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It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Merry Christmas thoughts, memories and history items from Adair County historian Mike Watson, who still loves the look and feel of real books, writing: My friends will ask me if I have a Nook or other e-book reader. "No," I answer, "I enjoy the feel and smell of a book and, though I am no techno-dunce, I doubt I will ever convert to an e-book format." - MIKE WATSON By Mike Watson Christmas, the special day set aside long ago to celebrate the birth of Jesus, and a special day for so many people around the globe, is eagerly anticipated by youngsters and oldsters alike, but often in different ways. One common excitement for many is the anticipated receipt of a gift, or a wagon load of them. Of course there is the debate that rages each year as to the necessity and fiscal responsibilities of spending for items not needed and perhaps, secretly, not wanted by the receiver. We all know the - t is the thought that counts. Yes, it is the thought that counts, but can you imagine the look on the face of a child who opens a present only to find socks and underwear, or some such item, when the expected prize was a long- sought-after toy--most likely electronic in this day of advanced wireless gadgetry. Sure, we can all understand, perhaps it has happened to us. Gift giving is an art - not just the packaging and wrapping, though that can be a masterpiece in the hands of the truly gifted. The thought and time that goes into the selection of a present is worth far more, at least to many, than is the actual item. Some years ago my own wife, when asked what she would like to receive, answered with "a new vacuum, the old one is just not doing the job anymore." I had been around this city block before and stated matter-of-factly, that I would not be purchasing such an item as a gift at Christmas-time. I would buy a new vacuum, but not for this occasion, I felt she needed something that--yes, I'll say it, "she didn't need." I don't recall now what she received that year, but it wasn't a vacuum...not until the week after New Year's when we went shopping for the "necessity." Please don't misunderstand, we all need necessities--socks and underwear, serviceable shoes and coats, clothes and gloves--sometimes these are needed urgently and a gift of these would be the most appreciated of all. What to give to someone who (you think) has everything--you know, the hard-to-shop-for relative or friend, may pose one of the great dilemmas of the season. A daunting task, to say the least. I can give no assistance but to encourage to think about it. A quick stop at the drugstore or gas station will not likely present a ready solution. Reading During Christmas--or Book vs Nook This is the time of year when we may commune with distant kin, old friends, former co-workers and others that we may see no more than once a year. Invariably, I will hear the same question over and over, "What are you reading." Now, most people who know me, know that I have always been a book worm and shall be as long as I can see the printed word and hold the tome--an likely thereafter as well. My Christmas week read for 2012 is Jane Clemens by Rachel Varble. And oldie and a goodie for me. A work by Harrodsburg native and descendant of Judge Parker C. Hardin of Columbia. Jane Clemens, of course, the granddaughter of Colonel William and Jane Casey, who met and married John Marshall Clemens in Adair County, and was mother of several children, Samuel L. "Mark Twain" being the best known of the brood. Oh, I've read it before, several times, but I need to be reminded of the place and time of the setting--much of that being Adair County and Columbia in the first half of the nineteenth century. Once I have answered the query about what I'm reading, there will come, "How many books do you read in a year?" There is no answer to that other than "a lot". But read is what I do, along with research and dabble a bit in writing. I am a life long bibliophile, some who know me well may say bibliomaniac. I like books and paper. I have always had the compulsion to gather reading material and, yes, read it! I thank God on a regular basis that my lovely and long-suffering wife, Renea, is of the same persuasion. She may not be as "advanced" as a maniac, but she can give me a run for the proverbial money! Renea will rarely purchase a book for me, for any reason, unless I have described to her the title and author, and in some cases the edition. She knows I am a collector of such items and never knows, or so she says, just what I have and what I want in the realm of books. Well, neither do I! There are multiple copies of many books in my library. As I find duplications, I pare down, give away, trade or sell the extras - if they are not too important to me and if they are all of the same edition and binding. See, I'm not obsessive in any way! My friends will ask me if I have a Nook or other e-book reader. "No," I answer, "I enjoy the feel and smell of a book and, though I am no techno-dunce, I doubt I will ever convert to an e-book format." This of course brings all manner of objection to the lack of "movement into the 21st century" from them. On deaf ears is all I can say. Fahrenheit 451 keep away from me! I have a book and I'm not afraid to use it!! If I still traveled a great deal, an e-book reader would be quite convenient. Dozens of tomes to read in a single, slim format. But I don't, so I won't. Remember the Reason for the Season & do well by others!! - Mike Watson This story was posted on 2012-12-23 00:11:28
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