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Wm. Bates | all galleries >> A New Beginning...Picture A Day >> Click Here For December 2005 Images > Happy Holidays From Wanda and Bill 12_16_05.jpg
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16-DEC-2005

Happy Holidays From Wanda and Bill 12_16_05.jpg

To everyone...have a "Happy Holiday Season!

Yes, I said "Holiday Season". That is an inclusive seasons greeting, not an exclusive greeting like Merry Christmas, Happy Hanuka..etc. And we need to be more inclusive in this world.

There are those that want us divided. You hear them on "talk radio" daily. They are the ones screaming about people using things like "Seasons Greetings" or "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas". It isn't that us "Happy Holidays" crowd are anti Christian and trying to remove Christmas from the "Holiday Season". It is that we want to include everyone in this season of joy; Christian and Non Christian alike. It is the time of year when we should be thinking about peace and we should stop listening to the hate and war mongers. I think that would be more Christ like.

OK...alternative title "Santa Baby" related link http://www.newbie.com/Christmas/SantaBaby/santa_baby.html

Canon EOS 20D ,Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
1/125s f/5.6 at 50.0mm iso400 with Flash hide exif
Full EXIF Info
Date/Time16-Dec-2005 15:02:31
MakeCanon
ModelCanon EOS 20D
Flash UsedYes
Focal Length50 mm
Exposure Time1/125 sec
Aperturef/5.6
ISO Equivalent400
Exposure Bias
White Balance (-1)
Metering Modeaverage (1)
JPEG Quality (6)
Exposure Programprogram (1)
Focus Distance

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Guest 03-Jan-2006 03:18
Great Pic!
Lets just change everything to just "holiday"
Thankgiving, Easter, 4th of July... :)))))
Guest 19-Dec-2005 20:02
Amen!

I totally agree that our society is suffering from a bad case of "affluenza". One of our local malls opens at 3 a.m. the morning after Thanksgiving to kick off the shopping season. There have been instances of people being trampled, etc. like you described. I like to save money and appreciate a bargain as much as the next guy. But I can either shop via the Internet or visit local retailers at my convenience. And I also agree and sympathize with you (and other retail employees) who have to endure the holiday madness. You suffer far too much abuse and receive far too little credit for making transactions go smoothly.

I have lost all four of my grandparents, both parents and my only sibling now lives out in your neck of the woods (Colorado) so we rarely see each other. I would gladly trade any and all of the trinkets and doo-dads that I'll receive as presents this year just to spend another Christmas with my parents and grandparents. I know that time marches on and that nobody lives forever, but family time is much more important to me than what kind of cool stuff I get under the tree.

Luckily I have a great wife and a sweet daughter to spend the holidays with now. We are building our own holiday traditions and enjoying the time together and trying to not get caught up in all of the hoopla and commercialism.

I hope you have a great walk this afternoon. I can't think of a better way to escape the hustle and bustle of this season than a relaxing walk in the woods enjoying nature. I wish I could be there with you.

Regards,

Glenn
Wm. Bates19-Dec-2005 17:51
"And I have become increasingly disappointed in recent years with the way retailers especially, but society in general, have taken to secularizing the holidays in the name of 'sensitivity' "

I'm not sure they have been trying to secularize Christmas in the name of sensitivity but with the bottom line and sales in mind. Heck, everyone can enjoy Santa, pine trees and gifts. I have to say the consumerism of Christmas, and almost everything else, to me is sad.

I work retail. There is nothing sadder than to see people fitting over the last product on the shelf. Just once I want to see someone say...oh you take I'll find something else. When we opened the store doors the day after Thanksgiving people ran through the store pushing, shoving and pretty much acting like wild animals. We had one young lady pushed to the floor and trampled. One of her co-works pulled her under a clothing rack to safety. Luckily she only suffered a broken wrist. Oh yeah...happy holidays and merry Christmas.

I've watched people yell at clerks and cashiers over things that the employee has no control over. Boy they have no idea how stupid they look to those around them. To a large extent the retailers are as much to blame as the consumers. "Door crasher sales ads" "XBox in limited numbers" and on and on.

We in this country suffer from "affluenza". We spend way to much time trying to keep up with the Jones. Instead, we should be trying to lead a quality life; where it is more important about how we live and how we treat those around us, more than where we live and what we have. We're spending way to much time worrying about the wrong things in this world.

Ok...now it is time for a nice Winter walk to enjoy what is pretty much free; good conversation, good company and Mother Natures beauty : ^)
Guest 19-Dec-2005 17:01
Bill and Wanda,

In addition to my admiration of Bill's photographic skills and Wanda's beauty as well as both of yours' good nature to share of yourselves so openly, I also have a great personal respect for your reasoned and well thought out commentaries and responses to people's posts.

As you have probably already realized, I am a Christian and this time of year is very special for me and my family. And I have become increasingly disappointed in recent years with the way retailers especially, but society in general, have taken to secularizing the holidays in the name of "sensitivity". As I said in my first post, I think that our country has become hyper-sensitive and polarized. We seem to have developed an "us" vs. "them" mentality. Not just about religion and holidays, but also politics, personal rights, personal responsibilities and just about any controversial topic you can think of.

There are, unfortunately, far too many mean-spirited people wandering around the streets being grinches or whatever unpleasant label you want to put on them. But just when I begin to think that the world has gone to hell in a handbasket, I'll encounter personally or hear/read about strangers practicing random acts of kindness and it will restore my hope that we aren't living in a totally selfish, crass, impersonal world.

I was glad to see Wanda say that she is going to go back to wishing people a "Merry Christmas". Not because I said to or because it's a victory for my point of view. Just because that's what's really in her heart and on her mind. I think everybody who visits Bill's gallery knows that not only is Wanda a caring, sensitive individual - she's also a genuine, "what you see is what you get" person. And for her to try and change to a generic holiday greeting would not be genuine Wanda and that would be a shame, IMHO.

Thanks for enduring another long diatribe.

Best wishes and warm regards,

Glenn
Guest 19-Dec-2005 16:51
Merry Christmas to Bill and Wanda...Happy Holidays to those that prefer that greeting!
Great pics of Wanda..and. thank you Wanda for sharing your beauty this holiday season!
And thank you Bill for getting the images/light just perfect for us.
Be safe throughout the season and a Happy New Year to you and yours. !


James Ferrall
Wm. Bates19-Dec-2005 16:32
Glenn,

It was only after I had encountered people acting offended at Me that I switched to saying something other than Merry Christmas and buying cards with greetings that were all inclusive. I was trying to be sensitive because that is My nature. It is rather sad that some folks had to display obvious offense and act like somehow they had just had the biggest insult in the world heaped upon them because it has to lead to just one more stupid thing for people to be concerned about. Seems like now-a-days we have to worry about being politically correct about every little thing!

Wanda

After reading your comment Glenn, I have to decided to go back to saying "Merry Christmas" and if someone gets offended, that is their problem!
Wm. Bates19-Dec-2005 16:24
Glenn, I'm not sure I have ever heard of somebody taking offense to "Merry Christmas". I know I certainly don't. Lately I'm hearing lots of talk about how bad it is that store, advertisers and even the President using "Happy Holidays". How that is being anti-Christian. I guess I just feel that is very far from the truth.
Guest 19-Dec-2005 15:50
First - as always, great picture Bill and Wanda.

Second - I agree with Jeff. It's those who take offense at my saying "Merry Christmas" who cause the division. Like it or not, the holiday held on December 25th is Christmas. But that doesn't require anybody to become a Christian. You can enjoy the holiday (or the day off from work) as you please while my family and I celebrate the birth of Christ. And when I say "Merry Christmas", I am wishing you and yours a happy holiday - regardless of which faith and/or holiday you celebrate at this time of year, NOT trying to proselytize or cram my beliefs down your throat.

If I encountered a person of the Jewish faith who wished me a "Happy Hanukkah" or an African-American who wished me "Happy Kwanzaa" or a Muslim who wished me a "Happy Ramadan", or a person of any other faith who extended a warm holiday greeting I wouldn't be offended or militantly tell them I don't celebrate their holiday. I'd simply say "thank you" and take it for what it is: a warm holiday greeting.

I'll agree that there are too many "Christian Conservatives" who are insensitive and/or inflexible about this topic if you'll agree with me that those who claim to be offended by "Merry Christmas" are equally hyper-sensitive and/or inflexible about it.

People of different faiths have been living together in the United States for almost 400 years. It's a shame that both sides have decided that all of a sudden we need to argue and bicker about this. Why can't we all just (in the words of Rodney King) "get along"?

The bottom line (for me): I'd like to wish everybody a safe, happy, and festive holiday season. And if you don't celebrate any of the holidays this time of year, best wishes and warm regards.

Glenn
Howard Sandler18-Dec-2005 03:57
I'm a Jew and don't understand why anyone should feel the need to make a greeting bland to somehow be more inclusive. Anyway, what other holiday does anyone mean other than Christmas when they say "happy holidays"? Most years, no other religion has a coincident holiday the same week.

Anyway, nice photo. Merry Christmas Bill and Wanda!
Ray :)17-Dec-2005 17:33
I like Santa's stockings too ;-)
Happy Holidays to the both of ya!
Dave Callahan Photography17-Dec-2005 14:00
We get a wonderful picture provided,of a gorgeous woman, by a talented man ,and we banter about who's greeting is best.As long as each of us says whats in our hearts our greetings are "correct".Peace and love to each of us.And Bill I was kinda hoping for the christmas picture it was going to be like the one on Dec 7th without the santa shirt and leggins!lol- Dave
Gary Blanchette17-Dec-2005 12:55
Personally, while "Merry Christmas" holds deep meaning in my heart, it's more of a traditional saying for me than a way to offend others. This year I sent out cards with Mickey Mouse on them that said Happy Holidays. Not because it was politically correct, but because I liked the card. Here's to wishing Bill and Wanda a great Month of December! ;-)
John Lester17-Dec-2005 11:57
I agree with you 120%. I have sent "Happy Holidays" cards for years, feeling that I should not prejudge what holiday one was celebrating. And most certain Happy Holidays to you and Wanda and the family.
John
Guest 17-Dec-2005 10:00
Merry Christmas!
To my mind the ones who object to someone saying merry christmas are the ones causing division.Enjoy your holiday season regardless!
Wm. Bates17-Dec-2005 07:00
Hmmm...just had a lap dance from Wanda as she sang along with the Santa Baby link..

Now the song Baby It's Cold Outside comes to mindhttp://www.moviewavs.com/cgi-bin/moviewavs.cgi?Elf=babyitscold2.wav
Dennis Steinauer17-Dec-2005 05:27
Here, here. (Some day I have to look up the origin of that expression.) Well said -- and I hope you, Wanda, and yours all have a wonderful holiday season and new year. Cheers, dds
Jim McKinlock17-Dec-2005 04:37
Santa Baby is looking lovely, Happy Holiday's to you and your family and everyone here on pbase.
Robin Reid17-Dec-2005 04:07
Excellent (as usual) ... quite eye catching. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your family Bill.
Peter Hollinger17-Dec-2005 03:58
Happy Solstice! Best wishes, and thanks for the "Santa Baby" link.
Arthur Wolk17-Dec-2005 02:39
Beautiful image and beautiful sentiment. All the joy of the season to you and yours.
Wm. Bates17-Dec-2005 02:30
Steve, you know that Santa is the keeper of the "Naughty Girl List"...and he is checking it twice ;^)
stevephoto17-Dec-2005 02:24
Season's Greetings!
Now I know why Santa has that twinkle in his eye.
Guest 17-Dec-2005 02:00
Happy Holidays