Ashland Speaks

By Lula Anderson

Happy New Year to all of my faithful readers. I have met so many of you this past few years, I feel I am personal friends with you all. I have had many comments on my column, both good and critical, but for each one, I know someone is reading this. I have been sitting here, counting m y blessings. I have so much and am very appreciative of all. I have heat in my house, water, both hot and cold, a comfy bed to sleep in and plenty of warm blankets. I have friends who call and make sure I am fine, and I have friends to call if I need help. I try to give back as much as I receive, although that is not always much.

I have always been a saver. I might need it someday, so I put it aside. Now in the twilight of my years, I am trying to purge. I have things that I don’t know where they came from, and don’t know why I collected them. What I thought was a box of foam eggs for Easter decorations turned out to be a box of blown out maybe goose eggs. These things are huge. I have no idea where they came from, or what I can do with them. Any suggestions? The more I clean, the more I unearth treasures. No wonder I never get anything done. Next year is my new mantra.

Each month, Judy and I go to Catskill for the Greene County Advisory Board for Senior Citizens. Most of you know that we are your County representatives for the Mountain Top, and are always here to help. Anyway, we had a wonderful Holiday luncheon a couple of weeks ago, organized by Ruth Pforte. The surprise came when the Catskill representative brought in a box of beautiful ornaments that were made by the Second Baptist of Catskill Youth Group. They weren’t just thrown in a box after they were made, the kids also wrote out individual gift tags with our names. It’s so great to see that kids are still meeting and giving. Thank you.

The five churches of the Mt Top Parish (UMC), gathered in Lexington on Sunday for the 5th Sunday combined worship. A covered dish fellowship followed. There weren’t as many attending as usual. We missed you, and hope you are well.

The next meeting of WAJPL will be on January 15th at 1 PM. Hope to see you there. Our summer schedule of trips is available, plus dues are being collected for 2024. Come and find out what we have planned for the year.

Many phone calls and Holiday wishes: Mary Aull is still keeping in touch and sends greetings. Also, Chuck Bennett and Bob Bode (wooden toy guy).

Prayers and get well wishes for Opal, Bill Matthews, Jack Jorden and Marge and Gerry Loucks. At this Holiday time, my concern is for those who are ill, have been hospitalized and sent home with no care. All of the things that we take for granted. How often does the family step up? Even if they have been estranged, you’d think that someone would offer some help. We hear about health care for all, but where? We are getting a “raise” in Social Security checks which is off set by the amount that we pay for health insurance. Guess who is losing money? Plus, there are more co-pays than ever before. $5 here and there doesn’t seem much, but on a fixed income it’s a lot. I sometimes think we treat animals better than people.

AS I REMEMBER IT

As we gather for Christmas morning many have stories about that special time. I often think of my mother who waited and watched while we all opened our gifts. I think about families who insist that each person takes a turn and opens a gift to be admired by all until the next ones turn.

We always opened presents very carefully. My husband, George (Andy), was Navy and was called Mr Clean. He would hold a large garbage bag and all papers would immediately go into the bag. Nothing was to go on the floor. Sometimes small parts would also go into the bag, but the bag would be tied up and brought out to the burning barrel and before afternoon, all would be gone. I always opened my presents carefully and smoothed the paper out and refolded it to be reused. I still do that, even though my kids laugh at me. It goes in a box and stored so next year I have paper in which to wrap stocking stuffers.

Growing up, we were very careful while we opened presents. No ripping into them. My father would have his pocket knife and carefully slit the tape. Mother would open one end and slit the present out. Woe to the one who taped the paper to the box inside. Then the knife would have to be carefully inserted to wriggle the tape off so the present would slip out. All papers would be folded and put away in the attic for next year. I remember we had two sheets, one a red background and one a green with Santa’s face in the middle. You could only use that paper if it fit EXACTLY on the box with Santa centered. A shirt box was the correct size, so one gift always had to be that size. That paper lasted for years.

We never threw out a box, either. Shirt boxes would be folded up with top and bottom matching and go into a bag or a box that maybe an appliance came in and stored with the wrapping paper until needed. The first year Judy lived up here, she moved her stash of boxes and wrapping paper because you never know when you will need to put something into a box.

How about people who use “Soap Opera” packaging? The bottom gets wrapped separately from the top which is then adorned with a huge bow and decoration. A small ribbon tied around holds it shut and all the recipient has to do is untie that and Voila the gift is opened. Gift bags are in the same category as far as I’m concerned. Gift wrapped in tissue put in a fancy bag….. Ho Hum.

Did your family have a special way of opening packages? Did you hand down the tradition or let each person do his own thing?