Christmas in July is Better

This summer our family took a week long vacation to a cabin nestled in the woods. Isis still has many fond memories of this place and will often remind me of things that took place at the "red cabin." Like many things she talks about, the stories usually involve Pop-Pop. Sometimes I wonder why she is so drawn to him and his quirks and his randomness. And then I remind myself that these traits are not unlike those of a three year old. She herself is a bit quirky and most definitely random. So she and Pop-Pop are a good fit.

Here is a picture of one of the many cabin activities that took place...

Now one might naturally look at this picture and think how cute it is to see Pop-Pop and his granddaughters on the porch swing. A closer viewer might notice the cuteness of twenty naked toes peeking over the edge of the swing. Perhaps you too have noticed Pop-Pop's gut. There is a lot going on here. But what I must tell you is that Pop-Pop and the grandchildren spent a countless amount of time on this swing singing a most specific rendition of Jingle Bell Rock. Did I mention my father is a little random? Well who cares that it is mid-summer and mosquitoes are the only thing falling from the sky. Let us sing a Christmas carol and let's sing it fun. So as the swingers would sway on their swing like a metronome on a piano, I would hear the words...Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell roooooooooock! The word rock was held out for a good four beats with a most beautiful crescendo built into the end. And this is how Isis learned this song and therefore has certain expectations on how it should be sung.

It is now November. We've begun to get into the winter time Christmas spirit. I've pulled out a few Christmas albums. I thought Isis might be excited to hear an original version of this song. We hunted through the Muppets Christmas but couldn't find it. Veggie Tales didn't seem to have a rendition. There was one man I knew would not let me down in my quest for holiday cheer.

That man, my friends, is Neil Diamond. We have a few of his cds and even a few of his vinyl albums. Did I say we? I mean Chris. Oh my husband and the things he loves....Eagles, Phillies, homebrews, Bob Dylan...and Neil Diamond. Now don't confront him about this because he will absolutely deny it but will in the next breath will tell you which songs are top hits and which ones nobody has ever heard of. I'm not sure what the appeal is of Neil Diamond. Perhaps it is his resounding voice in his version of the Hallelujah chorus. Or maybe the way his verses slowly build to the chorus of Sweet Caroline. I have a suspicion it might be his album covers from the 60s with feathered hair, half unbuttoned butterfly collar shirts and gold medallions. Whatever the appeal may be here, I do know that our Neil Diamond Christmas albums will put a little half-gallop in Chris' step followed by a knee bend and a fist pump.

Now back to my story. When Isis first heard this song on the cd player, she smiled a huge of smile of recognition. As if instantly she was back on the swing with Pop-Pop. Soon Neil's voice belted out the chorus, Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell, rock. Wait. Stop. She was rather disgusted and unimpressed with this musical icon. "Why didn't he say roooooooock?" she asked. I explained that this was Neil Diamond, not Pop-Pop. She asked again, "But why does this man not say rooooooock?" I again explained that only Pop-Pop sings it that way because he is silly. Her face explained that Neil Diamond was a chump who knew little about this song and shouldn't even be attempting to sing it if he couldn't sing it the right way.

The right way. The Pop-Pop way. Isis obviously does not share her Daddy's affection for old Neil. There is a certain systematic way that a three year old processes information. Basically how is it presented first is definite and there is little room for improvement or change. I thought this song would bring back fun memories for Isis. It has instead brought confusion and a strong sense of disgust. How dare that man ruin this song. Screw Christmas in December, Isis is going back to summer.