Santa Claus is back in the garage

 

Here's an oldie from 2013. As we take down the wreaths and the tree and try to find a place from all the presents and boxes, the plastic Santa needs a place too. Since I don't have a garage it will be the storage closet in the basement. 

Another Christmas come and go

The fun the tinsel ho ho ho

But now it’s over no no no

And Santa’s back in the garage.

We sang our hymns and cookies made

But now that cheery time will fade

Christmas visits have been paid

And Santa’s back in the garage.

Oh holy night is now forgotten

Old wool socks replaced by cotton

I was so glad now feeling rotten

And Santa’s back in the garage.

So here’s a toast to the new year

Hot spiced cider now is beer

Winter gloom instead of cheer

And Santa’s back in the garage.

Next to the gas for the lawn mower

Near the sand and the snow blower

Spirits high now getting lower

Santa’s back in the garage.

End of year top 100 records back in the day

 I just wrote a blog on my Sixties blog about the New Year's practice of radio stations doing end of year hits lists. 

2022 Predictions

 

At the end of the day, 2021 was better than 2020. We had a covid vaccine (though not everyone took it) most kids were back in school, jobs opened up, it was possible to fly again, and the stock market did well. Of course, we had inflation, higher gas prices, and food prices are up at the market. If you watch Fox for your news it was a terrible year as America's greatest president was replaced. I digress.

Now for the economy. 

My predictions for Dec. 31, 2021 (made on Dec. 31, 2020):

Dow Jones         31000

S and P               3900

NASDAQ           15000

Oil                      60    

Unemployed        5.5%

Microsoft            240

The market, etc. at the end of the year 2021:

Dow Jones         36337

S and P               4767

NASDAQ           15645

Unemployed        4.2%

Microsoft            336

Oil                        76

CPI                       4.9% 

     

It turns out I wildly misjudged the economy turnaround. I was far too pessimistic. This year I am predicting the economy will again improve, with moderate gains. 

The market, etc. at the end of the year 2022:

Dow Jones         37650

S and P               5178

NASDAQ           17258

Unemployed        3.8%

Microsoft            365

Oil                       80

CPI                      3.9%    

The older Caucasians, who are the most reliable voters (and who watch Fox for news) will give the Republicans the Senate and the House. The younger voters actually believed Biden would change the world for the better, but did not know about Joe Manchin. The Eagles will not make the playoffs in January 2023. 

 

More things I like

 

Today I'm going to recite more things that I personally recommend for the bored and afflicted with time to spare. 

Ellie Dashwood gives chats on YouTube about Jane Austen and the history of that era. Fun, and provides some insight into the Regency era.  She is not English, but is from Utah. 

Also for Anglophiles, Lucy Worsley does fun shows on the aristocracy of England and their homes. On PBS and YouTube.

Slate Money is new every Saturday morning and I wake up to it weekly with my morning coffee.

Editor's Note: There has been a lot of interest in the Beatles lately with the success of the Get Back documentary. It's okay but I will always believe that Beggar's Banquet is better than the White Album, Let it Bleed is better than Abbey Road and Jumpin Jack Flash is better than Hey Jude. 

My favorite streams for 2021

 Streamed a lot this year. I subscribe to Apple Plus and Netflix so here are my favorite streams from those services in 2021:

1. Borgen
2. the Morning Show
3. the Velvet Underground
4. In the Dark
5. the Squid Game
6. Lupin
7. Doctor Foster
8. Working Moms
9. Firefly Lane
10. Hookup Plan
11. Girlfriends Guide to Divorce
12. The Crown
13. Bridgerton
14. On the Verge
15. Don't Look Up (a late entry, interesting)

 I have a soft spot for romantic comedies and shows that reveal the secrets of modern womanhood. Not usually cited in these types of lists is In the Dark. I found it quite amusing and scary at the same time. Originally on the CW. I note a few shows are also foreign imports. I like to try to guess what they are saying before reading the sub-titles. 

Ten things I said this year

I notice they are celebrating "Vlogmas" on Youtube and I am hoping to do a miniature "Blogmas" in the coming days.

Like most people, I tend to repeat myself when talking. Some people are quick to remind me when I said the same thing last week that I am saying now. So for my first list of "Blogmas" I am going to recount the ten things that I always say.

1. I'm going to get new kitchen tiles this year.

2. I have Netflix but am too cheap to buy HBO Max.

3. I have Apple plus because my nephew gave me an Ipad which came with a free year.

4. No I think I'll keep the Honda another year. 

5. They raised my property tax but not my condo dues.

6. My condo dues includes heat.

7. I get my health insurance through the state as part of my retirement. 

8. Don't worry I have a spare mask in my car.

9. I have relatives in Texas.

10. I found out on 23 and me that I am only 40% Italian.

In the coming days I'll describe my favorite movies, You Tubes, Netflix shows, and other things that tickle my fancy. Happy Blogmas.

Should I stay or should I go

Today is a volatile day in stocks. I promised myself that I would never become a stock watcher when I retired. I would be active and busy and not one of those people who sit home following the minute- by- minute progress of the market. Today, however, it is tempting to keep a close eye on the situation. The big question is whether it's time to sell my stocks and stock funds or grin and bear it and do nothing. 

Like many retirees I have made more money sitting on my behind the past year than I ever made working. However, we all know the time comes to pay the piper. Is it time to sell or not? Hard to tell. I'll probably sit on my hands. I usually do. 

Editor's note: I have become a fan of Emma Chamberlain. Most of the vlogs I follow get less than 10,000 views. She gets views in the millions. I don't know why. Most of the time she doesn't do anything. She drives around LA. She cooks. She plays the drums. She sulks. She is the baby boomer's image of how the younger generation lives. She seems to be on hiatus from YouTube but her podcast is called "Anything goes".