Hang A Shining Star Upon The Highest Bough

Ghost of Christmas Past

Professor Hinkle Said ~

Before there were interminable to-do lists, slack-jawed ingrates who share your office space, wrath-inducing traffic jams, and the daily derision of the peace on earth concept; there was the Planet of the Apes fortress (suitable for ages 8 & up).

I recollect being 11 when my “Pop-Pop”, (our nickname for grandfather), commenced with construction of this glorious structure. I believe my dad was there serving as foreman on site, however, my father despite being quite bright possessed no and I mean nada, nyet, nien, nil, non, hapana, aole, không – aptitude for manual labor.

There were no YouTube videos or alternate social platforms to consult. Nope – Norman and Normie Jr. had to go it alone. They were armed only with a loyal screwdriver, pair of pliers, hammer, and 20,731 pieces of assorted plastic accompanied by directions in 0.6mm font.

My brother and I were jumping around like baboons without jackalberries awaiting the completion of our simian citadel. We had abandoned other offerings overflowing out of stuffed stockings and wrapped rewards. Our single-minded nucleus was impenetrable. We beat our breasts and melodically hooted in guttural high pitches worthy of the seasonal glory.

Twenty minutes in – my father became frustrated, despite the fact that Pop-Pop was bearing the brunt of the ill-prepared, illegible, and irksome instructions. Dad was organizing a union walkout when mom mentioned a breakfast break would be required. So, construction was going to be delayed not because of the aforementioned strike in the works, but instead for fresh biscuits, bacon, and a bevy of scrumptious festive fare.

Thirty-seven minutes later, (and a significant amount of prodding and poking from my brother and me), the sire and his offspring returned to fulfill their duty. Before long our primate paradise would be part of our Yuletide perpetuity.

Not sure how many more seconds, minutes, or hours it took for these two brave warriors to scrutinize the fort blueprints and accomplish their torturous task, but sometime around New Years all codes were up to date and we passed inspection. Truth be told – the edifice was finalized fairly quickly.

To this day, I vividly remember its placement under our tree. I fondly reminisce about lying on my back next to the grandest Xmas present of all, peering through the branches to the pinnacle, and soaking in the gleaming wonderment of the highest bough.

Cindy Lou Who Said ~

In a dizzying effort to compile a written record of my deepest Christmas desires, I used anything – pencil, pen, crayon or marker. I labored over every letter in an effort to assure legibility – Barbie Doll, Barbie Pink Corvette and Barbie bubble making hot tub were on my wish list.

Once I had assured the delivery of my pleas to the jolly old man, Santa, there was only one thing left to do – cookies and milk left for consumption on the Eve of Christmas. No, I didn’t bake them myself but I certainly set them out with love and high, very high hopes. 

Christmas morning consisted of a mad dash to the window to witness the blanketing of my neighborhood under the wintry snow. Legend has it, the blizzards of my childhood are single-handedly responsible for what we now know as cabin fever – the inability to get out of your home and the boredom or madness that quickly ensues.

Once I had completed the surveillance of my neighborhood, I quickly ran to the Christmas tree to claim my treasures. What? Nothing, nada, zilch!  I looked at every scribbled name on boxes and wrapping paper. I squeezed, pinched and tossed every item under the tree and nothing! Surely, this was all a grave mistake and so, I flung my parent’s bedroom door open and inquired within.

I had been duped! The parental figures had hidden my prized possessions throughout the house and my sole mission was to find them!

Did You Know?A Christmas Carol, although it is a glorious story about the power of change and redemption, as well as a very warming tale of festive tradition, was not at all what Charles Dickens initially set out to write. Dickens wrote the story rapidly, taking just 6 weeks from beginning to end. He was also forced to pay half the publication costs himself, since his publishers did not see the value of a Christmas story. A Christmas Carol has never been out of print since its publication in 1843 and is considered, by many, to be one of the greatest literary achievements.