Getting In the Yule Spirit-- Part 5: Christmas Songs, Christmas Parties, Bands, the Civil War and CDs

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20

The Drive (WDRV, 97.1 FM, Chicago) did their Ten at Ten on A Merry and Bright which were ten Christmas songs, many of which you don't often hear.

I BELIEVE IN FATHER CHRISTMAS--  Greg Lake
HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS--  America
I SAW MOMMY KISSING SANTA CLAUS--  John Mellancamp

FROSTY THE SNOWMAN--  Ronettes
WINTER WONDERLAND--  REO Speedwagon
MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY--  Bruce Springsteen
THE RIVER--  Joni Mitchell

WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS TIME--  Paul McCartney
SILENT NIGHT--  Stevie Nicks
CHRISTMAS IS THE TIME TO SAY I LOVE YOU--  Billy Squier

WE went to the Sunnyside Christmas party in Johnsburg.  The place was packed and we had a duo entertaining.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21

Went to Crystal Lake for the McHenry County Civil War Round Table discussion group whose topic this month was Civil War engineers.  I, of course, talked about Maj. Gen. W.H.C. Whiting, CSA.  Someone should write a book about him.  Fascinating guy.  On the way home, I stopped at The Vinyl Frontier in McHenry, my local mom and pop record store.  I love these places and am sio embarrassed I missed Record Store Day this year.  Bought five CDs.

Liz and I went to the Squaw Bar in Ingleside for their Christmas party later in the afternoon and enjoyed the Average Joe Band.  Later to Sunnyside then home for "Star Wars: Attack of the Clones."

May the Christmas Parties Be With You.  --RoadDog

DID YOU KNOW:  A goldfish has a memory span of three seconds.   Sometimes, I think I do as well.

Christmas in These Here Parts-- Part 1

DECEMBER 18, THUSDAY:  Christmas party at Sequoit Lodge in Antioch with  DJ.  Then we went to  Cuda's,  Captain's Quarters and Tommy's on the way back.

DECEMBER 19TH, FRIDAY: Making a batch of Irish Cream for Pam and decorating Margaritaville downstairs at home.

DECEMBER 20, SATURDAY:  Mitch Edwards performing at the American Legion and Tommy's.  The Legion party was also an Ugly Sweater one.  We backed the Cutler #6 jersey worn by one guy, but the winner was one which still had its Montgomery Ward's tag on it bought back in 1980 by a fellow's late mother.  A real Bill Cosby kind of sweater.

DECEMBER 22, SUNDAY:  Bears Rockin' Tailgate Party and Squaw Bar in Ingleside with the Usual Suspects for usual sad Bears effort, but at least we had a new quarterback to replace the even sadder Jay Cutler.  Played the Dirty Lions with all their really dirty players with a spearing and a stepping.

And It Isn't Even Christmas Yet.  --RoadDog


YOU THINK ENGLISH IS EASY?  It teachers taught, why don't preachers praught?\\

Busy Day Yesterday

DECEMBER 13th. Good old Friday the 13th.

Well, one thing about having a party, it gets us (and especially me) to cleaning the house and doing things I continually put off. That means dusting and vacuuming the basement, reorganizing my mess (well, stuff) and in this case, hooking up the 55-inch Vizio TV (otherwise I would have put it off for awhile.

I helped at the American Legion party for the VA Hospital in North Chicago from 11 to 2. Then came home and actually got the TV hooked up and working. Then we drove to Barrington for the wake of one of our friend's mom. She was 83 which made me think of my mom who is also that age.

On the way back, we stopped at Main Street Outfitters in Wauconda and enjoyed the musical stylings of the Spizzirris, Terry and Gregg, until 10. Watched Eastern Illinois lose to Towson State in the FBC quarterfinal game. Sorry that happened as I really back the local teams.

Busy, Busy. --RoadDog