Polish Treasures for Christmas and Everyday

Every year at Christmas time, I head down to a small shop called Polish Treasures at 429 South Chester St. in Baltimore to purchase some Christmas wafer. It's a Polish tradition to break wafer (bread) with family and friends on Christmas. For our family, Christmas would not be complete without some of the wafer. I love this shop! The owners of the shop are very friendly and helpful. Even if you are not Polish or have no Polish heritage, this little shop deserves a visit from you. You will see stuff that you cannot find anywhere else........except maybe in Poland. Prices are very reasonable and there is so much to look at........it is practically a museum!

Christmas is their busiest time of the year and they have extended hours to accommodate customers needs. When it comes to Christmas related items, Polish Treasures will have something that you will want after you see it in their shop. Dozens uopn dozens of ornaments are on display in a back room......the back room is all about Christmas items. I could stand in that room alone for an hour and probably miss seeing something. Glass blown, hand made ornaments from Poland are absolutlely beautiful.

It's almost way too many things to look at.

Along the bottom of the photo, you can see some of the hand-crafted wood mangers.

And here is where things get really, really awesome..............as far as hand-crafted things go.........these are made from tin-foils. Very detailed and intricate and beautiful. You want one of these now don't you?

Take your pick. They have them in all sizes. It's a traditional Polish thang!

My eyes were attracted to the hand painted goose eggs. Just look at the detail!

And these eggs are amazing......they have some sort of weed strands bent and winding around in patterns. I had never seen anything ike it before.

Hand-crafted crucifixes and assorted religious icons and collectibles.

Along with books, music, dolls, knick-knacks, food items, groceries, t-shirts, amber jewelry and other assorted items, you will find beautiful Polish dishes and bowls, cups, etc.

I told the owner that I had a blog and that I would like to mention her shop on it. I had asked if I could take a few photos for the blog and she gave me the okay to do so. I told her that I would hate to see the day that her shop no longer existed and I wanted to do whatever I could to help keep customers coming. She informed me that they have been in business for twenty years now and their clientele has been consisting of the many Polish people that attend Holy Rosary Church right across the street from the shop.

If you are not in Baltimore, or even if you are, you can also see and purchase these fine Polish items by visiting their website at www.polishtreasures.com

If you ARE in Baltimore, get off your lazy rump and get over to 429 South Chester St. and be prepared to be awestruck by the wonderful things you will see. If you do, tell them you saw them on this blog.

Frosty the Snowman

The original Frosty the Snowman!

Enjoy!

Anna Eriksson - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Enjoy!

Crabs For Christmas

Yep, we have a Christmas wreath on our front door. We put it there every year. It's nice to hear the jingle of the bells whenever the door opens.

That's David DeBoy pictured above with the crab in his hand. David wrote and recorded one of my favorite Christmas songs. Here in Baltimore, his song "Crabs For Christmas" is a yuletide necessity. If you have ever heard the song, you would understand why. That song has "Bawlamer" all over it. If you are interested, check David's stuff out at www.daviddeboy.com .

.............ooohhhhhhh I want crabs for Christmas!

Of course, when you want crabs for Christmas....."yalso went beer to go "wiff" it!".........remember Carling Black Label beer? Remember the "Hey Mabel, Black Label" commercials and ads? Nobody ever names their kids "Mabel" any more.

I appreciate great signs and advertisements. I ran across these two picture of trucks with fantastic artwork on them. Can you imagine seeing this next to you on the highway?

Absolutely brilliant!

Time is ticking away quickly. Before you realize it, it will be Christmas Day!...........and I have tons of stuff to do. Stay Tuned!

Are These Halls Decked?

I found this video on Google. I have never been inside one of these corporate book club meeting halls, but I have heard much about them. If you ever wondered what it is like where Jehovah's Witnesses go when they ain't knocking on your door, this video will should be sufficient. I should point out that it looks exactly as I imagined......not a place of worship, no indication of acknowledgement of any biblical figures.....No Jesus......Nothing......just books and magazines and a room fit only for a corporate style sales meeting. How anyone could be inspired in this place....well....it would be a miracle. Amway anyone?.

When It Rains......It Pours

Things are getting a bit ridiculous.............I do not know what to think at this point. I am wondering "what is next?". Bad news is bad news, but it seems to come in bunches lately.

I found out today that Don Dohler passed away on December 2nd. Once upon a time, I was a teenager back in the 1970's. As it was, I had a steady girlfriend that had an older sister who had some friends that needed someone to watch their kids occasionally. As it was, we both took on the task of "babysitting". As it was, the father of those kids was Don Dohler. I remember him well. Dohler was not just an average guy. He had special interests. I remember him showing me his 8mm movies that he made. He would do all sorts of special effects with his film.......such as making a ufo flit around in the background...etc....etc. He had my ear because I had been working at a movie theater and I was very interested in movies and how they were made. He liked the same stuff I did, and he knew some of the people that I knew as well. I remember being amazed when he showed me two of his magazines about filmaking. Magazines! He was a talented dude............and he had his own magazines......wow! I remember speaking with him at length about Ray Harryhausen, the filmmaker. He was quite a guy and he made a big impression on me. I remember that he had been working on a larger film project and he had the determination to see it through......as tough as it is to do.
That movie was "Alien Factor". Dohler went on to make several low-budget horror/alien/B-movies and made his mark in Maryland motion picture history. While he did not have the fame as say.....John Waters......after all is said and done, he will always be remembered here.

A few months ago, I sent an e-mail to Don Dohler at his job as editor of a local newspaper. I mentioned the 'babysitting" and his early stages of his magazines and films. I wanted to let him know that along my own path in life, that he had been remembered fondly and had made a good impression on me. I had no idea of his health status. As it was, Don replied to that e-mail of mine and he was very gracious. Time had put a blur on the "babysitting" memory for him. Still, he took the time from his busy day to acknowledge me and thank me. That was Don.

Don Dohler passed away from cancer. He was 60 years old. The monster claimed the guy that could make monsters on film.....go figure. I am sure that his children are proud of their dad.

On a brighter note...............my wife, Clara Barton, brought home from work, a tin full of cruschikis. Her best friend and nurse, Florence Nightingale II, made them for us. Of course, we ain't gonna touch them until Christmas Eve........hehehehe......yeah, right!

George Winston's Holly and the Ivy

Another great Christmas song.

Enjoy!

A Religious Christmas History

This time of year many thoughts occur to me while I sit and relax. Needless to say, lately, all sorts of things enter my mind....questions.....memories......more questions.......and wonder.

I had a conversation on the telephone with an old friend tonight. We had not been in touch for many years........and it might have remained that way for more years if not for the receipt of a Christmas card. The card came with a note that my friend's mother was not expected to live to see Christmas this year. She is suffering with cancer and is staying with her daughter for hospice. This is all too familiar for me because we are essentially going through the very same thing here at my home. When it rains it pours, doesn't it?

Worse yet, the note stated that my friend had a serious health issue himself. In the phone conversation it was revealed that he has terminal cancer. He is a year or two older than me. He never smoked and he has lung cancer of the worst kind. As you can imagine, I was stunned by this news. News like this makes you think alot, about your own life.....those in your immediate family........relatives......friends.......everything. You think about the old days when this kind of news was never delivered to you. It's like there is this inevitable monster out there that will eventually claim another victim that you happen to be closely associated with. You can't run and you cannot hide from it........and it keeps coming and nobody can stop it. So what shall you do?

Well, so far, there isn't much you CAN do.....except appreciate the good that you have and maybe you can be able to help others up the right path so that they can appreciate and enjoy the good in their lives.

As to enjoyment, I fully intend to enjoy this Christmas. As we do each year, the family will will head down to Fell's Point for Midnight Mass at Holy Rosary Church on Christmas Eve. What makes this event even more special than it already is, is that this is all done in Polish. Holy Rosary Church is one of the few "Polish" churches here in Baltimore. Before the Mass, Polish "Koledy" (Christmas Carols) are sung. It just would not be a complete Christmas if we stayed at home. The songs are beautiful and the atmosphere is exactly what is needed. After the Mass is a small "social" gathering for some coffee and snacks. One of these snacks is called "cruschicki", which are shaped like bow-ties covered in powdered sugar and is a necessity for a true Polish style Christmas.

This is the inside of Holy Rosary Church in Baltimore. As you can see, there are Christmas trees and poinsettias in full display.

Here is a closer look at the altar. I realize that churches are not everyone's cup of tea. Some people choose to go to a small building that looks like it should be part of an industrial park. For me....there is no place like Holy Rosary Church and the feeling you get when inside.

That church has a long history in our family......many christenings, marriages and funerals. And while some things have changed over the years....the choir is smaller, the neighborhood gentrification, the school has closed........it is pretty much the same as it always has been. Nothing changes all of the memories that are firmly embedded in our lives. Those memories are always refreshed whenever we attend.

I cannot say that about others, though. Other people will not be celebrating the birth of Christ. They will be busy studying magazines and preparing their door-to-door gloom and doom sales spiels. Those people are known as Jehovah's Witnesses. Nobody can ever give me a good explanation for not wanting to honor the birth of our Savior. Never. If anyone should be honored, it should be Jesus..........especially if you happen to consider yourself Christian. If you do not consider yourself Christian, I might could understand why you wouldn't bestow any honor of Jesus Christ. And if you are the complete opposite of a Christian, you would be called an "anti-christian". The first thing that comes to mind when hearing that term is "satanists" or "witches".....or simply "evil"............yet, there are people that are led to believe that they can be "Christian" and do things exactly as the "anti-christian" does.

A Satanist surely doesn't celebrate Christmas. It is obvious as to their reason for not doing so. But a Christian not celebrating?.............that just doesn't make sense to me. Back to the Jehovah's Witnesses.......it is unfortunate that many of them are not aware of their own organizational history. There was a time, back in the formative years of what is known as the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society, that they DID in fact celebrate Christmas! Sadly most of Witnesses are never told about that........and when they are told, they sometimes respond with "the organization was run by apostates back then" or "we had new light". (which apparently cancelled out all prior new light....hehehe)

The following photo is of a large group of people that operated the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society in NY. Some in the photo were their "governing body" members. Some went on to become President of the corporation. History does not lie. The big question is WHY did they stop doing as Christians do?

By golly there was a lot of gift giving going on....and it wasn't just a new magazine or book all wrapped up. Notice the Christmas decorations? I don't see alot of smiling faces there.........maybe some were disgusted that they couldn't any of the crackers or drink any of the wine...........no wait!...........wrong celebration.........THAT is what happens (or should I say doesn't happen) around Easter. I will explain that another day.
Alot of Jehovah's Witnesses also do not seem to know much about the founder of their "religious" corporation. His name was Charles "Taze" Russell. That's a picture of his tombstone above. His picture is on the tombstone. Everytime I see his picture I cannot help but think of the old guy in the movie "Poltergeist" that was scary looking and said "you're all gonna die!" One of the big things about Russell that the Witnesses seem to never be aware of........other than that Russell requested his "toga" while dying on his deathbed........is the pyramid that you see in the photo shown below.
Yep..........THAT pyramid. The notorious Watchtower pyramid. As it is, this grave site of Russell sits right across the road from a Masonic Temple. The cemetery is believed to be a Masonic cemetery. Further clues as to that fact is the obvious usage of Masonic symbols on the markers. Some go way beyond just a marker or a tombstone and put up a rather sizeable chunk of granite. The Watchtower folks put up a PYRAMID.......and not just any pyramid. This one, decked out with Masonic symbols and the Watchtower name sits right adjacent to Russell's grave. If his tombstone is his "headstone", then the pyramid could be called his "footstone". There is no denying it......the pyramid is still there to this day.

Have a closer look............ Yep.......it says "Watchtower Bible And Tract Society"....right below that crown and cross symbol.

So what does all of this matter? Well.........that is a long story, I suppose. I guess the best words I can offer to sum it all up, is, for what it's worth............it is said that "those that fail to remember their history, are condemned to repeat it". Seems to me that sometimes that could be a good thing to a certain degree. You never know......one day in the near future, the Watchtower may get some "new light" again and have the Jehovah's Witnesses actually celebrate the birth of Christ again...........and THAT would be a step in the right direction.

In The Bleak Midwinter

It would have been great if the Bee Gees had done an album of Christmas Carols. We will have to settle for the solo effort from Robin Gibb.
Enjoy!

A United Nations Christmas Gift

I read a news article today that reports that the United Nations has figured out that the major cause of the depletion of the ozone layer is .............COW FARTS!

Who knew? The world's 1.5 billion cattle are to blame. They allegedly emit more than ONE THIRD of all emissions of methane, which warms the earth twenty times faster than carbon dioxide. Cattle are also responsible for producing 9 percent of all emissions of carbon dioxide.

The report indicates that unless some sort of drastic measures are taken, the problem will double by the year 2050. Ain't that a nice early Christmas gift from the UN?

You just gotta know that a certain somebody is gonna jump all over this story........and that somebody will be...............

........Al Gore. That's right.......the "I invented the internet" moron. Since his days of recieving taxpayer monies ceased, ole Al Gore has found a way to make alot of cash.......a new career.......and still maintain a presence in the media. He figured there are alot of people on the planet that enjoy fear and gloom and doom stuff.......and they do.....and they spend alot of hard-earned money to support those who write, speak, and shout from the rooftops that the "End Of The World Is Coming!".......hehehe. Shoot.....if the corporate boys that control the Jehovah's Witnesses can make several billion bucks by suckering in their alleged 6.5 million members........then Al Gore would have to at least be able to cover more territory with his own spiel. Not that Al Gore has any devout followers..........it is just that this kind of stuff sells. I don't even need to explain it to you.

I am wondering now if Al Gore has given up drinking milk. I also wonder now if the leaders of the United Nations will now frown upon donations of dried milk and other dairy products that would go to starving people in Third World countries. I am also trying to picture the circumstances of such a report from the United Nations. This whole notion could cross over into a longer look at other animals.......even perhaps, humans!

I can see it now...........things will get so bad that the entire atmosphere will become so unstable that each time we fart, huge flames will erupt from our rumps, causing fires and severe burns to innocent bystanders. Hospitals will need to devote special areas of their buildings just to care for these people. Things could really get out of hand..........

...........or should I say "things could really get out of ass"!

Sadly, we can be heading down this road. Apparently someone already was inspired to make a sign that this kind of end was near.

Al Gore must be chomping at the bit as I write this.

Kate Bush - December Will Be Magic Again (Xmas Special 1979)

Kate Bush is a favorite of mine and this song is perfect for today. Enjoy!

Cookies Everywhere

It was another evening of baking cookies here at the ole Signtopia home. Oatmeal cookies, sugar cookies, and peanut butter with chocolate chip cookies. Two more kinds of cookies yet to be made.........chocolate chip cookies and gingerbread cookies......and it will be finished.......but that will be on another day. I go through this each and every year.

You want some don't you?

Today went pretty well considering the circumstances we find ourselves going through. We figure that this is going to be a roller-coaster ride......good days and bad days. Our Christmas spirit is alive and well............and we have plenty of cookies.

Oh.......I should mention that every Christmas light is functioning still............THAT is a blessing!

One other thing.........I intend on linking a fair amount of videos for the holidays. You can expect to see one just about every day. Hopefully, I have selected stuff that you otherwise would never have seen.

Also, If anyone out there has any suggestions about anything...feel free to offer a comment.

Furthermore.......stay tuned......I have much to say here.......and I might even get deep occasionally.

Spirits

A cold front has moved in and the sky.........well......it was another piece of God's artwork.

There is no doubt now that winter is almost here. It takes a little getting used to. The wind is finishing off the few leaves that remain and the trees are left to stand there naked and cold.

Speaking of trees........... This tree, though, is far from naked now. It is looking pretty good this year. Soon the presents will surround it........and before you know it, it will be time to put it all away.

Speaking of putting things away..........these will be put away long before that tree........hehehe.

Last night I baked a double batch of chocolate cookies with peanut butter chips.........and you gotta know that they are delicious. I followed the recipe from the wrapper of the Reese's Peanut Butter Chips. Needless to say, everyone likes them.

Speaking of "liking" stuff..............my grandaughter was liking just about everything today. She is oblivious to the tough times that have come our way these past days. Having her around has helped. She has a way of making everyone think about something else.

Speaking of "thinking about something else".................I can explain those antlers. Just about all of us had a set of them tonight. As it was, my sister-in-law showed up bearing gifts........antlers for everyone! It was a cheerful gesture...........it lightened things up here in the house. Her mom had a rough 24 hours and it was taking a toll on my wife...........and upon notification of that fact, all of the kids and my wife's sister showed up for support. If I can say anything at all about this.....it would have to be that I am very proud of my kids. It is times like these that confirm that you must have done something right.

And speaking of doing things right..............God sent me the angel that is my wife.

The Four Squeezins Play a Christmas Medley

We can all use a good laugh and a huge smile on our faces and this video should do the trick. Christmas carols done in a way you probably have never heard before.

Enjoy!

Christmas Lights

A true Christmas Classic!

You gotta watch the entire video.

Enjoy!

A Sad Day In A Happy Season

There was something about the sky that afternoon. The wind kicked up.........the temperature was dropping..........yet there was about 98% humidity. Something was brewing and I never fully realized it at the time this photo was taken. Something compelled me to take the shot.

Today, I know now what was brewing that day. Obviously there is always some sort of trouble on the horizon. I have previously mentioned my wife's mom and her battle with cancer. She is staying in our home with us now, where we can attempt to make her as comfortable as possible. Today, she got her first visit from "hospice". I cannot describe how difficult it is to say what you need to say and sit through this process. It was hard for my wife and I wish I could make this go away for her. The wife is a strong woman and she will get through this. As for me, I will be doing whatever I can, to make things as tolerable as possible. It's hard.......it's real hard.

At this stage, it will be all about making her mom as comfortable as possible and attempting to ease, not only her pain, but our own agony. I do not like this......it is not supposed to be this way. I am constantly reminded of when my dad spent his last days at my house. It was what he wanted and he passed peacefully in his sleep one night. I shall never ever forget that night......ever. And here we go again.......this time.....my wife will be hurting more and instead of having to deal with getting me through that time......it will be my challenge to get her through this time.

I cannot believe anyone is fully prepared for this stuff. This is not gonna be easy. This is one of the times where you feel helpless and powerless. It's a rude awakening to have the realization that there are things that you ultimately have no control over.......and it rips you up to know that there is absolutely nothing you can do to stop the process. It's like there is this guillotine dangling above and you know it will drop but you have no idea of when.....no inkling of how many moments are left. I could rant and rant about this stuff and before you know it, I would be writing about stuff so deep and unanswerable, that it would ultimately challenge everyone's beliefs. I could easily go there.......but I will restrain myself today.....things are depressing enough and we have Christmas approaching fast.

I wish I could write something that could sum all of this up and share a message of hope with everyone. I cannot do that. You will just have to settle for the upcoming Christmas holiday and the very important message that began it all. ...........I suppose you would be expecting me to tell you what that message is now............

Okay, there is a reason for the season. Not shopping. Not decorating. Not the songs. Not any of that stuff. The reason is that our Saviour was born. The antidote to all of our ills. The dosage of salvation that we all needed.....and still need to this day. A guarantee.........an insurance policy.......a settlement........and finally.........hope.

In the words of the Tiny Tim character in Charles Dickens' book "A Christmas Carol"..............

"God Bless Us, Everyone!"

Decorating The Christmas Tree and Christmas Cookies

Once I finally completed the tedious process of removing all of the useless pre-fab lights on the Christmas tree, we were ready and waiting for the opportunity to decorate the tree this past Sunday. We set up a time so that two of the three grandkids could participate. One grandkid was out of town. So here we go..........

It's plugged in and all of the lights are working!

I noticed that we have accumulated alot of various ornaments throughout the years. Each one has a memory that goes with it.

Even my dog Chico has an ornament!

There is something about the decorations on the tree that makes you want to stare at them..........and you get mesmerized.......and you start thinking about past times behind.

My wife, Florence Nightingale, was putting up decorations all over the house. One year we had bows everywhere.......but she knows how she wants it and that's the way it will be. Thankfully, she had mercy on us and didn't hang bows everywhere this year.........but I think she has this thing for jingle bells everywhere this year.

You can't forget to put some up high on the tree......you don't want the star to get lonely.

My daughter decorated the back of the tree. Most people never get to see the back of the tree.

The smile says it all. She knows what is coming soon!

It was so nice having the grandkids help out with the tree. No whining.......no screaming........no carelessness..........just great kids, as always, and a pleasure to have around.

Look Pop-Pop, I have some of Mom-Mom's jingle bells!

We didn't tell them where to put them..........they hung them wherever they chose to. Sometimes you need to settle for a branch or two with a ridiculous amount of Christmas balls on it.......and that is okay with me.

There was no watching football that day.....we were way too busy. After the tree was somewhat finished and the grandkids were satisfied with their efforts, it was time to get busy with the cookies.

I set them up in the kitchen so they each had a little table in front of them. I would take cookies out of the oven and after each tray cooled, I would load up a dish of them so the decorating could start. It was the grandkids job to make them look good.......hehehe.

All in all, they did a pretty good job, and these kids did NOT make a mess! Imagine that!

My granddaughter very carefully ate as many of the cookies that she decorated...........hehehe........well?..........surely you must know that you have to make sure they taste right! She did her share of quality control.

They did a good job of it and they had a great time. They were even singing Christmas carols while decorating the cookies. After this, what could I possibly want for Christmas?...........on this day everyone was happy. In the days ahead, I will continue the cookie production. There are gingerbread, oatmeal, peanut butter, and chocolate chip cookies to deal with. And I will fully enjoy each moment of it.

Are you gettin' all Christmasy yet?