The Splurge Tradition

Ever since our first staycation in October of 2006, one of the traditions we've maintained is giving ourselves a little of a "Mad Money" account come vacation time. This usually has a couple different effects, namely: (1) we tend to eat out about once per day during our staycations, and (2) we tend to buy things that have a certain amount of sentimental value during those times. We do the second because it makes those times enormously special in retrospect. Our dear friend Karen Campbell once told us, about the birth of our daughter, "Get each other something really special for when you go into the hospital; if you don't make this day special, no one else is going to make it special for you." We soon realized that this nugget of wisdom could (and should) be applied much more broadly than to the birth of our children.

Since then, we have been making a point to find things that will remind us of staycations from days gone by. In 2006, we got: (1) a couple of pieces of blue glass that are still sitting in our kitchen, and still in use (some of it is depression-era), (2) a copy of Hitchcock's "To Catch a Thief" which we watched last several months ago, and (3) the missing volume of Winston Churchill's A History of the English-Speaking Peoples which, I confess, I have not yet read. (Mark Twain once said that "a classic is something everyone wants to have read and no one wants to read.")

The staycation of 2007 brought us: (1) the entire DVD collection of "All Creatures Great and Small", an adaptation of books by English veterinarian James Herriot, and (2) a great reproduction of a painting of the Juniata railyards, which currently hangs on our wall, and whose genuine article is seven blocks from our house.

Two thousand eight's staycation is no different, except that my wife has applied her superhuman powers of gift-giving and –arranging to the task, placing the beauteous display which you see above on the table when I entered our house and officially launched staycation '08; the gift also served to congratulate me on completing a seminar presentation at work. It is with great joy that I present each item:

1. The Newest Issue of Wondertime: Wondertime is a parenting magazine put out by the Walt Disney Company and, for all their other faults, Disney seems to let them do exactly what they do best. The articles are very thought-provoking (if ideologically predictable) and some of the graphic design work and photography are pure genius.
2. VeggieTunes 3: A King, a Queen and a Very Bluberry: Say what you will, the stuff produced by Big Idea, Inc., is some of the smartest, funniest and most inspirational work in the children's market today, relative underground status notwithstanding. This features some of their best songs.
3. Bella: This movie was also one of the indie hits of the year, and we've heard it presents a strong pro-life message. We haven't watched it yet, so hopefully we'll be able to give a more thorough review when we do.
4. Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares: No further explanation is required.
5. Archer Farms Blood Orange Italian Soda: In a work that is already being called "The Rocky of our Generation", this drink is distinguishing itself not only as the next Pepsi, but also the next Sly Stallone. I have it on good authority that this tall drink of water does all his own stunts.
6. Blue Moo and Rhinoceros Tap: Some time ago, Sandra Boynton changed from "author and artist" to "force of nature". Through her greeting cards, board books, plush toys, etc. etc. and so on, and such like, Boynton manages to be simultaneously funny, poignant, witty, charming, and very very smart. These picture books also feature CDs of artists (like B.B. King) singing old favorites like "Blue Moo ‘62" and "Barnyard Dance". For us, listening to these inspires two immediate thoughts: (1) "This is great. I love this!", and (2) "Am I allowed to get this excited over kids' music?"

Well, there you have it: this year's staycation splurges. Go out and get them while supplies last, as a mention from this blog has been known to throw several online retailers into prolonged backorder mode. Or maybe I just made that up.