We hope that you are having a wonderful and blessed Christmas surrounded by friends and family and those you love.
Our first year of being online, we posted Linus’ speech from “Merry Christmas Charlie Brown” as it tells the meaning of Christmas and brings back so many fond memories. What we didn’t realize is that for years our friend William Teach over at the Pirate’s Cove had been doing the same thing – long before we thought of it. (Great minds think alike, we guess.)
Luckily for us, Teach even took the time to upload the video to YouTube and so we thank him for that.
Merry Christmas from all the writers, staff and contributors here at Raised on Hoecakes.
Luke chapter 2:
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. (more…)
Dec 24, 2020
Posted by AAfterwit on Dec 24, 2020 | Comments Off on Tracking Santa With NORAD.
This year, as in every year for the past 62 years, NORAD will be tracking Santa Claus as he flies around the world doing what he does while eating cookies and drinking milk.
For 62 years, NORAD and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) have tracked Santa’s flight.
The tradition began in 1955 after a Colorado Springs-based Sears Roebuck & Co. advertisement misprinted the telephone number for children to call Santa. Instead of reaching Santa, the phone number put kids through to the CONAD Commander-in-Chief’s operations “hotline.” The Director of Operations at the time, Colonel Harry Shoup, had his staff check the radar for indications of Santa making his way south from the North Pole. Children who called were given updates on his location, and a tradition was born.
In 1958, the governments of Canada and the United States created a bi-national air defense command for North America called the North American Aerospace Defense Command, also known as NORAD, which then took on the tradition of tracking Santa.
This year, as is our tradition every year, we end our Christmas Music Extravaganza with John Denver and the Muppets singing “Silent Night.”
Years ago we watched the Christmas special called “John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together.” One of our favorite parts was the singing of “Silent Night.” At the time, were weren’t familiar with the story behind the writing of song. John Denver explaining the origins of the song is a nice touch. (We have since found out that the reason the organ in the church was not working was that mice had chewed through the bellows.)
So while it sounds funny, this is our favorite version of “Silent Night.” Not only did we learn something, but it is easy to sing with and not feel out of place. After all, unlike singing with recordings of wonderful choirs, no one is ever going to accuse Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, Waldorf and Stadler or any of the Muppets as having great voices, but yet it works.
This is the album version:
And the version as it appeared on the Christmas Special “John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together.” (more…)
Dec 23, 2020
Posted by AAfterwit on Dec 23, 2020 | Comments Off on “Adore” And “Christmas 2020” Featuring Kaylee Rodgers And the Students Of The Killard House School.
Last year we posted a video by Kaylee Rogers, a young girl with autism who attends the Killian House School in Ireland. That video and information can be found below.
Kaylee and students are back this year with two videos, the first is “Adore” sung by Kaylee herself.
Wow.
Second is a melody of sorts featuring Kaylee, backed up by the students of the school. (more…)
Dec 22, 2020
Posted by AAfterwit on Dec 22, 2020 | Comments Off on Two Fer! “Ode To Joy – Hans-Sachs” Choir And The Philharmonic Orchestra of Nuremberg. Also “Merry Christmas Everybody” By Slade.
We suddenly realized that we are quickly running out of days for the “Christmas Music Extravaganza” here at Raised on Hoecakes.
So much great music and so little time.
Therefore we decided to combine two videos that are at opposite ends of the music spectrum “Ode to Joy” by the The Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir of Nuremberg. Following that, there is “Merry Christmas Everybody” from the 1970’s glam rock band Slade.
And now “Merry Christmas Everybody.”
Dec 21, 2020
Posted by AAfterwit on Dec 21, 2020 | Comments Off on Rudolph!
The Royal Guardsmen were 5 guys from Ocala, Florida. They recorded a quartet of songs inspired by Snoopy the Beagle in the “Peanuts” comic strip between 1967 and 1968.
According to Wikipedia, the group was indeed originally from Ocala. (more…)
Dec 19, 2020
Posted by AAfterwit on Dec 19, 2020 | Comments Off on “I Want To See Christmas Like a Child” – Third Day.
We often stop to watch kids during this time of year and marvel at the wonderment in their eyes at the lights, singing, etc.
We have a neighbor with children and when they saw Christmas lights and decorations in the neighborhood going up, they squealed, laughed and were excited. Even their exhausted parents smiled.
Watching people and kids is a perfect reason to go to the Palm Bay Holiday Light Christmas Parade and the Cocoa Beach Parade tomorrow.
Maybe we all need a little more wonderment in our lives this season, and during all seasons.
