9

Our patio scene this morning depicts today’s #9 entry perfectly: Winter Wonderland, Felix Bernard and Richard B. Smith, 1934 • Christmas isn’t mentioned once in this one but it was a popular romantic/winter song for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere. Smith wrote the poem while in a NY hospital undergoing treatment for tuberculosis. He was inspired by snowy memories of his childhood hometown Honesdale, Pennsylvania. His good friend Felix set the poem to music • Guy Lombardo was the second to record it and it became one of the biggest hits of 1934 • Sadly, Smith died the following year at 35 years old • In 1947 some lyrics were changed to make the song more kid-friendly, ie Parson Brown replaced by a Circus Clown. At the time Parsons (like Pastors or Ministers) traveled the countryside to provide nondenominational services when no one else was able to • In 1958 Johnny Mathis combined the two versions for the Christmas album he released that year, which is still in circulation today • Despite Johnny’s recording, Doris Day is credited for making Winter Wonderland a staple Christmas song from her 1964 album • Popular covers include Michael Buble, Bing Crosby, Perry Como, The Eurythmics • It’s snowing heavily here this afternoon which is concerning because the snow is wet and heavy. One of the boxelder trees at the edge of our perennial garden broke in two, narrowly missing both our car and trash shed! • Happy Weekend to All!