During the holidays, we wish each other “Merry Christmas.” Sometimes the greeting is “Merry Christmas!” because we are a multicultural city. So let’s stick with that this year and celebrate these 12 Christmas letters.
And for the record, José Feliciano once performed here at ACU‘s Moody Coliseum.
F
F is for freedom, which is defined differently by different people. Freedom to vaccinate, or not. Freedom of choice, from bodies to books and religious beliefs. Freedom to vote, or apparently not. Freedom of the press, which some believe is too liberal but we believe is becoming too restrictive. Fortunately, we have the freedom to debate freedom in this country.
me
E is for going out. Many people would like to show the door to 2022, but we have felt this way before. In 2020… In 2021…
L
L is for libations. Whatever you want to savor, we’ve got it in Abilene these days. Coffee, craft beer, coffee, bourbon, coffee and always some wine.
I
I is for igloo, which is what many of our homes and businesses became during the big storm of February 2021. It went down at 8 p.m. Thursday, the coldest since it dropped below freezing that year.
z
Z is for zoo, which was in lights for Christmas. Not all of the animals moved, and some were definitely not as still as a mouse.
*
north
N is a nuclear research reactor, which is being built on the southern edge of the ACU campus. They have ensured that there is little risk to the surrounding area. No one will turn green like the Grinch, we were promised.
A
A is for air base. If ever Abilene received a good gift, it was in 1956, when a US Air Force facility, soon to be named for Lt. Col. William E. Dyess, opened. The relationship between the base and the city is like a continuous exchange of gifs: the city gives to Dyess, Dyess gives to the community.
V
V is for victory. They know all about the win this Christmas at Albany, Benjamin, Hawley and Westbrook. Which reminds us, what happened to the Hawley flag that flew over the new hotel and then disappeared?
I
I is for… you. In Abilene, despite all of our financial challenges, we still find a way to help others with our donations of time, money, and ideas. V could be for volunteers, who make a lot of things happen.
D.
D is for downtown, which, as we noted this year, wasn’t as bright as it had been during past Christmas seasons. But otherwise, everything is cheerful and bright.
A
A is for Aaron Watson, who delighted not one, but two sellouts at his Christmas concerts at the Paramount Theatre.
D.
D is also for demolition. Downtown Abilene is like a young man’s mouth. Two teeth are missing (Civic Plaza Hotel, Abilene Reporter-News) and one is coming in (DoubleTree by Hilton). People will smile widely when these empty spaces are filled.
Bah humbug on Dislikes today!
HMMMA Willy Christmas. We were delivering Meals on Wheels this week, listening to Willie Nelson’s “Hill Country Christmas” album with his sister Bobbie. When he sang “Deck the Halls,” we thought Willie, who will co-headline next year’s 12th Outlaws & Legends Music Festival, was owed his own Christmas song.
BE DECORATED BY WILLIE
“Fill the halls with Willie songs
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la
It’s the season to eat chili
Let’s go la la la la la!
Don now our red handkerchief
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la
Strum the old Trigger, will you?
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la
See the joint in flames before us
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la
Strike a match and pass one our way
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la
Follow you in the dreamed pleasure
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la
While we smoke a treasure of herbs.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la
Quick away from your passes 89
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la
Still taking names and kicking (hmm-hmm)
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la
Tie your beard now all together
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la
for the Back Porch when the March weather rolls around.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la
Credit: https://www.reporternews.com/story/opinion/editorials/2022/12/24/what-the-abilene-reporter-news-liked-and-disliked-feliz-navidad/69741328007/
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