The Daily Bug

The 1914 Christmas Truce and Other Miracles

Posted by: palmettobug53, 7:36 PM GMT on December 25, 2005

You are standing up to your knees in the slime of a waterlogged trench. It is the evening of 24 December 1914 and you are on the dreaded Western Front.

Stooped over, you wade across to the firing step and take over the watch. Having exchanged pleasantries, your bleary-eyed and mud-spattered colleague shuffles off towards his dug out. Despite the horrors and the hardships, your morale is high and you believe that in the New Year the nation's army march towards a glorious victory.

But for now you stamp your feet in a vain attempt to keep warm. All is quiet when jovial voices call out from both friendly and enemy trenches. Then the men from both sides start singing carols and songs. Next come requests not to fire, and soon the unthinkable happens: you start to see the shadowy shapes of soldiers gathering together in no-man's land laughing, joking and sharing gifts.

Many have exchanged cigarettes, the lit ends of which burn brightly in the inky darkness. Plucking up your courage, you haul yourself up and out of the trench and walk towards the foe...

Thus starts the story of the 1914 Christmas Truce. A Christmas miracle, indeed. In spite of all the evil and violence in the world, there are still bright spots of goodwill, generosity and benevolence. If you have seen or participated in something wonderful, or caught something heartwarming in the local or national media, we'd like to hear about it. Unfortunately, the higher ups in this case put the kibosh on the fraternization going on. It just didn't do to have peace (GASP) break out in the middle of a war! Heaven forbid!

Updated: 12:39 PM GMT on July 01, 2006

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Christmas Receipts and More!

Posted by: palmettobug53, 2:22 PM GMT on December 18, 2005

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, from me to all of you WUBAs! We do love to eat and drink, don't we? Especially around the holidays, when we gather with family and friends. Whether it's for that Christmas drop-in, open house, cookie swap or the family feast (breakfast,dinner or supper), we sometimes want to add something new to our list of favorite offerings. Here's the place to do it! We're going to have a recipe swap this week. Share your favorite holiday receipts with us. They can be simple snacks, main dishes, side dishes, desserts, punches, whatever you like. How about Grandma's special ham glaze or something from your favorite cook book? We don't care where they come from. And guys, we know you also cook and/or grill, so we want your input, too! Share and enjoy!

Updated: 12:47 PM GMT on July 01, 2006

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Holiday Movies and TV Specials

Posted by: palmettobug53, 8:52 PM GMT on December 11, 2005

There's nothing like snuggling on the couch, with a cup of hot tea or chocolate, and watching that old favorite on TV during the holidays. Do you watch them alone? Or does the family gather 'round?
Whether it's a black and white classic movie from the 30's or 40's or if it's something that's only a few years old, inquiring minds want to know: What are your favorite holiday movies? How about your favorite TV specials or do you fondly recall a specific holiday episode from one of your favorite TV shows? You don't have to list your top one or two favorites. List them all! If there's more than one version of a particular movie or special, please let us know which one you prefer. If you want to say why...well, go ahead. Have fun! And have a safe and happy holiday season!

Updated: 12:47 AM GMT on February 28, 2006

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Childhood Memories

Posted by: palmettobug53, 8:33 PM GMT on December 04, 2005

Childhood memories of the holidays are some of the best and most cherished memories of all. Do you have a special memory of being in the kitchen with your mother, grandmother or aunts, making cookies during the holiday season? What about a trip to visit a relative you'd never seen before? Did you, your brother or sister do something hilarious one year, that has been laughed about ever since? Did you do something special with your father, grandfather or uncles? Was there something that you saw, or did, during the holidays that you'll never forget? This is not about your children or things that have happened in the recent past. This is about your childhood and what you remember, from when you were little. These are the stories we want to hear about. Have fun, and we're looking forward to hearing from you!
And, as always, have a safe and happy holiday, no matter which one you celebrate!

Updated: 12:39 AM GMT on February 28, 2006

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About palmettobug53

WU member since Oct. 2005. I enjoy reading, crafts, crosswords, puttering in the yard, old movies and hanging out with my friends on WU.

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