Category Archives: December

Holiday’s Past

Posted on by

“I like to compare the holiday season
with the way a child listens to a favorite story.
The pleasure is in the familiar way the story begins,
the anticipation of familiar turns it takes,
the familiar moments of suspense, and
the familiar climax and ending.”
Fred Rogers

Holiday's Past

The day after Christmas I found myself watching old Christmas TV shows and movies, like The Twilight Zone and  A Christmas Story. I watched  an episode of The Twilight Zone from 1960 that I’ve watched maybe a dozen times, but this time I saw the story in a whole new light.

Rod Serling is a favorite writer of mine for a very long time. My admiration for Serling stems from his ability to take a short story about an individual and make you care what happens to that person. He could show humanity in so many different lights. Always subtly weaving into each story a political or human antidote.

In the violent world we live in today, watching old Christmas shows and movies gives us a feeling of comfort. We’re familiar with the story. We know how it ends. Yet as an adult, each time we watch, we see something new or different. Each time we learn something new about ourselves and about holiday’s past.

Shine On

Mele Kalikimaka

Posted on by

“Christmas isn’t a season. It’s a feeling.”
Edna Ferber

A Ukulele Christmas

Some of you might remember that I started playing the ukulele a few months back. My love for the ukulele has grown and so has my passion for finding new ukulele artists and music.

I discovered this ukulele virtuoso and award-winning artist Brittni Paiva, who has developed a strong following internationally and back at home in Hawaii.

Paiva started playing piano at the age of four and slowly added drums, bass, and guitar until the age of 11 when she found her love for the ukulele.

This young ukulele virtuoso has released five albums, two singles, and contributed to various compilations such as Legends of the Ukulele Vol. 2. She was the first recipient of the Ukulele Album of the Year category of the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards.

If you haven’t heard her play, I thought I’d share with my fellow bloggers Paiva playing The Christmas Song. Here’s wishing all of you a Mele Kalikimaka.

Shine On

Lights of Christmas

Posted on by

“Christmas is forever, not for just one day,
for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away
like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.
The good you do for others is good you do yourself.”
Norman Wesley Brooks

Christmas Lights

Redondo Beach Annual Christmas Boat Parade is truly a highlight of the holiday season in Redondo Beach. The harbor area along Harbor Drive lights up with many of the boats in the Marina. Most boat owners lighting their boats throughout the holiday season.

Viewing for the actual boat parade can be seen from many of the restaurants, on the pier or along the break wall. The boats are quite a site to behold. One boat after the other more decorated with lights and the Christmas spirit for all to enjoy.

Have a great Christmas eve and hope everyone enjoys their own as well as others lights of Christmas.

Shine On

Blogaholic

Posted on by

“The first thing you need to decide when you build your blog
is what you want to accomplish with it,
and what it can do if successful.”
Ron Dawson

Blogaholic

When I began this blog on January 1, 2015, it was my goal to write a post daily highlighting my musings, my photos, and my daily activities.

Also, I wanted to be a ray of light to someone. I wanted to bring a little sunshine and happiness each day to someones life. With my creative juices flowing each and every day, I feel grateful to all my blog followers for reading, commenting and liking my daily reflections.

I didn’t anticipate the following as well as the numerous awards I would receive. That’s not why I began my blog, for followers and awards. However, the friends I’ve made through WordPress and the people I’ve connected with are amazing as well as their blog posts.

My blogging plan in the beginning of 2015 was to stop posting the end of December. However, I’ve discovered so much about myself and fellow bloggers that I will continue The 2015 Chronicles. But, I will be changing the name on January 1st to Chronicles of a Blogaholic. Why? Because I’ve also discovered that “My name is JR and I’m a Blogaholic.”

Shine On