Holiday ReCap #1: The Howlers with the Growlers

In my effort to talk about all our Holiday Happenings in chronological order, I am beginning with Caroling.  This is a long-standing local tradition I had heard much about from Jeff and his family for years, and was able to participate in for the first time this year.

You may think you know what traditional caroling is all about.  Out here, there are a few twists on tradition, created as adaptations to fit the crowd and the circumstances.  Whoever chooses to participate in caroling meets at a house in the country, selected to be the starting point. Everyone caravans from one house to the next, driving pickups and SUVs along gravel roads.  One person is the grand organizer of the event each year, and he sets the route.  The destinations are homes of older couples or individuals, living in the country.  That is one of my favorite aspects of this tradition-- it honors those who have lived in the country.

At each home, the group climbs out of their vehicles (carpooling is encouraged), and gathers at the doorstep to sing four or five carols to the residents.  This year, we sang to six different households, which, I am told, is fewer than in past years.  The route also was twenty-some-odd miles shorter than last year.  This helps paint the picture of just how far apart homes can be-- how large an area our 'neighborhood' actually is.

The caroling route always culminates at one final house, where there is a potluck-style party, complete with neighborly fellowship, cards and games, and a wide array of beverages.  By the time everyone gets to the party, of course, many people have already dipped into the holiday cheer.  There is a lot of time spent in vehicles between houses, so suffice it to say the holiday spirits have been roused. One house that we sang to even left out a few cases of beer as a Christmas present of sorts.  Someone came up with the moniker The Howlers with the Growlers this year and it's really pretty accurate. The singing may be less in-tune while the enthusiasm increases as the evening progresses.

I hope I haven't made caroling sound like just a binge-drinking and singing marathon. It's not. It is actually a family event including people of all ages.  It brings a lot of us together to celebrate the holidays in country style.