Remembered Christmas specials

When looking up forgotten Thanksgiving specials last year, we looked up a few Christmas specials that we had not known about as well.

That wasn't as impressive. We have kept up on Christmas specials much better, including going back and finding some less popular Rankin Bass specials several years ago.

We did turn up three, and we did watch them.

The Town Santa Forgot (1993)

This one was pretty good. I was in the mission field when it aired, so I would not have seen any publicity. Even if I were around, I might not have been interested at that time.

A Christmas Story (1972)

No, not that one. A dog and a mouse find their family's little boy's letter to Santa on Christmas Eve and try to get it delivered before it is too late. I believe it aired more than once and I might even have seen it, but I have no memories of it.

Casper's First Christmas (1979)

Hanna Barbara characters that we have seen in other specials end up in a haunted house with one nice young ghost and one older, crankier ghost (not Casper's usual three uncles). Pretty cute, and the first use of the song "Comin' Up Christmas Time", used in Yogi Bear's First Christmas one year later, which I do remember.

What all of that really did, though, is make me think about things that I kind of remembered but had only seen once.

The only extra viewing that gave last year was A Chipmunk Christmas (1981). We watched that and a few Christmas episodes of the show.

I made a note of The Little Rascals' Christmas Special (1979), which was the first one I tracked down this year.

It was not great. The basic story is cute, but the jokes they use to stretch it out pretty much all come down to the kids not being very bright. Well, I guess Alfalfa's singing is used humorously. One could wish it had been done a little better, and then maybe it would have aired more.

On the plus side, Spanky and Porky's mother was voiced by Darla Hood, the original Darla, and the butcher she visits was voiced by Matthew "Stymie" Beard. I assume that's the reason that they had Stymie in the gang instead of Buckwheat, whom I believe is better remembered. 

One thing that I can see looking at these dates is that if I remember things that my younger sisters don't, well, of course. I was young when these aired, but they were much younger. Of course they know Rudolph and Frosty, but those got played many times over many years.

There were two things that I had only seen once.

One was The House Without a Christmas Tree (1972). 

It must have played a few other times, because I am sure I do not remember the 1972 airing. As it was, all I remembered was a girl in long johns dragging a Christmas tree. I thought this was her bringing a Christmas tree into her own house, but in fact she was taking it to a neighbor after her cranky father got mad that she won it. (Then he comes around and brings back a Christmas tree on his own.)

Also, I remembered her as much older, but that was probably because of how young I was then.

The father who is harsh because of his own issues resonates a bit. I did not remember that, nor why there wasn't a tree in the first place. 

It's not bad. I'm glad I looked it back up.

The gladdest thing this year is that I finally identified something that had just been a memory of a cartoon Salvation Army band playing "Good King Wenceslas". When I saw it then I couldn't even identify that song. (It was instrumental, so there were no words to help me.)

I felt like it might be associated with Corduroy somehow. Well, there is a bear wandering a department store in The Bear Who Slept Through Christmas (1973).

I can't swear that I don't remember it from 1973. I don't have a lot of memories from when I was almost two, but there are some.

I was trying to find the name for A Christmas Story this year (it is a bit generic of a title, even without the more famous live-action film), and one of the "forgotten Christmas specials" articles came up. I saw a picture from The Bear and knew that was it.

I had looked for it a few times on and off, but I didn't have enough details to go on. Suddenly, there it was.

Also, it was really cute and I made my sisters watch it. While they were not sure about the ending (fair), I knew they would love the stewardess bears dancing on the wing of a plane in the Bear Air commercial. They did.

It is a very sweet show. It does seem to imply that a bear with a college degree who had a job and a roommate is becoming a toy or pet, but I am sure it all works out. 

But also, I got an old question answered. It was answered because I keep asking new questions.

It's a little late now, but Merry Christmas! 

Related posts:

https://sporkful.blogspot.com/2024/11/thanksgiving-specials.html  

https://sporkful.blogspot.com/2025/01/blast-from-past-star-wars-holiday.html 

Birthday wish

Finally, for my birthday I want you.

I want to see you all.

I am sure some of that relates to COVID and a lot of activities not being safe. Here we are getting on five years later and there are only more diseases floating around.

Maybe it's worse because our reunion is being delayed again. Now, I have had concerns about the gathering anyway, but it is still nice to have options.

It isn't only that. It is so easy to lose touch and to lose intimacy.

With social media there are ways in which it is easier to kind of have an idea of how people are doing -- if they post -- but you can miss a lot.

Part of it may be my job instability. The way modern life has worked is that your social group can kind of be your coworkers. 

That's not terrible, but then when your job changes, even when you think you are going to stay in touch, it is not the same.

Life can be pretty exhausting. It's hard to feel like there is time for a lot of getting together.

Plus, you never know how long you have. I've gotten some rude reminders of that. 

Even when you have these good intentions, it can be hard to work out.

For example, I have thought for some time that when my sisters and I go exploring, we should get in touch with the people we know in those areas. I know people in Salem and Canby for sure, and probably other places. 

Of course we are always running late and things come up... trying to add in other people can only add more pressure, except there might also be some nice visits.

I don't have an answer for that.

However, I want to find ways to see you.

I want to interview teachers and designers for more insight as I do my schooling.

I want to get together in the park. 

I want to hug.

And I want to go Halloween caroling, with costumes and simple choreography.

If there is anything you would specifically like to do with me, let me know.

The guiding goals

I have mentioned recently (more on the Sunday blog) that I am feeling compelled to ask more, like asking others for help.

It has been a reminder that even though I have grown past believing I need to take care of everyone else, my habits are still set in that mode.

Once upon a time I had briefly maintained a list of needs and wants so that if something came up I could remember what to say.

I probably need to do that again.

In addition, I have been getting very strong promptings over the past few months that I can't forget other people when my own issues are resolved.

I remember that clearly from when I was trying to get a new primary care provider for my mother and finding so many obstacles. It was eventually solved, but that is one person among many facing similar issues.

I can't forget that.

I am also running into it now where I have been facing multiple failed attempts to get one test completed. This is not an issue with my knowledge of the subject matter, but a technical issue with the testing application.

That is still unresolved. As far as I can tell, it's a not great tool that works mostly well enough that when there are issues the various organizations can keep passing the buck in a manner they would not be able to get away with if it were more consistent. I can find a lot of complaints, but not really any solutions. I assume most people eventually use another system or at a different time of day or something, and then put it behind in relief.

Honestly, that sounds pretty good, but it does not appear to be my path.

So the guidelines for 2025 are to remember myself and my needs as well as others and their needs.

I have not been particularly balanced in this area, ever.

Here's to new beginnings. 

Birthday promises

Perhaps because my birthday is so close to the start of the year, it gives me an extended period of time where I think about what I want for the upcoming year.

Based on the last election, I am confident I will be getting several things that I don't want. 

There are things I don't control, but that makes the things I can control even more important.

So, here are some of my commitments. If you want, you can think of them as gifts to you.

I am going to do my best not to spread disease. 

Yes, that means masking and washing hands. It's not just COVID anymore; there are so many terrible disease going around that you can't worry about only aerosols and fomites anymore; surface contact transmission is very much in play.

However, I have worried that my mask may cut me off from other people, making me look hostile or unapproachable. So, I have committed to radiating love as much as possible while masked, being glad to see people and beaming because of that. 

I am committing to love.

(I 'll try to still radiate love when not masked, but especially when masked.)

Loving doesn't always correspond to liking of course, but there are still things I can do there.

I commit to trying to appreciate the good things about everyone and anyone. 

I commit to understanding that no one is perfect, and that trying is worth a lot.

When I do like you, that is a joy. I am trying to be better about vocalizing that and remembering . 

I commit to working on that.

Of course, some people aren't trying very hard. I commit to being forthright about that, but not holding grudges from it. If I need to shut you out, I can still wish you well.

I commit to choosing kindness over comfort, and protection of the vulnerable over the ease of the powerful.

This may make me annoying sometimes, but it's worth it.

In a world full of a flood of misinformation and disinformation, worsened by people who have abandoned critical thinking, I commit to staying well-informed and staying honest.

When sharing can be helpful, I am going to try and do that, and do it with as much accuracy and clarity as possible.

This could also potentially be annoying. If so, that is not my intent. 

For what it's worth, I deliberately annoy my younger sisters at least once daily, and I adore them, so maybe it puts you in good company.

Blast from the past: The Star Wars Holiday Special

When going over forgotten Thanksgiving specials, I mentioned that the Star Wars Holiday Special kept coming up, though I associated it more with Christmas.

In fact, it did air before Thanksgiving. Life Day celebrations are held on November 17th, for those who celebrate.

Perhaps it was time to revisit the special; I was looking up some barely remembered things for Christmas as well.

As it is, I do remember the original airing on November 17th, 1978, though mainly only two things:

• I do remember the musical number, though I was thinking it was Dionne Warwick when it was actually Diahann Carroll.
• I remember being impatient with how long it was taking to see Han Solo. Probably Luke and Leia too, but mainly Han.

I remembered it more like they only showed up at the end, which wasn't the case. Maybe I picked up on the impatience of Chewbacca's family for him to actually be there.

I did not have a conscious memory of cartoon, but I remember that after seeing the commercial for his action figure I had bad dream about Boba Fett, where he had seemed like he was an ally, but he was really bad. That mirrored the cartoon. Had I kind of dozed off during the special and only taken part of it in? 

(And really, Luke, how do you see the way he treats the pink plesiosaurus he's riding and not know right off that he's bad?) 

Also, I did not remember how lewd Itchy was with the musical number. I remembered he was watching a personal video, but missed the overtones. It became kind of a running joke on how disturbing it was.

(My favorite was a brief cameo by Itchy -- still watching his videos -- in Mike Russell's Jaxxon's Eleven.)

I was assuming that it had been one of those things that was supposed to go over kids' heads and be amusing for the adults; a time-honored tradition in family viewing. 

This may have been more disturbing than amusing for the adults. I think Itchy's underbite made it worse somehow, but with Art Carney's set-up and the part about his fantasy forming, yeah, that's pushing the boundaries of good taste. Still went right over my head.

Some years back I had a chance to peruse the script for the special. I kind of got stuck on Harvey Korman hitting on Bea Arthur at the Mos Eisley cantina. Maybe it was better to forget.

There were a couple of things that helped this viewing. 

I watched the 2023 documentary A Disturbance in the Force first. I really enjoyed it. 

Also -- before that -- I was thinking about the cantina scene and remembered the tradition of '70s variety shows. Seemingly random actors popping in and doing musical numbers was custom of my childhood.

That was actually something that the documentary talked about, but as I had already been thinking about it then it was all very familiar. I remember watching Donny and Marie and The Brady Bunch Variety Hour. Of course I watched Shields and Yarnell; they were the Captain and Tenille of mime!

I don't remember Wayne Newton at Sea World, and I had forgotten about Mark Hamill and Bob Hope trapped in a toy store until watching the documentary. I don't think we watched Paul Lynde's Halloween special, but there's something else I can't forget.

I don't even know if it was one show or two different specials, but I remember two vignettes of something of which IMdB shows no trace. 

For one, the song was "Deja Vu", which is probably why I always thought it was Dionne Warwick. Dionne knocked on the door of a castle. A vampire (Al Lewis? Judd Hirsch?) let her in, then left her there, and she sang about how she couldn't remember the place, but she remembered the face. He came back and she asked if they had met before. Yes, a moment ago when he answered the door.

In the other segment, this weird Latin lover guy with an enormous pompadour (Eugene Levy but skinnier?) approaches a woman on the dance floor and wants to know what's inside her. She (Victoria Jackson?) recites that "the small intestine is rolled up in a ball. Otherwise we'd be twenty feet tall"

Memories like this prepared me to be less judgmental. 

I suspect part of the problem for the people who really think it's awful is that they don't have these memories. There has been worse, and the special itself could have been worse. Faint praise is still praise.

There are probably two main issues.

I think the biggest issue was the popularity of Star Wars making the network want to go with a two-hour instead of a one-hour special. It does drag out. Harvey Korman is really talented in his portrayal of a malfunctioning android, but it still slows things down. I found his four-armed Julia Child kind of charming, but it happened earlier.

The other issue goes back to a George Lucas idea -- no matter how much he disavows it -- to do something with Chewy's family on his home planet, which sets up a language barrier. 

I don't hate that. While the exterior setup reminds one of Endor, the interiors are much more modern with a nice open layout.  

The documentary counted down that you had over nine minutes with only Wookiee being spoken. That was probably not great, but as you got into it it was pretty easy to understand what Malla and Lumpy were conveying. 

That is a compliment for Mickey Morton and Patty Maloney, respectively. I think Paul Gale as Itchy probably did the best he could. Sorry, Paul.

The scene that really touched me was when Imperial troops, in searching Lumpy's room, tear the head off of his stuffed Bantha. When Lumpy finds it, he makes a sad sound, then gently picks up his broken toy, tucks it under a blanket on the bed, and gives it a kiss.

I made my sisters watch this, because I knew it would make them sad. It did. They said "That's terrible," and that's what they said later when our other sister asked what they thought about the special.

"It was terrible!"

I pointed out that most people are going to interpret that differently.

I did think it was weird that even though only Han and Chewy were traveling to Kashyyyk and Luke and Leia and the droids were just checking in on their progress, and Han leaves before the family starts the celebrations, that everyone was there for the final musical number. It looks like there was some kind of portal thing going on. Maybe wookiees have to physical travel to the portal but then they can summon humans?

I guess there are some mysteries we can never know.

Anyway, to the tune of the theme from Star Wars, 

Life Day! Have a good Life Day!
See Chewy's wife, Day!
Wear your red robes.

Related posts:

https://sporkful.blogspot.com/2013/04/comics-review-michael-e-russell.html

Three things: Gardens

This is not specifically about using home gardens to decrease your food budget and increase your food independence. 

I'm not against that in general, though initial attempts are often going to cost more money than they save.

Personally, I love growing pumpkins. I don't particularly love eating them or their seeds, so I can't say that my efforts are really for that; it's just something I like doing. It also helps me get away from lawns, which are not environmentally sound. 

I am not the best gardener, but often even the only partially successful attempts bring me a lot of joy. 

This year was especially bad.

In early summer, I planted many pumpkin and sunflower seeds. I also planted some green beans. 

Nothing grew.

I was worried that they were older seeds, but I had tested some. They all sprouted in the test, but then -- when it was not a test -- nothing.

Then it got weird. As we were getting into autumn, with fallen yellow leaves were dotting the yard, I thought I saw some yellow blossoms. In fact, I had one pumpkin vine in the front and another in the back. 

One even got fertilized, so there was at least one little green gourd growing. They just didn't have time at that point. The first frost was going to take them out, and did.

(There were some bite marks on the plant, probably from a squirrel, so that was my contribution to nature this year.)

I might not have thought about it too much, but talking to one friend, she had the same issue with her eggplants. 

That friend lives in Tigard, not too far away. Talking to another friend more recently, her tomatoes had a real case of failure to thrive. She lives almost 200 miles away. Other neighbors of hers have had similar issues. That's kind of the same region, but not merely a local issue.

I keep wondering why.

Usually there is something you can point too. For example, when the heat dome shriveled up all my lush clover, I understood that.

When extended rains poured and poured when it was time to prepare for planting, there was no mystery.

When we were replacing the carpet with vinyl plank, and all of the old carpet was piled in front of the house as they worked and it left this circle that really didn't grow anything for another year, it made total sense.

This didn't make sense.

If you have a reason, sometimes there are things you can do. 

People overcome longer cold seasons with greenhouses and cloches and tunnels. You can do things to retain water or improve drainage. I'm not sure anything would have helped with the heat dome, but there are things you can do for shading that might work if it is less extreme.

If you can't tell what you are up against, what then?

Three things: PTSD

There's this thing that keeps coming back to me since the election: you can develop PTSD from an earlier instance due to a second instance.

That is not a good way of explaining that, but I can make it seem worse.

I first read about it many years ago in an old Soap Opera Digest, a magazine I really enjoyed. 

If I remember correctly, Hope on Days of Our Lives had developed another persona -- maybe a cat burglar? It was related to one trauma, but there had been a much bigger trauma a few years previously.

One of the magazine features I enjoyed was when they would check with various experts to see how realistic plot points were. Often the events were not, but the emotional responses were. 

Having been suspended above a vat of acid and apparently falling in, then being presumed dead for a few years until  coming back with amnesia (but really it was Greta who fell in the acid, and that just led to some light scarring on her face that plastic surgery resolved) was not realistic. 

Having one near-death experience and seemingly handling it all right, but then not being able to handle a second incident later, even if you did not come as close to death... that was pretty realistic.

The underlying principle is that multiple traumatic events increase the likelihood of developing PTSD. Maybe that can be true even if you have successfully assimilated the earlier trauma, but it is also possible that the assimilation wasn't complete. Maybe parts of it were dealt with, or maybe it was pushed aside and compartmentalized and held off. When when additional trauma happens, the existing restraints can't hold anymore.

Since the election, I keep thinking about mental health. I keep thinking that there are people who have been pretty functional, despite the hate and the deaths and destruction, but that doesn't mean that they came through unscathed.

Now it is happening again, and it will be happening worse. It will be worse not just because of the court appointees and worse departmental picks and legislation on state levels happening since Roe v. Wade was overturned, but also because of the behavior that has been seen from neighbors and friends and family members.

I worry about how some people will fare. 

Sure, the loudest lamentations now are coming from people who did vote for Trump (or a third party) and are starting to realize it was a mistake. Good for them. I'm sure more will follow. That they were able to think that was a reasonable course indicates to me that they were pretty sheltered the first time around.

I am more worried about the people who are still carrying wounds from last time.

I don't have much in the way of good advice. If you can get treatment, great. There are a lot of factors that can affect what you need most, but there are options. 

Healing when the trauma keeps coming is harder. If there are some steps you can take to protect yourself, that's worth thinking about.

I feel I learned a lot from reading The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk. There may be something in that for you.

Regarding helping others, I strongly recommend not telling anyone that we survived last time. Some people didn't. No, you're not going to be talking to those who died, but you may be talking to those who mourn them. 

Obviously, I recommend being kind to each other. More than that, I recommend being alert and being brave. If there is a chance to step in and make a difference, do it.

I could be recommending that to people whose PTSD makes it very hard. I do not have a solution for that conflict. 

Do what you can to extend healing. Do what you can to be healed. Maybe not in that order but it's really not a linear process.

See, expensive eggs was the easy part.