25 December 2014
24 December 2014
A Spin Of The Wheel Brightens A Child's Christmas
Yesterday I made light of that lie people tell kids about Santa Claus and his reindeer.
That story may not be true. (OK, it isn't.) But, yes Virginia, there are Santa Clauses in real life. Some of them just happen to be in North Carolina.
Twenty years ago, two friends in the Tar Heel State started the Spokes Group. This year, the organization will give about 3100 brand-new bicycles to needy children through its chapters in Charlotte and other parts of the state. Over the years, more than 36,000 bicycles are so distributed.
Since there are never enough bikes and helmets to give to all of the kids who need them, recipients are determined by the spin of a bazaar-style wheel.
I salute everyone who helps out with the project--and is responsible in any way for acquiring, assembling, fixing and distributing bikes to kids through similar programs all over the US--and, I imagine, in other countries.
I also salute anyone who brings other gifts, food, clothing or companionship to anyone who is in need, alone or simply sad at this time of the year. (I think now of a dear friend who lost her husband and brother within months of each other this year!) Their work is never done.
That story may not be true. (OK, it isn't.) But, yes Virginia, there are Santa Clauses in real life. Some of them just happen to be in North Carolina.
Twenty years ago, two friends in the Tar Heel State started the Spokes Group. This year, the organization will give about 3100 brand-new bicycles to needy children through its chapters in Charlotte and other parts of the state. Over the years, more than 36,000 bicycles are so distributed.
Since there are never enough bikes and helmets to give to all of the kids who need them, recipients are determined by the spin of a bazaar-style wheel.
I salute everyone who helps out with the project--and is responsible in any way for acquiring, assembling, fixing and distributing bikes to kids through similar programs all over the US--and, I imagine, in other countries.
I also salute anyone who brings other gifts, food, clothing or companionship to anyone who is in need, alone or simply sad at this time of the year. (I think now of a dear friend who lost her husband and brother within months of each other this year!) Their work is never done.
23 December 2014
On The Eve Of The Eve
This is the night before Christmas Eve. Some time in my childhood, I heard that this is the night Santa gets his reindeer fleet ready to bring Christmas presents to everyone in the world (well, everybody who's been good, anyway) at exactly midnight.
Did those preparation involve polishing Rudolph's nose? Checking its battery or whatever makes it shine? No one ever explained that to me. For that matter, I never heard much explanation of anything involving Christmas.
I'm not complaining. I was told stranger things as a child and things stranger still--in fact, outright implausible--as an adult. No one explained those things, either.
Whatever the story is about Santa and the reindeer, I know lots of people are getting ready for tomorrow night in various ways. I saw a couple preparing their steeds. They did not want to be photographed, but their steeds had no say in the matter:
Any restaurant or other establishment that delivers food is going to be very, very busy tomorrow night. That includes the guys who ride these bikes--for Sanfords Restaurant, just two blocks from my apartment.
I actually saw one changing the battery in his "blinkie". Would Rudolph have one on his nose if the story were being concocted today? Would there be LEDs inside his nasal globe? And would he need something on his tail as well? After all, most places require that vehicles have front and rear lights. Hmm...Is a reindeer a vehicle? If so, would it be road, off-road or something else? 700C, 650B, 26 X whatever or a 29er?
Did those preparation involve polishing Rudolph's nose? Checking its battery or whatever makes it shine? No one ever explained that to me. For that matter, I never heard much explanation of anything involving Christmas.
I'm not complaining. I was told stranger things as a child and things stranger still--in fact, outright implausible--as an adult. No one explained those things, either.
Whatever the story is about Santa and the reindeer, I know lots of people are getting ready for tomorrow night in various ways. I saw a couple preparing their steeds. They did not want to be photographed, but their steeds had no say in the matter:
Any restaurant or other establishment that delivers food is going to be very, very busy tomorrow night. That includes the guys who ride these bikes--for Sanfords Restaurant, just two blocks from my apartment.
I actually saw one changing the battery in his "blinkie". Would Rudolph have one on his nose if the story were being concocted today? Would there be LEDs inside his nasal globe? And would he need something on his tail as well? After all, most places require that vehicles have front and rear lights. Hmm...Is a reindeer a vehicle? If so, would it be road, off-road or something else? 700C, 650B, 26 X whatever or a 29er?
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