"Thomas Jefferson said a democracy is dependent on an informed citizenry. I don't care whether it sounds corny or not. It's the truth." -Jim Lehrer
Carefree Truth
Issue #1112, December 23, 2024
Issue #1112, December 23, 2024
December 4, 2024
A Note in the Margins
I am sorry to say that I missed the annual Christmas Tree gathering in my home town of Carefree this year. I just plain forgot. I was reminded when my friend, Betsy Lyn posted a photo of she and Mayor Crane with folks gathered around the Carefree Christmas Tree looking like they were having way too much fun.
Well, that got me thinking. Instead of admitting my forgetfulness or using it some other lame excuse for not attending, perhaps I could write some song lyrics and conjure up a story that I could share with folks. As a Dr. Suess fan, I immediately thought about the old Christmas Grinch. He’d be the perfect one to blame my forgetfulness on.
So, I started writing a songline... a Lazy Lane True Tall Tale about the time the Grinch sang Christmas songs with my neighbors and friends. I also wrote a “Poem in Lyrical Format” that, if I am lucky, someone may add a melody and magically a song will be born.
Meanwhile...
Merry Carefree Christmas
Cheers to a Carefree New Year
Phil Corso
A Note in the Margins
I am sorry to say that I missed the annual Christmas Tree gathering in my home town of Carefree this year. I just plain forgot. I was reminded when my friend, Betsy Lyn posted a photo of she and Mayor Crane with folks gathered around the Carefree Christmas Tree looking like they were having way too much fun.
Well, that got me thinking. Instead of admitting my forgetfulness or using it some other lame excuse for not attending, perhaps I could write some song lyrics and conjure up a story that I could share with folks. As a Dr. Suess fan, I immediately thought about the old Christmas Grinch. He’d be the perfect one to blame my forgetfulness on.
So, I started writing a songline... a Lazy Lane True Tall Tale about the time the Grinch sang Christmas songs with my neighbors and friends. I also wrote a “Poem in Lyrical Format” that, if I am lucky, someone may add a melody and magically a song will be born.
Meanwhile...
Merry Carefree Christmas
Cheers to a Carefree New Year
Phil Corso
Merry Christmas Mr. Grinch
A Lazy Lane ~ Carefree True Tall Tale
A Lazy Lane ~ Carefree True Tall Tale
It was a crisp autumn evening in Carefree and the Sheriff and I had our hands full. Rumors were swirling faster than a desert windstorm that the Grinch had been spotted in town. Of all the places, why here? Carefree was known for its charm, its warm people, and, of course, its annual Christmas tree lighting in the town square. But now, whispers of the Grinch’s presence were putting everyone on edge.
“I heard he was skulking around Black Mountain,” said Mayor Crane as he handed our mugs of steaming cider to folks. “That’s where I’d start looking.”
The Sheriff tipped his hat and thanked the Mayor, but I saw the twinkle in his eye. “That Grinch wouldn’t last five minutes on that mountain,” he said to me with a chuckle. “Too steep. Too many cacti. But he’s out there somewhere.”
We had spent the day searching—through the art galleries, the back alleys near the Sundial, and even the winding trails of Desert Gardens. No sign of him. The townsfolk were abuzz with theories, but as the hours passed, their unease began to shift into somethingelse—determination. The Grinch wasn’t going to ruin Carefree’s Christmas, not this year...not ever.
By the time the sun had set, everyone had gathered in the square, their faces lit by the soft glow of strings of lights. The towering Christmas tree stood tall, waiting for its moment of brilliance. The Sheriff and I exchanged weary glances. “Well,” he said, “if we can’t find him, maybe he’ll find us.”
The first notes of Silent Night began to float through the air, and soon the square was filled with voices singing in harmony. There was something about that moment—the desert sky full of stars, the warmth of neighbors standing shoulder to shoulder—that was undeniably magical.
And that’s when it happened.
From the shadows of a nearby saguaro, a figure emerged. His green fur shone faintly in the moonlight, and his long, spindly fingers clutched a sprig of mistletoe. It was the Christmas Grinch, and he wasn’t scowling or sneering. No, his face bore a smile—a real, genuine, Grinch Smile.
The Christmas music continued, and without hesitation, the Grinch stepped into the square. People froze for just a moment, but then the Sheriff gave a hearty laugh and began singing even louder. I joined in, and soon the entire crowd did, too. The Grinch didn’t say a word; he simply walked up to stand beside us, his smile growing wider with each verse and began singing along...loudly and proudly.
As the final song faded into the night, the Grinch cleared his throat. “Merry Christmas, Carefree” he said, his voice a bit gruff but sincere. The crowd erupted into cheers, and someone handed him a mug of cider. He took it with a nod of thanks.
Later, as the Sheriff and I stood watching the festivities, the Grinch sidled up to us. “Guess you found me,” he said with a sly grin.
“Or maybe you found us,” I replied, raising my mug in a toast.
The Grinch chuckled, his smile still beaming, as he reached out to shake Mayor Crane’s hand. “Well,” he said, “this little town sure knows how to do Christmas right.”. With a twinkle in his eye, the Mayor smiled and said, “Merry Carefree Christmas, Mr. Grinch.”
And just like that, the Grinch was no longer a rumor or a threat. He was a part of the Carefree Christmas celebration, singing carols and laughing alongside everyone else. As the bells chimed midnight and the star atop the tree sparkled brighter than ever, it was clear: a very merry Christmas had arrived in Carefree, Arizona.
A Christmas no one would ever forget.
Pdc
“I heard he was skulking around Black Mountain,” said Mayor Crane as he handed our mugs of steaming cider to folks. “That’s where I’d start looking.”
The Sheriff tipped his hat and thanked the Mayor, but I saw the twinkle in his eye. “That Grinch wouldn’t last five minutes on that mountain,” he said to me with a chuckle. “Too steep. Too many cacti. But he’s out there somewhere.”
We had spent the day searching—through the art galleries, the back alleys near the Sundial, and even the winding trails of Desert Gardens. No sign of him. The townsfolk were abuzz with theories, but as the hours passed, their unease began to shift into somethingelse—determination. The Grinch wasn’t going to ruin Carefree’s Christmas, not this year...not ever.
By the time the sun had set, everyone had gathered in the square, their faces lit by the soft glow of strings of lights. The towering Christmas tree stood tall, waiting for its moment of brilliance. The Sheriff and I exchanged weary glances. “Well,” he said, “if we can’t find him, maybe he’ll find us.”
The first notes of Silent Night began to float through the air, and soon the square was filled with voices singing in harmony. There was something about that moment—the desert sky full of stars, the warmth of neighbors standing shoulder to shoulder—that was undeniably magical.
And that’s when it happened.
From the shadows of a nearby saguaro, a figure emerged. His green fur shone faintly in the moonlight, and his long, spindly fingers clutched a sprig of mistletoe. It was the Christmas Grinch, and he wasn’t scowling or sneering. No, his face bore a smile—a real, genuine, Grinch Smile.
The Christmas music continued, and without hesitation, the Grinch stepped into the square. People froze for just a moment, but then the Sheriff gave a hearty laugh and began singing even louder. I joined in, and soon the entire crowd did, too. The Grinch didn’t say a word; he simply walked up to stand beside us, his smile growing wider with each verse and began singing along...loudly and proudly.
As the final song faded into the night, the Grinch cleared his throat. “Merry Christmas, Carefree” he said, his voice a bit gruff but sincere. The crowd erupted into cheers, and someone handed him a mug of cider. He took it with a nod of thanks.
Later, as the Sheriff and I stood watching the festivities, the Grinch sidled up to us. “Guess you found me,” he said with a sly grin.
“Or maybe you found us,” I replied, raising my mug in a toast.
The Grinch chuckled, his smile still beaming, as he reached out to shake Mayor Crane’s hand. “Well,” he said, “this little town sure knows how to do Christmas right.”. With a twinkle in his eye, the Mayor smiled and said, “Merry Carefree Christmas, Mr. Grinch.”
And just like that, the Grinch was no longer a rumor or a threat. He was a part of the Carefree Christmas celebration, singing carols and laughing alongside everyone else. As the bells chimed midnight and the star atop the tree sparkled brighter than ever, it was clear: a very merry Christmas had arrived in Carefree, Arizona.
A Christmas no one would ever forget.
Pdc
Sometime before Christmas day
Santa’s Elves were working away
The town folks were all worrying
Old Santa heard them say
A rumor was spreading all around
The Old Grinch was in Carefree town
The Sherrif and I were looking everywhere
But the Grinch could not be found
Don’t let the Grinch steal Christmas
No one will never ever succeed
Remember the reason for the season
And celebrate in good cheer
Everyone knows that baby Jesus
Was born on Christmas day
Let’s invite the Grinch to join us
We’ll show him a better way
The old Grinch was still in hiding
In his secret Carefree place
When everyone started singing
It put a smile on the Grinch’s face
Don’t let the Grinch steal Christmas
No one will never ever succeed
Remember the reason for the season
And celebrate in good cheer
When the old Grinch walked outside
The Christmas bells began ringing
His Grinch smile beamed with pride
When the sheriff and I were singing
Don’t let the Grinch steal Christmas
No one will never ever succeed
Remember the reason for the season
And celebrate in good cheer
Merry Christmas Mr. Grinch
Cheers to a Carefree New Year
Santa’s Elves were working away
The town folks were all worrying
Old Santa heard them say
A rumor was spreading all around
The Old Grinch was in Carefree town
The Sherrif and I were looking everywhere
But the Grinch could not be found
Don’t let the Grinch steal Christmas
No one will never ever succeed
Remember the reason for the season
And celebrate in good cheer
Everyone knows that baby Jesus
Was born on Christmas day
Let’s invite the Grinch to join us
We’ll show him a better way
The old Grinch was still in hiding
In his secret Carefree place
When everyone started singing
It put a smile on the Grinch’s face
Don’t let the Grinch steal Christmas
No one will never ever succeed
Remember the reason for the season
And celebrate in good cheer
When the old Grinch walked outside
The Christmas bells began ringing
His Grinch smile beamed with pride
When the sheriff and I were singing
Don’t let the Grinch steal Christmas
No one will never ever succeed
Remember the reason for the season
And celebrate in good cheer
Merry Christmas Mr. Grinch
Cheers to a Carefree New Year
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Copyrighted
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list. Please support our Carefree merchants.