Preparing for the Christmas Ride!

For many American Consumers today is "Black Friday!" A day reserved for spending hard earned cash on presents for loved ones. These presents will be given on December 25 in recognition of the greatest gift of all, the baby Jesus.

A fable that is also been given it's American spin is the legend of Santa Claus. The man in Red and white, rotund and jolly, has been synonymous with the American holiday season for many decades. Artists have been employed again and again to try to capture clever nostalgic images of a magical man who fly's from rooftop to rooftop, carried in the sleigh by a team of eight reindeer.

Like many Baby-boomer boys and girls, I had a great love of the annual cartoons that would introduce the wonderful world of color on our TV screens. We saw the display of creative genius like Charles Schultz and Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr Seuss) year after year. We have also introduced these characters to our children and our grandchildren.

I have a personal love for the possibilities of the North Pole Giver of Gifts. One of my earliest attempts at the legend was a pencil sketch of a home coming for Santa and his faithful friend. I called it "Ho Ho Home!" I have done several Christmas Card themes since. This year, 2018, between customer service calls at my call center job, I tried to come up with a new card. After a couple of incomplete attempts, I came up with an idea that would return to the North Pole legend of Santa and his faithful magical reindeer. Two cards have come from this years dream. First I tried to capture Santa offering his personal treat to a yearling reindeer. I call it "The day before Christmas."

I thought, that is sweet, but he is about to ask this young fawn to join a team of hearty beasts to lift his sleigh weighted down with gifts for boys and girls around the globe. That is hard work! How do you get this first time helper up for the task? You give his a pep talk. "You Can Fly!

So as you wear your back and feet to miserable aches out a desire to show your affection for loved ones young and old, this year hear that encouragement of the Jolly giver of gifts:

You Can Fly! So this year with the heart of a eager parent, or grandparent. Make 2018 a year you could Fly!