[Blindtlk] early Christmas memories.

Mon Nov 27 23:28:34 CST 2006

Peter:

Our Christmas tree stand did not have lights built in; it had places around 
its edge to string lights; that is what we did. And do I ever remember those 
series lights! (grin)

The coolest Christmas stand I ever saw/heard was a very heavy one with an 
electric motor and some sort of slip-ring arrangement to transfer power to 
the tree from the wall outlet; the tree turned around slowly and there was a 
music box inside the stand that played Christmas music as the tree turned. I 
was *very* impressed and wish I could find one of those now. But we never 
had one -- too expensive; I only observed one in a department store once.

Mike

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Peter Donahue" <pdonahue1 at sbcglobal.net>
To: "NFBnet Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, November 27, 2006 12:48 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] early Christmas memories.

Hello Mike and listers,

    Did you guys have a lighted tree stand? We did and used it for several
years. I first remember it in 1959. It contained bubble lights which were
filled with the same alcohol solution, and made the same sound when the
stand was turned on. I recall it being used in 1959, 1961, and 1962.
Although we used it in 1963 we didn't use the lights as they were wired in
series, and used the bubble lights, or the C5 light bulbs. Back then
anything that was wired in series could try the patience of any holiday
reveler when bulbs decided to blow as the entire string went out. One could
easily spend all evening playing the ever popular game, "Find the blown
bulb." That's how it was in our family. The person who found the blown out
bulb won a $1.00. That is unless you were my mother. Her frustration with
these lights often sent them to the garbage bucket rather than fixing the
blown bulbs and putting them back on the tree or other structure.

    The coming of parallel wiring, C7, and C9 bulbs was a welcome relief;
particularly when it came to hunting down blown bulbs. At least now they
didn't take out the entire light string or the entire Christmas tree when
they went out. Now if they would make mini lights more durable that would be
very much appreciated as we always find ourselves replacing a percentage of
them each year as half, or the entire string blows out never to light again.
Speaking of I fixed the problems I had with the icecyccle lights on our
front patio and everything really looks beautiful now. The finishing touch
will be when we get our tree; most likely next week.

Peter Donahue

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com>
To: "NFBnet Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, November 26, 2006 11:30 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] early Christmas memories.

Yup; those are the lights I'm talking about. And we had the stars with
lights in them also. And *real* bubble lights with alcohol in them -- you
could *hear* them bubble. And we had lights with plastic animals that fit
over them and I had a free-standing Santa Claus with a light in him. Even
though he was plastic, his coat was fuzzy and you could feel the buttons on
it. And we had a nativity scene with a manger with a hole in the back so you
could hang one of the above-mentioned lighted stars thru the hole so that it
shined down on the animals and the Christ child.

Mike

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Judy Jones" <nfbwatac at earthlink.net>
To: "NFBnet Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, November 26, 2006 9:16 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] early Christmas memories.

Mike, that sounds wonderful.

I'll bet you're talking about those light with the screw-in bulbs, right?
We also had little tin stars/scallops that fit on as well.

Judy

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com>
To: "NFBnet Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, November 26, 2006 8:40 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] early Christmas memories.

> Perhaps my earliest memory of Christmas was when I was three years old or
> perhaps four. We rented an apartment consisting of the second floor of my
> grandmother's house at the time and I can remember an evening around
> Christmas time when there was some sort of party or gathering and I
> wandered
> away and into the dining room where the Christmas tree was. I remember
> standing there all alone, gazing at it in wonder. I could see light and
> some
> shadows; I remember standing there wondering if the world were really like
> this; I was totally awe-struck. I remember the smell of the tree as well
> as
> it being all lit up (we used *real* lights then -- not the wimpy lights
> used
> now) and I remember walking up and touching the tree with its artificial
> snow underneath and all the presents piled up.
>
> Mike Freeman
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Judy Jones" <nfbwatac at earthlink.net>
> To: <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Saturday, November 25, 2006 2:49 PM
> Subject: [Blindtlk] early Christmas memories.
>
>
> Greetings to all,
>
> I think Ray had a good idea in mentioning an Christmas memory.  It would
> be
> interesting to hear people's earliest Christmas memories.
>
> Mine was when I was five.  We were living in Turkey, as my dad was over
> there with NATO forces.  There was a party at the officers' club for all
> the
> little kids one afternoon.  We waited outside the club, and Father Noelle,
> came riding in on a camel.  He dismounted and gave out candy and small
> gifts.  I remember my parents letting me talk to him and remember the feel
> of the long robe he wore.
>
> When all was done, he mounted his camel, and off he rode.
>
> I don't know how much of this is actual Turkish variant on a Christmas
> theme, but has always stayed with me.
>
> Judy
>
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
>
>
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