Christmas is NOT about the mass commercialism of Chinese products!!!!
I try to do things with Abby to capture the "spirit" of Christmas. For example, we ring the bell for the Salvation Army. Now, I am not the most religious God-fearing person, but I can set aside my own beliefs and do something for others. In Kodiak, the SA runs a food bank, transitional housing, church services of course, thrift store (more eco-friendly than throwing perfectly good things away), and other programs. The Salvation Army I suppose can be credited with the popularization of donuts:
Soon after the US entrance into World War I in 1917, the Salvation Army sent a fact-finding mission to France. The mission concluded that the needs of US enlisted men could be met by canteens/social centers termed "huts" that could serve baked goods, provide writing supplies and stamps, and provide a clothes-mending service. Typically, six staff members per hut would include four female volunteers who could "mother" the boys. These huts were established by the Salvation Army in the United States near army training centers. About 250 Salvation Army volunteers went to France. Because of the difficulties of providing freshly baked goods from huts established in abandoned buildings near to the front lines, two Salvation Army volunteers (Ensign Margaret Sheldon and Adjutant Helen Purviance) came up with the idea of providing doughnuts. These are reported to have been an "instant hit", and "soon many soldiers were visiting Salvation Army huts". Margaret Sheldon wrote of one busy day "Today I made 22 pies, 300 doughnuts, 700 cups of coffee."
A legend has spread that the provision of doughnuts to US enlisted men in World War I is the origin of the term doughboy to describe US infantry, but the term was in use as early as the Mexican-American War of 1846-47.
AND, the phrase "on the wagon", comes from the Salvation Army:
The phrase "on the wagon" was coined by men and women receiving the services of The Salvation Army. A hay wagon was driven through the streets of New York to encourage alcoholics on board for a ride back to The Salvation Army. Hence, alcoholics in recovery were said to be "on the wagon."
Abby impatiently waiting to get on the plane, which never left due to 40 mph plus winds.
