From: owner-joni-digest@smoe.org (JMDL Digest) To: joni-digest@smoe.org Subject: JMDL Digest V2011 #740 Reply-To: joni@smoe.org Sender: owner-joni-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-joni-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk Unsubscribe: mailto:joni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe Website: http://jmdl.com JMDL Digest Wednesday, December 14 2011 Volume 2011 : Number 740 ========== TOPICS and authors in this Digest: -------- Lawn reindeer ["Betsy Blue" ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 15 Dec 2011 01:11:50 +0000 From: "Betsy Blue" Subject: Lawn reindeer First, were these god-awful outdoor decorations really a thing in the 60s? It doesn't seem possible. (No offense to any Griswalds on the list. Christmas happens to be sparkling out on my neighbor's lawn--and roof.) Second, can a river really freeze? There's some skating on frozen streams in Circle Game, so I must conclude this is not a metaphor. Forgive the ignorance and Cali-centricity. Now to the point: the introductory lines of River are about traditions that are inauthentic and/or foreign to the writer's personal experience. The cut-down trees, the fake reindeer, the lack of snow, the "crazy scene", and even the songs of joy and peace. (They won't give peace a chance.) The jingle bells aren't real either, just simulated on piano. I think Joni uses "they" purposely and includes only secular indicators of the season to further the notion that there is no faith or thinking happening at the individual level. I like River because It feels like Joni is calling out society's forced happiness and giving the individual listener permission to feel sad in the midst of the cheer. It's very cathartic. Betsy NP For Free ------------------------------ End of JMDL Digest V2011 #740 ***************************** ------- To post messages to the list, send to joni@smoe.org. Unsubscribe by clicking here: mailto:joni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe -------