As you regular, or irregular, readers of this column know, I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer, brightest bulb on your Christmas tree, nor does my mind see the obvious.
All of which give me reason not to realize the cause of many of Michigan’s sport teams to tank this year.
Why have the Tigers, Lions, Pistons, Red Wings, Wolverines, and yes, even the Michigan State Spartans, come up short of expectations in 2009?
Can there be bad karma, a link between what has happened in our Michigan this year and the recession cloud covering us?
I believe that’s possible. Usually we have one major league team that will give us hope, that will take our minds off the unemployment figures, proposed tax increases and rising prices.
Not this year. We are bombarded with news of auto layoffs, government takeovers, flops on Wall Street, inflation, H1N1 wiping out all of America and crumbling roads.
Real estate values are plummeting, banks are closing, prices keep going up, the continuing wars don’t help our attitudes and our politicians are inept, incompetent or blind.
Seemingly, all we have going for us is Christmas. An expensive Christmas. Had to get that in. On the brighter side, the holiday can be so uplifting.
Just viewing the lights, seeing the school-agers doing their Christmas-thing on stages, hearing choirs sing the carols, watching the Christmas parades and gift-sharing family times, gives us relief.
So for now, let’s tune out Lansing and Washington, D.C.; discontinue reading screaming headlines, turn to the comics, have more comedy hour, call some old friends, and yes, remember what this season is about:
It is Christ’s birthday (that’s hope and encouragement at its best).
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However, I can’t leave you without at least a little sarcasm, and a little chain pulling. So, here’s my stimulus carol:
Here comes Obama,
Here comes Obama,
Right down Stimulus Lane.
Czars, Pelosi and Reid, pulling on the reins.
Bells are ringing, Dems singing,
They say all is merry and bright.
So, hang your head, ignore the noise
‘Cause the real Santa Clause comes tonight!
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One of the uplifting things for me this season is a sculpture of an owl on an old stump, out my back door.
If you ever need a carving, you’ve got to give Gary Elzerman a call. He’s the guy who drives around in a black pickup with the wording, Custom Carver, ‘You know, the guy on Baldwin Road? painted on the doors.
What he does with a couple of chain saws is amazing. I think my sculpture has more feathers than the original. And, the eyes are sharp in this four-foot tall owl.
I’m so pleased with my owl, I’m giving you Gary Elzerman’s cell phone number, 248-770-4938. He’s fast, leaves no mess and has a great personality.