Reflection, Remembrance, Resolution, Repentence-Part 4



Vendor Gift Ware

 In my previous post I mentioned having two sets of Christmas glassware, one of which a vendor gave my Dad as manager of a family-owned lumber business (not his family).

A Partridge in
 a Pear Tree

 The second set is my collection of glassware, the theme of which is the 12 Days of Christmas. If any of you have been following me for any length of time, you know I have an obsession with this Christmas-based song, the lyrics of which are somewhat redundant. The link above is Wikipedia and has a variety of interpretations. I'm sure there are 100 more.

2 Turtle Doves


Seemingly of English origin (maybe my British readers can shed more light on its origin, intent and meaning) although some think there is a French origin, I find it simply amusing, not only the gifts, but the many parodies and theories written, some of which are ribald, about the song.



3 French Hens

 In the latter parts of the song, verses 9-12 the gifts seem to get interchanged in some versions of the ditty, but I doubt by this time anybody cares what number of lords leaping, ladies dancing, or pipers piping, drummers drumming, are minus or plus one or two members!

 Colly (Calling)
Birds



More interesting to me, is this song obviously was imported with our early American settlers, and it seems our overt capitalistic instincts enjoy figuring the total cost of buying such gifts.

5 Golden Rings



One source to read is the The New York Times, but their figures I found confusing. However, I am in no way sending anybody a gift of so many birds, which I prefer to watch as wildlife, not domesticated. Even in zoos, the bird display section seems to be the worst malodorous site of excrement.

6 Geese



One of the most interesting sites is an interactive site by the PNC Company that as been setting these price indices for 27 years. This year it is $23,439.28 compared go $12,673.56 in 1985, but remember this does not include the repetitions of the gifts 1-11 which bring the anticipated total $97,000, plus S&H and surely insurance for such expensive gifts.


7 Swans

 However I perceive the recipient will not be jolly either, as upkeep, insurance, work compensation (injuries to the milkmaids, lords, ladies, pipers and drummers.) Possibly Social Security and Medicare also will add to the upkeep, unless this is temporary or contract labor. Most likely living quarters for both livestock and entertainers will have to be built,  enlarged, or lodging and boarding contracted, lease or rent payments.

8 Maids



If I received 9 drummers, they would be fired after 10 minutes....Sorry, but I would rather pay Worker Compensation than suffer migraines plus medication costs. in some renditions this is 12 drummers!



9 Drummers

 So with apologies for redundancy here are photos of my collection of glassware - 12 days of Christmas. I took these photos using my light box. The two Christmas glasses in previous post turned out fairly well, but many of the 12 Days of Christmas set have too much flash burn.

10 Pipers



I've had little time to learn how to avoid, and/or correct this ugly glare. I only have two lights; I need one or two more, or learn timed exposure w/o flash.



If I remember correctly, this glassware was distributed by Pepsi Cola Co.

11 Ladies

The Lords leaping, Ladies dancing, Pipers piping, and Drummers drumming, are not always in the same order in various renditions of the carol--not sure why but since it is a very old carol, something may have been lost or changed, for whatever reason on the centuries.

 

But in the Spirit of Christmas, especially this fast tempo song, I present to you my collection.

12 Lords



I also have a collection 12 Days of Christmas stamps!!!

We had a small theater in our town once occupied by a Branson performer of some note. She presented a family Christmas show and featured this song. My boss took us all to the show. She singled us out to imitate the various gifts. As I remember my husband and I were the calling birds and had to flap our arms like birds and make a bird-like noise. I felt like a turkey, more than a calling bird.



Now you know why I am NitWit1!

If this embedded link works, it is the Muppets from You Tube singing the 12 Days of Christmas. If not here is the link.



Should you wish to sing along, here is one version of the lyrics:

On the first day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree

On the second day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Two turtledoves,
And a partridge in a pear tree

On the third day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Three French hens,
Two turtledoves,
And a partridge in a pear tree

On the fourth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtledoves,
And a partridge in a pear tree

On the fifth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtledoves,
And a partridge in a pear tree

On the sixth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtledoves,
And a partridge in a pear tree

On the seventh day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtledoves,
And a partridge in a pear tree

On the eighth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtledoves,
And a partridge in a pear tree

On the ninth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtledoves,
And a partridge in a pear tree

On the tenth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtledoves,
And a partridge in a pear tree

On the eleventh day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtledoves,
And a partridge in a pear tree

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtledoves,
And a partridge in a pear tree!

If you made to the end of this zany post:

I wish everyone a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!