"TRA--DI--TION!!!"

The Thanksgiving weekend is over. Now, on to the next holiday, Christmas. However, there were many (myself included) who started on Christmas before Thanksgiving. Normally, I would not have done that, but since I was getting items out of the attic to put in the store, I put my Christmas tree up, too. When I think of holidays, I think of "tradition". When I hear that word, I think about "Fiddler on the Roof" where Papa sings out "TRA--DI--TION". I can't remember any other words to that song, nor any other songs to that play. I just remember "TRADITION".

When thinking along those lines, what are some things that I or my family have "traditionally" done in the past? On Thanksgiving day, we go to John's sister's house in Lexington to be with his family at the noon meal. That is usually the only time we see his brothers/sisters during the year. I cooked scalloped oysters because that was the tradition brought into our marriage that John would bring the oysters (cooked by the wife, of course). While at lunch, the TV in the kitchen is always on, and the Kennel Dog Show (or whatever the name may be) is showing. So, if you're not talking with one another, comments are being made about the dogs on TV. Exactly, where does that fit in with Thanksgiving? Of course, if you don't like dogs, you can always watch the football game which is on in the family room. After leaving there, we come back to Columbia, and have supper at my parents' house, bringing with us the rest of the oysters which were not eaten at lunch. John had smoked a turkey the day before, so that was our contribution to that meal as well.

On Friday, I went to Wal-mart at 5 am, and I must say, that was my first, and probably my last time of shopping Black Firday in the early morning hours. Not worth the hassle. So, I will not be making that a tradition. I just wanted to experience it one time.

Upcoming plans: Write a Christmas letter, mail out cards, go to parties, wrap gifts, decorate some more. All for the sake of Christmas. Who came up with all these traditions? How did giving thanks and celebrating Christ's birth become so complicated? How do we get out of the circle of "tradition"? Maybe I should just watch "Fiddler on the Roof" and relax a bit!