December, 2008 - Lots of good things happened this month, including the thirty-second annual presentation of the Christmas Pageant at Denton State School using a score that I wrote for the very first production way back when.  Some of the musicians who play have been doing it for several years, and they always tell me that it is a score they really enjoy playing and one that helps them get into the spirit of the season.         Former T.W.U. colleague Lanelle Blanton wrote a wonderful Christmas Cantata that was performed by a small choir and musicians at Trinity Presbyterian Church.  It was excellent.  I am most happy to see her continuing to create works like this in her retirement.         My handbell choir at the university, the Redbud Ringers, performed for the Chancellor's Holiday Party, and our offering was well-received by all who attended.  You can see a photo by clicking on this link:  Redbud Ringers - Christmas, 2008      One of the most beautiful Christmas trees that I ever saw was in March of 1973 (or a year near to that).  I was selling real estate (one of several odd jobs that I had before starting my work at Denton State School).  A beautiful home in one of the upscale neighborhoods came on the market, and those of us in the business were allowed to take a tour.  In December of the previous year the man who owned the home had shot his wife as she returned from a meeting with her lover.  She was buried, he went to jail, and the kids were farmed out to other family members.  Nothing had been disturbed since the day of the crime, and a very large Christmas tree was still in place in the living room.  It was an eerie sight - but still very beautiful. December, 1979 - The most inefficient energy source affecting our lives on earth is the sun.  Only one two-billionth of its output reaches and is absorbed by our planet.  The rest of it goes out in space (to heat and light the other inhabited worlds we know nothing about).  The ultimate energy crisis is the scheduled burning out of the sun - estimated to be about thirty five billion years away.       In downtown Denver we got lost, because our map was out of date.  After failing to raise anyone on the trusty old CB we came to a building which, from outward appearance and the sign in the front yard, seemed like a logical place to ask for directions.  The sign said "HELP HOUSE".   (That's not the punch line).       One member of our party got out of the car and approached the property eagerly.  He came running back rather quickly; and we inquired, "Well, did you get directions?"  He replied, "I couldn't get past the guard dog."  We concluded that this particular house catered only to persons who really need help. RHYME FOR OUR TIME: Faces making front page news - faces big, faces small, Faces from all around the world - faces tell it all. Faces of all the politicians and all the society set; Faces of starving children - we'd rather just forget. Faces of the superstars - demanding higher pay. Faces of starving children - tell them to go away. Faces of endangered species - trying to save their skin. Faces of starving children - will there ever be an end? Faces happy, faces sad - confront us every day. Faces of starving children; we look, then turn away. Note:  I don't remember writing this very negative verse, but there it is - in black and white.  And, wouldn't you know,  those starving faces are still with us.