BARBARA'S TCHATZKAHS

by Joseph A. Rehyansky I write as someone who regularly got shot at, rocketed, and mortared by people I didn’t even know who wanted to kill me. I mention this matter only to establish my bona fides to hold forth on such a weighty matter. My guess is that we have eleven too many “memorial days” of one sort or another, some of which you’ve never heard of and two of which are mercifully defunct, although I know from personal experience among the inhabitants of the holiday catacombs who dedicate way too much time to such things, that the officially defunct ones live on, at some debilitated level. April 6 Army Day: The date was chosen because on that date in 1917 the United States entered World War I. Last officially observed in 1949. Last Monday in May, our official Memorial Day: Its history is murky. Confederate veterans and the survivors of those who fell in battle seem to have come up with the idea first. They called it “Decoration Day.” Why? Recall the scene in G...

by Janet Conner I've been a bit of a Scrooge this year. I announced to my family and friends that I was bowing out of the whole present obligation thing. One brother said, "Tough, I'm sending you a present anyway." The other said, "Thank God, I'm not doing presents either." If it weren't for credit card miles, my son wouldn't even be getting a present. I've planned no humongous dinners, no holiday get-togethers, no eggnog, no Christmas cookies, no red and green candles. But I did do one thing: I got a tree. It killed me to drop $70, but I had to have it. I can't explain it, but I love a real Christmas tree. I love the little white lights — the more, the merrier. I love the glass icicles I carefully position in front of the lights. They remind me of the beauty of the real thing back in Wisconsin. Most of all, I love reliving the history — my history — as I take out each ornament: the hand-painted porcelain German bell my acting friend A...

FROM: Pauline Lewis, Human Resources Director TO: All Employees DATE: 4 November 2009 RE: Christmas Party I’m happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party will take place on December 23rd, starting at noon in the private function room at the Grill House. There will be a cash bar and plenty of drinks! We’ll have a small band playing traditional carols …. please feel free to sing along. And don’t be surprised if the MD shows up dressed as Santa Claus! A Christmas tree will be lit at 1:00pm. Exchange of gifts among employees can be done at that time; however, no gift should be over $10.00 to make the giving of gifts easy for everyone’s pockets. This gathering is only for employees! The MD will make a special announcement at the Party. Merry Christmas to you and your Family. Pauline ********************************************************* FROM: Pauline Lewis, Human Resources Director TO: All Employees DATE: 5 November 2009 RE: Holiday Party In no way was yesterday’s memo intended ...

MY MAN GOT HIS OWN STAMP TODAY Pleased for him I am. Yoda stamp the post office does release today Postal Service releases new stamp with Star Wars Jedi Master Yoda WASHINGTON - The U.S. Postal Service sought to harness the force Thursday, releasing a new postage stamp featuring Star Wars’ enigmatic Yoda, known for his odd syntax as well as his wisdom. The Jedi master’s stamp was originally part of a multi-stamp Star Wars set and is now available as an individual stamp following a public vote on which of that set should receive special attention. Also on Thursday the post office released its annual Christmas and holiday stamps. The set of four holiday stamps features classic wintertime knitting design imagery. “The new holiday stamps provide another way for people to express warm winter greetings on all their mailings sent this season to family, friends or customers, “ said Katherine C. Tobin, a member of the post office’s governing board. Inspired by traditional Norwegian sweaters, th...