Bluebelle,  Daily Life,  Holy Days,  Jinx,  Mrs. Orr,  Music,  Photographs,  Reflections

Christmas Eve, 2023

December 24, 2023 /
Jinx & Bluebelle enjoying the fire…

It’s been an interesting day. Very mild and sunny, very springlike. We enjoyed a very mellow time of it, right up until I started to microwave a biscuit and some sausage leftover from breakfast for a snack. When I pressed “start,” the display of numbers went blank, and then the entire bank of kitchen lights went out, along with the lights and the fridge out in the utility room. I went to the cellar to look at the breaker box, but no breakers were tripped. Still, I flipped the proper ones off, then on, then back off and let them sit for a while. Turned ’em back on and nothing. So I left a non-emergency message with our electricians’ office. No big deal except that I had to run a heavy extension cord from the utility room to the front foyer to power the fridge out there. The one in the kitchen is working fine….just the overhead lights, the utility room, and the GFCI outlet where the coffee pot is powered are out. Oh, and Mrs. Orr’s bathroom. She’s planning a candlelight bath. She says it’ll be Christmassy.

I was listening to the radio, tuned to a channel one state over which is run by a local high school. They play pretty good music most of the time, even though DJ’d by high school students. One of the programs to which we listen regularly is “Seems Like Old Times,” hosted by Craig Orndorff, mostly featuring standards from the Forties and Fifties. They had a Christmas edition of the show this week, with many really fine renditions of old Christmas carols. I had never before heard Enya’s “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” and enjoyed it quite a bit. But the real standout was a powerful rendition of “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” by an amazing tenor I’d never encountered. He was identified as Pete Smith by the host. I looked him up but couldn’t really find anything helpful. I found an Australian radio announcer, but I don’t think this is the right person. I’ll probably end up writing Craig Orndorff for help, unless any of you (Lewis, perhaps?) know of Pete Smith’s vocal work. I want to hear more. His version of this beloved carol stopped me in my tracks.

Rain is in the forecast for tomorrow, which is okay. We’ll think of it as liquid snow, and we’ll enjoy the holy peace of the day. I have, as usual, watched about six different versions of “A Christmas Carol” since Thanksgiving, starting with my absolute favorite, the 1984 George C. Scott version. I spent part of this afternoon on the front porch with Mrs. Orr, enjoying the sunshine and re-reading a beautiful bound version of the Dickens story that we found in an antiques store in Jacksonville, Texas. Beautifully printed and illustrated.

Mrs. Orr joins me in wishing you all a very Merry Christmas. May you and your families be blessed and may your homes be at peace in this troubled world.

~ S.K. Orr

16 Comments

  • Annie

    December 27, 2023 at 10:46 pm

    Like others here, I don’t comment much, but always enjoy your stories and observations. Merry belated Christmas! Or rather, here’s wishing you merry, and happy for the remainder of the 12 nights.

    • admin

      December 29, 2023 at 9:00 pm

      Annie, it’s always wonderful to hear from you. I appreciate your stopping by and reading. I hope you and yours had a very Merry Christmas, and I return your wishes for a lovely remainder of the Twelve Nights. And a happy New Year to you too, ma’am.

  • Lewis

    December 26, 2023 at 6:55 pm

    SK, many thanks for enlightening me about the Seems Like Old Times program on the internet. That will now be a regular of mine along with Serenade Radio.

    I searched for Pete Smith performing “I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day”, but did not find it. I did find a Pete Smith on the complication album “Reggae & Dub” released 5-24-2010 performing “Have Mercy”. Other tunes on that album include “Skanktimple” by Clyde & the KGs and “Gonna Ride On” by Bobby Jamaica. Jamaica also did a fine rednition of “All Dem People”. I decided not to add this album to my collection, but will think about it some more.

    The best version of “I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day” that I found was done by the wonderful Kate Smith. I note that she shares the same last name with Pete Smith of the forementioned album, but I don’t think they are kin.

    I also whole-heartedly recomend Kate Smit’s version of “Christmas Eve in My Home own” and “Silver Bells”. I think that she is the best of the singing Smiths.

    In fact I like Kate Smith singing anything.

    Let’s keep Old Christmas through January 6th this year.

    • admin

      December 29, 2023 at 8:59 pm

      Thanks so much, Lewis. I appreciate your research into the Pete Smith mystery. I’m still awaiting a reply from the Seems Like Old Times folks.

      And I join you in your affection for Kate Smith’s voice. Such a talent.

      And also, thank you for the email with the Old Christmas information. There are a few of the older mountain folk around here who still keep Old Christmas.

      I hope your new year launches with happiness and peace, my brother.

  • Francis Berger

    December 25, 2023 at 3:00 pm

    @ SK – I may not comment all that much, but I do read and enjoy your posts! Merry Christmas once again!

    • admin

      December 25, 2023 at 7:51 pm

      I’m the same, Francis. I visit your excellent site regularly, but I almost never comment. Probably because I don’t feel I add anything to the discussion. Merry Christmas, brother.

    • admin

      December 25, 2023 at 2:47 pm

      So good to hear from you, Francis! I hope you and your lovely family are doing well over there across the pond. A very Merry Christmas to you all.