olivia was a beautiful and courageous woman, who I never heard complain about her illness. A beautiful voice and a warm and loving friend.”

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Sir Elton John inspired many people in the younger generations to follow his footsteps, including Dua Lipa, Brittney Spears, and this rising star, Ed Sheeran, with whom they did a duet last year about Christmas. The piece was released right in the middle of the Corona pandemic, which caused frustration not only because of losing loved ones to the virus or struggling to recover from the virus, but also the misunderstanding on how to deal with the virus, combined with the misinformation from extremists’ ends. It was a song that was supposed to shine a light on the meaning of Christmas, which was joy, peace, love and happiness, yet it managed to skip over to this year. 

And rightfully so, for we’re seeing the virus disappear and life is returning to normal. Even the snow is falling, which makes this song the perfect fit for this holiday season. So without further ado, here’s the music piece bearing the joy of Christmas!

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Christmas Series Day 7

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“We are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas time.”

– Laura Ingalls Wilder

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This day’s surprise has to do with Christmas’ past time: baking cookies and bars for family and friends. Click on the symbol below and you will be led to your surprise!

🍪🎄

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Don’t forget to check out the other days that were opened:

Day 1: Wake Awake, For the Night is Flying

Day 2: A Mother’s Wish for Christmas by Olivia Newton John

Day 3: Gift Idea: Glass Christmas Tree

Day 4: 2022 Christmas Market Tour Part 1: Meerane

Day 5: Guessing Quiz: What is this?

Day 6: 2022 Christmas Series: St. Nicolas Day

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Mother’s Christmas Cookies Story by Jason D. Smith

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Introduction:

When I was a child, my mother would bake batches of different types of cookies and bars, and deliver boxes of them to friends, family and neighbors. I don’t know how many different types she made, but I had my favorites as you will see in this poem. During the holiday season, she would wake up at 4:00am and bake one batch after another until the evening hours. Her kitchen was her fortress and her cookies were like gold. No one was allowed in the kitchen nor touch her cookies before they were sorted and distributed to whoever wanted them for the holidays. And even though she saved a large part for me, my father and brother, especially my favorites, I still had that craving to eat a cookie or two- especially if they came right out of the oven. And my mischievousness resulted in the dragon’s wrath, as you will see in this poem. Enjoy! 🙂

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Verse 1: As a Five-Year Old

When I was five years old

My dad was working away

From my mom in the kitchen I was told

I’m busy! Go away!

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The kitchen was filled with the smell of cookies

It was the smell of M&Ms, my favorite of them all.

Then came the sound of a slam by Mom with lots of mookies

The powdered white flour, the cookie dough and all

And very hungry I became

But I knew I had to wait.

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30 minutes later, the M&M Cookies were out

And no more I could hold out

On the table on cookie sheets they were laying

And the first cookie I started slaying.

Then a voice of rage came from behind me with a clang

And I knew my crime would end with a bang

With a sound of her voice, so loud and so clear

“Get Out of My Christmas Cookies!”

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*****

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Verse 2: As a Ten-Year Old

When I was ten years old

My dad was still working away

From my mom in the kitchen I was told

I’m busy! Go away!

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The kitchen was filled with the smell of cookies

It was the smell of Grandma’s Hershey’s Kisses, which was a definite win.

Then came the sound of a screech and a roll by Mom with lots of mookies

With a rolling pin on the cookie dough and on top, a kisses pin

And very hungry I became

But I knew I had to wait.

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30 minutes later, the Hershey’s Kisses were out

And no more I could hold out

On the table on cookie sheets, the Kisses were laying

And the first cookie I started slaying.

Then a voice of rage came from the living room

And I knew my crime would end with a boom

With a sound of her voice, so loud and so clear

“Get Out of My Christmas Cookies!”

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*****

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Verse 3: As a 15-year Old:

When I was fifteen years old

With Barbie my dad had moved away

From my mom in the kitchen I was told

I’m busy! Go away!

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The kitchen was filled with the smell of cookies

It was the smell of Mom’s molasses, something that kick some asses.

Then came the sound of clops on the board by Mom with lots of mookies

They were cookie cutters that kicked some asses in the dough of molasses

And very hungry I became

But I knew I had to wait.

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30 minutes later, the molasses were out

And no more I could hold out

On the table on the porch, the molasses were laying

And the first cookie I started slaying.

Then a voice of rage came from across the house

And I knew I would be as dead as a mouse

With a sound of her voice, so loud and so clear

“Get Out of My Christmas Cookies!”

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*****

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Verse 4: As a 20-year Old

When I was twenty years old

My dad having passed away

From my mom in the kitchen I was told

Come Son, let’s bake away.

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The kitchen was filled with the smell of cookies

It was the smell of Mom’s candy canes that kept us sane

Then came the crushing sound on the board by Mom with lots of mookies

That was the sound of a hammer crushing candy canes

And very hungry I became

But I knew I had to wait.

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30 minutes later, the candy cane sugar cookies were out

And no more I could hold out

On the table in the kitchen, the canes were laying

And the first cookie I started slaying.

Then a voice of kindness came nearby

Her voice I could not come by

With a sound of her voice, so loud and so clear

“Enjoying My Christmas Cookies?”

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*****

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Verse 5: As a 25-year Old

When I was twenty-five years old

My mom had passed away.

To my wife and first-born child I told

Come, shall we bake away?

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The kitchen was filled with the smell of cookies

It was the smell of my wife’s gingerbread, I knew I wanted more

Then came rolling, the clopping and the sprinkles galore

They were creating a gingerbread man with lots of mookies

And very hungry I became

But I knew I had to wait.

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30 minutes later, the gingerbread man was out

And no more I could hold out

On the table in the kitchen, the man was laying

And just before I started slaying,

A voice of reason came about

I knew in a minute I had to go out

With a sound of her voice, so loud and so clear

“Please keep your hands off my gingerbread cookie.”

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*****

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My disclaimer:

For the record, both my parents are alive and well and still together after almost 50 years, but this one was for my mom to thank her for introducing me to her kitchen and the art of baking over Christmas.

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Germany team director Bierhoff leaves role after World Cup debacle

Germany team director Oliver Bierhoff has become the first casualty of their first-round World Cup exit in Qatar after agreeing to leave his post two years before his contract ends, the DFB said on Tuesday. Former Germany international Bierhoff, who had been in his post as team director for the last 18 years, was widely…

Germany team director Bierhoff leaves role after World Cup debacle

⚽ THE FLENSBURG FILES

2022 Christmas Series: St. Nicolas Day

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Today is St. Nicholas Day in Germany. On the night of December 5th, families put their empty boots out and St. Nick fills them up either with candies or with sticks, the former if the person was good during the entire year, the latter if the person was naughty. The candies are then consumed in his honor on December 6th. The tradition can be found in most of Europe, though with a little variant from country to country. In either case, children receive their gifts on two days during the holiday season here in Germany, instead of only one in the United States, which is in the night from Christmas Eve to Christmas Day. It’s not a surprise that nine out of ten children in the States relate Christmas to only Santa Claus instead of the true meaning, which is the birth of Jesus Christ. And while religion is not as predominant in Germany as in the States, having two holidays where you can open gifts is twice the fun, don’t you think.

And while we are looking at it that way, this St. Nicholas Day has twice the fun. Click on the symbols below, each one will bring you a surprise which is six times the fun. Enjoy! 🙂

🎄 🎁

🎅 ❤️

⛄ ⛪

As a bonus, here’s a quote for you to think about:

Never deny the babies their Christmas! It is the shining seal set upon, a year of happiness. Let them believe in Santa Claus, or St. Nicholas, or Kriss Kringle, or whatever name the jolly Dutch saint bears in your religion.

–Mary Virginia Terhune

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Opened doors:

December 1: Wake Awake, For the Night is Flying

December 2: A Mother’s Wish for Christmas by Olivia Newton John

December 3: Gift Idea: Glass Christmas Tree

December 4: 2022 Christmas Market Tour Part 1: Meerane

December 5: Guessing Quiz: What is this?

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Classic Television Review: A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965, PBS)

Charlie Brown (Peter Robbins) has the Christmas blues.  He’s depressed because he thinks Christmas has become too materialistic.  Poor Charlie has plenty of evidence to prove his point.  His sister, Sally (Cathy Steinberg) asks Charlie Brown to write to Santa for her, and Sally has a long list of gifts for Santa to bring her.  […]

Classic Television Review:  A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965, PBS) 

A Charlie Brown Christmas, created by the late Charles M Schulz, was one of the key fixtures for Children’s television during the 1970s- 1990s. It’s a hit even to this day. 😊

You’ll find the plot of the story and the review of it here.

Ralphie’s Coming Home in ‘A Christmas Story Christmas’

The plot “A Christmas Story Christmas” takes place in 1973 with Ralphie and his family returning to his childhood home to show his kids a “magical Christmas”.

Ralphie’s Coming Home in ‘A Christmas Story Christmas’

Another movie hit worth seeing is “A Christmas Story Christmas.” It’s a sequel to “A Christmas Story,” which was released in 1983, and the main character, Ralphie, makes his return home to pay homage to his late father and reunites with his siblings and their families to make Christmas a wonderful day just like in the past. Released in theaters on November 17, here’s a review on the film you can find in the link above.

Views: Charlottenburg Palace 2022 Christmas Market, Berlin, Germany — Boomers Daily

Christmas Market 2022 at Charlottenburg Palace, Berlin Germany. Schloss Charlottenburg is a Baroque palace in Berlin, located in Charlottenburg, a district of the Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf borough. The palace was built at the end of the 17th century and was greatly expanded during the 18th century. It includes much lavish internal decoration in baroque and rococo styles […]

Views: Charlottenburg Palace 2022 Christmas Market, Berlin, Germany — Boomers Daily