Too many decisions

Have you felt like we have too many
 decisions to make these days.

Dona Anderson

Back in the Summer I took on the task of reducing some of the old Christmas Cards in the cabinet.

I was surprised that they went back over 20 years. The Box was full.

Each one was opened and read and 2 piles were made - one for keeping and the others were for leaving, though it was hard to make that second pile. 

It was nice to see some family names of ones no longer here and pictures given out for children that are now adults. I loved the art and drawings of the grandchildren along with the big letters when they were just learning to make the words.  

I also loved how beautiful many of the cards were and from the pile I only had 2 that were the same. 

Christmas cards have greatly reduced over the years due to the newer ways to communicate and each year we get fewer in our mailbox. But I still do love to get a few and think that we're remembered by others after many years apart.

  This is my Card box. 

  yes it's a special box I've kept that had tea in it from Oprah for  attending her live event in Seattle years ago.

 The Tea was Great and so was the event!

 So when I was doing this post I thought of the one I wrote  last  spring - 

Here's the link. post I wrote about boxes.  

What's in Your boxes?

PS. I had to share this photo from last year.

Timing really is important.

Our Westie Girl Kelsie has many beds and she loves this spare one for some reason so every once in a while if the door is open she'll go and snuggle with the pillow and at Christmas I put out these teddies for fun.

In the photo below that's her hiding with the Christmas Teddies.

It was so cute how she played innocent and looked the other way.  

Thankfully she stayed there long enough for me to get the camera.

                     Must Love Dogs in this house.!

That's it for today. 

New posts every Tuesday so please visit again and check out the Archives for over 700 past posts you to view, save & share - more decisions. 😊

Wellness  resources at the link above.

Have a great day and stay well and safe over the holidays. 

🎄

ebook available at this link 

What do you get with Wishes & Stars

When You Wish Upon A Star

Wishes and Stars together

sung by Jiminy Cricket (Cliff Edwards)

Always a Family Favorite.

I feel like I'm back watching the black & white

TV and it's Sunday ...

Time for a singalong and some star grazing.

This song takes us back to a very different time in our lives, and the world.

I enjoyed it thinking that Santa lists are getting ready and later looking up towards the stars for his sleigh.

We didn't get a TV until the early 1960's and Sundays were usually spent around the house and then our Sunday supper. 

It's the early 1960's when if the family was not at the kitchen or dining room table we were in the living room in front of the TV on a Sunday night for a our couple of weekly shows. 

Walt Disney and Ed Sullivan. - times were starting to change. We would never have believed how much.

No video or recordings back then so we had to watch it when aired. 

We had the TV tables out and ready for that first note of the music. 

It was fun to run out to the kitchen to get our supper, 2nd helpings, or dessert during the commercials. 

A little freedom from the rest of the week at the supper table..

Simple quiet times.

PS. it was a time of aprons, pies cooling outside on the porch, lots of dishes to wash and hopefully leftovers for the next few days. 

Later on it was a time when the boy friends came to Sunday Supper. I guess to see what us girls might cook later and to see if they really wanted to hang around.

 

I always wondered what their Mothers thought.  Was she alone -  hopefully not and she had someone to eat with.

It was a time when Mom kind of catered to them - I wonder now if she was hoping to marry us off. 

Not too soon - we were all 4 years apart so it would take a while.

When it came my turn, my future hubby always helped out. He liked to be the one washing the dishes, and still is. 

PSS. Not long after the Beetles, others came and so many shows changed. 

Thanks to Ed Sullivan for so much during those years. 

He opened the World up!

.

Celebration of Life.

 

Remembering lives well lived.

Dona Anderson

After living here long enough to become a senior I was very glad to join one and then 2 senior centers that are full of activities and people who are enjoying this time of their lives by getting out to be with others, share stories, laughs, do activities like music, choir, cards, crafts and lots more. 

It often feels like family outside of home.

The sad part is when you learn someone can't attend anymore or have passed away.

In the last few years we've had several friends not connected to the centers pass so we knew about their lives and became part of their activities but at the center you may just know them from the activity you both attend and some days a hi or how are you may be all the time you get for conversation. 

But even that can bring a big shared smile on your faces each time you meet again.

"A Friendly greeting or acknowledgment can create a feeling of welcoming and belonging and let someone know you care"  

This last year has had even more sadness ... some years are harder than others.

I've learned a lot about their lives since from the paper, and I'm amazed at the stories. Many moved across continent's, countries and one lady moved 20+ times.

Many were quite active in volunteering, hobbies and supporting others. 

One lady at 89 was still driving and loved reading, being on the computer and doing activities  to support her self care. 

I noticed they didn't complain much even when they certainly could have.

I noticed they were always happy to get out, see others, and join in however they could.

And, they all seemed to be happy with what they could do more than talk about what they couldn't. 

The stories all seemed to show a busy full adventurist life that led them to this community to retire and for some to find the work they loved the best. 

Each had a life very well lived,

and we'll miss them all.

 PS.  Quote above is from the meditation Words to be savored and treasured on page 75, in my book Moving Forward from the Heart.

Todays quiet place to rest.

Bye for today & take care.

You never know how a small injury will affect your life.  I hurt my finger back in July and was told it would take months to heal - coming up to month 4 soon.  

Missing my activities and friends.

 

Did You do this too.

 

Write out some of Mom's recipes
before You left Home?

Dona Anderson

I sure did, and it was over 50 years ago.

I started with a lined notebook and filled it with those ones from everyday things to special occasions and Sunday suppers. 

Later on of course the book was full of flour, butter and other things from being well used so about 25 years ago I decided I had to do it over again.

the title -   

It's about Time 

Moms' Best.

A collection of recipes then came from mothers on both sides, grandmothers, friends and of course ones I made up.

The title was prefect for several reasons. 

*The history of the old recipes

*The years of memories attached

*The task of finally starting over

*The change from at home moms to working

moms with less time

*We couldn't read a lot of the pages anymore

* Recipes needed updates for less fat & sugar

* Some not wanted anymore

* Kids leaving home and wanting those basic

instructions added in like temp & time 

*My sisters also wanted a copy

As I was taking too long to get it done with other things to do, my Husband took over  the typing task to get it finished. (such a good helper he is)

Wow, I never counted it before and was surprised that there were 120 pages with 388 recipes. 

Even though I changed many recipes before, others now need to be deleted or updated again. 

And now again much later we have more books of recipes from ones online and my husband loves to make soups and other things to share. 

It's a time now when stores are normally full of things we didn't know what they were or are, lots more spices, vegetables, boxes and cartons of ?? fill the shelves. 

I often wonder about who buys all the other stuff that we never do.

PS. This salad I made in the Spring from a mix of stuff in the fridge and it was fun to put together and made with Fruit, Vegetables and the lettuce growing in the window.

To my surprise it was quite good and a way to use up things in the fridge/freezer.

A little Balsamic vinegar, Olive oil, the strawberry juice and a few spices made the dressing. 

I forgot the lemon on this one and I wasn't sure of what spices to use so that's for next time.

It's fun to get those few day old goodies and create something different, tasty & healthy!

Now it's that time of year for markets to be selling those big bags of potatoes, onions apples and other things to store for the winter.

And lots of pies, jams, and goodies being made now to fill up the freezer and cold rooms. (Well maybe not here, freezer is full and I have to have room for my fruit cake.

And, it's that time of year when I'm  complaining 

we have to go back to store bought tomatoes.

Take care and have a wonderful day.

Thanks for sharing with others at the links below.

And, No, I won't be redoing the recipes again 

so that task is crossed off the list.

 

I like to visit the book sales to find recipe books that have a beautiful cover that then becomes my Kitchen Art.

Take Care and let's get together again next Tuesday

or whenever You have time.

 

You'll Never Walk Alone

Sissel Kyrkjebø

You'll Never Walk Alone

Dona Anderson

Every song she sings is a Gift to us.

Her beautiful voice captures us from the beginning.

An inspiring song that's sung many times and places to bring hope and strength to it's listeners to be strong through hardships, sadness, triumph and more.  

The softness and strength in her voice both seem to come from her soul.

PS. Some of my takeaways were,

There are many storms in life

Be proud of where you came from and where you're going

Things will get better

Be hopeful and keep going towards your dreams.

As we're nearing the end of another year that was full of many emotions, loss, sadness, hardship and more my wish is to send you strength and recovery for all the heartbreak of these last several years and that peace be restored.

The world needs to heal.

Thanks for your visit and links to share below.

All posts remain in the Archives and are free for you to

view, save & share at your leisure.

Take Care and have a good week ahead.

The losses sure added up

We lost out on the Smiles and more ...

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."           ~Leo Buscaglia~

Dona Anderson

That quote sure fits in with our lives these last few years.

It has been difficult to add up all the little things that come to mind and weigh the losses we all shared.

We lost out on a lot of personal contact, activities, friends and family gatherings.

We lost out on the hello's, smiles, small talk and more.

We lost out on the coffee with a neighbor and those hugs, handshakes or a pat on the back.

At the start of wearing masks I was in a big store and felt uncomfortable, faint like so as I was the only one in that aisle I lowered my mask a little just to take a few deep breaths.

Then a young lady walked over to where I was shopping and angrily told me I was not wearing My mask correctly and I might as well not have one on.

I fixed it as intended and walked away wondering that at least I had one on and she didn't nor any sign of having one.

I don't know if the 2020 pandenic began with a lot of fear and anger or those emotions grew over time.  

Now from the recent shootings and the ongoing war on Ukraine our hearts remain full of much sadness.

Past generations also felt the horror, stress, hardship, and loss from illness, fighting, violence, disasters and war deeply too in their lives. I'm sure a lot of their worries and emotions were kept deep inside and over time seeped out on the the next generation.

In our world now we also have so much news coming towards us daily and we all can see the horror and loss before our eyes so we have to take special care of our own stress, worries and health. 

Hopefully over time we can work to restore those real feelings of safety  community, friendship and help the children get past it all to feel loved and safe again.

Let's open up the doors to

our life and let others in again.

Something Fun to end with.

If you use the letters in the word limes what will you get?

Answer in next weeks post.

Is Dad having a midlife crisis? -

Laughing with Mary

Is Dad having a midlife crisis? - 

As the kids after one parent passes it's a time we focus on the one left and try to help them with the changes and figuring out what they need to support themselves.

I'm sure a lot of parents now both support the family daily life, meals, shopping, laundry commutes etc. but years ago it was mainly only the wife/mother who was home every day to handle it all.

Thinking back, I don't have any memories of Dad helping with meals, dishes, shopping, laundry, or house work. If not he had a lot to catch up on when Mom got sick and later passing.

My 2 sisters and I lived far away with jobs and children, so I'm sure he had his moments and frustrations.

While I thought the question for the video was a great one, I also was reminded of when Dad started going to a seniors dance night and thinking negatively he never took Mom out.

While there he met a lady he knew from years before that was also widowed and later took her dancing and they went out to supper most nights.

Again, he never took Mom out to for supper.

While I understand his need for companionship I know Mom would have liked the attention of an occasional Date Night to have fun, or a break from cooking the meals every day.

How do we figure it all out?

New dating is important - but can't there be an old married couple time to go out and have Fun ?

A time to remember how and why you fell in love that has lasted through the years.

As time went on we really did appreciate that he had a friend to spend time with. talk to, watch TV with and look after each other.   

PS. I don't know how this happens but a cute video like this one sent me in a different direction. 

I guess that can happen more often then we think with our feelings and words coming from a deep place, a place that may not even be related to what's going on in front of us.

Going forward I think more planed date nights and having fun together while you can is important and helps everyone. 

We often spend a lot of time on work and the daily things and forget to plan those special times that make memories of times well spent.

We're never too old ... 

Take Care, & bye for now.

New posts on Tuesday and over 700 in the 

Archives to view, save & share at your leisure.

It's May already.  

The year is going by fast.

I guess putting our thoughts on paper helps to release and soften some of those inside questions and emotions.  

Sometimes, it just takes a few weeks.

Take Care.

Links for sharing below.                                                  

Dona Anderson

Today you can Bundle up, relax and let someone else drive.

A short music video for this last week of 2021.

"Sleigh Ride" by Leroy Anderson & His Pops Concert Orchestra

How many words in the Song did You remember?

Love the old pictures and I felt like being in the middle of a Norman Rockwell magazine about even older times. 

We enjoyed a few winter sleigh rides many years ago (but really they were on wagons). It was fun to get out of the house for an activity on a winter night in a park with the kids and then enjoy a campfire.  

It's funny how old memories resurface at Christmas time.

That's it for 2021.

See you soon in 2022.

PS. Thank You for connecting with me through another year.

Happy New Year!!!!

Cheers 🍷 !!

Dona Anderson 

Mom & me, must be early 1960's.
Big tree & crazy curtains.

Thanks for sharing with others at the links below.

Keep being safe on your winter or summer travels wherever you may live.

If you have Nothing to do over the Holidays, Visit the archives anytime for over 650 posts to explore.

If you're in the mood for some peaceful time here's my 2021 Summer of Music posts all in one place.  Great post to keep close to enjoy nature and our beautiful World.

Here's a post from last year about older times past in

 one of my old Christmas letters. 

Bye for now, Happy New year. 😊

Ancestry results - weren't what we thought

Loss Learning & Confusion  

in our Family Tree?

Dona Anderson.

This last year and a half was a time of great stress, loss and I wonder if others have been feeling the need to learn more about their family history too.

How much do we even know about those past generations and what will be taken forward for the future ones. 

In the past year I got my results from 2 ancestry places and it's great to see many pages of relatives but I wish I knew more of them.  

I guess it would feel better if more current relatives did the test so I'd see more names I knew.  

I have great and great great grandparents but I don't know anything about them other than now I have many pages of  2nd 3rd & 4th + cousins.

What was their story, what was their life about going back to Neanderthal times. 

I guess after so much loss due to covid and other things we want to connect more, to feel we made it here for a reason. It's our time to be seen.

Ancestry Surprises 

My sister got a test several years ago. No surprises and no one else linked to her at the time as a close relative. 

Then over the last few years as more people were added to the sight she had an unknown close connection show up. 

Loss

Contact was made that lead us to learn about an even closer relative, a half Sister who sadly had passed a few months earlier.

It was a very sad and confusing time of grieving someone we hadn't known about,  and lived not far away.

Thankfully her 2 daughters have been very kind and wonderful to tell us about her life and family with lots of information and pictures. It's something we can continue to share on both sides.

Learning

I sent in my sample for testing to a different ancestry at the beginning of this year and did connect to a name I knew of only because of the other information we received earlier.

My heritage showed up as 93.4 % British and Irish, but not really knowing what that meant.

So all was good - right?

Just for Fun I sent in a another sample to the same site my sister had done.

Then our lives kind of changed again.

Confusion

We grew up believing we were Irish. Dad said.

My first results said I was 93.4% British & Irish.

The 2nd test, said I'm 75% Scottish and only 16 % Irish. 

So ringy dingy off to call my sister. 

Why didn't you tell me we're Scottish? 

Do I have to trade in the shamrocks and green beer now for ...

No, I am not eating Haggis. 

I've visited Scotland  twice, love it and Ireland is still on my bucket list to go for me and My Dad.   

I've only kept 7 old record albums and these are 2 of them so thought I'd share their photo's.

The old days never imagined DNA and the stories and secrets that would show up.

I really don't care what I am. 

So now I'm Scottish and used to be a red head, but it's fun to complain a bit.

Do I have to let go of what was said to be my Irish Temper too?

PS. Keep loving those still in your life, and find out more about them sooner in case you don't have a later.

Take Care & Thanks for your visit today.

Your shares at the links below let us send everyday Wellness out into the World to help others. 

A friendly story or information can often help others and make them feel part of a community. 

New posts every Tuesday and over 600 in the archives that you can view, save & share.

Bye for today ☘☘☘

Shamrocks ? - Ok, still love Shamrocks. 

What do You do when Life gets complicated?

Have You ever felt like

Running away?

Dona Anderson

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With all the stress and worry in the World right now this is probably what a lot of us are thinking.

Story time.

The later 1950's kid version

One day a few of us on our block decided to "run away" well sort of.

We got as far as the baseball diamond several blocks away and after getting something to eat that took all the money we had, we went home - tired, piggy banks empty and waited for supper.

Our big exciting get away only lasted a couple hours or so.

Mom never knew - (?) unless my sister told.

The adult version

For me,

Lots of time when life got confusing, stressful, too busy, broke, too many problems, chores, moving and even the pets as puppies took what little energy we had left, the thoughts of running away seemed to cross my mind.

 Just to get away for a day or so to have  peace and quiet, sleep, relax, not have to  cook, clean, take the bus, or go to work.

But we survive, 

and get through it the best we can.

We learn,
to ask for help, change the schedule, prepare ahead of time, relax and exercise more often and let go of some of the have to do's in favor of the want to do's.

Thankfully - Life, home and work changes as years go by. 

The pressures, expectations, roles all change as we grow, learn, prepare, age and manage our days and life.

No, I never did "Run Away" but I have to say it did feel good thinking about it for a few minutes.  

What I should have done was taken a Wellness Day when needed. 

And used more of the benefits that were available so I would have been much healthier and happier instead of having everything hurt for years. 

That would have made a huge difference.

Now I can relate to this message better 

Say to yourself ...

I give myself Permission to Rest

It's nice now that there are more wellness words, information, thoughts and services to use for your Self Care. 

These words are normal now -

Spa days, Retreats, Meditation, Yoga, Relaxation, Homeopathy, Stillness, Acupuncture, Chiropractors, Massage, going for a run, or walk or just to stop

& take a breath.

What's on your list to help You?

Let us know in the comments.

Thanks for your visit today
new posts every Tuesday,

and Thanks for helping me spread Wellness around 

the world by sharing at the links below.

💚

PS. Honestly ...

I don't know where all  this stuff comes from each week

but you get to come along with me to see what's next!

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Take Care

That's our Scottie girl Lucy above.

She's 6 now - all grown up. 

Christmas List - Pet version

Lucy has her own Holiday Wish List

Dona Anderson
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She even has her own stocking for Santa.

Can't forget the rest of the family at this time of year.

We LOVE you sweet Scottie girl.

Here's what's on Her List

Hi, I'm Lucy

Resting ... by the fireplace ✅
Cuddling ... in the blankets ✅
Cookies ... maybe new ones to try out ✅
Walk ... need exercise  after cookies ✅ 
Treats ... leftovers from the fridge ✅
Gifts ... maybe a new stuffy ✅
Visitors ... more pats and kisses ✅
Supper ... loves a bit of turkey gravy  & even better with peas added to my dish ✅

Love it that we get to be
 part of all her wishes.

Last one - Play in the snow ... We can't help with this one Lucy but hoping you do get to play in the snow - it makes you so ... happy.  


She wants to know if you see her eye?

This post was Lucy approved!

New Years wish -
More of the same. 

Our Summer surprise - We have a new girl in the house, a beautiful 5 year old Westie (West Highland White Terrier) girl Kelsie. 

that's me, Kelsie

I hope she likes the Christmas holidays and we're looking forward to see what she likes about Winter.

We'll have fun making new memories, wish lists and taking pictures of them both for next year.

I do know that anything food related, tummy and back rubs, and Sunshine would be on her list. 

She loves going for a walks, and faces to kiss. 

*** Lucy says she already got the best gift this year - 

a new Sister. 

Thanks for your visit.

Please take care of you this busy time of year and keep the pets warm.

Christmas Combo

November Rose 2018

Christmas Combo

First time for Everything

Dona Anderson

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I often let my visitors know they can check out more Christmas/Holiday posts in the archives, but I'm not sure if they do or not.

So I decided to do a Combo for you with a few related posts for this time of year. 

 Here goes.

                                 

                           From 2018

Hope the Weather is not like this!

 My Photo Card

Christmas Decorating made Easy 

2017

A favorite song video

2015

One of my favorite decorations

2014

Another favorite song

Visit the archives → right side of page for lots more from November/December in past years. 

I really enjoyed seeing these posts again and it was hard picking just a few to share with you.

I hope you'll check out some of 

the others when you have time.

Take Care...

new post next week.

Please share what you like

with others - links below

Together we're sharing Wellness around the World.

💗 💗 💗

Connect to more on Facebook

If you're seeing this in the mobile version

you may want to go to the Web version to

access the archives.

Ted Talk - Where do you fit on the living longer scale.

Oops ... do we need to change

a few things?

Little reminders and new information to help us.

Dona Anderson

I May need to visit that island 

Looks beautiful ...

interwoven lives

face to face contact

friendships

What did you discover?


And, how did you do with the summer I get to do days from this earlier post.

Thanks for visiting and sharing Wellness with

others at the links below.

don't miss next weeks post,

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Video is for information purposes only

in our quest for ongoing Wellness.

It's Never too late to Write MOM a Letter?

It's been so long

and 

much to Say

Dona Anderson
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I never know what will inspire me to write each of these posts.

It can be a word, a picture, a smell and this one was hearing a man on TV saying he wrote a letter to his Mom some 30 years after her death ... it touched a place in my heart to do the same.   

Love this picture of her 

My Mom passed the month I turned 29.

She was 66.

The year before we had just returned from living in Europe for 5 years and a month later she was sick with Brain cancer.

It's hard when you don't live in the same place and my 2 older sisters and I all lived an 8-10 hour drive away, all worked full time with families.

We felt lost and sad that our Dad was all alone but he kept us up to date and we all made it to where they operated to hold her hand, give out kisses and support our Dad.  I don't know what she knew as she couldn't talk and didn't seem to know what was going on.

In her recovery she had to relearn to talk again and other basic needs. My sisters and I all took turns going home to visit, talk to her and support Dad until her passing about a year later.

I remember my Dad saying the first time you return home after the passing was awful.  You're all alone after years of being married. He said it was the worst feeling ever.

I had a tough time with it all and grieved badly for many years. I missed her and instead of focusing on celebrating her life like I should have, I held on to all the wrong things.

The month she passed, who am I going to talk to, my kids want their grandmother, you have more to tell me and on and on.

All those selfish things, the me and I's

Although I still miss her all these years later, I know that grief changes over time and I finally got comfortable with all the wonderful things I did receive.

And, all these years later I've had friends in their 60's & 70's who still had their Mom so I reminded them how lucky they were.

I guess it's never to late to Write your Mom a Letter.

Some of what I'd say

Mom never got 
a chance to see ...

Mom never got a chance to see her little Grandchildren grow up into amazing & successful adults and become wonderful Parents to all her beautiful great Grandchildren.

She didn't know how my Sisters and I grew in life as unique individuals that keep passing on many of her talents and wonderful qualities in our own way.

Learning Life Skills

the old fashioned way...

Looking back I realize that even though our time was Short she gave us many life skills that prepared us for life at the time, and that I used later.

As a child I watched her for hours cutting out material for our clothes and having to have all the fabric placed right, all the patterns match up, and then sewing it all so the darts, seams, buttons and zippers were all straight and perfect.

I remember getting her to help me with a sewing project I had to do for school, a nightgown. I had to tell and remind her it can't be perfect as I was suppose to be the maker.  She agreed but still got 85% on it.

My Mom loved Christmas, bowling and playing bridge. I watched her cooking our meals every day, baking and making cakes and pies to go with our family Sunday Supper and other celebrations.

It was different times way back then.

We didn't have today's modern conveniences, so growing up we had to help with lunch & supper dishes everyday, with the meals, help with laundry, do our ironing (which in the earlier days was pretty much everything we wore and that required dampening first, no wash & go from the old wringer washer).  Later on the automatic ones helped a bit.

Oh, and yes We also had to have our house cleaning,  yard chores and homework done or we couldn't go out. Later on, I had lots of don't complain examples to share with my kids.

And from a young age I remember having to go out to get groceries with the list, and walk around town to pay the utility bills so I knew what things cost and the places where money went every month.

All this later became 

valuable gifts ...

In my Heart, MOM already knows and sees all of what the letter to her would say and since I've been crying every time I've been working on this over the last several months, the letter will have to be for another time.

The letter will have to be for another time...

Love you MOM.

Mom's name was Lydia

and 

Happy Mother's Day 

to all Moms here

and in Heaven!

New posts weekly

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Does Heaven receive mail like the North Pole does for Santa Claus?