A twisted tale.

The last week in October and Halloween is about to rear its ugly head. What used to be a fun time has become a stress time due to commercialism and greed. No, I am not going to get on my soap box but I am going to be more of my own person and not allow the holidays to become an albatross around my neck. Christmas decorations are taking over the stores and we haven't had time to buy our Thanksgiving turkey. Family members are trying to make up their minds how they want to spend their holidays leaving the hostess up in the air as to whether or not to buy for a crowd. Whatever happened to the Norman Rockwell picture of American families celebrating each other as well as the traditional turkey dinner? Whatever happened to the one gift idea to celebrate the birth of Christ without having to break your bank account buying dozens of presents for everyone. Why have the holidays become a burden? Am I the only one that is getting these vibes? Should I blame it on getting old?

I'm not alone as I hear the different conversations between others and know we have only ourselves to blame for the change in our attitudes. We have allowed Wall Street to dictate our holidays, guilt to come in bundles as every organization under the sun demands equal donations of money for their cause as they inundate you with mailing paraphernalia in all of its glossy colors. So how do we go about fighting city hall and make the holidays fun and exciting ? . . . I think the answer lies within each of us. We finally have to stand up and be counted. We have to give thought to what it is each of us wants to do and how each of us wants to celebrate the upcoming holidays and stick with the plan that makes it work for us.

I don't want to travel, it is beastly to be stuck in an airport or a bus station for hours usually in a bad storm. I don't want to be the chief cook and bottle washer. I want cooperation and each one bring a dish. I don't want a dozen gifts I don't need but one small gift that says I love you. I think I am in a slump and I had better do something about it.

I have decided. Do you know what I am going to do? I am going to pass out some candy. I am going to buy a turkey and cook it along with all the trimmings and whomever wishes to come is welcome. I am going to buy a lot of gifts, maybe not expensive ones, maybe hokey ones, but I will have such fun shopping and wrapping and Christmas morning brunch will be delicious whether I cook it or not. I will enjoy whichever family member or friend shows up and if no one shows then I will have to find my way to the casino and play my favorite machine and maybe, just maybe I'll win a big one. There is nothing like having holiday spirit when it finally gets here.

Make your holidays just the way you want them as you celebrate with your family and friends. If you are all by your lonesome then my door is open. Hot apple pie, right out of the oven . . . I can hardly wait.