Going back a way, it confounds me how many people are truly clueless or just so mired in their own perceptions of how things work in regard to religion. There's the "war on Christmas" deal which seems to be a mindset of all-Christmas-all-the-time or it's being shut out, rather than seeing it as an opening up to other traditions. And there was a fuss because a local school district was asked to include Muslim holidays on the calendar ... when they fell on the same days as some Jewish holidays which were already on the calendar (as well as the Christian ones). Their response was to take out ALL mention of religion on the calendar ... although - coincidentally! - the holidays are falling on Christmas and Easter and so on.

Bonus cluelessness: the politician at an event marking the beginning of Hanukkah said, "Jesus is the reason for the season."

My gast is truly flabbered.

And here I got the impression yesterday that Axial Tilt is the reason for the season. Whatever the reason, glad tidings and good cheer to all!

Plus, there's Mithras, whose mother was a virgin and who was born in a cave at the winter solstice.

The realtor scheduled at noon a showing at 330. I did not know that we were having showings yet, & I have an appointment at 430 that I have to be at, we all need to be out of the house for an hour at 330, and we have one freaking car. Thank God that the house is mostly tidy, however my pleasant day with my stepson is now turned into a straightening up and dusting and tidying frenzy. I'm really appreciative right now.

In support of Connie's comment...more about Mithras via QI.

My favorite line, "Is he a tribute band?"

There is a response to the War on "The Holidays" in the comments of this Slacktivist blog post which is so brilliant that I'm tempted to plaigairize it. At the moment it is near the end of the thread, (though, these people are talky, talky people so who knows where it will end up in the long run), author's name is "Mister Hush" and it starts out "*Bane Voice*" [link] You won't be sorry if you read it. Unless you have something in your mouth while you read it.

So, we had Christmas plans to go to the movies and get Chinese food. But then my sister said she didn't want to go to the vegan Chinese restaurant like we'd planned, because it wasn't festive enough, and she suggested a different restaurant. I said I didn't want to go there, because they've got a wall of fish tanks, and I don't like watching fish swimming while people are eating fish. And somehow, this now means that we're not going out at all, and instead, we're staying in and my sister is making lasagna, which I can't eat. And she seemed insulted when I asked what she was making for me, since she's the one who decided we're staying in.

Sigh. Families - can't live with 'em, can't get born without 'em.

Full recovery~ma to your nephew, Laura.

Families - can't live with 'em, can't get born without 'em.

As late as the 19th century, it was believed that creatures like crocodiles arose from the mud of the Nile by spontaneous generation. This always struck me as fine idea.

Laura, lots and lots of ~ma for your nephew and your whole family.