Today would have been my father’s 84th birthday. He was an avid auto racing enthusiast (especially NASCAR), a Scrabble aficionado, and a man of deep faith. He was also an Andy Griffith fan, and in many ways reminded me of him: tall, lean and dark-haired with a hard work ethic and general down-home demeanor.

I don’t know of any NASCAR drivers who sing Christmas carols, but lucky for me Andy Griffith did. I bought his Christmas album for Dad the year he and mom finally bought a van with a CD player.

Today’s selection is in memory of my dad. It was one of his favorites and one that even after five years, I can still hear him singing along to in my head.

In seven seasons, Captain Picard never uttered the word “corn?” Fascinating. Even so, this will provide holiday cheer to Trekkies everywhere.

Who remembers the Monkees? Today’s selection is a 16th century Spanish carol from their 1967 Christmas show. Ríu Ríu Chíu is thought to be either the song of a nightingale or a shepherd calling his sheep.

Refrain
Ríu ríu chíu, riverside guardian;
God has kept the wolf from our precious lambkin.
God has kept the wolf from our precious lambkin.

Today’s carol selection, “Dona Nobis Pacem,” has been one of my favorites since junior high chorus. Its simple message – Give Us Peace – is particularly relevant considering current events here in Missouri.

The version I chose features Elizabeth von Trapp, the daughter of Werner von Trapp, aka Kurt from “The Sound of Music.” She has an absolutely beautiful voice, and stacking her vocals provides an eerily perfect harmony.

Dona Nobis Pacem. Amen.

This lesser-known holiday gem was written by Bobby Troup for his wife, Julie London. I first knew them as Dr. Early and Nurse McCall from Emergency! before discovering that he composed “Route 66,” which together with living in a flat a block away from Chippewa Street in St. Louis sparked a lasting interest in the historic roadway.

“I’d Like You for Christmas” is well-suited to London’s sultry voice and the video features an interesting assortment of photos, including London with Troup beginning at 0:46, with JFK at 1:15, and a noteworthy seasonal photograph at 1:30.

It’s December 1, which is the kickoff of Christmas music season in my little corner of the universe. Today’s selection also doubles as a lesson in basic Christmas counter-downer physics, hahahaha.

Today I am thankful for fourth quarter rallies. That plus the fact that it seemed like Saturday especially with the football game today, but I still get Saturday tomorrow!

Lunch for 30 done, dinner with my mom and brother finished, load 3 of 3 in the dishwasher and the first of two loads of table linens in the wash, but my prayer is that the spirit of thankfulness and gratitude I feel now lasts all year long.

This hymn by Eleanor Farjeon, one of my favorites, is set to a traditional Scottish Gaelic tune and was published in 1931 as a hymn to give thanks for each day. Forty years later, Cat Stevens released his beautiful rendition.

The flower is fittingly named Glory Bush. Photo taken last June in La Fortuna, Costa Rica.

Happy Thanksgiving, my friends.