CHRISTMAS/HOLIDAY TRADITIONS: THEN AND NOW By Sheryl Jordan

Each year, as the Christmas season approaches, I find myself reflecting on the traditions of my childhood and how my family celebrates today. While some customs have changed, many cherished traditions continue to bring us together year after year.

Then

As a child, I would feel the excitement for Christmas begin the weekend after Thanksgiving, when our family would assemble and decorate the tree. For many years, we had a beautiful silver tree adorned with blue ornaments. The house—and our neighborhood—sparkled with festive lights and decorations. I loved visiting stores to admire the dazzling ornaments and twinkling lights on the most stunning trees I had ever seen.

The anticipation grew as I participated in school concerts and plays, which helped the days pass more quickly. I was always eager to see what Santa would bring for my family. Of course, my siblings and I received plenty of gifts from Mom and Dad—perhaps too many, some might say!

A few days before Christmas, the house filled with the delicious aromas of holiday cooking. Mom and Dad prepared greens, thawed the turkey, and diced vegetables for the dressing. The Christmas ham waited in the refrigerator, and sweet potato and egg custard pies baked in the oven, making my mouth water.

On Christmas morning, my siblings and I would wake up around four a.m., anxious to see if “Santa” had delivered our wishes. We waited for our parents to join us before opening any presents, savoring the moment together.

Later in the day, friends and family gathered for a festive meal. Our table overflowed with turkey, dressing, ham, macaroni and cheese, mustard greens, cornbread, chitterlings, green bean casserole, and pies. When Aunt Lottie visited, she brought her homemade apple-peach cobbler—a special treat. The day was always filled with laughter, delicious food, and memories that have lasted a lifetime.

As we grew older and started our own families, our children would open their gifts at midnight. Later, we’d visit my parents’ home to celebrate with extended family, followed by visits to cousins and in-laws.

When my husband joined the U.S. Navy, and we moved away from our families, we adapted our traditions. We decorated two weeks before Christmas, and our shopping usually happened the weekend before Christmas Day—sometimes last-minute, but we always found what we needed. On Christmas Eve, we attended church services, and the kids opened presents early Christmas morning. Our holiday meals remained much the same, though I began making Strawberry Pretzel Dessert instead of egg custard pies, and collard greens replaced mustard greens. Turkey eventually disappeared from our menu.

Now

Today, we put up our trees the day after Thanksgiving. The grandchildren take charge of decorating, while I offer guidance (or, as they say, supervise). The main floor tree is adorned with a gold-and-ivory garland and a delicate angel in an ivory dress trimmed with gold. I love gazing at the tree as its twinkling lights fill our living room. In the basement, the grandchildren have full creative freedom, decorating a tree with multicolored lights and a collection of ornaments made or gathered over the years.

We shop throughout the season, mostly online and at local small businesses. Gifts are wrapped as they’re purchased, so we’re not up all night on Christmas Eve—a welcome change from years past.

Throughout the season, I enjoy watching Christmas movies, especially “A Christmas Story” on Christmas Day, as well as all the NFL football games.

Our holiday dinner features the same beloved dishes each year, but now I have wonderful help in the kitchen. One granddaughter makes Strawberry Pretzel Dessert and Banana Pudding, with assistance from her younger sisters. My daughter prepares sweet potato casserole, collard greens, and dinner rolls. I’m in charge of macaroni and cheese and ham. We buy apple and sweet potato pies, since I’ve been told my sweet potato pies are delicious, but not quite like my dad’s!

A new tradition we’ve added is sharing a scripture related to the meaning of Christmas during dinner, with each person explaining why it’s meaningful to them.

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or another special holiday, I encourage you to reflect: How have your traditions changed or stayed the same over the years? The heart of the season is found in the memories we create and the love we share.

HOA DRAMA, SHENANIGANS, AND MYSTERY by Sheryl Jordan

 A homeowner’s association (HOA) governs and manages a housing community, setting rules and bylaws (with the assistance of a hired attorney) for its residents. Residents pay fees to cover the cost of amenities and services provided, such as swimming pools, landscaping of common areas, clubhouses, gyms, etc.

My first experience living in a community with an HOA during the late 1980s – early 1990s was relatively uneventful. Everything was organized, and communication of changes and updates was timely, even though it was done by postal mail, or letters and flyers placed on your screen doors.

Two years ago, we purchased a home in a beautiful golf course community. I love living in our community, as most residents are friendly, and I have built close friendships with some of them. Our HOA offers numerous committees for residents to get involved in, as well as activities for children, adults, and families residing here.

After attending several meetings and reading some of the comments in their aftermath, I was prompted to write a fictional mystery short story or novel about the shenanigans and cutthroat drama that occur in a fictitious HOA community.

I began researching HOAs and community posts on various websites. I found there is dissatisfaction with HOAs across the United States. Not just with the HOA, but discord amongst the people living in these types of communities.

I read about instances where arguments between HOA Board members and residents escalated into full-blown fights during meetings, acts of revenge, and sabotage among committee members and neighbors.

Although I won't be sharing many details of my story in progress, rest assured that it will include drama, revenge, and a deceased body or two.

What were your experiences with an HOA or neighborhood you’ve had the pleasure of residing in? Please share your story, good, bad, ugly, or funny.

SWEET DAYS OF SUMMER by Sheryl Jordan

Summer is just around the corner, and everyone is getting ready for some fun in the sun! There is a lot to do in the beautiful summer months. Some people will take vacations they have planned months before, while others will travel spontaneously to their destinations. Staycations are also popular choices; experiencing local outings can be a fantastic way to spend summer days.

Summer, oh, how it stirs up nostalgia in me! It is one of my favorite seasons, a time when I find myself reminiscing about summers gone by. The fun-filled days and the not-so-perfect moments—all of them are etched in my memory as wonderful experiences. From family vacations, driving to different states to visit family and friends, going to amusement parks to the bee/wasp stings I endured while playing outside, going on fishing and camping trips, to baseball games where I once sat on a red ant’s nest.

My fondest memories are the Fourth of July celebrations. As I write this, the smells and booms of fireworks shooting up in the sky, bursting to show their bright colors of red, green, blue, and orange, are vivid. It was my highlight of summer, followed four days later by my birthday celebrations.

In recent years, I traveled to various cities during the summer. This summer, I decided not to travel but to do a staycation to relax and unwind. We will attend Juneteenth and 4^th of July celebrations, watching fireworks and joining in the festivities. Some of my family will visit in July for my birthday. I look forward to spending time with them and creating new memories. I also look forward to cookouts and going to the Virginia Beach Ocean Front, Williamsburg, and Bush Gardens.

In my writer’s life, I am going to complete the first two books of a mystery series. To do so, I am setting up interviews with professional female truck drivers. Who knows, I may even be able to go on the road for research with one of them. Now, that would be an adventure! I will also finish building my author’s website and participate in many book signings. An anthology I am a contributing author in will be released soon, so I will be participating in a launch party and promotional book signings.

On the not-so-busy days this summer, I am looking forward to reading, binge-watching movies, and television shows, and just enjoying the dog days of summer.

What are some of your most memorable summers? What plans do you have for this summer?

THE POWER OF INFLUENCE by Sheryl Jordan

 

Do you ever think about what influences you or how you influence people? I have been thinking about this lately and realize how much influence is a part of life.

According to the Oxford Dictionary, influence is the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself.

Merriam-Webster states influence is the power to change or affect someone or something—especially the power to cause changes without directly forcing those changes to happen.