As 2020 comes to a close, so many are wishing for so much to change.  Although the vaccines are very hopeful and being distributed, it won’t make the pandemic disappear at the stroke of twelve.  This also means the economy won’t improve overnight, either.  But there are many hopeful signs, and meetings are being scheduled for late summer and autumn which actually have a chance of taking place.  So, there is much to be grateful and hopeful for as we move onward into 2021.

One change that is immediate is PR/PR’s move.  We have a new address:

4046 N. Goldenrod Rd., Ste. 269

Winter Park, FL 2792

The phone number and the contact us remain the same.

Here’s to a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2021, all in good time!

Please, really read the original lyrics, from the movie Meet Me In St. Louis.

In my opinion they are more poignant this year than ever before, especially when you take “Little” to mean a few people or, as Dr. Fauci says, “toned-down:”

Have yourself a merry little Christmas

Let your heart be light

Next year all

Our troubles will be out of sight,

Have yourself a merry little Christmas

Make the Yule-tide gay

Next year all

Our troubles will be miles away

Once again, as in olden days,

Happy golden days of yore,

Faithful friends who were dear to us

Will be near to us once more

Someday soon we all will be together

If the fates allow,

Until then we’ll have to muddle through somehow

So, have yourself a merry little Christmas now

~ Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane, 1943

Wow!  The election announcement was exciting yesterday!  I, for one, couldn’t wait to hear how those that had been nominated would come out when the final ballots were tallied.  Of course, there were some surprises, but most importantly some long overdue recognition was finally granted.

I’m talking about the National Film Registry’s inductees.  Who did you think this blog was about?  On Monday, The Library of Congress released its list of 25 movies that will now be preserved for perpetuity.

Established in 1988, The National Film Registry (NFR) now has 800 movies in its registry.  The mission of the NFR is to ensure the survival, conservation, and increased public availability of America’s film heritage.  Up to 25 films are selected each year, with the public being able to nominate up to 50 American films that are at least 10 years past their original release date.  The Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden, and her staff make the final selections. 

Inductees don’t have to be traditional full-length films.  The Registry contains newsreels, silent films, student films, experimental films, short films, music videos, films out of copyright protection or in the public domain, film serials, home movies, documentaries, animation, and independent films.

The National Library said this year’s selections include a record nine films directed by women and filmmakers of color.  “With the inclusion of diverse filmmakers, we are not trying to set records but rather to set the record straight by spotlighting the astonishing contributions women and people of color have made to American cinema, despite facing often-overwhelming hurdles,” Hayden said in a statement.

Hayden and film historian Jacqueline Stewart will discuss the new selections in a television special on Turner Classic Movies on Tuesday, 12/15, at 8 p.m. EST.

As they say in The Godfather, “To The Family!” 

Many people are upset and saddened they won’t be spending this holiday season with their family.  My family just this weekend made the decision I should not travel cross-country to be with them.  The COVID numbers are spiking thanks to careless people at Thanksgiving, and it’s just too risky to travel at this time.  It will be disappointing to not see my grand-niece enjoy her first holiday season in their new home, as she’s of a young age now where she’s beginning to “get it” and know what the Christmas spirit is about.

But there’s another line from a movie/musical that has always resonated with me.  In Camelot, King Arthur says to Mordred, “The adage ‘blood is thicker than water’ was invented by undeserving relatives.”   Some can take this as a way of dismissing relations they don’t care for, but I take it as a reminder that family is anyone you want it to be.

Family are those who care for and about you.  Family are those whom you get excited about seeing, and those you think of first when you have both joyous and saddening news to share.  Family are those you see every day, and those you don’t see very often, but pick right back up where you left off when you do.  Family is anyone who puts a smile on your face when you think of them. 

Family is what you make it to be. 

So, I’m very blessed, that although I won’t be with blood relatives this year, I will be surrounded by family of my making and choosing, and that still makes for a happy holiday. 

There was a study done that showed six-year old’s laugh, on average 300 times a day; while adults laugh only about 15 times a day, 100 times at most.  While I found this news sad, I wasn’t surprised.  It’s no wonder the way the world beats the magic out of adults.  Comedian Ellen DeGeneres was talking about this on her show, and she said something along the lines of, “When you’re a kid getting the mail is magical – grandma may have sent you $5; but as an adult getting the mail is scary – Uncle Sam may say you owe him $5,000!”

Now that the holiday season is fully in affect, I would encourage you not to lose the wonderment of the season.  That wonderment is often found in the smallest actions and reactions.  Instead of grumbling because you’re hearing the same song for the 40^th time, sing along like no one is listening or dance to it like no one is watching.  When you’re baking cookies (you can give them away if you’re on Keto) go ahead and lick the beaters!  This pandemic has taught us that eating raw cookie dough is not the worst risky way you might get sick this year. 

If you’re having trouble finding the magic this season for yourself, try seeing it through the eyes of a child.   One of my fondest holiday memories is going gift and donation delivering with my parents each December.  They would drive around distributing gifts for friends, neighbors, and colleagues, as well as checks for charities they supported.  Even though I often stayed in the car during the drop, I remember the warmest of emotions wrapped around me so it didn’t matter how high the snow was, my comfort and joy was higher!

Stay wide-eyed my friends, you might just see something in yourself you haven’t seen in a while.

Happy Holidays!