MUMBO JUMBO – December 2013
December 2013
I was out walking the dog around Key West early this morning and came upon this Christmas tree near the schooner pier on the harbor. It made me smile and reminded me it was time to write the holiday newsletter. Things that bring a free smile… now that’s a fine holiday concept!
I have to admit I like all the lights and most of the music of the holidays, even the corny songs. I will miss my annual trip to New York City this year and won’t get a chance to see Pete Mayer’s Christmas Show. This will also be the first year in my life that I won’t make it home to New Hampshire in December. However, I have a new holiday adventure in the works, which I hope to write about next month. The only clue I will give you is that it will involve giving lots of guitar strings and baseballs.
No matter what religion you might practice, this can be a strange time of year, particularly here in Cayo Hueso, where a large portion of the people are either transplants or tourists.
I dusted off my old “Christmas in Key West” song during my gig at The Smokin’ Tuna on Thanksgiving evening, assuming it was safely within the acceptable time for such music. I introduced the tune by saying, “You know what today is: The first official day of the Christmas season!” Much to my surprise, nearly everyone in the joint groaned loudly in unison. It struck me as so comical, I began to laugh uncontrollably, which in turn prompted everyone else to begin laughing at their own spontaneous, Grinch-like behavior!
I guess that response showed me how the commercialization of the holidays and the pressure of mandatory and competitive gift giving has unfortunately tarnished the season for many of us. I have a couple of friends who find Christmas to be the most stressful time of the entire year for that very reason.
When I was younger and living in New Hampshire, I commenced my holiday shopping every year precisely at noon on Christmas Eve. It became a great tradition for me over the years as I successfully compressed several months of potential stress and indecision into a few frantic but joyous hours. In time, I came to quite enjoy the challenge.
So, it’s in this spirit that we hope to make your holiday shopping a little less stressful by offering you a free CD for every two you purchase. For one week only, we are offering a “buy two, get one free” deal to thank our loyal Mumbo Jumbo readers! When ordering two of my CDs online, please mention the name of the third CD you’d like to receive as our gift, in the “special comments” section of the checkout. Do NOT add the third CD to your shopping cart, or you will automatically be charged for it. There will be no additional handling fee for the free CD. This offer expires at noon (EST) on Friday, December 20. If you have any questions, contact Terry Lederer at: Terry@scottkirby.com
As if I can’t get myself in enough trouble in real life, Virginia author John H. Cunningham has written me in to his most recent book, Crystal Blue, a mystery novel which takes place in Key West and the Caribbean.
This is the latest in John’s Buck Reilly adventure series and I sincerely want to thank him for my cameo appearance and for not killing me off in the process.
Check out his website to pick up a copy!
WINTER SCHEDULE
I will be performing at the Smokin’ Tuna Saloon in Key West, and Snapper’s Key Largo through mid April. Check the schedule on my website for dates and times!
Once again, thank you for listening and I hope you all have the most wonderful holiday season and look forward to seeing you next year.
Scott Kirby
Copyright Scott Kirby 2013. All rights reserved. www.scottkirby.com
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