The Library

[hats]

December Library
Our Library Cafe is open 24/7; the Welcome Mat is always out.
Do take a coffee break and spend some time with us.

Pull up your chair and tell us,
How You Celebrate the December Holidays
Note the "Suggested Topics" - We want to hear all about it.

And please, continue to share your library news in addition to these holiday topics.
Let's make the library a bustling place to be this month.

November 26-30: - Tell us the best book YOU read this year and why?

December 1-4: - Do you put up a tree? What rooms do you decorate? Will there be a special Christmas event in your town that you will attend? Tell us about it. 
December 2: - The First Sunday in December, Advent begins - Do you hang an Advent calendar or read from a special Advent book?

December 5-8: - Do you have a special menu or recipe for Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? How about a recipe?
December 6: - Today is the Feast of St Nickolas - Will you do anything special for the day?
December 7: - Pearl Harbor Remembrance - Do you remember or does a family member remember where they were when they heard of the attack?

December 9-11: - What goes on at your home every year as you prepare for the holidays—What traditions take place come heck or high water!
December 10: The Last Day of Hanukkah - Will you plan on something special to celebrate this “festival of lights”?

December 12-15: - Are you gifting someone a book?  What is your memory of a book received when you were a child?
                    What is your favorite book with a holiday theme?
December 14: - Santa Lucia Feast day (Sankta Lucia in Swedish).  Do you serve for breakfast Lucia buns?
                    What is your favorite holiday dessert?

December 16-19: - What movies or TV programs do you never miss as Christmas approaches?  Please, tell us why it is so special for you!

December 20-23: -  What is your favorite Holiday Carol or Hymn or Song?
December 21: The First Day of Winter - The Winter Solstice - Do you do feed the birds or other wildlife?

December 24-25: - Christmas Eve and Christmas Day - Will you be home or visiting friends or family this year? Will there be a special meal?

December 26-28: - Did you drive around to see the Christmas lights and decorations? What will be your best memory from this year's Holidays?
                    Did you receive a book? Have you stared to read it ?

December 29-31: - Are you making a reading list for next year? Are you planning to 'right' size your book collection this year?
                    Is there a book that has often been on your list but never read?

We are in for a great month and we want to hear from everyone!
Please share using our calendar of topics. We enjoy and are richer by reading each other's stories.

My name is all in capitals! I hate it. You really need to read the Mitford series in order. I think the holiday book could fit in at any time. I hope Jonathan is liking his saint readings. I've never read a full book about Mother Therese.

[bellamarie]

Thanks hats,  I will read them in the order written, other than the Christmas one.

November 26-30: - Tell us the best book YOU read this year and why?,

I looked back over the book titles I have read so far this year, and I have to say only ONE book rates up there to be the "best" of this year, and it is....  A Gentleman In Moscow. 

Why?  Because it has everything I look for in a great book... mystery, love, character, intrigue, humor, fiction, historical fiction, suspense, human empathy, descriptive locations, characters who bonded and were believable, art, poetry, etc., etc., I could go on and on, but I won't.  Very few books have touched me the way this book did.  It has stayed with me long after I read the last page, closed the book, and we ended our discussion.  It may very well stay with me forever, and I am anxiously awaiting for the TV series to begin this March.  I pray the persons playing The Count Alexander Ilyich Rostov, and youthful Sofia do not disappoint me.  Their sweet relationship all the way through to her leaving, was just so tender, fun, and unexpected.  And, to top it off, as if putting a cherry on top of my favorite sundae..... Jonathan introduced me to Casablanca!  What book has ever done so much for me, and I was able to share it all with my hubby for the first time.  I am contented knowing I experienced such a great read, and to think, I would have never read this book had it not been for our book club.

 

[BarbStAubrey]

hats - not in capitals - never did know if that is your nickname or if it means something - how did you choose hats for your name to use on Senior Learn?

I never was imaginative with a name - and I notice now we call Pat W just Pat - there was a time we had about 3 Pats posting with us so each Pat had to use a part of their last name to distinguish one from the other.

Well we have started - yesterday, Sunday the actual count was 30 days til Christmas which makes today 29 days... As quickly as time seems to be passing there days this Christmas is only the proverbial 'long winter's nap' away.

I was pleased with myself - sent an advent calendar and a small scented candle (cinnamon and silver birch) to all 5 grands - they are all in the late 20s now but I thought a perfect time in their lives to be reminded of their youth.

OK our question for the next couple of days is Tell us the best book YOU read this year and why? - that is so difficult - to choose one as the best - even breaking it down into categories of topic and interest and then having a best book in each category was just as challenging - I can name a book that so far is my lifetime best book but a best book for a year - oh dear.

OK I think what I am going to do is over the next few days list my top contenders - then after reading what y'all have to say and after I see in a post my choices I will be able to make the selection - after all if the PBS top All American Read Out could end up with 5 top books, although in the end they did have a number one pick - I have to look it up, I don't even remember what it was - probably because in my opinion the list was so incipient even if the list included some books I had not read. I just did not see a lot of 'meat' to the stories on that list. And the few that had a great storyline with something to dwell upon after the read, thank goodness were among the winners. 

One of the contenders for our question for me has to be The Gentleman in Moscow - the various summations and critics speak of his genteel nature and the backdrop of history's drama. They also usually include a remark about the large caste of characters and or course something about living in this limited space of, and they all include 'grand' hotel.

What I liked is there are many plots and sub-plots and no character leaves us hanging - Towles brings them to life. The entire storyline of the young girl who helps him during his early days investigate his world, the hotel, is not only followed through but her daughter becomes part of his world and one of the reasons for his existence. Almost like a stage director, each character is fully explained and filled out so that there is something for everyone to hang onto while reading this book.

The aspect of the book that really captured me was the quick and forced reduction in his world and how he made a life in his changed circumstances. It reminded me of aging - all of a sudden, and in aging usually it happens with an unexpected accident or an illness or just the ageing of the body that limits what we can do, we are thrown into a situation where our world is down sized.  Just how quickly he had to make his choices of what furniture to bring and the difficulties of accepting this limiting life till after he was on the verge of suicide a different mind-set almost like descending from heaven sets him on a path of not just accepting but making his life full in this limited space. With no family he makes a family among those in his now limited world even if they never shared his experiences, of wealth, education and nobility.

I liked how the author's wisdom showed his distinctive and impractical life skills could be a benefit to others in this new world where 'manners' and 'protocol' were all but dismissed. Reminds me of today when many of us feel out of place among the tech savvy generation who appear at time to have lost the ability to relate one on one with a human unless it is through some devise and certainly the manners of the our generation are not even on the horizon for many under the age of 35.  Working that aspect of the Counts life into the story I thought was a major coup and where I cannot figure out how to work my past into today this story was a light bulb moment realizing it can be done.

I also liked the aspect of the issues of the world were outside his immediate world versus inside the hotel - I thought that was profound in many ways - our interior life as compared to our worldly life - and how our interior life is really our life - and then the other aspect, that all the news that makes us think we are as responsible or, need to feel as concerned or, devastated because of what we read and see on the news regardless, where we get our news, today's world and national issues could be no worse than the Russian experience, from the time the Bolsheviks reduced the counts lifestyle to the space of a hotel until he escapes into the vast landscape of Russia - That was a time of such complete turmoil, devastation and inhumanity that only sentences here and there in the story brought us face to face with young people sent to Siberia, the iron fisted destruction of a nation and its people and yet, where the Count is aware and makes plans that include this awareness, his life is inside a contained space, the hotel with a certain group of people.

Took me a bit to realize my world is limited to a certain space - sad that I am not living on the next street or even across town from my children and our communication may be far more than his after losing Nina as she leaves with her beloved but, our children, after they leave our home with their beloveds, lead their lives and their challenges that are not ours just as, we made that same journey when we left our parent's home. Seeing how the Count's life went on with his challenges at the hotel while Nina's life was a very different experience. Then his being entrusted with Sophie that again, she leaves him, with his orchestrating her launch into a world outside of Russia showed again, how we are our own world that continues regardless those who share a big part of our immediate world. I guess the old adage, we are alone in our coffin. 

I still dwell on many aspects of this Book - it is what I call a soul reaching piece of writing - not just a storyline - there is so much more packed into the story that to me it has a greatness that I wonder why it is not up there on the list of Great Books, at least for the twenty-first century.  I thought there was more packed into this book than anything written by F. Scott Fitzgerald - more on the level of Faulkner or Hemingway.   

Haha just read your post Bellamarie while I was about to post this, you wrote yours - love it we are both enthralled with the same book - for different reasons - yes, the book has something for everyone doesn't it - I love reading your post, yes, yes, yes...

[CallieOK]

bellamarie,  I think you will really like  the Mitford books.  I don't think you have to read them in order but reading #1 -3 or so will give you a better idea of the characters' backgrounds as they appear in the later books.
They are interesting stories with plenty of action and gentle humor and without the "syrupiness" (made that word up !) of many books based on ministry. 

[bellamarie]

Thanks Callie, I will keep that in mind.  I kind of thought it would be best to read the first ones in order to get familiar with the characters.  I'm wondering if these books are similar to the British television series Father Brown.

Barb, Great minds think alike!!  Thank you for your lengthier post on A Gentleman In Moscow, it brought back even more reasons why I love this book.  I know it will stay with me forever.  I don't understand why it didn't even make the list for The Great American Read's top one hundred.  I agree, many of their books did not have enough "meat" to please me.  I am not someone who reads books that push "politically correct" agendas, I get enough of that with TV sitcoms, talk shows, and the media.  I read for enjoyment and knowledge, but if the topic of the book does not align with my moral values, I am not going to read it.  Like one of our members said earlier,  it's my money, my choice what I will read.

I have begun reading my Christmas books,  I've started with Deck The Halls by Mary and Carol Higgins Clark.  They are mother/daughter authors who write together, this one is a mystery.  I also have Holly and Ivy and Silver Bells, by Fern Michaels.  I'm not a big Debbie Macomber fan, but I do have a book of hers called Christmas Wishes.

Okay, must run, today is my hubby's birthday and I am treating him to a day at the casino! 

[PatH]

I agree about A Gentleman in Moscow--a remarkable book, and I would never have read it if Karen hadn't picked it to read.

But I think I'll choose Ursula K. Le Guin's No Time to Spare as my favorite.  It's a collection of recent essays and blogs on various subjects, many on aging (she was in her upper 80s) to which she brings her graceful thought and wry humor, a number on her current cat, a force to be reckoned with, and other miscellaneous subjects.

The book is in Bethesda and I'm in Portland, so I can't quote much.  She scorns the saying "old age is not for sissies."  It's insulting to sissies, who are more likely to reach old age by not taking risks, and are now dealing with age.  She also thinks it's amistake to try to think too young.  If you're 90 and think you're 45, you're in for a very bad time when you try to get out of the bathtub.

A lot of chuckles, a lot of graceful wisdom, and a mind it's a pleasure to watch.

[Jonathan]

'- Tell us the best book YOU read this year and why?'

Congratulations, Barb, 0n the great holiday header. You and Bellamarie have made a wonderful start with your feeiings and memories of A Gentleman In Moscow. I'm in agreement. It's a remarkable book.

I can't make up my mind about the best read of the year. Mother Teresa's account of her search for a holy encounter is heart rending in Come Be My Light, but I've been distracted by another book, which may well turn out to be the best. 'You,ve gotta read this.' I was told after letting it be known that I was interested AI, and wanted to get it going for me. So now I'm reading it. Through Mother Teresa's eyes. It's heaven and earth shaking.

Dan Brown's latest: Origin

[mabel1015j]

I have had a good week! Thanksgiving Day was perfect, its my favorite meal to cook and to eat and my menu is always the same - turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, peas, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes (per my dgt), apple and pumpkin pie and chocolate mousse cake(desserts per neice and nephew) We only see my SILs family once or twice a year, so we sit for hours around the table, witha change of seats as people get up to check onthe kids or to get more food (buffet style).
Yesterday my colonoscopy delivered a good report......we can put a vehicle on Mars, can’t they make a prep that tastes better!?!

And, I’m reading a good bio of Louisa Adams, John Quincy’s wife, titled Louisa, by Louisa Thomas. I mentioned it before in “non-fiction”. It gets better the longer I read. She’s an interesting combination of intelligence, humor - which she maintains while being married to crochety, arrogant, solemn, aloof and often mentally and/or physically absent JQ - and still constantly self-deprecating. So many points of interest for me - their marriage; her relationship with inlaws John And Abigail Adams and her sons; her political acuity, which she denies constantly; her overcoming what to me seem to be overwhelming difficulties.

We’ve known about Dolley Madison’s graciousness and parlor politics helping shy James become president, and Louisa seems to have been just as important to JQ’s being president.

Louisa Thomas is an good, interesting writer. This may be my favorite book of 2018.

Jean

[Jonathan]

Thanks, Pat. I'm going to look for the Le Guin book. How would she feel about the Brown book?

[BarbStAubrey]

Ah Pat of course, yes you do like just about everything that Ursula K. Le Guin wrote - this one, No Time to Spare does sound like a good read. More and more we are seeing folks way in on aging and so much of it is to me a repeat of pablum but from what you are sharing this one sounds like it hits reality better than most. Ha I love it... "If you're 90 and think you're 45, you're in for a very bad time when you try to get out of the bathtub." I am really smiling - my son, who recently purchased a new pickup with all the bells and whistles - and of course part of its practicality is, it is higher off the ground - well, after Sally's mom (age 90) and me (age 85) attempted to climb in, that ended up requiring assistance as if scaling Everest he - again the humor, I love it.. purchased a small folding step stool type ladder that he keeps in the tool box in the back of the truck bed and is named the Dena/Barbara ladder.

Callie saying that the Mitford books are not syrupy is a nice come on because that was what I expected - think I will give them a chance - did you have a favorite - appears there are many - reminds me of the Agatha Raisin cozy mysteries - I think there are now around 28 or maybe even more but you can start anywhere - same characters and characterizations but each books in some way establishes those characteristics - Isn't there a Mitford Christmas story? If so that may be a book to see if I would like to read more from the series.

Bellamarie I would never have guessed that there was a casino in your part of the country - I think of New Jersey and Nevada and a few of the Reservations including Oklahoma but never dreamed in Ohio or is it located in Michigan - hope you have a good time - need to look up the Christmas books you mentioned - there are many of them now written by authors who usually write boy girl or cozies.

Jonathan sounds like the story of Mother Theresa really has peaked your interest - almost a P.S. to reading our book about the Ottoman Empire and how Jihad ends up helping to build the Taj in India - so you stayed in India and just time machined forward your reading into the twentieth century.  Not sure if I wanted to read about yet, one more saint but you sure make the case when you said, "It's heaven and earth shaking." Wow... I'm thinking it may be less a Bio and more about her inner wisdom. If so that is awe inspiring  - the book I have been reading that is like reaching into the deepest part of us, so that I am barely able to read more than a page at a time is, Backroads To Far Towns: Basho's Travel Journal No short words to wisdom here - it takes a whole page of building before he finally pricks some inner electron that you did not even know was there.   Had not heard much yet about Dan Brown's book Origin - and you are saying it is a ringer - need to look it up - based on his past writings he sure knows how to bring you in doesn't he.

Ah Jean the wonderful traditional Thanksgiving meal - nothing in my mind beats that Norman Rockwell painting of the mother carrying the cooked turkey and placing it on the table with the faces of family members enjoying the moment. Sounds like you pulled it off with your own Rockwell dinner. I've seen Louisa come up as a suggestion on Amazon - your giving it a heads up is heartwarming - I've wanted to read Frazier's Varina the young wife of the much older Jefferson Davis. The story is mostly about her and her children fleeing Richmond with bounties on their heads, an entire nation in pursuit. It would be interesting to read about these two women at the same time - think I'll plan on that for that dead time after the holidays. Thanks for the heads up.

Looks like I am going to have a best book read for each day of this question - hopefully, after reviewing my own posts I can make a choice.  Astonishing to me is that the books that are upper most on my 'best' list were all a surprise choice - not on my list of books that I planned on for the month - almost as if an invisible hand was at work.

Actually I have not finished the book - there is so much I knew nothing about that the book has become almost like a class on International and National Banking and Economics - I've had to read several books just to really understand what he casually says as if we all realized National budgets and Economics was not too different then a State budget or the annual company budget or even our own personal budget - yes, the income is different and here I was under the miss-guided idea that our Taxes was the basis for the National Budget - what I did not know is astonishing. And then to hear from this outsider how the economics of the world really works and whose who and how they support each other regardless going into a plan they know will fail... and who really owns what financial institution regardless its name - yes, I am talking about the book written by the economist and past Minister of Finance for the Greek nation, Yanis Varoufakis. He has written several books but the one that is earth shattering to me with information I never in my wildest dreams imagined as to how the world runs, Adults in the Room: My Battle with Europe's Deep Establishment

I'm sure many can read through a book and get enough to be satisfied but I get caught whenever I read something that is new to me. I need to find out more before I can go on; and so this book as been a classroom for me on many levels and is exploding apart my core political beliefs. It is written as a personal journey which details the processes of negotiating with some of the most powerful institutions in human history.

Not only an interesting subject, one that affects everyone who is concerned about the future, his writing is absolutely breathtaking. It is like reading an "ancient Greek or Shakespearean tragedy in which characters, neither good nor bad, are overtaken by the unintended consequences of their conception of what they ought to do".

[nlhome]

I read a number of good books this year, but nothing that I thought was the best book. Why was that? Maybe because so many kept my interest, maybe because I concentrated on mysteries because of a challenge in another group, maybe because I didn't want to get too immersed in a book like so many of you did when you read A Gentleman in Moscow, which I started and then had to quit. I had a busy year of interruptions. Mysteries, essays and short stories, with a handful of nonfiction books, were what I read and enjoyed.

[JoanK]

Barb, I love Basho, but have only read his haiku. I've been reading about the period just after the American revolution when a bunch of remarkable men were trying to create a government from scratch.  Facinating!

[BarbStAubrey]

nlhome not a best but is sounds like you were busy reading this year - even if not a best is there a book or so you would mention for us - it may be the very book that one of us would like to read knowing you gave it at least a thumbs up as an average read.

Ah yes Joan,  Basho - I only learned recently that along the way of his many travels part of Japanese culture, and now I forgot what they are called but on the spot where he wrote some of his poems there is a marker often with the poem written on the marker - some are wooden and some are engraved stone - they are all over Japan since he traveled widely during his life time - the book I have is not a book of poems but sort of like essays and what I love is the same that I love about the Alyson Pearson's translation of St. John of the Cross - the sentences are unique in their construction so that they are not only poetic but the rational comes first and then the thought or purpose of the thought - as if thoughts are written backwards - do not know how better to describe it but for me it is glorious.  Unfortunately the book is not available for a Kindle and so there is no summery that includes pages of text but there is a resale for only $2 that with shipping would be a total of a penny under $6 - you can't go wrong - it is a deep read.

I realize I am just not good reading mysteries or watching horror movies - PBS had the Woman in White and I was so agitated watching I had to drink a glass of wine to settle down - just terrible - where as the Brit cozies I am just fine and I do like a page turner that has the element of a mystery but nothing scary is going to happen. I can handle Sherlock and Agatha Christi, oh yes and Perot but I think it is because I know what is coming next and I've seen these mysteries on the screen or TV so that there is no terrifying scene - funny because I can handle many of the PBS mysteries. ah so and such is life... I do pick up that most of the really good novels use that same approach as a mystery novel where suspense is used to keep us turning the pages.

[bellamarie]

PatH.,  your book No Time to Spare sounds like it would be fun to read, especially after reading this: 

If you're 90 and think you're 45, you're in for a very bad time when you try to get out of the bathtub.

JoanK.,  How interesting learning of the making of our government from scratch, after the American Revolution.  I recall reading America's Prophet by Bruce Feiler and found it very fascinating.  I learned many things in the making of the government I had never known.

nlhome, nothing better than to pick up a book to read when your life is so busy, it gives a sense of calm.  We do tend to pick the meat off the bones so to speak, in our book discussions.  As we always said in Senior Net, no stone is left upturned.  But it is so fun.  Can you share a few of your titles?

Jean, you piqued my interest in learning more about the First Ladies, so I did purchase three used books at Thrift Books.  I bought both of the ones you suggested, along with one other that takes us up to Michelle Obama.  I can't wait to dive into those.  I do hope we can have a discussion here on First Ladies in the coming New Year. 

Jonathan,  So you have gotten involved with reading about Saint Mother Teresa.  She is a woman with a powerful impact on this world.  If only I could be one tenth the person she was.  I so admire her charitable works and concentration of the poor and family.  Her quotes touch the inner part of me and makes me want to be a better Christian.

Barb,  I do not care to read scary mysteries either, my Christmas story is not so much scary as intriguing.  I know this author well, and I can almost guarantee the outcome will end in a Merry Christmas, once the two who have been kidnapped and held for ransom will be found in time. This book does indeed feel like an Agatha Christi/Perot story.  Yes, we sure do have our very own casino right here in Rossford, Ohio which is just ten minutes from my home, if we use the expressway.  It opened in May of 2012, named Hollywood Casino, and it is beautiful!  I have been to Las Vegas a few times, frequented the casinos in Detroit, Indiana, and Florida on the International Casino ship, and Canada, over the years, but I am so happy to have ours, in my very own backyard so to speak.  I got the biggest joy out of sitting next to an elderly lady (guessing in her 80's) dressed very astute in her camel colored coat, watching her hit big on the penny slots. Her hubby came and sat next to her, and the smile on their faces as she would hit was priceless.  I asked her what did she start out with, and she said, "Only twenty dollars."  Her machine was up to $190.00.  She told me she has been coming since the casino opened and has never won anything.  I was glad to see her cash out and take it home with her.  Those two were the sweetest, happiest couple I have ever seen.  I told my hubby, we may not have been lucky at the casino today, but we have been lucky in love & life for 47 years, and I hope we will look like that couple in years to come. 

[CallieOK]

Here are links to Jan Karon's Mitford Series books.  The current one isn't listed on the first link.  The boxed sets are included in the second link. 

https://www.orderofbooks.com/characters/mitford/

http://jankaronbooklist.com/jan-karon-books-in-order/

[nlhome]

Some of the books I liked:  The Woman in Blue (and 2 others) by Elly Griffiths; The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend (a little far-fetched, but pleasant); Maeve in America by Maeve Higgins (essays by an comedian from Ireland who is here on a long-term visa); See Also Murder (and 2 more in the series) by Larry D. Sweazy. See Also Murder is the first in the series about an indexer (before the days of computers in publishing) in North Dakota in the 1960's, near where some of my dad's family lived. Definitely a bit gory and suspenseful, for those who aren't big mystery fans, but the setting is interesting and different.

One I started, but it was interlibrary loan and I didn't have time to finish, but I will:  The Crops Look Good by Sara DeLuca. Set in the 1920's and 1930's in rural Wisconsin, it is based on letters that the author found from family members. My sister's book club read it, and she recommended it to me. Then my 90-year-old aunt read it and said it was great. I liked the little bit I had time for.

Books I wished I hadn't wasted my time on were a couple of cozy mysteries involving knitting clubs. I read them for the titles.

I have a Mitford book on my audiobook loan request list at our library - I've read several and enjoyed them. They are comforting.

[BarbStAubrey]

What a crazy day or night - was so tired this evening - set the alarm for an hour at about 5:30 - never heard it go off - slept hard and just woke up at 11:30 - now what - sheesh - of course there is no going back to bed now - not sure how I am going to get myself back on track - thank goodness no appointments although in the late morning before there is no close parking I did want to get to the German Christmas Fair at the old German School down on 10th - Saturday is the big day with food, beer and a German band but today was no tax day and for members - we shall see what we shall see...

nlhome I am so so glad you shared the titles of some of the books you have been reading - the Maeve Higgins sounds like a ringer - I'd have never guessed based on seeing the cover in the library or book store but reading the comments on the Amazon page it sounds like there is a good couple of laughs included in the story and that always gets my attention. I'm putting it on my Amazon Saved for Later list and then, yes, The Crops Look Good by Sara DeLuca - it sounds like a quiet ride into nostalgia when daily choirs and the quiet successes of an individual were more valued than achievements from the list of Seven Steps to Success, or Five Tips to be an Expert... And where I am not into mysteries the books written by Elly Griffiths look like they have more depth than a cozy.

Callie I guess I have associated the Mitford Series with the kind of cozy mystery story written by M. C. Beaton - I really do need to give Jan Karon's books a try. I'm thinking Shepherds Abiding - what do you think as a starter would that be a nice place to start?

Of course - as usual just got waylaid for almost 2 hours since I started this post - looking up books on Amazon and one thing leads to another completely forgetting why I was looking things up and landed on a Christmas book I had downloaded to my Kindle some time ago and started to read... Just went to check on tomorrow's weather, realizing tired or not I need to get to bed and here it is - buried among the open windows - this post that was never uploaded - it is like getting lost is a cluttered sewing room or as a kid getting lost in the Library for hours. Till Tomorrow - need to upload this and then try to get some sleep...

[BarbStAubrey]

This is a riot - please have a laugh with me - this is not about Christmas or Books - but weather and a 24 hour Autumn - Some time in October - do not remember the date any longer it was our usual Summer 90 plus degrees and bing bam within an hour temps dropped from 90 something to 59 which for us is typical winter temps - ever since it has been rain and cold with just a couple of days with the sun out and in the 80s - but rain has been with us since September and so everything is green green green - instead of looking like the end of the year it has been looking like Spring without all the wild flowers.

I was just talking to my Daughter on Monday evening and mentioned how green everything is but a new wave of cold air had moved in - the Sun was out on Tuesday but it only warmed up into the 70s - over night on Tuesday Autumn had arrived - yesterday morning looked out and every tree, except the many many live Oak, showed signs of color - the China Berry and Red Buds were yellow, the Elm were orange as were the huge 25 to 30 feet tall crepe myrtle and the Post Oaks were deep red and maroon - it was magical - that was yesterday - today get this - I mean talk about hysterical laughing when I looked out the door - every tree is naked - over night all the leaves fell off the trees except of course the Live Oak, Oh and the Cedar - the only thing left on the China Berry are the clumps of berries - we do not have that many deciduous trees so the leaves on the ground are not tons like up North and will probably stay on the ground and deteriorate as a sort of mulch - but can you believe - one day of Autumn - looks like the Post Oaks are hanging onto some of their maroon color leaves but everything else is gone - no big wind - they just fell. 

[bellamarie]

Callie,  Thank you for the links and the advice on the order to read the Mitford Series.  I'm looking forward to purchasing them.

nlhome, Glad to hear another person liked Mitford Series!  I stumbled across them looking for the Abiding Shepherd to read for Christmas.

Barb, I do have to giggle at you sleeping til 11:30 p.m., then waking to realize it was time for bed.  The description of the colors of all those various trees made me want to run and grab my camera to capture the beauty.  I keep my Canon Sure Shot instant digital camera on my kitchen counter so I can grab and shoot the birds outside my window.  I am an avid picture taker.  I have thousands upon thousands of digital pics on cds, and now a usb port.  I know my kids and grandkids will never use all these pics once I am gone, but for me.... I look back and cherish them all the time.

[BarbStAubrey]

Ha never thought of it that way but you are so right Bellamarie - I woke in time to go to bed - oh oh oh -

Been rethinking and checking - I read so few novels this year - I became so tangled in a couple of eye opening books that my reading was more about learning - I thought also, just because a book opens my eyes to new subject matter is that enough to make it a best book - that is when I decided some of the other books I've read did open me to new information but then have to ask, were they riveting - did the author put the ideas and subject across engaging the reader with powerful writing - that was the clincher question and answer for me - I decided that my best book read for the year is definitely Adults in the Room: My Battle with Europe's Deep Establishment

The author, Yanis Varoufakis, has several other books published - I did get the kindle version of Talking to My Daughter About the Economy: or, How Capitalism Works--and How It Fails which I have barely started - it too shows this man can write - I only learned he is or was an economics professor which may account for his practiced hand in writing. Although, many a professor knows their stuff but being a powerful engaging writer is not their strong suit. Reminds me of Grisham - Lawyers must write but there was Grisham, a lawyer and he could really write. 

I do want to share that if anyone is into cook books, one of my favorites that I added to my collection this year is, Twelve Months of Monastery Soups: International Favorites by Brother Victor-Antoine D'Avila-Latourrette. I like soups and Brother Victor-Antonine includes some real winners, a few that were new to me.  With most recipes online cookbooks no longer sell very well - however, I love to read the background and story that are included in many cookbooks - its more than the recipe.

[CallieOK]

Barb,  I'm also smiling at your sleep pattern - mainly because I've done the same thing and awakened wondering why I was in my bedroom chair instead of in my bed!

"Shepherds Abiding" would be a good book to read now.  The synopsis from my library's e-book info says:

Since he was a boy, Father Tim has lived what he calls "the life of the mind" and has never really learned to savor the work of his hands. When he finds a derelict nativity scene that has suffered the indignities of time and neglect, he imagines the excitement in the eyes of his wife, Cynthia, and decides to undertake the daunting task of restoring it. As Father Tim begins his journey, readers are given a seat at Mitford's holiday table and treated to a magical tale about the true Christmas spirit.]

Father Tim is the Episcopalian minister around whom the books are centered.

Bellamarie,  I keep my camera near my back windows - where I often sit to watch birds and "critters" around the bird feeders.  Am currently keeping tabs on a skinny squirrel who cannot seem to learn that he absolutely can not get past the squirrel baffle.  It's funny when he tries reaching out to grab hold of the baffle edge, then tries jumping from various places around the feeders and then glares at the window as if to say,  "It's all YOUR fault!"
There are four pairs of cardinals who often come at the same time.  So pretty against the green holly tree.  Nature's Christmas decoration!

I would have a hard time picking a favorite book from this year's reading.  I do have **** by "The Bookman's Tale" in my data base list of e-books I've read.  It's by Charlie Lovett and is a novel about a man who researches the real identity of Shakespeare.

[bellamarie]

Callie, we have more in common than I would have known.  I am an avid bird watcher as well, we have three bird feeders in my flower garden in my backyard.  I have never had more than one male and female come at the same time.  This pair comes all through the year, and I can never get tired of seeing them.  The other day I was lucky enough to have a beautiful Blue Jay and male Cardinal in my Rose of Sharon bush at the same time.  My hubby goes out first thing in the morning before we sit down to breakfast to feed the birds.  As he walks to the feeders, at least a hundred little Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos will fly to the Rose of Sharon bush and wait until he finishes filling up the feeders.  By the time he gets back in for breakfast, they are all taking turns to feed.  We sit at the breakfast table and just enjoy them.  They tend to know our eating habits, because they are back at lunch and dinner time.  In the Spring we had Robins galore, but they left near the middle of Summer.  I have so many bird pictures, I plan to make a wild life book with all my pictures, and include my flowers I have planted over the past years.  I take pictures of them at all stages throughout the seasons.  My sister in law has been urging me to frame some of these pictures and make a wall gallery in my home.  I keep promising her I will, just have not gotten around to it just yet.  We also have a Cooper's Hawk, or shall I say many of them that hang around our backyard as well.  I video taped one huge one swooping down and picking up a field mouse and carrying it off.  I had no idea that is what was about to happen when I began taping him.  Some of my favorite visitors are the gorgeous Woodpeckers and Yellow Finch.  Hummingbirds will frequent my Rose of Sharon and Shasta Daisies all throughout the Spring and Summer as well. 

We had a few squirrels robbing the bird feeders when we first hung them.  I tried every thing imaginable to prevent them from getting to the feeders.  If anyone would have watched my hubby and I, they would have had a great video to submit to America's Funniest Videos.  We bought three of the baffles, determined to stop the squirrels.  Oh they out smarted each one of them.  I was in a nature store buying some feed, and got to talking to the salesman about our problem with the squirrels, after he had a great laugh at all my stories, he sold me a bottle of liquid cayenne pepper.  We place just a few drops into the container of seed portion, shake it up and then put the seed into the feeders.  Oh JOY!!!  The squirrels came to eat off the feeders, took a few bites and jumped off the feeders and never came back.  I removed all the baffles, and can now enjoy the beauty of the feeders, and the birds can eat without the squirrels.  This can not harm the birds in any way, they do not have taste buds so they can not taste the hotness.  It will also deter any other unwanted creatures. 

I just ordered Shepherds Abiding today, it should be here in 4 - 8 business days.  I may ask my kids for the Mitford Set of 1-6 books for Christmas.  Have you heard of the British TV series called Father Brown?  I tried watching it once but could not get into it.  Your book The Bookman's Tale sounds like something I would enjoy, since it involves Shakespeare.   

[CallieOK]

bellamarie,  the pole to my bird feeder is metal.  Son who installed it didn't put a baffle on it and it's too far in the ground to pull up now.  So I "greased" it clear to the top with cheap petroleum jelly.  The squirrels slid back down - no matter how far they jumped.  I was really glared at when that happened.  Then my neighbor, who was having the same problem, found a snap-on baffle and that took care of that.
I used to live on the other side of town and found it interesting that I don't see some of the birds here that I saw there.  Cedar waxwings are an example.  There would be a huge flock around for a few days and then they would all be gone.  I remember seeing a huge flock at the home of a friend who lived several miles north of me.  We decided we were in their migratory flight path.
There is currently a big flock of sparrows here and I plan to see if they stay around all winter or are passing through.

I live not far from a big creek that runs the length of the city and my complex has a pond near the creek.  We have herons and mallard ducks all summer.  The mallards occasionally appear in my yard, which is the equivalent of a long city block from the pond.
I looked out one time to see 10 wild turkey hens perched on the fence and in the yard!  Found out they had been seen in neighborhoods up and down the creek.
And the hummingbirds.......Oh, I could go on and on.  Fascinating!

Yes, I am familiar with the Father Brown series but, like you, wasn't interested in staying with it.  I'll be interested in knowing what you think of Father Tim of Mitford.

Be aware that the book about Shakespeare is fiction - and does not take place in The Bard's time.

[Frybabe]

Not much if anything about Christmas in here, but it is an interesting list of icy/snowy themed books. https://www.unboundworlds.com/2017/11/winter-is-coming-snowbound-sci-fi-fantasy-books-for-long-winter-nights/ Not all of these are strictly science fiction and the last one is a non-fiction book.

[bellamarie]

Callie, Oh the mallards are so fun to watch.  We have an inground pool and cover it for the winter.  Come spring we always have a pair of mallards who come through their mating season and enjoy the small amount of water that collects on the pool cover.  I have tons of video of them over the years.  We found a nest of their eggs in my neighbor's bush.  Sadly, I don't think any of the eggs survived predators who came during the night.  One year the neighbor across the street found a nest in her bushes. Come Father's Day morning we had the female mallard and her little flock of ducklings crossing the street and went into my pool.  Once the seven ducklings were in the pool they could not get out so we spent the entire day with friends and neighbors trying to rescue these ducklings.  It was quite hilarious as one neighbor had a huge net and as he attempted to scoop them out of the pool, he landed face first in the pool.  Yes, I did get that all on video.  lolol  We finally were able to get the mother and ducklings into a cage and took them to a small pond in my friend's yard just a few miles away. Thanks for letting me know the book is fiction.

Frybabe,  That's an interesting list of books.

[BarbStAubrey]

haha I must be ready for winter then according to the list, Frybabe - I had downloaded a few weeks ago, The Bear and the Nightingale

What a treat Bellamarie, to have neighbors who enjoy keeping wild life as safe and prospering as your concern and care for the well-being of these birds - there is something centering about giving our attent6ion to wildlife - historically we are in common with many a poet - seems to be most common in the nineteenth century but the fascination and love of the out of doors is still a popular theme in poetry.

Typical Austin weather - today is overcast, hot and muggy - not summer high hot but uncomfortable, mostly because of the heavy humidity and so, yep, you guessed it, had to turn on the AC.   

Called the library located closest and was surprised to hear they do not have on their shelves any of the Mitford series - after I thought about it I realized our branch is really small and the stacks for novels are not much more than the space similar to folks with home libraries and so the classics and the latest more serious novels get the space. Also, with so much online I bet that is where the Mitford series is located - Never did find out how borrowing an online book from out library works. Callie seems to me I am remembering you read online books borrowed from your library.  Well not going to untangle that new skill now, so I ordered a used copy of Shepherds Abiding Should arrive sometime around the 12th or 14th - The timing works, I'm pulling down all the Christmas books early this year - usually do not pull them down till celebrating Feast of St. Nickolas on December 6 but this year I'm starting this weekend.

Realizing how few Novels I read this year and knowing my sister is a huge Elizabeth Goudge fan, I also ordered a used copy of, The White Witch so that way we have something to talk about over the holidays.  The blurb from Amazon makes it sound like a clash for today with homefront issues entangled with larger national issues of the day. This could be interesting. And then for pure fun I love Fannie Flagg - light and easy and full of bits of practical wisdom all wrapped up in her ability to charm a reader with her ability to describe wonderful, spot on characters. And so I ordered one of her latest,  Welcome to the World, Baby Girl!: A Novel This one has journalists, Doctors and stay-at-home moms telling the story - should be fun - Fannie Flagg always tells her story with a light sense of humor.

Well no rain but, the roof on the house nextdoor is just glistening with moisture and the fog is still making it difficult to see the bottom of the hill - I was going grocery shopping but I think I will just wait - I've enough here, food combos may be strange but I will be just fine. Now for a fresh pot of coffee.
 

[bellamarie]

Barb, I have managed to successfully figure out how to borrow books from my library and read them online, but... I love holding a book so much more, that I rarely use this option.  I do check online to see if my library has the book I want, and have them send it to other libraries so I can pick it up at my closest one.  Usually our main library has all the older books.  I have found the Mitford Series at many online sites you can purchase, so I am sure you will have no problem when you are ready to buy them.  They are usually in a set of 1-6, and then the next set of numbers.  It would cost quite a bit to buy all of them at once, even used.  I'm glad you got Shepherds Abiding, now we can have a mini discussion once we settle in to read it this winter. 

Your mention of Advent reminded me of a little humor at my CCD (religion class) this past Wednesday night.  I shared it with my friends on Facebook and we all got a good laugh, so here we go:

Have to share......Last night at CCD class we began our lesson on Advent. As we were discussing the coming of our Savior, one of my students shared with us this: "I was reading my book about Saints and did you know that Saint Nicholas is immortal?" I of course get very nervous thinking, oh gosh I was hoping to avoid the dreaded Santa Claus topic with these 3rd graders, assuming at this age they all still believe. I told my student, "Well that is very interesting, maybe you could bring your book in and share it with us." Hoping to go back to the Advent topic. Sure enough, he raises his hand and says, "Saint Nicholas was a very rich man and gave gold to a family who was so poor they were going to have to sell their three daughters." Okay.... I am NOT going to avoid this topic because he is determined to keep talking about Saint Nicholas. Up goes the next hand, "Saint Nicholas is also called St. Nick, and we put a shoe out on a day in December so we can get a surprise in it." Me: "Yes, December 6th is Saint Nicholas day, so the night before, you leave your shoe out to get a treat." Up goes the next hand.... "Isn't Saint Nicholas actually Santa Claus?" Oh boy, here we go. Me: "Saint Nicholas was a very giving and loving person, he was very wealthy because when his parents died they left him a lot of money. He wanted to give gifts and money to the poor, and through his spirit of giving, the tradition carried on in the hearts of others who wanted to keep the spirit of giving gifts to continue. He was born in what we now call Turkey. Over the years, other countries began the tradition, and some referred to him as St. Nick, Father Christmas, or Santa Claus. But, the greatest gift ever given, is when God gave the world His Son, Jesus our Savior." PAUSE.... hand goes up, "Saint Nicholas died when he was like a hundred years old." Next hand, "But if Saint Nicholas died, then how can Santa be alive?" Mike, (not actual name) "Because he is immortal!" Oh dear me oh my... Me: "Okay let's get back to Advent, and learning how we prepare for the coming of the Christ child." Thank you Holy Spirit for guiding the hearts of these sweet innocent kiddos. Oh how I LOVE teaching our Catholic faith.

Okay I have to get going, things to do.  I baked a German Chocolate cake for my hubby and daughter in law's birthday dinner tonight.  Since he retired he has a tendency to think "my" kitchen is his, and that I am in capable of remembering how to cook after being married for forty-seven years.  He was in the kitchen distracting me, double checking my box recipe, etc., and lo and behold..... I baked the cake and realized I forgot to add the eggs to the batter!  Well, let me tell you, watching The Great American Bake Off has taught me a few tricks, and frosting and sprinkles managed to make this cake look like a baker's delight.  Now just when I go to cut it tonight I pray it does not fall apart!  lolol  At any other age, I would have thrown it away and started all over, but, it is a perfectly good tasting cake, I indeed tasted the crumbs from the pan, and so off it goes to the dinner.  Wish me luck!

[CallieOK]

bellamarie,  <chuckling> at your story about the 3rd Graders and also your cake fiasco.

I used to do story times at the local public library.  I was telling the story of The Three Bears and one of the pre-schoolers kept shaking his head and "correcting" me:   "Wasn't porridge; it was soup",  "Wasn't Baby Bear; it was Little Bear",  etc.  Finally I asked if he would like to tell us a story.  He immediately stood up and solemnly said,  "Today. I. think. I. will. talk. about. God".
All of a sudden we were "out of time" for that session. 

Also used to do classroom presentations for the local Historical Museum.  The classes almost always wrote thank-you notes which usually began with a form thank-you statement and then a few sentences about something they liked.  My favorite came from a 3rd grader:  "Dear Mrs. ...  Thank you for coming to our school.  The thing I liked best was  it didn't last very long". 
That one went up on the bulletin board in the library staff room.   

Your cake story reminds me of the time I made my husband's and son's favorite banana pudding "from scratch" and forgot to put in the bananas!   

Barb, let me know if/when you'd like to have a link to the programs the library uses for loaning e-books.  I'm not sure any of them work without a card from the library involved.   

[nlhome]

In my experience, library staff are more than willing to help patrons learn to use their online collection. Our state uses the Overdrive system. I download both audio and eBooks from the Overdrive link. Painless. I have two tablets, and I just have to access my account from whichever device I want to use and download and then enjoy. They disappear from my device after the time period (different for audio and eBooks) is up. I too prefer hard copy books, but sometimes it's easier to get a book online or easier on my eyes to listen.

[PatH]

Barb, your 24 hour autumn sure has my 2 week autumn beat.  I'm a cookbook nut, so maybe I'll have a look for the soup book.

Callie and Bellamarie, it's fun to compare bird populations.  One I have is the Carolina wren, a cute little thing, plump, round and brown, a little bigger than a sparrow, with a narrow tail, often cocked up vertically.  They're joyous little things.  Blue jays, cardinals,mourning doves,catbirds, occasional woodpeckers, juncos, goldfinches, Cooper's hawks, rarely hummingbirds, warblers.  I have a good view of my neighbors' bird feeder from my kitchen window--probably get more fun out of it than they do, since I'm around more.

A few miles away, on the C & O canal near Grea Falls, you used to be sure of spotting bald eagles, and nestlings at the right time of year.  They're probably still there, certainly plenty in the area.

[PatH]

Barb and Joan, Basho was a painter too; during his lifetime more known for his art than his poems. Here's an example:

https://goo.gl/images/Xqyoez

I learned this from the book JoanK gave me as a good start on haiku--Robert Haas, The Essential Haiku

[bellamarie]

Oh my gosh Callie, I am laughing out loud with your stories.  Love the little boy's reply about talking about God.  And so typical of a 3rd grader not wanting anything to "last very long."  Banana pudding without the bananas... lolol

Well, I have to say I served the cake, and my kids LOVED it!!  It was so rich with all the frosting I could not finish my small slice.  I did NOT reveal to them I forgot to put the eggs in, but when I was cutting it, and it was almost falling apart, I did say the frosting has weighted it down.  lolol  The Great American Bake Off judges would have busted me in a second.  lol

nlhome,  my library also uses the Overdrive system.  Very simple once you know what you are doing, and yes, they were very helpful to get me started.

PatH., Another bird watcher, welcome to our little club!  I can never get enough of watching them at my feeders. Your Carolina wren sound really cute. I am a little sad, because the excavators had to dig up my Dogwood tree, and huge bush that has been in my front yard for over forty years to get to my sewer lines.  The cardinals and robins used to love coming to them.  I am considering planting a new one in the Spring.  We did not have much of an Autumn here in Ohio, but it sounds like ours was longer than most, or maybe I just got outside more and enjoyed it while it was here.  We are having really cold temps here with snow showers almost daily for the past week or so.  Tonight driving home from my son's house the fog was so bad I prayed the entire 45 minutes home.  My hubby has nerves of steel driving, me not so much.

[PatH]

Frybabe, that's quite a list of shivers.  We read The Left Hand of Darkness here some time ago.  There's a vividly unforgettable section in which two characters are trying to cross a grim frozen mountain range.

H. P. Lovecraft is a horror writer whose stuff doesn't work for me, just seeming silly, but he has a lot of admiring followers.

[Frybabe]

I remember that trek across the frozen glacier (am I remembering right, a glacier?). Also, there was a short segment involving a frozen river too, I think. That discussion was a while back. Is her newest book discussion worthy? Didn't we also do The Dispossessed even earlier than The Left Hand of Darkness?

I recently read a light crime mystery/romance/christian fiction book, set in Wisconsin during late fall and early winter leading up to Christmas, called Winter's Secret by Lyn Cote. The story was nice; most of the characters were quite likeable. I did have an issue or two with the lead character, a nurse, showing incredibly poor judgement here and there, but then don't we all at times.

[BarbStAubrey]

nlhome you also - most of us do prefer a hardback when we read

Pat the link to his paintings - wow - as rich and full as his poetry - remember reading how Japanese and Chinese gentlemen achieved status not by amassing a fortune or other successes that we value today, instead by being accomplished writers of poetry, literature and calligraphy and by practicing brush strokes, appreciating and creating art on paper while the men who devoted themselves to the physical arts were not as revered.

I am not remembering the discussions that either of you, Pat and Frybabe are talking about but then maybe it was when we had more than one book discussion happening during the same month - sad but we are dwindling in number - somehow those in the age range just behind us have different interests or they express their interest in books in other ways.

Thanks Callie for the offer - I think I will wait till after the holidays and as nlhome's suggested they will probably be more than happy to help me - the library is next to the grocery store so it will not be an ordeal to stop by.

Pulled out my Advent book and as usual the selected readings for each day hit home as if I never read them - so much confusion that comes along is answered in these daily readings - I love this book - been using it now for years.  Just looked - since 2001 - time flies - called Watch for the Light 

And I lost a whole day - cannot believe today is Saturday - somehow I just misplaced Friday - had to double think if I left the garbage bin out all this time - double checked and it is in the garage - some how I kept thinking yesterday was Thursday - well now I really have to organize the day -

Ah yes, a new question to consider ---

[BarbStAubrey]

December 1-4: - Do you put up a tree? What rooms do you decorate? Will there be a special Christmas event in your town that you will attend?
                    Tell us about it. 
December 2: - The First Sunday in December, Advent begins - Do you hang an Advent calendar or read from a special Advent book?

[bellamarie]

December 1-4 Do you put up a tree? What rooms do you decorate? Will there be a special Christmas event in your town that you will attend?

Yes, I put up two trees.  One tree is in my living room, it is decorated with the traditional Christmas colors: red, green and blue.  We have a bulb with each family member's name on it I had specially made through Bronner's Christmas shop in Frankenmuth, Michigan.  We also have beautiful clear glass icicles my hubby and I made at the University of Toledo, a few years in a row.  I have added some special angel ornaments the past couple of years from Silver Bells Christmas shop in Dundee, Michigan. I have some painted wooded ornaments my children painted some thirty years ago, and lastly I place my mother's special little angel ornament near the top of the tree to remind me of her in heaven.  The tree has clear lights with a colored star at the very top.  Then, in our family room in our basement that tree is decorated in gold!  Gold lights, gold ornaments and an angel at the top.  A Nativity is under each tree.

I decorate my living room and have been changing over the past couple of years favoring the beautiful white deer.  I also have collected Christmas picture frames and placed pictures of my kids and grandkids in them.  The Dept. 56 Heritage Collection Dicken's Village is placed on the top and bottom of my sofa table, with the moving skating pond, which is my grandson's favorite.  I have collected nutcrackers over the years which stand at each side of the fireplace.  I also decorate my kitchen, downstairs bathroom and entire family room and basement.  That is where the grandkids open their presents on Christmas Eve.  The adults then come up to the living room and open theirs.

Tomorrow there is a Christmas parade in Perrysburg, Ohio where my son's family lives, so we are going to it for the first year.  Our downtown Toledo has a new skating pond, and has what we call Hensville lights in honor of our Toledo Mud Hens baseball league.  The business buildings have thousands of strings of lights coming down the front of their establishments and Christmas music is played over loud speakers, there is also a huge Christmas tree lit up with white lights.  There is a parade and tree lighting ceremony.  We also have what is rated one of the best Zoos in the country, The Toledo Zoo which has "Lights Before Christmas."  It is difficult to explain, but the zoo has lights galore in shapes of animals, and an amazingly huge Christmas tree lit up.  It's a bit pricey, so my hubby and I have not yet gone to it.

For Advent.... I do an online Advent Bible study. 

[Frybabe]

Heads up for all you Margaret Atwood fans. She is almost done writing a sequel to The Handmaid's Tale. The Testaments, which begins 15 years after the ending of 'Tale' is expected to be released in September 2019.

[BarbStAubrey]

Yes, I heard that frybabe - never actually read the Handmaid's Tale - heard so much about it that I felt I had read it - I should read it before this next one but with every aspect of womanhood being politicized I'm not looking forward to it. Like taking caster oil, yep, that bad

As to decorating - used to decorate every window in the house, the tree in the front living/dining room with lots of tableau's on the end tables in both the family room and the front living rooms and the mental as well as the chandelier and center piece on both the big breakfast room table and the front dining room table and chandelier - had hanging baskets of greens and lights on the front porch along with a wreathe for front and backdoor and decorated the mailbox (rural mailbox)

Then for 20 years went to my daughter's in NC for Christmas so just did the front door, mailbox, mantel and Breakfast room table and that chandelier and usually a fat candle surrounded by greens in my bedroom. There were a couple of years before my daughter moved to NC that I was alone and did a small tree in the family room but I had mixed feelings - twice did a tree I could plant that never took once planted where as, the wreathe I always hung under the breakfast room Chandelier was really the focal point and I loved it since using various lengths of thin red ribbon I hung the very oldest of the family ornaments that were mostly my grandparents or my mom's.

Last year I was here and this year I will be here - traveling over the holiday's has become a nightmare plus this year neither of the boys will be able to go home. One has been living in Seattle and will have to work up till Christmas Eve - last year the same but he came the day after Christmas and stayed till New Year's Day but this year Cade will be working in Costa Rico so there is just no sense - it will be Katha and Gary's first Christmas alone - not sure what they have figured out yet.

I've decided no tree - fun putting up but a bear to take down - there is no sense in doing anything in the front room since I hardly use it - I haven't had lights in the front of the house in all these years but, what I plan on is to pick up a couple of bottles of glow in the dark paint and spritz it on the bushes and lower limbs of the trees in front so that when vehicles drive by their lights make the yard glow - Wreathe on door, mailbox with artificial spray and big ribbon, lots of Rosemary in vases in the house, even in the bathrooms - Wreathe under breakfast room Chandelier and I may cut a branch from the Red Oak that is hanging onto some of its leaves that have turned a beautiful maroon and open the dough board, filling that space with the branches along with some Rosemary and maybe even some fairy lights - My collection of sheep and rosemary on the mantle - for the breakfast room center piece I'll replace the Advent wreathe on Christmas Eve with some winter pansy starts that I can plant in front after a few days and then, for the first time I started an Amaryllis that is in my bedroom where in winter the sun comes streaming in the windows.

OK gotta get going - awake early enough I think I will make the 9:30 Mass instead of waiting for the 11: - need to do some grocery shopping and this way I can be finished before the working Mom's and Dad's fill the aisles. Not good for me but my mouth is wanting a liverwurst sandwich and so I think that is going on my grocery list along with some seeded rye bread.

So that is my decorating schedule - haha the 'history' of my decorating - me oh my but once started could not stop.     

[PatH]

Barb, I think a lot of us will be telling the past history of our decorating.  I don't decorate any more, since I'm always away, and I never did the wondrous job you and Bellamarie describe.  But I always had a tree, sometimes wreaths and outside lights.

I love the trees, their smell and beauty, and the fun of trimming them.  When I was really little my parents had a live tree they hauled in every year on my red wagon.  As I got older, and got to help, I became such a pain in the neck with my insistence on even spacing of the ornaments, that my parents turned the job over to JoanK and me.  I still have their remaining unbroken ornaments, prewar hand blown, delicate glass things.  During WWII, you couldn't get icicles, and as the remaining ones got fewer and shorter we realized how important they were as light reflectors.