SOMETHING SPECIAL

    I wanted to share something special and "Christmasy" with everyone. This time last year, I took various pictures of the babies as well as found various pictures on the Internet, and compiled them all into a Christmas video I made on my computer purely for the fun of it. I put the images with my favorite non-traditional Christmas song: CHRISTMAS CAN'T BE VERY FAR AWAY by Amy Grant.
    You might be wondering who "Majimaw" is, as the movie begins. "Majimaw" is the name I called my Grandma Brassfield. Being five years old, go figure I'd use a name like that. LOL...Oh, well.
    I'm sorry I've appeared "lax" with writing consistent blog entries, especially for the Christmas season. I'm trying to put together the best of the best; and living near Gatlinburg makes it kinda hard to choose the right shot, especially since the town becomes one gigantic Christmas village this time of year.
    Nevertheless, thank you all for your patience and enjoy!

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

MACY'S DEPARTMENT STORE IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA

     That's right, dear friends. Christmas is here, ready or not; and let me tell you: it was everywhere today.
    I was with some of my family at Macy's in Atlanta, Georgia today. Christmas music rang heavily out the loudspeakers, shoppers worked hard finding the best deals possible, and Santa himself even gave me and P.B.E. a great big wave. I was asked if I wanted to inform Santa of my heart's desire this holiday season.
   Needless to say, I declined. After all: I was thirty-something and there's no way Santa could give me peace among such a busy time of the year. I wanted to ask jolly ole Saint Nick for any sign of holiday tranquility. 
   Then, there it came: peace amid the chaos of Black Friday. It started at Starbucks in a venti-sized cup and bore the name of "Pumpkin Spice Latte." Then came phase two: I sat down in a secluded spot and watched the passersby reminiscing and embracing old familiar friends.
    Finally, I marveled at the sight of each child informing Santa of his or her little hearts' desires and saw the merry twinkle in their eyes. I was instantly taken in my mind to the sweet memories of my childhood; the sheer excitement I possessed, as the same fear and joy swelled up inside me seeing Kris Kringle, as it always did each passing year.
   And, involuntarily, I smiled.
   I smiled because despite the hustle and bustle of eager shoppers and Black Friday itself, the glory days of yesteryear reminded me once again there really is a Santa Claus after all.
   
   

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

The Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving

(by Edgar Albert Guest)

It may be I am getting old and like too much to dwell
Upon the days of bygone years, the days I loved so well;
But thinking of them now I wish somehow that I could know
A simple old Thanksgiving Day, like those of long ago,
When all the family gathered round a table richly spread,
With little Jamie at the foot and grandpa at the head,
The youngest of us all to greet the oldest with a smile,
With mother running in and out and laughing all the while.

It may be I'm old-fashioned, but it seems to me to-day
We're too much bent on having fun to take the time to pray;
Each little family grows up with fashions of its own;
It lives within a world itself and wants to be alone.
It has its special pleasures, its circle, too, of friends;
There are no get-together days; each one his journey wends,
Pursuing what he likes the best in his particular way,
Letting the others do the same upon Thanksgiving Day.

I like the olden way the best, when relatives were glad
To meet the way they used to do when I was but a lad;
The old home was a rendezvous for all our kith and kin,
And whether living far or near they all came trooping in
With shouts of "Hello, daddy!" as they fairly stormed the place
And made a rush for mother, who would stop to wipe her face
Upon her gingham apron before she kissed them all,
Hugging them proudly to her breast, the grownups and the small.

Then laughter rang throughout the home, and, Oh, the jokes they told;
From Boston, Frank brought new ones, but father sprang the old;
All afternoon we chatted, telling what we hoped to do,
The struggles we were making and the hardships we'd gone through;
We gathered round the fireside. How fast the hours would fly--
It seemed before we'd settled down 'twas time to say good-bye.
Those were the glad Thanksgivings, the old-time families knew
When relatives could still be friends and every heart was true.

THE VIEW FROM UP HERE

Pictures taken at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

     Today's blog entry is a rather simple one. With winter coming along, I wanted to give everyone one last look at autumn in the Smokies before the leaves of gold are replaced with flakes of white.
     These pictures were taken about three weeks ago at the Great Smoky Mountains overlooking Mount LaConte, and everything was "autumnly" stunning. At the time these pictures were taken the weather on the mountains was a crisp 65 degrees. Three glorious things took place that fateful day: travelers from various parts of the world packed the Smokies with warm regards toward one another, Mother Nature herself smiled upon East Tennessee, and all seemed right with the world.

MR. BOLTON HEARS A WHO

     This might come as a surprise to most, but in my opinion one of the greatest literary minds that ever existed is Dr. Seuss.
     As a writer, I'm often asked, "Who's your favorite writer?" Many anticipate names like Frost, Shakespeare, or any of the other wonderful authors of his and/or her time. Not belittling them by any means because I am a big fan of them all as well, but my preferences for choosing Theodore "Seuss" Geisel are heavily justified. His lyrical usage, his prose, cleaver usage of words are nothing short of brilliant. 
    When I was child, "THE CAT IN THE HAT" was the first book I remember owning. That, and an anthology of Mother Goose's nursery rhymes. To this day, both books proudly sit on my desk, along with my toys and other trinkets.
    I see these precious tales among my "play pretties" and something wonderful happens. I instantly forget about the worries of my day and smile. I smile because I'm in my own little world where there's only one law of the land: every Who is happy and no Grinches are allowed.
     

THANKFUL THINGS #6, #7, AND #8: EAT, PRAY, AND LOVE

     No, I'm not necessarily referring to the book and/or movie, but these three things are indeed next on my thankful things list: eat, pray, and love. 

    EAT: The one thing we love to do in our household around summertime is pick fresh fruits and vegetables at various vending stands. When I was a child, my grandparents had a garden, and I loved picking fresh fruits and vegetables, especially blackberries and grapes from off the vine. They were bitter, but OH, so good! That was one of the few things in my childhood that not only made me feel a sense of accomplishment, but also rang in the news that summer was officially here.
    There was a time I lost everything and didn't have food in my pantry. I'm thankful for having a job, as well as a few bucks in the bank. I'm not monetarily wealthy, but I'm thankful never having to "want" for any need.
    
     PRAY: I know anything involving religion is such a touchy subject anymore, but I've learned to never get caught up in how others do and don't believe and to only focus on what I believe. My favorite Bible verse is one that I believe is evidence of possessing a true belief in God: Hebrews 13:1 (Let brotherly love continue). I'm thankful I don't believe in God the way a lot of others do. There are some who believe God's looking down from heaven with a bolt of lightning, waiting to strike down anyone who isn't perfect.
    My belief in God doesn't waver, by any means. God does want believers to live as close as we possibly can, BUT I'm thankful I believe God understands us more than we give Him credit for. I'm thankful God loves everyone despite differences,  personalities, personal preferences, and, most of all, the self-righteousness and prejudices of others. Despite whether we all believe the exact same thing (which will never happen), or whether anyone else believes in God; He wants us all, believer or not, to love everyone without conditions or exceptions.
  
    And LOVE: I'm thankful for love. There are people who go through life without a single person telling them they're loved. I'm so thankful I hear it every single day from the most precious person in the world and various loved ones in my life. I'm thankful the babies "tell" me they love me every time they cover me with kisses and sit contently in my lap. 

    Yes, my friends, I'm thankful for all these things. But out of all these I'm thankful for love most of all. Because I've learned in my semi-advanced age when you have love, you have everything.

THANKFUL THING #5: MY INABILITY TO PUT AWAY CHILDISH THINGS

     Yes, dear readers. You've read it right. I am thankful for something that makes my world carefree and happy. I'm thankful for my inability to put away childish things.
     The shelf above my desk is one for the toy box, indeed. You'll see everything, from California Raisins to Care Bears and Transformers; even Disney characters and my favorite toy as a small child: a Kermit the Frog with Velcro hands and feet.
     Remember that one?
     My "childish things" nature doesn't stop there. I have a Pac-Man baseball cap, my key chain is a bronze Mickey Mouse sitting merrily on a Bronze "J". Heck...Even my house key is Mickey Mouse. And if that's not bad enough, my P.J.'s and two watches are...guess what? Mickey Mouse, of course!
    Some people might snub their noses and think I'm...how do I eloquently put it...a little "out there," but I don't care. I love the things I had as a child. In a world of temporary happiness, the memories and items of yesteryear are the one things that will never leave or go out of style. And just as long as we keep those things alive, they'll never grow old and always remain new every single day.
    So the moral of this story is this: Do we have to become adults? Maybe, but do we have to grow up? NEVER!

TOM TURKEY SIGHTING: PART DEUX

     Last week, I spotted Tom Turkey. He was headed to a bakery in downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee. He thought no one noticed his unusual presence, but I saw him. 
    I slowly crept behind the bushes for a photo op. After this photo was taken, he stopped, wiped the proud smile of his face, and saw me. I asked if he would be willing to pose for an upcoming blog entry, but he said he doesn't do the whole paparazzi thing. GO FIGURE! Tom said if he wasn't going to get paid royalties for his "sighting" photos like Elvis does, then he refused to give the media the time of day.
    "A blog, eh," he said. "Are you Perez Hilton?"
    "No," I replied.
    "The Enquirer?" He asked.
    I was slightly irritated but kept the peace. "Uh...No, Tom," I replied.
    "That's Mister Turkey, to you," He said. "And you are?"
     "I've got a blog," I said, thinking to myself, What a jerk. "I'm J.E. Bolton, THE FAVORITE THINGS GUY. Maybe you've heard of..."
     He interrupted and smirked. "...Never heard of you," he said smug.
     Tom Turkey somehow let down his guard and told me about his concerns: the massacre of turkeys for the sake of a holiday (A.K.A. Operation: Butterball), his petition to make chicken the traditional Thanksgiving bird, and how he was tired of being stuffed.
    I said, "But Mister Turkey, sir, you taste SO good like that!"
    And He said, and I quote: "Yeah...Let's shove handfuls of soggy breadcrumbs up your bum and see how good YOU taste!"
    Then, without another word being said, his beady eyes puddled and his bottom turkey waddle quivered. He was one angry bird. Tom Turkey walked away and left me standing in the pouring rain. He muttered profanities about me, but I didn't care. In a matter of days, he'd get his and so would I. 
    I'll stuff his bum with Stove Top, and he'll give me indigestion. 
    Everyone's happy!
    

I "HEART" TURKEY

     Thanksgiving's officially here, and I couldn't help but share with you the babies' Thanksgiving Day shirts. These shirts were purchased last year at Old Navy. The back reads, "I LOVE TURKEY" with a heart in place of the word "LOVE" and a turkey etched within the heart. I want to say the babies are merely excited about Thanksgiving, but I think they love this time of year for the turkey.

    Don't you agree?

    As I've said before, I'm eating my words. I used to shake my head sarcastically at people who did this with their pets. Now, I'm among the guilty party. LOL! And I just have one thing to say in my defense:

    If you think these outfits are cute, wait 'til you see the babies come Christmas!

'TIS THE SEASON TO BE THANKFUL

    
     P.B.E. and I were walking around downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee and we found this bulletin board's hotel getting into the spirit of Thanksgiving. Don't get me wrong. I love Christmas very much and cherish its real meaning, but it was just nice to see a tiny sign of Thanksgiving among an ocean of pre-seasonal Christmas decor.
     Yes, my friends; thousands of Christmas lights twinkled, trees were trimmed, and Christmas was everywhere--ready or not. Don't get me wrong. The towns of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg did a wonderful job decorating for Winterfest and the Christmas season; but this one bulletin board seemed to put everything back into the appropriate seasonal perspective.
     On Friday, November 26th, this blog will gladly ring in the Christmas season full force, but until then I just choose to proclaim, " 'Tis the season to be jolly...er, um...thankful!"

THANKFUL THING #4: LOVE CONQUERS HATE

ME AND DADDY, CIRCA 1980

     This is somewhat of a personal entry, almost too personal to be written; but one that needs to be told. In an era where everything seems hopeless, the world desperately needs light among the darkness. So, without further adieu, allow me to share thankful thing number four: love conquers hate.
    When I was five years old, my parents divorced, and my father became estranged from my life. I did get to see him on and off during my early childhood years, but that was about it. I grew up knowing nothing about how to be a man. Everything I learned about responsibility and Independence, I taught myself.
    Years passed and he became nothing more than a stranger to me. I grew up hating him, because of his absence. Everything I experienced was his fault, and everything I DIDN'T experience was his fault. It was an anger I'd never known before and a hate addiction that quickly consumed me.
    Then, in Spring of 2006, I met an acquaintance of the family who told me my father was dying of cancer. I was floored, because I wanted David Bolton to die an old man in a nursing home, I'd give him "what-for", and he'd die of shock that way. It sounds morbid, but you just had to have been there. I always thought when he died, I'd have my closure. The truth is his untimely death didn't bring closure. Instead, it magnified into a hell I couldn't have fathomed.
    Christmas 2006 came and I got the phone call from Mom. She told me she'd went to visit with him and insisted I did the same. I was reluctant, but went anyway. When I saw him in his feeble state, it was like nothing really mattered, except that moment. And when the day came when I finally forgave him, it was like years of anger and hate melted away, and the little boy in me stopped weeping in darkness and walked into gentle rays of light.
     How did I forgive him? I'm not really sure. It wasn't as colossal a change of heart as you'd think. I forgave him and just decided to let it all go. When death comes, nothing's as important as anyone think it would be, except the uncontrolled, stray thoughts of wondering what might've been. 
    On January 16, 2007, Michael David Bolton died peacefully in his sleep. And when he died, I kissed his hand and embraced him like a child. When he was laid to rest, I remembered how important it was that I said goodbye to him as my dad instead of the man I never knew. 
    His hands held me when I came into this world, and my hands held him when he left it; and that, my dear friends, was the most precious moment of my life.
   

ELVIS PRESLEY: THE KING OF...COCOA?

    
     Pretty neat, huh?
     I was in a local superstore yesterday and saw this product on the shelf: Elvis Presley Cocoa. I apologize if the picture doesn't possess the best quality. This picture was taken with the only thing I had on me, which was my camera phone.
     That's right, dear friends. The King of Rock and Roll's legacy lives on through music and now through such products as cocoa. Take your pick from four rockin' flavors: KISSABLE MILK CHOCOLATE, MELTED KNESS MINT, PEANUT BUTTER AND BANANA SANDWICH, and VIVA LAS VANILLA.
     Being the cocoa connoisseur I proudly profess to be, I was drawn to this brand of cocoa with sheer curiosity and utter intrigue. To be honest, I haven't tried this cocoa yet but I might when my multiple canisters of Stephen's Gourmet Cocoa run out.
     And knowing me, that won't take long.
     However, I promise to give this particular brand of cocoa a try before the Christmas season comes to a close. BUT if you've already tried this product or wish to share your thoughts, I'd love to hear from you.
     Well, that's my entry for today. Until next time...well...I won't sign off with some quirky anecdote. In lieu of today's entry, I'll just close by saying, "The Favorite Things Guy has left the building!"

A FAVORITE TREAT OF THE SEASON



JUST ONE OF P.B.E.'s FESTIVE CREATIONS


     God really blessed me with a family full of wonderful cooks. Which, by the way, brings me to today's topic of favorite things: PUMPKIN PIE!
     Everyone's got a favorite Thanksgiving Day dessert. When I was a little boy, the women in my family would get together and create wonderfully sweet creations, like sweet potato casserole and sawdust salad. Now, when my family--both the men and women--and I get together and cook, it solidifies a special family bond that carries us from one generation to another. 
    The other dessert I love is pumpkin pie. Give me a sweet slice on a saucer, a generous dollop of COOL WHIP on top, and a wonderful gathering of family and friends, and my Thanksgiving's officially complete. If you love pumpkin pie, I found a great pumpkin pie recipe on the BORDEN'S EAGLE BRAND website. It's by far my favorite pumpkin pie recipe, by far.
    You can find the recipe for "Perfect Pumpkin Pie" on the official website by clicking HERE, or visit http://www.eaglebrand.com/ for a list of products and other recipes to help make your upcoming Thanksgiving Day dinner a success. 

THANKFUL THING #3: BEST FRIENDS

(From left to right): Tracey, Windy, and Me!

     Former President Woodrow Wilson once said, “Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together.”
    I'd like you to meet two very special ladies: my B.F.F.'s (best friends forever) Windy and Tracey. Much like the "babies", they both came into my life at different times. What's funny is I didn't look for their friendship. We just kinda found one another.
    Windy and I have been friends since high school, while Tracey and I worked with one another a few years ago. There's nothing I haven't told Windy or Tracey, and there's nothing they haven't told me. Yes, my dear readers, we've laughed and cried together, shared each other's shoulders to cry on, tried to help mend one another's broken hearts, and the list goes on forever.
     When I first met them, I had no idea we'd become close enough to actually refer to one another as a "best friend." Now, they're my blessings, my "sisters", and have been my rock time and time again. Grant it, we don't talk everyday, but the love and kindred-ship's forever real.
   They each have their own traits and ways, but what I love about them most is their hearts. They're friendship is like warmth when the world grows cold sometimes. They always lend their ears and quickly let me know that I'm not as wierd as I think I am.
    So to Tracey and Windy: I love you both, my best friends. The world's a much better place simply because you both are in it.

THE THANKSGIVING TURKEY

THE FROZEN TURKEY BIN AT A LOCAL GROCERY STORE

     I walked into my local grocery store and there it was: the Thanksgiving turkey bin. Picking out a turkey sounds like fun, but there's so many things to consider. Just like you'd pick out a piece of fruit, you've got to check roundness, potential plumpness, etc. The seemingly simple task can be quite daunting. 
    Then, you get it home and move to phase two: figuring out how to prepare your holiday bird to the height of juiciness and utter perfection. Of course, keep in mind one thing. You might like your turkey prepared a number of different ways, but there's only one way to serve a Thanksgiving turkey. In the company of family and close friends.
     Speaking of friends, a dear friend of mine shared this poem with me, and I'd like to share it with you. I think you might get a chuckle or two, as I did when I read it.
     ENJOY!
 
                             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~               

THE THANKSGIVING TURKEY

“The turkey shot out of the oven
and rocketed into the air,
it knocked every plate off the table
and partly demolished a chair.

It ricocheted into a corner
and burst with a deafening boom,
then splattered all over the kitchen,
completely obscuring the room.

It stuck to the walls and the windows,
it totally coated the floor,
there was turkey attached to the ceiling,
where there'd never been turkey before.

It blanketed every appliance,
It smeared every saucer and bowl,
there wasn't a way I could stop it,
that turkey was out of control.

I scraped and I scrubbed with displeasure,
and thought with chagrin as I mopped,
that I'd never again stuff a turkey
with popcorn that hadn't been popped."

-- Jack Prelutsky

THANKFUL THING #2: THE BABIES

     Most people think this would be a silly thing to do; to be thankful for a mere dog. I suppose it sounds silly to most, but there are things about these precious blessings no one will ever know about. Precious lessons taught to no one except me.
     These three angels: H.R., Dandie and Sonic, came into my life at the perfect time when everything about me came at a crossroads; things that were painful and heartbreaking. When you're at that crossroads in life, you do one of two things: you either become painfully bitter at the world, or you begin learning to love again and fully forgive with your whole heart.
     In the process of learning to let go and forgive, I had these precious angels come into my life one at a time. H.R., who was merely waiting for me to arrive; Dandie, who we purchased in Georgia; and Sonic, who we found as a lost stray (ironically, at a Sonic Drive-in near Chattanooga, Tennessee).
     They taught me three very valuable lessons: to live in the now and cherish the day; to love everyone, even if you don't "get" them; and that the power of love really is greater than the snares of hate. I joke a lot times and say that on the eighth day, God created pets (LOL). 
     But I truly thank God everyday for this wonderful trio of blessings. I've learned a lot and been loved a lot with snuggles and sloppy wet kisses. But out of all the lessons I've learned, they've taught me that unconditional love is the greatest gift of all.

ALL HAIL THE TOPAZ MONTH

     The leaves have fallen, and the Autumn colors are at their fullest. As you know, the birthstone for the month of November is topaz; the beautiful yellow stone.

    And "why", you might ask? Legend says the topaz enhances spiritual rejuvenation and invokes happiness into the soul of mankind. 

    Some century-old legends make you wonder if they either possess true merit or if they're nothing more than tall tales spun for the generations to come. But when I see the rich topaz colors of autumn scattered all over the ground and hanging loosely in trees, an involuntary smile forms across my face and I understand this legend is true, indeed.

   

THANKFUL THING #1: MY FAMILY

     So, as I've said in my previous blog, I'm beginning my thankful list from now until Thanksgiving. And what better place to start than with my family. I don't have everyone pictured, but these people are the basic ones I wanted to talk about.
     I know this is a biased statement, but God couldn't have given me a better group of individuals to call my family than these wonderful people, including their spouses and their families. We're not perfect. No one is, for that matter. Throughout my entire life, they've wrapped around me with an abundance of love, massive understanding without question, and enough wonderful memories to last a lifetime. They're my rock, the loves of my life, and I couldn't imagine my life without each and every one them in it.
     Now that I see the next generation coming along, I hope they know just how blessed they are to have one another. I hope they see what a priceless treasure family really is and to never take those moments for granted. Moments filled with memorable holidays and personal celebrations, joyous and/or trying moments, and every precious second of their lives with one another. 
     They are my forever gifts.
                          My eternal blessings.
                                               My family.
    And I couldn't ask for more.

                                             

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"We, unaccustomed to courage
exiles from delight
live coiled in shells of loneliness
until love leaves its high holy temple
and comes into our sight
to liberate us into life.

Love arrives
and in its train come ecstasies
old memories of pleasure
ancient histories of pain.
Yet if we are bold,
love strikes away the chains of fear
from our souls.

We are weaned from our timidity
In the flush of love's light
we dare be brave
And suddenly we see
that love costs all we are
and will ever be.
Yet it is only love
which sets us free."

--Maya Angelou

(From the poem, TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL)

AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

JACK AND JACKIE'S GONE ON VACATION, AND HERE COMES TOM TURKEY!

     Well...another Halloween has come and gone, and I must say I'm going to miss it. As a blogger, I had a blast taking my digital camera into the "wild blue" and finding all the spooky marvels this time of year has to offer. I'll miss it, but it just gives us something to look forward to for next year.

     However, I also love Thanksgiving. It's the time of year families and friends come together and show their thankfulness for one another and express their gratitude for all their many blessings over the past year. The sad part about Thanksgiving is when Halloween's over, everything tends to immediately jump into Christmas mode.

   Which brings me to an idea. Throughout the month of November up until Thanksgiving, I'm going to let you in on everything I'm thankful for.

   That's right: an attitude of gratitude.

   Each and every day of our lives, there's something we should all be thankful for. It could be items of main importance, such as our health, our jobs, food, enough money in the bank, etc.; or it can be something simple, such as a cup of coffee, the pink sun glowing in the morning sky, or anything else you can imagine.

   I don't have to do this alone. By all means, feel free to join me. Either blog about it yourself or write on a sheet of paper at least one thing you're thankful for. In fact, take it up a notch and keep a thankful journal.

   And come Thanksgiving, we'll show the world (and most of all, ourselves) just how grateful we really are!