My World Tuesday has my mind drifting back to Rockefeller Center and the Christmas decorations on display and the Christmas tree not quite ready to be displayed last week. It rose like a skyscraper under construction alongside the skating rink. Workers brought branches up and down the tree in a bucket they raised and lowered with a rope on a pulley. The whole business seemed as backwoodsy as it seemed very urban. No doubt, the perfect tree will be lighted this week--regardless of whatever way nature constituted that perfection in the first place.
I remained in the black on Black Friday, deleting all the enticing offers to spend money and staying well out of town. The decorations and the spirit do it for me. I like to buy what I think is right for the people I love based on who they are and what I know about them. So I was perfectly calm and happy as I took some long walks to watch the trees being driven up and down the road on the tops of trucks or stuffed into the backseats of cars driven by women who looked intent to get a job done.
Christmas is a strange and beautiful intersection, and sometimes merging, of tradition, myth, and fact. The result? The amazing and overwhelming truth that love and kindness beat everything.
My World Tuesday
26 Comments
You are very kind. Best to stay out of the craziness of the season. I enjoyed the pics as always.
ReplyDeleteLove and kindness - they do beat everything. I don't engage in black friday chaos. Serenity is free.
ReplyDeleteAnd we are all needing an early dose of it - with the snow in the UK at the moment. I can't remember when we ever had snow so early.
ReplyDeleteI saw many people in stores but mostly window shopping.
ReplyDeleteThe week end movies sure brought up good feelings of family and closeness between friends and neighbors.
Some people around my place have their lights out already. So it's slowly getting into the swing of things lol
sounds like you are taking the holidays in stride! avoid the busyness but enjoy the reason for the season.
ReplyDeleteYou said it so very well, Sandy. Christmas is what you make it. I think finding peace amid the bustle and stress (especially during staged events like Black Friday) was a wise and refreshing move. :)
ReplyDeleteSo often I find that I am the only one smiling while selecting the odd gift or just food shopping. Most people are irritable when they have to wait two minutes as they are in such a rush. I always felt christmas was about loving, sharing and caring not scrambling about and showing off for the Jonses.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a nice day Sandy.
You always possess and express the perfect perspective of everything.
ReplyDeleteSo well said , Sandy.
ReplyDeleteI have never been here. It looks beautiful. I would probably have been enticed to purchase something for myself. :)
ReplyDeleteGood you resisted all temptations. :)
ReplyDeleteGood read, and nice shots capturing the celebrations there.
Beautiful post Sandy. I like how you expressed what Christmas can be. I am very laid back about it at this point, doing what I feel like and am able to do and not worrying about the rest. As always I enjoyed your shots.
ReplyDeleteSo true!
ReplyDeleteAloha from Waikiki
Comfort Spiral
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These special discount sales are tempting and good that you managed stay out of it. Wonderful shots.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your view of Christmas. That silver angel is lovely!
ReplyDeleteI love your last paragraph and could not agree more.;)
ReplyDeletexoxo
I too could not agree more - love and kindness - hmmm - but how on earth do we make the whole world see.
ReplyDeleteAnd by the way I love the Henry Ward Beecher quote.
Couldn't agree more. No material gift can ever beat love and kindness. I too prefer to give according to their personality more than giving something that is generic (just for the sake of giving). Lovely post!
ReplyDeletelet me be among the firsts to greet you merry christmas. great shots as usual :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful My World Tuesday posting
ReplyDeleteHave a nice week,
Greetings, Bram
Link to My Word Tuesday post!
Seen on My World Tuesday
I love to see all the places you visit Sandy, you do get around, don't you? RC is a place I always think looks so special and magical, especially the skating rink and all the lights twinkling at night. So many movies feature this locale too, don't they?
ReplyDeleteI agree about the commercialism, I think it's gone much too far. I'm promoting handmade gifts today at:
http://veggiesyarnsandtails.wordpress.com/2010/11/30/some-treasures-from-etsy-great-gift-ideas-too/
Hope you can stop by soon. Glad NJFV is providing some good ideas!!!
Hugs, G
PS: Hope your dad is doing better. Hugs again, G
ReplyDeleteI love that last photo, Sandy - it looks like both the Angel and Mercury are intent on spreading news of the season. My MD friends were in the city over last weekend, too.
ReplyDeleteI am watching Christmas from Rockfeller Center right now. Hope your Dad is better soon.
ReplyDeleteHope I can see it...
ReplyDeleteAmiko
http://maipikucha.blogspot.com/
Rockefeller Center is a beautiful place during the Christmas Season. I love their angels and decorations. I watched the special on the lighting of the tree last night. Wonderful photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being here.