I’ve been putting away some of my holiday baubles this afternoon. The famed Muppets character, Beaker—seen here on his very own Christmas tree ornament—wears today’s Tie o’ the Day for us. When I press the ornament’s button, Beaker unintelligibly beep-sings his version of “Jesu, Joy Of Man’s Desiring.” I wish you could hear his unique rendition of the triumphant song. Bach would be proud. Bach would also snort-laugh.
You’ve probably seen my “Old Man” and “Ralphie” bobble heads in previous years’ TIE O’ THE DAY posts. They never cease to amuse, and I’m not sure I’ll even box them up for storage this year. Heavens, we already keep the 2 leg lamps, 3 Chuck Brown trees, and our Day of the Dead nativity scene on display all year long anyway: I see no harm in showing off the bobble heads 24/7, 365.
Y’all may not have noticed my precious snow globe previously. It’s been part of my yuletide decor for decades. I honestly can’t believe it’s still with my stuff after all this time. It is one of my treasured-est treasures. I bought it at a 1987 Salt Lake Acting Company performance of SATURDAY’S VOYEUR, back when the production was an annual holiday offering in SLC. After 34 years, not only does the snow still fall on the globe’s scene when it is shaken, but the globe’s blue sky literally falls with it. Elthora, the undisputed star of the long-running stage production, remains sturdy in her rightful position. Elthora is still front-and-center in the globe’s scene, sporting the beehivest beehive hairdo, which itself is topped off with her Temple-Square-at-Christmas crown—complete with Santa and his sleigh, continuously circling the model temple’s spires. I’m still speechless to see it!
You know, when I take a detailed look around our house at the miscellany I’ve accumulated over the course of my life, it is plain to see: I live in what amounts to a museum of books, my ties and bow ties, Suzanne’s fabric, and sundry oddities for all occasions—which we’ve joyously curated and pack-ratted. Our inventory is priceless in our personal economy. On the free market, the whole of our lives’ material haul is probably not worth much. We don’t care. We are not just rich: we are filthy wealthy with what matters most.