Reflections of Christmases Past, Present

So, for Christmas, the kids want a Rambo doll, a bazooka, a Laser Death Ray and machine gun?

Christmas morning, 68 years ago, I jumped out of bed to find in my stocking a bright shining sword, with belt and a glittering “gold” scabbard. I waved that sword all the way downstairs to our big, beautiful majestic Christmas tree. And under the tree was just what I had asked Santa for! A real battleship--about 12 inches long. You set the spring and assembled the parts-- the guns, turrets and cabin. Then, with the little wood submarine, you aimed the torpedo at a button on the side of the ship. If you hit it, which I did many times, that battleship exploded into a dozen parts! And, my Christmas was complete . . . there was my machine gun! I just fed in the belt and cranked the handle--and sprayed wooden bullets all over the living room. Not very accurate, I remember, but it was a machine gun!

So what else is new?

ROBERT M. CROSBY

Glendale