The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Holiday blues clues: bad news - the good news

by Dessa Rodeffer, Publisher/Owner

25 December 2002

I am sure by the time you get this December 25th Christmas edition, the holidays may be doing a number on you or your family. You just might be headed for the blues.

There are a few clues that you might be headed for dog days or the blues and I thought I might be able to help you in recognizing them.

Be Aware Of:

The sugar highs:

This is evident if you don't seem to be able raise your voice high enough to get over the screaming kids, loud relatives, and trips to the grocery store.

The leaning tree:

When the tree is starting to look a little weathered, missing limbs, leaning to one side, bulbs out, and according to Mrs. Mildred Bavery, like it's had as many hard knocks as you have - the blues might be just around the corner.

The last in line:

This could bring on the blues, if there are thirteen people and 12 warm rolls, hot gravy that's at the bottom of the bowl, and if your present just didn't quite fit in the car, or maybe you are last in line for the shower -water's cold, or the bathroom - toilet paper's gone.

The missing kids:

This one gets us every time. Fifty relatives can be there, but those one or two that couldn't make it - makes us blue every time. There is no cure for this feeling.

The final blues clue: that I can think of is the presents you got them. They didn't fit, wasn't the right color, wasn't on their list, wasn't as pretty as the one you got someone else.

Well, you tried. Next time warn them. "You are all getting matching tooth brushes - if you mix them up - sorry! Maybe PJs or bath towels with your names on them!" The good news? - the blues won't last forever... they'll be back next Christmas. Love is like that.