Well… Here we are in that week between Christmas and New Year when we don’t know what day it is, nor what time it is. I ate salad today… so that’s a good thing. It’s bitterly cold, so I am hibernating. And not really cooking. We are surviving on leftovers.
Yet, it is time to do a little reflecting. I think it has been an okay year. Admittedly, I had to look up my word of the year. Obviously, I wasn’t focused on it. Maybe I was. Ah well. “There’s always next year!”
Like a good movie, or Netflix series, I’m just sending out a teaser today… a preview for next week to fully dive in to next year’s #wordoftheyear. Did we accomplish goals? What are we headed into for 2026? More animals? Will the garden ever get growing? What will mittonmusings.com look like? I need to take some time to pray during this no-mans-land week to seek some guidance as to where God wants me to be next year. Will you join me?
It rained today. Not that that really matters, except that I was getting used to the pretty view of the deep snow from my window. I am thankful for the warmer weather. It means I don’t have to go out to break ice and give fresh water several times a day to the animals. It has been exceptionally snowy early here, and as much as I complained, it was quite festive… as long as I didn’t have to drive in it. And when we were driving, he white snow covered pine trees along the country roads had us singing “Walking in a Winter Wonderland”… which had me musing… I wonder what the background of the carol was? Did he really walk around in a winter wonderland? Let’s refresh:
Sleigh bells ring, are you listenin’, In the lane, snow is glistenin’ A beautiful sight, We’re happy tonight, Walking in a winter wonderland.
Gone away is the bluebird, Here to stay is a new bird, He sings a love song, As we go along, Walking in a winter wonderland.
In the meadow we can build a snowman, Then pretend that he is Parson Brown He’ll say: Are you married? We’ll say: No man, But you can do the job When you’re in town.
Later on, we’ll conspire, As we dream by the fire To face unafraid, The plans that we’ve made, Walking in a winter wonderland.
In the meadow we can build a snowman, And pretend that he’s a circus clown We’ll have lots of fun with mister snowman, Until the other kiddies knock him down.
When it snows, ain’t it thrillin’, Though your nose gets a chillin’ We’ll frolic and play, the Eskimo way, Walking in a winter wonderland.
Walking in a winter wonderland, Walking in a winter wonderland.
The first lyrics were written by Felix Bernard Smith and Richard Bernhard in 1934. Originally it was just a romantic ditty about a young couple out on a romantic winter’s walk. It merged into Christmas-hood later with remakes from the likes of Guy Lombardo, Perry Como and even Elvis. You’ll notice some versions changed Parson Brown to “circus clown” to make the romantic version a little more child friendly. The one above includes both. All in all, just a fun song.
However… the original Mr. Smith didn’t actually get to go a walkin’ in the winter wonderland because he was recouping from another bout of tuberculosis in a hospital Sanitarium. As he stared out the window, dreaming of seeing his beloved wife, Jane, the kids frolicking around in the snow reminded him of his childhood days in Pennsylvania… and the song was born.
It’s actually sad to think about this poor guy suffering with coughing fits, hacking up a lung, with little hope of full recovery dreaming of a white Christmas at home with his new bride. The powers that be say that’s what the reference to the blue bird is… happiness gone and a new bird… sadness, has come to roost. Still, that’s speculative.
Whatever you choose to see in this little song, and even if the rain begins to take away all the pretty snow, I hope you’ll look out the window once and awhile and dream of days gone by and your true love. And be thankful we have modern medicine treatments! Be blessed!
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