IN MY LIFE- PRESIDENT BUSH, CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

- Our 41st President of the United States, George H.W. Bush, died last night in Houston. He passed 8 months after his wife, Barbara. I'm not very political, but I will forever be grateful to President Bush. It was on his watch that the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed and passed. The ADA law has helped people with disabilities get a fair shake regarding employment. The law also has made our world much more accessible.

Whenever you see a ramp leading into a movie theater or restaurant, or use a handicapped parking space, think of President Bush. The law has made a difference in my life. As a kid it was much more difficult to get around in society. Steps led to everywhere. Buildings were inaccessible. A free society really wasn't "free" for someone in a wheelchair.

I was not a fan of either President Bush or their policies but I will never forget what the elder Bush did to improve the quality of life for those individuals with disabilities.

Rest in Peace, H. R........

- Whatever happened to tinsel? Remember the shiny, silver strands you used to toss on Christmas trees? Look around- do you see tinsel on your Christmas tree? At the mall? On public Christmas trees?

We used to top off our Christmas tree with tinsel. You were supposed to gently place tinsel on each branch, tossing it with care. The cat would try and eat the tinsel off the tree. If you wanted to save it for next Christmas it was a job gathering it after the holidays were over.

I remember the classic Christmas episode of The Honeymooners. Norton throwing the tinsel on Kramden's tree in Ralph's apartment, hurling the strands from behind his back or under his legs.

Why has tinsel disappeared? Is it an environment thing? Or has tinsel, like hula hoops, simply had it's day?

Speaking of Christmas decorations, we always had a real tree when I was a kid. I loved the scene of evergreen or balsam fir, the sweet, piny smell. For a long time now we have been setting up a more convenient, cleaner, less-hassle artificial tree with fiber-optic lights. It looks nice but it isn't memorable like a living tree.

No chance of the lights shorting-out. No dry pine needles falling and leaving a bare tree. No leafy branches. Not as much fun.

One of my para transit drivers had the right idea, getting the best of both worlds. He would put up an artificial tree but missed the scent of pine.So he went to places where they sold real trees and asked for loose branches which had fallen. he would carefully place the branches under the artificial tree or on window sills nearby.

I don't miss the price of a live tree. Long ago a good sized tree cost maybe $15-$25, Not anymore. Average price of a tree now is anywhere from $ 80-$ 100. I don't miss the sadness of dragging the dried tree to the curb after the holidays were over.  And I didn't miss trying to untangle and attach the manywires and fix the lights.


My Mom had priceless Christmas ornaments, balls and trinkets her mother and grandmother brought with them from Czechoslovakia. Beautiful, delicate and intricate ornaments of all colors and sizes. Unique things to put on the tree. Like Easter eggs in spring, the Polish and Slovak people were masters at glass-blowing and making the unusual ornaments.

Outside, we have a reindeer and snowman all-lit. We never were ones for over-doing the Christmas lights outside but just enough to be festive. Funny, we would always pick a night to pile into the station wagon and drive around the area, looking at Christmas lights.

My oldest brother Jim and his wife Marion made a beautiful  manger set that Mom proudly displayed in front of our tree each holiday season. The living room was a wonder between Thanksgiving and New year's, with numerous stuffed elves, Santas, angels and reindeer. Walking into the living room was like time travelling to a much simpler time.  The most special memory was how Mom loved decorating. It was so much work, both decorating and un-decorating, but she looked forward to it every year.

I think of her fondly when I decorate now. Maybe next year we will get a small, live tree and recall what it was like being a kid again and filling my senses with the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas long ago.