Warning this thread is biased for those in the Northen Hemishpere:
Here we are, just after the Winter solstice, and most of us, regardless of race, creed, or lack there of [political correctness qualifier], notice the cold, the short days, the snow. Even if only to a small degree we may carry in our hearts some primitive pang for the sun, or clear roads, or a green forest with a muddy trail.
The Christmas tree is of course a remnant pagan tradition, sacrificing Odin, and bringing the evergreen, the thing that lives in a perpetual summer, indoors. Yule logs are a bit out of vogue in the US, but essentially burning Odin to bring the warmth is of the same origins.
Today, though. neither do we need to chop down or burn our gods to make spring come than we need to sacrifice virgins to make the fields fertile in the spring. Those of us who are not active members of the Flat Earth Society accept fully the orbital mechanics proposed by scientists and are confident that Spring will come again without such acts of sacrifice!!!
The principle of these traditions, however, lives. In these long dark cold times, acts of kindness and generosity contrast sharply with the biting spirit of the weather, and are at the heart of many winter holidays.
I think I’m going to try to being some smiles to people today, maybe ride around and pass out some candy canes (Or throw them at passing cars . read the recent car thread for the reference).
Have you folks witnessed or participated in anything that helps warm up this time of year?
They still do these rituals today (not sacrificing people), creating fun and a wonderful sense of community.
Lots of Unatics ride everywhere in NYC on a daily basis without incident. People laugh, and whenever I actually encounter them, they say seeing me never fails to make them smile.
I get lots of “thumbs up.” They even notice details. One day after only riding my Coker or 29" for awhile, I rode out on my MUni with NYCJoe. He heard lots of people commenting “Where’s the Big Wheel?” It’s a community of friends. I’m glad I live in a place that appreciates diversity.
Happy Chanukah and Merry Christmas to my Jewish and Christian brothers and sisters!
Helping people out kicks ass. Do it whenever you can. Consider the holiday season a good place to start, but please don’t just give up on it when the tree comes down.
I just rode my uni into town, handed out the few candy canes I had to smiling kids and then made all the cute bicycle guys at the local bike shop smile really big when I rolled in with my Coker!
If any one of them tries to talk dirty to you, I’ll cough up a boulder and smash their shop! [Ethyl, if your’e listening, keep out of this. We’re just having innocent fun]
Seriously, Blake, keep it up! It’s a beautiful day, and it can only get better!
HA!!! I suspect by BTM’s spelling of Ethyl that he’s an organic chemist of sorts and not a mountain at all!! Ethyl probably has some sisters: Methyl, Propyl and Butyl.
I’m still doing my part. I bought a small rosemary tree (bush?) and am consuming it slowly until Spring comes. Just yesterday I put a little fresh minced rosemary into a meatloaf… the taste was wonderful, although I felt a little bit like a cannibal, eating that which we’ve decorated and put out on display. In a way, I guess it is sacrificing itself to me
My company takes part in a lot of charity events, making it easy for any employee to hop on board and help out. I spent an evening dishing out dinner to homeless vets at the local armory. I spent another evening packing food baskets for under-priveleged families, then the next afternoon distributing a couple dozen baskets to said families. I gave a pint of blood for the first time just over a week ago.
The way I see things, if you have something, then you have something to give. There are a lot of folks in need in every neighborhood, they could be living just up the street from you and you wouldn’t know it until you saw them picking up a food box from your local community center. The next time you sit down to a huge meal with your family, or you get an expensive gift, remember that there are a lot of people who don’t enjoy such priveleges… spread the cheer and donate a little of what you take for granted to those who are in need. Now that’s a Merry Christmas for all!
Sure. Another great thing about people is their capacity for pleasure. I love that about people, myself included.
Maestro, that is Beautiful.
My wife and I see this homeless man, who is always cleaning the street where ever he goes. I recently spoke to him and found out his name is Darius, and when I told him my name was Billy, he said that’s his brother’s and his father’s name–William. Anyway, we give him a few bucks, but my wife found out he likes sugar frosted flakes, so I bought a BIG box at the grocery store, and we’ve been looking for him. He sleeps in front of a church–I think the law gives them protection from police if they sleep on any church property.
I think I’ll learn the names of each homeless person I see regularly. It’s about time.
That reminds me, I haven’t done this for a long time!
I used to volunteer with the Union Gospel Mission in Portland during high school. I didn’t do any actual physical work, but rather was one of the small group that spent time socializing with the clientel. These guys need the chance! An ordinary conversation can make an impact in someone’s life.
Right on, Billy!
. read the recent car thread for the reference).
[Ethyl, if your’e listening, keep out of this. We’re just having innocent fun]