Where Have All the Carolers Gone
Dragging Christmases Past to Christmases Present43 total reviews
Comment from barbara.wilkey
I do remember the Carolers. I also remember making sure I always had some homemade treat to give them. You're right, the idea should come back. We were stationed in German for two different tours, each four years. Germany does Christmas right and I still miss Germany at Christmas. Thank you for sharing this contest entry with us and good luck.
They come, hand-whipped from the bowl, transported by a brown wooden spoon to each cup. (for my holiday pies, I still make hand-whipped cream)
reply by the author on 21-Dec-2021
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I do remember the Carolers. I also remember making sure I always had some homemade treat to give them. You're right, the idea should come back. We were stationed in German for two different tours, each four years. Germany does Christmas right and I still miss Germany at Christmas. Thank you for sharing this contest entry with us and good luck.
They come, hand-whipped from the bowl, transported by a brown wooden spoon to each cup. (for my holiday pies, I still make hand-whipped cream)
Comment Written 21-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 21-Dec-2021
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Good for you, using hand-whipped cream on your pies. Funny story: for Thanksgiving, I chose to contribute my upside-down blueberry cake for the festivities at my son's house. I waited too long to bake the cake and had to frost it (with hand-whipped cream) while the cake was still warm. While I drove, I held the cake level on the passenger seat with my free hand. About a half-block from my son's house, I applied the brakes to avoid hitting a dog, and (you guessed it!) the whipped cream slipped off the cake and onto my arm and ultimately the car seat. This old man almost cried. Okay, I did cry, but I was SO proud of that cake.
Thank you, Barbara, for the lovely six stars and your experience with caroling. Believe it or not, some reviewers didn't even know what it was. That's sad!
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Thank you for the story. I'm sorry, but I couldn't help but laugh. Please have a Merry Christmas and enjoy your family.
Comment from Terry Broxson
An excellent entry for this contest, good luck. Where have all the carolers gone? That is probably a Peter, Paul, and Mary song. I digress. A well told story, the imagery was vivid, I could see the carolers, hear them, smell the cookies and feel the love. Thank you, and Merry Christmas.
reply by the author on 21-Dec-2021
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An excellent entry for this contest, good luck. Where have all the carolers gone? That is probably a Peter, Paul, and Mary song. I digress. A well told story, the imagery was vivid, I could see the carolers, hear them, smell the cookies and feel the love. Thank you, and Merry Christmas.
Comment Written 21-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 21-Dec-2021
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Ah, Terry, thank you so much. I'm glad it resonated with you. A Merry Christmas to you as well.
Comment from Carol Hillebrenner
Amen! What a wonderful memory of days gone by. Before the pandemic the schools and church groups serenaded the elders in the the nursing homes, but one more tradition has probably been slaughtered by a virus.
If you want to hear some really good music, try www.salemquincy.org. Our women's choir, bell choir, and the organist and choir leader made some amazing music.
reply by the author on 21-Dec-2021
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Amen! What a wonderful memory of days gone by. Before the pandemic the schools and church groups serenaded the elders in the the nursing homes, but one more tradition has probably been slaughtered by a virus.
If you want to hear some really good music, try www.salemquincy.org. Our women's choir, bell choir, and the organist and choir leader made some amazing music.
Comment Written 21-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 21-Dec-2021
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How thoughful, Carol. I'm going to check it out right now. I'm listening to it now, the organ and the piano make such a beautiful marriage. I will continue as I do the other reviews. It's so lovely as background music. (Such a warm service your pastor gave. I had to discontinue listening while I finish my commentary to reviews, but I'll pick it up later.)
Comment from robyn corum
Jay,
How precious! You have such a way with words. *smile* But you were born and raised in the States, right?
When I was young we used to go caroling a lot with my grandmother and grandfather on my dad's side. I enjoyed it so much! Thanks for reminding me of some wonderful times.
reply by the author on 21-Dec-2021
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Jay,
How precious! You have such a way with words. *smile* But you were born and raised in the States, right?
When I was young we used to go caroling a lot with my grandmother and grandfather on my dad's side. I enjoyed it so much! Thanks for reminding me of some wonderful times.
Comment Written 21-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 21-Dec-2021
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Thank you, Robyn, for your high compliments. Yes I'm a California boy since birth. I never personally went caroling, I believe by unanimous decision of the various pitch blowers. Everyone was better off for it. But I loved hearing them and the whole ambiance surrounding the experience. Robyn, have a Blessed Christmas, you and yours.
Comment from GregoryCody
Spirit of Christmas resembles that singular part of my Christmases Past that I'm struggling to pin down.
WOW. Perfect.
There was something magical about their bundling together in their semi-circle.
combined to produce a communal jet of steam
Okay I need to stop and read it again. I keep stopping to pull out lines.
Man oh man. Your way with words. It flows so well. The language makes it read so smoothly, but the context Pulls you in.
Oh and ghosts of their voices.
Sorry. I keep jumping around. It's just a Fun read but it's also interesting. The point.
Where have they all gone? In the name of equality, we take God out of everything. As Nietzsche said in the 1800s God is dead. The next century saw more bloodshed in war than All previous centuries Combined.
Everything has to be equal and No one can be offended. So they take God out.
Sorry no rant, just telling you why I don't think I hear the carolers anymore. OR this was a massive metaphor that I missed!
And your close is Stellar. The entire piece is SIX worthy. I know I know, "don't waste them" lol. But if THIS is not a six then nothing is.
Well done my brother...and Merry Christmas :)
Wait I didn't even SEE the bottom of the notes!! WOW. So cool!! Thank you!!
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2021
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Spirit of Christmas resembles that singular part of my Christmases Past that I'm struggling to pin down.
WOW. Perfect.
There was something magical about their bundling together in their semi-circle.
combined to produce a communal jet of steam
Okay I need to stop and read it again. I keep stopping to pull out lines.
Man oh man. Your way with words. It flows so well. The language makes it read so smoothly, but the context Pulls you in.
Oh and ghosts of their voices.
Sorry. I keep jumping around. It's just a Fun read but it's also interesting. The point.
Where have they all gone? In the name of equality, we take God out of everything. As Nietzsche said in the 1800s God is dead. The next century saw more bloodshed in war than All previous centuries Combined.
Everything has to be equal and No one can be offended. So they take God out.
Sorry no rant, just telling you why I don't think I hear the carolers anymore. OR this was a massive metaphor that I missed!
And your close is Stellar. The entire piece is SIX worthy. I know I know, "don't waste them" lol. But if THIS is not a six then nothing is.
Well done my brother...and Merry Christmas :)
Wait I didn't even SEE the bottom of the notes!! WOW. So cool!! Thank you!!
Comment Written 21-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2021
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Your enthusiasm is certainly contagious. If it was Covid we'd all be dead. Thank you for chiming in. And the six. I can't argue against that. It helps boost me up the monthly ratings. But I humbly thank you for it and the sentiment behind it. Bless you Gregory!
Comment from royowen
I'm surprised that you don't like to perform, I'm sure with someone as confident as you would love to perform. My grandfather spoke Welsh, in fact, he was Welsh, we emigrated from England some years ago. I can remember Caroling as kid with a friend, we made a fair bit of money doing, I can't imagine kids would be allowed to do it this day, well done, Jay, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 21-Dec-2021
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I'm surprised that you don't like to perform, I'm sure with someone as confident as you would love to perform. My grandfather spoke Welsh, in fact, he was Welsh, we emigrated from England some years ago. I can remember Caroling as kid with a friend, we made a fair bit of money doing, I can't imagine kids would be allowed to do it this day, well done, Jay, blessings Roy
Comment Written 21-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 21-Dec-2021
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But see, that's the thing. You "can't imagine kids would be allowed to carol in this day ... " And I can't either. And that's what's so sad. The whole world (or at least our little part of it) has lost its innocence, its childhood. A child has to always have the possible abductor, the possible shooter or stabber in his/her midst.
Thank you, Roy, for divining my underlying meaning and for the lovely stars.
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You?re right. My friend won?t home early, and I kept on alone, heh heh, talk about innocent
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Well, that beard you had probably protected you from the roaming bands of pedophiles.
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Heh heh
Comment from Begin Again
An exquisite memory of what Christmas once was and we can open we find that joy of sharing it once again. thank you so much for starting my morning off with something so pleasant, Jay. In America, the young or letting things slip away, considering them old and out of step, but if they only knew and understood that those were the warm, special moments of Christmas. Outstanding!
Merry Christmas and Fa-La-La-La-La-La!
Smiles and Hugs, Carol
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2021
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An exquisite memory of what Christmas once was and we can open we find that joy of sharing it once again. thank you so much for starting my morning off with something so pleasant, Jay. In America, the young or letting things slip away, considering them old and out of step, but if they only knew and understood that those were the warm, special moments of Christmas. Outstanding!
Merry Christmas and Fa-La-La-La-La-La!
Smiles and Hugs, Carol
Comment Written 21-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2021
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I'm glad I saved your review for close to bed-time. It will help me slip into a joyous sleep. Your words are so kind and you have tapped into the generational problem we all have. But I don't think the innocence of our generation will be coming back, so remind your grandkids of it. Bless you for the six. Have a joyous Christmas, Carol!
Comment from lyenochka
Thank you for sharing those memories and the recipe for hot chocolate (wow, really half and half??). To give you some hope, our church seniors would go caroling (until last year's lockdown) and we would go to the homes of young families and give them cookies and sing to them. The same wondering eyes of little ones would peek out at us in surprise - what were these old people doing? We may even do some caroling this year...
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2021
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Thank you for sharing those memories and the recipe for hot chocolate (wow, really half and half??). To give you some hope, our church seniors would go caroling (until last year's lockdown) and we would go to the homes of young families and give them cookies and sing to them. The same wondering eyes of little ones would peek out at us in surprise - what were these old people doing? We may even do some caroling this year...
Comment Written 21-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2021
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Oh, Helen, you're giving me some hope that maybe the tradition isn't dead. You've added a wrinkle with the carolers bringing cookies for the young people. I do hope you get to do some Christmas caroling this year ... but face it, you only have four days. Thanks for weighing it, my dear!
Jay
Comment from Jesse James Doty
Wow, Jay! You've filled me with the Christmas spirit just by my reading all the way through this long yet meaningful request for all of us a Fan Story to give back the Christmas spirit and rejoice in the carolers of the past as in the present! I have sung in many a choir that had the privilege of caroling near Christmas day and I would again if it wasn't for my being wheelchair-bound!
This is a plaintive request for some if not all of us at FS to step up and answer your bidding call to bring back your fond memories of Christmas past!
I don't feel obliged since I am living in a senior residential housing project and have no carolers to speak of coming by my door!
The Salvation Army is next door and they have a long history of giving to the poor and needy and the homeless population near where we live! So, maybe they will sing their carols next week! If they do, I would be more than happy to donate what little I have!
My finances are strapped so I cannot give any money to any charities this year!
Yet I am grateful and thankful for what I do have and never forget that I could lose everything in one fell swoop!
Have a happy Christmas and please, let us enjoy it in peace! For isn't that the true meaning of this day to offer peace and happiness to all? I will do my best to spread the joy of the coming of the lord!
Take good care of yourself and Merry Christmas and to all a good night!
Jesse
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2021
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Wow, Jay! You've filled me with the Christmas spirit just by my reading all the way through this long yet meaningful request for all of us a Fan Story to give back the Christmas spirit and rejoice in the carolers of the past as in the present! I have sung in many a choir that had the privilege of caroling near Christmas day and I would again if it wasn't for my being wheelchair-bound!
This is a plaintive request for some if not all of us at FS to step up and answer your bidding call to bring back your fond memories of Christmas past!
I don't feel obliged since I am living in a senior residential housing project and have no carolers to speak of coming by my door!
The Salvation Army is next door and they have a long history of giving to the poor and needy and the homeless population near where we live! So, maybe they will sing their carols next week! If they do, I would be more than happy to donate what little I have!
My finances are strapped so I cannot give any money to any charities this year!
Yet I am grateful and thankful for what I do have and never forget that I could lose everything in one fell swoop!
Have a happy Christmas and please, let us enjoy it in peace! For isn't that the true meaning of this day to offer peace and happiness to all? I will do my best to spread the joy of the coming of the lord!
Take good care of yourself and Merry Christmas and to all a good night!
Jesse
Comment Written 21-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2021
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Jesse, what a fount of energy you are. And so enthusiastic. I'm glad my little story struck a spark and helped to make your Christmas more spirit-filled. Have a warm and Merry Christmas, Jesse!
Comment from chatterbox1
Thank you for sharing a Welsh Christmas memory. My father's family is from Wales. His name was even spelled the olde way, prompting people to ask how to pronounce it. He was my hero and I miss him.
In need of Christmas cheer--partly because we shared December birthdays. You done good!
Carol
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2021
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Thank you for sharing a Welsh Christmas memory. My father's family is from Wales. His name was even spelled the olde way, prompting people to ask how to pronounce it. He was my hero and I miss him.
In need of Christmas cheer--partly because we shared December birthdays. You done good!
Carol
Comment Written 21-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2021
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Ah, Carol, thank you so much. I'm thrilled that this little story had a place in your heart. Bless you this Christmas. You are only one Christmas older.
Jay