The Scholarly Santa - Which is Better Than a Santa with a Sax

The Scholarly Santa
Which is Better Than a Santa with a Sax

Christmas was only a couple of weeks away, and I needed to get the decorations out and put around the house. Therefore, after my early morning 45-minutes cardiovascular program and 600-crunches, I spent a couple hours transforming my home to a winter wonderland of lights, garland, and other Christmas items. I hadn't spent much time at unpacking items from a large plastic storage box before I heard something breathe a sigh of relief. It was the Scholarly Santa that Jack and Owen's mother gave me years before the two boys were born.

I love the Scholarly Santa for a number of reasons. When I received the Scholarly Santa, I noticed it was made in China, along with most of the gifts that I gave and received. However, I primarily treasure it due to education being important to me. Therefore, I picked up the Scholarly Santa, straightened its whiskers and tassel. Then I placed it on the Tibetan cabinet. Thus began our pre-Christmas chat. I was fully aware that this would delay my decorating efforts. I am both right-brained and have ADD. Even though I can sit still for a long time, my brain is always restless. Nonetheless, I did not care; I wanted to chat.

Initially, I asked about the Scholarly Santa's sigh of relief, since it was quite audible. Additionally, I have carefully packed him away for all the years that he has graced my home during the Christmas holidays.

The Scholarly Santa replied, "I had a euphoric feeling; I was delighted to get unpacked once a year for a month. However, soon after the New Year, you will put me back in the storage box for another eleven months. I don't like being stored away. Also, I like to get out especially and see my home in China. You put me in what you call your China Room or in Mandurian, Zhõngguó Fáng (中国房). I can see both pictures that you have taken of my homeland or things that you have purchased while there."

I told the Scholarly Santa that I too love his homeland, except for the present government and its treatment of the Tibetans. However, the Chinese culture, learning, and the arts are what I admire so much.

Scholarly Santa added his attitude about the leaders of his homeland. "The Chinese people have suffered greatly, especially since the time of Mao. That bothers me. I understand that leaders can be misguided, but when the masses follow them, that is troubling. You have people who want to be leaders here in the States, but some of them scare me."

I replied that you will hear about some of the dumbest statements from some potential leaders over the next few weeks over the TV.

The Scholarly Santa continued, "On a lighter side of the news, I wish my people would get away from making replicas of me playing a saxophone. Have you seen some of them on the Internet?"

I went and got my laptop and googled, Chinese Santa playing sax. The Scholarly Santa was correct. There were nearly 400,000 articles about that topic. I showed the Scholarly Santa this photo.

Source of picture

Then I showed the Scholarly Santa this photo of a small toddler terrified of the sax playing Santa.

Source of picture

The Scholarly Santa continued, "Instead of pushing the sax, we should push education, equal treatment for women and minorities, and be less militarily strident. The government often suppresses religions, especially those from outside of China."

I agreed. Then I added that maybe by next Christmas things in China will improve. Additionally, America will have elected someone who is not like some of the candidates.

The Scholarly Santa's retort came quickly, "I hope so also. In the meantime, you might think about packing me away in what seems like decoration gulag."