MERRY CHRISTMAS, EEYORE!

There’s a little bit of Eeyore in all of us. And for some of us, a lot of Eeyore.

That little voice that says “things aren’t going to be OK”

I was reminded of that recently, when my elliptical died, the rotating arm thingie breaking off. And given that I had lost my welding kit a couple of moves ago, I couldn’t fix it.

The death was a sudden shock- mechanical things tend not to display symptoms in advance of their demise – much like Uncle Fred a couple of years ago.

The Eeyore voice inside my head grumbled immediately: Now what? My morning routine is ruined, I won’t be able to exercise, I won’t be one of the popular kids any more.  

As an aside, one of my ‘hobbies’ is “Eeyore inside voice grumbling” – if My Captor is lucky. If I use my outside voice it becomes an Old Man Rant, and her optometrist has warned her about the risk of excessive eye rolling.

As another aside, the media feeds our inner Eeyore by hyping news that preys on our worst fears – who knew the next Covid variant was an earwig that would eat through our brains?  

And while we’re asiding, have you noticed how often I use “as an aside”?

Eeyore famously said “I was so upset, I forgot to be happy”, and that reminded me we should always have a Plan B, giving ourselves the chance to look at our situations in a different way.

In defense of Eeyore, and other pessimists, those who fear the worst are eventually right. He did predict the meltdown of ’08, and the Braves winning the WS. But I’m rooting against “the Armageddon” folks.

For me, beach walking has become Plan B.

My Captor has been a daily beach walker for years, and the “beach friends” she has made are now the basis of our social life. There are talking and waving friends, with lots of folks in both groups. Each day when she returns I ask “Who’d you see today?”, and she provides a recap.

I love(d) the elliptical, but it was a somewhat quantitative experience. I’d calculate how far I’d gone, how far I had to go, how many calories I’d burned, the odds of surviving – all the pertinent metrics.

I initially approached beach walking the same way: how many minutes I’d walked, how many were left, the odds of being attacked by a gang of jellyfish – all the pertinent metrics.    

But I finally recognized what My Captor has always known: relax and make the most of it.

Sure, I have my grumbling moments: The tide is too high, I can only walk at an angle, the sand is too soft, too hard, that horseshoe crab looks angry, but I’m working through them.

And given the season, I’m having my Eeyore Christmas moments, which allow me to grumble and be a “Christmas Crab”.

But I’ve resolved to banish my Inner Eeyore!

There is too much to love, and be grateful for, about Christmas, to be anything but excited.

I’m reminding myself what Christmas really means: Gratitude for the ultimate gift, and the chance for daily renewal.

While most of our anticipation is for family and gifts, even Eeyore knows that family is the greatest gift.

With that, I will leave you with Winnie the Pooh’s words of wisdom: “If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart. I’ll be there forever”.

Merry Christmas!

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TO ENHANCE YOUR ENJOYMENT OF THIS POST, PAIR IT WITH THE FOLLOWING SONGS:

Christmas Card from a Hooker In Minneapolis  Tom Waits

Hey Charley I’m pregnant, Living on 9th Street
Right above a dirty bookstore, Off Euclid Avenue
I stopped taking dope, And I quit drinking whiskey,                                                                           And my old man plays the trombone, And works out at the track

He says that he loves me, Even though its not his baby
He says that he’ll raise him up, Like he would his own son
He gave me a ring, That was worn by his mother
And he takes me out dancin’, Every Saturday night

Hey Charley I think about you, Every time I pass a fillin’ station
On account of all the grease, You used to wear in your hair
I still have that record, Of Little Anthony and The Imperials
But someone stole my record player, How do ya like that?

Hey Charley I almost went crazy, After Mario got busted
I went back to Omaha, To live with my folks
Everyone I used to know, Was either dead or in prison
So I came back to Minneapolis, This time I think I’m gonna stay

Hey Charley I think I’m happy, For the first time since my accident
I wish I had all the money, That we used to spend on dope
I’d buy me a used car lot, And I wouldn’t sell any of ’em
I’d just drive a different car every day
Dependin’ on how I feel

Hey Charley, for chrissakes
Do you want to know the truth of it?
I don’t have a husband, He don’t play the trombone
I need to borrow money To pay this lawyer
And Charley, hey, I’ll be eligible for parole
Come Valentine’s Day

Must Be Santa  Bob Dylan  (Turn it WAY up and dance!)

Who’s got a beard that’s long and white?, Santa’s got a beard that’s long and white
Who comes around on a special night?, Santa comes around on a special night

Special night – beard that’s white

Must be Santa, must be Santa
Must be Santa, Santa Claus

Who wears boots and a suit of red?, Santa wears boots and a suit of red
Who wears a long cap on his head?, Santa wears a long cap on his head

Cap on head – suit that’s red
Special night – beard that’s white

Who’s got a big red cherry nose?, Santa’s got a big red cherry nose
Who laughs this way: “Ho-ho-ho”?, Santa laughs this way “Ho-ho-ho”

Ho-ho-ho – cherry nose
Cap on head – suit that’s red

Who very soon will come our way?, Santa very soon will come our way
Eight little reindeers pull his sleigh, Santa’s little reindeer pull his sleigh

Reindeer sleigh – come our way, Ho-ho-ho – cherry nose
Cap on head – suit that’s red, Special night – beard that’s white

Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen
Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen
Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton

Reindeer sleigh – come our way, Ho-ho-ho – cherry nose
Cap on head – suit that’s red, Special night – beard that’s white

Must be Santa, must be Santa
Must be Santa, Santa Claus

Joyful Sound     String Cheese Incident

Take time to give thanks, Make time to be given
I’m going to stop and think twice, About the way that I’m living

Did I say a kind word, Am I proud of my actions
You know a job well done, Gives me satisfaction

Can I earn your trust, Your love and affection
Just one step at a time, In the right direction

Going to aim for the sky, Keep my feet on the ground
Raise my voice to the heavens, Make a joyful sound

Can I sing for my supper, And play for my rent
I know it sounds funny, But it’s how my time’s spent

Greet everyday with full purpose, With passion and pride
I’m going to follow my heart, And have nothing to hide

A moment of insight, I know why I’m here
You know when the time just stops, See it all real clear

I’ve got to set an example, Make some mischief and fun
Do unto others and, Play a fat bass run

And give it my best, Grab hold of fear and negativity
And lay them to rest

I know my time here’s important, Can I do the right thing?
Practice patience and forgiveness, Feel the joy that they bring

Can I lay down tonight, Without feeling regret?
I know the love that I give, Becomes the love that I get

Well do you hear what I’m saying, Making sense to you?
Well if you feel it in your heart, Then you might want to sing too

I don’t want to sound preachy, Make you feel all wrong
Just want to write some kind lyrics, Sing a feel good song

It’s kind of hard to explain, It is just a feeling I get
From making music making love, Getting both feet wet

Well every piece to the puzzle, Snapped tight to the groove
I Close my eyes breathe deeply and, Let my feet move

You know I feel a little better, Now for speaking my mind
Good vibes in circulation and, See who they find

Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Naaaaaaa….
Make a joyful sound

Did Ye Get Healed   Van Morrison

I want to know did you get the feelin’?, Did you get it down in your soul?
I want to know did you get the feelin’?, And did the feelin’ grow?

Sometimes, when the spirit moves me, I can do many wondrous things
Oh, I want to know when the spirit moves you, Oh, did ye get healed?

I begin to realize, It manifests in my life
In oh so many ways
Every day I want to talk about it, And walk about it
Every day I want to be closer

I want to know did you get the feelin’?
Did you get it down in your soul?
I want to know did you get the feelin’?
Oh did ye get healed?

I begin to realize, Magic in my life
See it manifest in oh so many ways
Every day is gettin’ better and better
I want to be daily walking, daily walking close

It gets stronger when you get the feelin’
When you get it down in your soul
And it makes you feel good, And it makes you feel whole

When the spirit moves you, And it fills you through and through
Every morning and at the break of day
Did ye get healed?
Did ye get healed?

Dweller On the Threshhold   Van Morrison

I’m a dweller on the threshold, And I’m waiting at the door
And I’m standing in the darkness, I don’t want to wait no more

I have seen without perceiving, I have been another man
Let me pierce the realm of glamour, So I know just what I am

I’m a dweller on the threshold
And I’m waiting at the door
And I’m standing in the darkness
I don’t want to wait no more

Feel the angel of the present, In the mighty crystal fire
Lift me up, consume my darkness, Let me travel even higher

I’m a dweller on the threshold, As I cross the burning ground
Let me go down to the water, Watch the great illusion drown

I’m gonna turn and face the music, The music of the spheres
Lift me up, consume my darkness, When the midnight disappears

I will walk out of the darkness, And I’ll walk into the light
And I’ll sing the song of ages, And the dawn will end the night

I’m a dweller on the threshold, And I cross some burning ground
And I’ll go down to the water, Let the great illusion drown

I’m a dweller on the threshold
And I’m waiting at the door
And I’m standing in the darkness
I don’t want to wait no more

I’m a dweller on the threshold

Keep Me In Your Heart   Warren Zevon

Shadows are fallin’ and I’m runnin’ out of breath
Keep me in your heart for a while
If I leave you it doesn’t mean I love you any less
Keep me in your heart for a while

When you get up in the mornin’ and you see that crazy sun
Keep me in your heart for a while
There’s a train leavin’ nightly called “When All is Said and Done”
Keep me in your heart for a while

Sometimes when you’re doin’ simple things around the house
Maybe you’ll think of me and smile
You know I’m tied to you like the buttons on your blouse
Keep me in your heart for a while

Hold me in your thoughts, Take me to your dreams
Touch me as I fall into view, When the winter comes
Keep the fires lit, And I will be right next to you

Engine driver’s headed north up to Pleasant Stream
Keep me in your heart for a while
These wheels keep turnin’ but they’re runnin’ out of steam
Keep me in your heart for a while

Keep me in your heart for a while

Keep me in your heart for a while