The Library

[BarbStAubrey]

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.

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.

[BarbStAubrey]

Wow this month flew by so quickly - I was tickled to catch Charlie Brown's Christmas on TV last night - love that movie - I guess I missed my other favorite this year - It's a Wonderful Life - I like just about everything Jimmy Stewart acted in but this story has come full circle with many just coming out of a bad time and now can chip in a group fund to help out a friend or neighbor. I like how the story line shows we are all valuable even if we do not see it, without each of us many things would not have happened.

Favorite Christmas song is Gesu Bambino - it used to be sung at the end of Midnight Mass but no longer - a few years ago when they stopped I did find a few CDs with the hymn/carol included.    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qrtf7Iri6ZA

I also like The Bleak Midwinter.    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0aL9rKJPr4

Sunny and warm today - just perfect shirt sleeve weather - puts a smile on my face and I feel the good cheer hearing the youngsters playing in the school yard across the way - a large tree covered area where they can run plus, a few basketball courts and swings tucked in up near the school building. Hearing the littlest ones giggling as they run after nothing and the older ones laughing and calling to each other with an undercurrent of excitement you can hear in their voices. Moms taking photos or just letting the sun shine on their faces - love opening up my door and standing on the porch taking it in...

[hats]

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to All~

I haven't come in to post. That doesn't mean you haven't been on my mind every single day. I'm very grateful that you're here. When I feel a bit overwhelmed, I always stop by my neighbors' house. That means visiting here. Some times I don't say a word. The answer to the question is Little Drummer Boy and The Christmas Song. I love to hear Nat King Cole sing The Christmas Song. Just last week I heard him sing O Come All Ye Faithful. Beautiful with the orchestra in the background.

[PatH]

Hats, I know just how you feel.  I've been in every day too, but have often been too overwhelmed to post.  Things will probably ease up in a few days and I'll play catchup.

I don't have one favorite Christmas song.  There are too many beautiful ones to pick, songs that still make me choke up when I hear them.

[hats]

Barb, I listened to the beautiful Christmas hymns you listed. Those are beautiful. Thanks for the links.
Path, I'm glad to hear you share my feelings. I have a difficult time sharing favorites of anything: books, music, recipes, etc. I took a chance this time. Looking forward to seeing your posts whenever they arrive.

[BarbStAubrey]

Glad to see you popped in hats - and also glad you enjoyed the musical links.

Can y'all believe it is actually Christmas Eve - woke up really contemplating - with all this preparation what does Christmas mean to me - I know how for so many years I was making it a special and exciting time for family - but now I have to ask why? Not that I would change anything but still the question nags why.  Thinking of all this that we do, baking, decorating, shopping, secrets, wrapping, candles, visiting family and friends, all to celebrate the birth of a child - regardless the most special child ever - I have to ask, is it how do I celebrate the birth of a child in my heart - how much of what I do is really celebrating the light increasing again, as we turn away from darkening days into days that will be longer versus, celebrating this special birth. Both need recognition and both can be celebrated since we have the capacity and it appears the need to celebrate various events - but frankly, if I was full of awe, delight and wonder over the birth of a child, it would not be with the hoopala that has become Christmas.

And so do I want to feel hoopala in my heart or the quiet wonderment, awe and softness of holding a new born - getting to know a new born - making contact with this babe, knowing each expression I make is new to this new born child - can that spirit of quiet newness be found in my heart and let what this child symbolizes be the growing joy to gaze at and feel as if I was the new mom of a baby. More questions to ponder on what tomorrow brings as we celebrate the birth of this child - Maybe it is a birthday party rather than a reenacted birth that is the celebration.

Well I have my pecan crusted fish for tonight and turkey for tomorrow along with the most wonderful salads and veggies. The annual crop of fresh strawberries was in the grocery store as usual so, in the morning fresh strawberries and a ruby red grapefruit from South Texas along with a piece of Stollen and lots of hot coffee - I'm hoping the day will awake with the sun shining and warmer temperatures as the past couple of days; if so I plan on taking in the Christmas decorations in town since the streets will be very empty so that driving and walking will be a joy rather then a hustle. May even stop into the Four Seasons Hotel for a coffee and to see the Gingerbread House display. I also have two new books that I cannot wait to get started reading - hmmm maybe, that's an idea - bring one with me and sit back having been served from a nice pot of coffee and read for an hour - but then to my earlier question - would I be just passing time, even if in a new and delightful way or would it bring me the quiet time as if getting acquainted with the newness of a babe, the light in my heart. Need to ponder just a bit more so that I use the day to enrich Christmas in my heart.

Wishing y'all Christmas in your hearts and a happy joyous day celebrating all that is new in the season, the moon and your connection to this child born over 2000 years ago.

[Jonathan]

Such thoughtful, sentimental posts. God bless you all, and have  yourselves a very merry Christmas. 'two new books...can't wait to get started'. Let's talk about them. I've got my eye on one proposed by Frybabe: The Weight of Ink,by Rachel Kadish. I saw a  pile of them displayed at the bookstore the other day, intended as a gift suggestion. Must be good.

[Frybabe]

Merry Christmas Morning everyone.

Yes, Jonathan, it was a very interesting book. I wouldn't mind reading it again for discussion. I think those who read Christine Brooks' People of the Book may be especially interested.

[ginny]

May God bless us, every one.

[BarbStAubrey]

thanks Ginnie - a riot of color - I received my poinsettia from my neighbor - what a joy to come home and see it brightening my table - Have you ever planted one of yours after the holiday? Some folks find just the protected spot on the south wall of their home until the year there is a hard freeze. My friend had good luck but then she had good luck putting seeds in glasses of water for heaven's sake.

Today is when I wish we had each other's phone number - I'd love to give Tomereader a quick ring

Jonathan great idea of the book you suggested - been on my Amazon list for months now but other books come along that push it to the bottom of the list. Sounds like something we would really enjoy discussing. By the way ordered the Art book you mentioned - 30 days something - forget the title - I could see problems us talking about it since we need more than one day to allow everyone to respond and so the timing would be out of control - I have not started but it is on my list for this winter.

Frybabe were your ears ringing last evening  - thinking about you as I sorted one more shelf and was shocked at how many books on my shelf written by fantasy authors - need to check with you on some of these authors - now some books are extending myths but others are pure fantasy and, excluding, the Harry Potter series.

Hope both you, hats and Pat will enjoy the various carols and Christmas songs popular this time of year. There really are so many aren't there - almost have to agree - the more you think on it the more come to mind.

After our last read and learning about Sinan I found this wonderful book about Ottoman Architecture for the grand who has started to work on his degree in Architecture - before our read I would have passed it up and gone for something showing buildings in Rome or chateau's in France.

Just as I guessed - streets are empty - everything is closed up tight - the only folks out, taking walks, are the Jewish families - and with a smile knowing Texas there is not even a football game on TV causing everyone to be off the streets - looks like most are enjoying their home or are out of town, probably skiing in New Mexico or maybe even Colorado.  There was a lot of swapping and borrowing of ski clothes on our neighborhood facebook page this past week or so.

Hope everyone is having a good day - if not merry at least finding the joy in your heart kind of day... Christmas blessings and good will.

[PatH]

A very merry Christmas to all of you.

Our family has always celebrated on Christmas eve.  I'm in Portland, and yesterday we all, children and grandchildren, gathered together for a wonderful evening.  Tomorrow daughter Cathy and I will fly down to Los Angeles to see JoanK for a few days.  Then back here for a few daty before returning to Bethesda.

[Tomereader1]

Barb, how lovely that you are thinking of me this Christmas Evening!  My neighbors, across the street, came to the door earlier and brought me a plate with great Christmas goodies; ham, potato salad, corn casserole, green bean casserole, baked beans, and two presents (which looked by the size of them that they were boxes of candy)
they were.  Good ole Russell Stover!  I scarfed down the actual food, and followed with some chocolate!  Thank you for thinking of me.  Our "cyber" friends can really be a great pick-me-up.  I mentioned to my daughter that it seems really strange not to hear the clamor of little kids riding their new bikes, skating, rollerblading, and generally giggling as they enjoy their new outdoor toys.  Not really any little kids in this neighborhood anymore, and they would probably be playing with their XBoxes or Iphones if there were. 
Merry Christmas to all!  I look forward to the New Year, if only to be rid of this year, which proved to be a real downer.

[nlhome]

Merry Christmas everyone. We had our big celebration on the 23rd, then the next morning with our children and their families. We came back home for a quiet Christmas Eve, opened our gifts and just enjoyed Christmas music. Woke to an inch of snow - we had none - and invited a friend to join us for breakfast. It's been a beautiful day.

[bellamarie]

Well, as the saying goes, I'm a "Day late and a dollar short."  It is 1:28 a.m. Wednesday, December 26th, which means Christmas day has officially come and gone, but since we await for the Epiphany, January 6, 2019, I can say we are still in the liturgical Christmas season, so I will say, MERRY CHRISTMAS to all.....

Hats, I also listened to Barb's link and thought it was just beautiful.  I have never heard it before.

PatH.,  Please have safe travels and tell Joan I think of her, and hope we see more of her in the discussions in 2019.  I so miss her insightful words.

nlhome,  Oh how I would  have liked that inch of snow today.  We did have a few flurries but no accumulation. 

Tomereader, What wonderful neighbors you have.  A feast and goodies too!  I agree, kids are glued to the X boxes, ipads or cell phones nowadays.

Ginny, Oh how I love the poinsettia pic!  My hubby always surprises me with one each year.  So perfect!

Jonathan, Two new books, and a winter ahead to stay in to read them.  Enjoy!

Frybabe, I have never heard of Christine Brooks' People of the Book, but then that's what I love about all the different suggestions I find in the posts in here.  I am always open to new authors.

Barb, So the streets were empty, well, here in Toledo, Ohio it is a huge day for going to the movie theaters.

We celebrated Christmas Eve as we have for over forty years, 5:30 p.m. Mass with the family, then to our house for dinner, gift opening and play a game or two.  We played a game called "SMARTA$$" which was much like Trivia Pursuit.  Christmas morning, hubby and I woke up and opened our gifts from each other.   Then off to my son's for our traditional breakfast with all the family, more games (mostly the guys and grandson played X box, since Zak got four new games for Christmas).  We then came home and we watched two movies, Bird Box with Sandra Bullock, a bit far fetched for me, but you sci-fi book lovers may really enjoy it.  Then Book Club with Diane Keaton, Mary Steenburgen, Jane Fonda, Candace Bergen, Don Johnson, Craig T. Nelson, Richard Dreyfuss and Anthony Garcia.  It's a comedy, and I just loved it!  I saw it at the movie theater when it first was released and I asked for it for Christmas. The rest of this week will be spent with our grandkids Zak & Zoey since their parents have to work.  I think I have influenced them into loving to read, they each got a few books for Christmas.   My daughter in law gave me The Biggest Lie In The History Of Christianity (How Modern Culture Is Robbing Billions Of People Of Happiness) by Matthew Kelly.  I like his Bible Study online, so I'm anxious to read this.  I have found him to be just a tad different in my views, but not so much so that I can't be open to what he has to say, from his point of view.  I was also pretty excited to open the Mitford Years Series boxed set 1-6.  I can't wait to begin reading these this winter.  Isn't it funny how books can excite you more than a piece of jewelry.

 

[Frybabe]

Sorry Bellamarie and everyone, including the author, I typed in the wrong first name. It is Geraldine Brooks who wrote People of the Book. We discussed it and, I think, her book March (or was it Caleb's Crossing?) here some time ago.

Last night I learned to identify two more stars within my late evening viewing, Vega and Deneb. Deneb is a busy star is part of the Cygnus constellation, the top of the Northern Cross, and part of the Summer Triangle (Vega and Altair are the other points of the triangle).

[BarbStAubrey]

Pat is zooming through the sky with and visiting family, Tomereader scarfed down a a home cooked meal from her neighbor and was gifted corny old but wonderful Russell Stover Chocolate while also missing the sounds of children, nlhome celebrated with family on the 23rd and woke to enviable snow, bellamarie had a full press family Christmas and not only gave books as gifts but received books including the, again 'enviable', gift, a set of six Mitford stories along with, a book giving another view of the church, and frybabe learned about two stars that have been gracing us with their presence however, only identified recently by frybabe, and yep, you remembered Geraldine Brooks.

To add, here it was a drizzly day however, drizzled in all evening were the calls from family, photos were sent by all sorts of technology and funniest of all - the greatest story of them all - one grand, Ty is living in Seattle and has to go to work today so he did not come home - sent him his gift that included a special on peppermint tea.

Looks like I did not read correctly and thought it said a package of 16 tea bags - Well! He gets on the phone sounding astonished asking me why all the tea, he had served tea to all his friends who came by and still has enough tea to serve everyone who lives in his apartment complex. I'm blank not knowing what in the world is he talking about. Turns out after searching again the description of the item(s) Yep, 16 tea bags HOWEVER I missed in parenthesis was the number (6) and so for my messily $8.29 he received '96' teabags of peppermint tea. I'm still laughing everytime I think of his opening the box and finding all that tea packed with a few books. Can you just see it - the quizzical look on his face - and then welcoming everyone who stopped by a cup of peppermint tea from his grandmother and wondering if he should invite all his apartment neighbors over for some tea or maybe the homeless would enjoy some tea plus, it was showing on the box the medical properties of this peppermint tea... well nothing like realizing after the fact, you were instrumental in aiding to the health and welfare of many, many folks in Seattle. Oh, oh, oh...

[Tomereader1]

Barb, what a fantastic message!  I think you should post it on ALL of our boards, even the rarely visited ones!

[bellamarie]

Barb, I am laughing out loud, 96 bags of peppermint tea.   

Made me think of this:

99 bottles of beer on the wall, 99 bottles of beer.
Take one down, pass it around, 98 bottles of beer on the wall...

Loved your little compilation of our Christmas. 

[nlhome]

96 tea bags. That was my morning chuckle. (Peppermint tea is also good iced, by the way.)

I did get one book for Christmas, A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg, from my sister.

We lost out snow quickly, then last night we had more but this morning we have wind, rain and will be in the 40's. That's good, no ice or snow, but not very winterish either. We are driving about 2 hours away to pick up our son, who is here for the holidays. He and his wife live in Oldenburg, Germany, right now, where he is involved in research in apple genetics. It was a good holiday, with both of them here, and our son who was in the army now back with his family and living in Wisconsin also, so we all met at our daughter and son-in-law's home. All our family together for the first time in several years.

[Frybabe]

That is interesting, nlhome, about your son being involved in apple genetics. I don't know what they are doing now, but when I worked at Rodale Institute, one of their projects in conjunction with Penn State (or Cornell, I forget which) was growing and evaluating apples bred to be (hopefully) insect and disease resistant. One of the places I would have liked to see, if I had ever gotten back to Scotland is the Priorwood Gardens which has around 70 heritage apple varieties. Also close by is the Robert Smail Printing Works which is a working Victorian print house. While I never did work for Rodale Press/Publishing, when I left Rodale Institute I went on to work for almost 20years at Fry Communications as a prepress technician.

Years ago, when I had a large garden I grew peppermint which I dried for the winter. It was great after being out in cold. Cleared my sinuses up right away. I preferred spearmint for iced tea though.

[bellamarie]

nlhome, It sounds like you had a perfect Christmas with all your family together for the first time in years.  My daughter lives in Florida, while the rest of us live in Ohio, so we have not had a Christmas in years with all of us together.  I'm hoping maybe next year it will happen.

Frybabe, how interesting evaluating apples bred to be insect and disease resistanct.  70 heritage apple varieties, who knew there were that many?

The New Year is quickly approaching, which means we should be considering a book to read and discuss for the month of January.  There have been so many great book titles posted in the past few weeks.  What do you all feel like tackling?  I'm pretty much open to anything.

[FlaJean]

Hats mentioned “The Christmas Song” by Nat King Cole.  I have a recording of Natalie Cole (Nat King Cole’s daughter) and Andrea Bocelli singing “The Christmas Song”.  It is beautiful and my favorite.

[bellamarie]

Simply beautiful....... Nat King Cole "The Christmas Song"

https://youtu.be/A8eWaR8ONvw

[ginny]

Happy 6th  Day of Christmas! 

Quick! How many can you sing the song without looking? I will admit it took me a while for the 6th geese. hahaha  I love those old number songs.

 What are  you reading that you found under the tree OR bought with those gift certificates?

Pat, let Joan K know we're thinking of her!!

Barbara, what a HOOT, 96 tea bags!  That's priceless. haaha

I am so enjoying reading all kinds of different books.  I'm currently almost through  reading Dominick  Dunne's People Like Us one of my very old ones from the TBR pile, (not for the faint hearted, it seems the predilections of the rich are somewhat X rated) and they are not very.....kindly....presented here....at all,  and he certainly should have  known, it's somewhat autobiographical.

My young  grandson was very proud of choosing a book for me on his own from Barnes and Noble, called  The Fault in Our Stars. It  had extremely good  ratings on the back cover which he read.  I don't think I would have read it, on my own,  but I'm glad I did.  I think it's intended for the young adult market, or teenagers about 16-19.  It  IS new and it DOES have wonderful reviews, it IS hard to put down and it IS certainly something a book club could discuss, full of issues from both sides of the problem,  but it also is about two teenagers dying of cancer. It's sad. It's uplifting and sad.  In that it's full of issues of life and death, some plot twists which are somewhat unbelievable, but some very unforgettable characters, so it's been a great experience.  I've heard a lot about it so am glad to say I have read it. And of course I treasure it because he picked it out.

I'm also reading T.P.  Wiseman's Remembering the Roman People and Cicero and the End of the Roman Republic for the classes, but in small doses, they are both excellent,  but they say a lot in a short space so I need to put them down and think about them as I go.  Am doing a chapter a day in both.

I have loved the peace of  sitting in front of the fire with my lap robe and book, it's been a good break.... (I apparently think of myself as George V who always used one while his granddaughter? Queen Elizabeth at 92 takes the public train by herself)....did you see that on the news? to Sandringham. Absolutely amazing woman. But where he had stamps I have a book.

Next up a copy of Robin Cook's Charlartans, which was sent to me in my own error, from Amazon, (trying to send it somewhere else),   but  I like Robin Cook's medical thrillers and have not read it, so I'll keep it.  It looks fascinating and he's always a good read. Have any of you read it?

What ARE  you reading here at the end of 2018?

[Tomereader1]

"The Fault in Our Stars" is definitely a YA (Young Adult) book, and has been around for quite a bit.  I think they've already made a movie of it, or at least one is in the works.  While very sad, it was a really well-done novel, and I enjoyed it.  As a matter of fact, I have read several YA books, some are entirely forgettable, some not!

[bellamarie]

Ginny, Good to hear from you.  How sweet your grandson chose a book for you.  Yes, indeed The Fault In Our Stars is a young adult book.  My granddaughter Kenzie, who is, or shall I say was, an avid reader, read this book and saw the movie when it came out in 2014.  She warned me it was sad, so I opted out of it.  If one of my grandkids gave me a book, I would cherish it regardless of what it was.  Just the thought of him choosing it for you is so tender.

I just finished reading this book, my daughter in law gave me for Christmas.  The patriarch of their family, Grandpa Tom passed away in August.  She went to a special Mass for him at the historical downtown church he always attended, and they were passing out free copies of this book.  She told me to think of it as a gift from Granpa Tom, since she would never have gotten it, had the Mass not been for him.  It touched me when I heard this.  I told her it's nice to know he is still being God's disciple from Heaven.  I loved this man like a father.  He is greatly missed

What I like about this book is it tackles some reasons why the church is losing members, and what each Christian can do to combat the modern day culture attacking religion and Christianity.  Kelly mentions how the early Christians were able to be disciples and differentiate themselves by their charity and acts of mercy, and how Jesus met the basic needs of the people he gathered with, before he preached his parables. He shows how we need to get back to meeting people's basic human needs.  I plan to ask my Pastor if he has read this book.  At pastoral council meetings he is always asking, "How can we get more people to come to Mass?"  I think this book would enlighten him.   

[Frybabe]

I am guessing some of you have come across this already, but I just discovered, via Project Gutenberg, that Ingersoll Lockwood, back in the late 80s wrote several children's novels featuring Little Baron Trump  which did indeed include a Castle Trump. The little hero of the stories was born armless and had a dog named Bulgar. Interesting article. Time travel conspiracy theories anyone? https://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2017/08/02/internet-freaks-over-19th-century-books-featuring-boy-named-bar_a_23060791/

[bellamarie]

Frybabe, Pretty incredible..... how does one explain 19th Century writings with the same names, and the boy character, Baron Trump, actually resembling President Trump's son Barron.  Time travel..... now this is even more interesting.  giggle    If anything, it will spark interest, and someone is going to make a ton of $$ off these books and possible movie.

[Frybabe]

I should probably have clarified that the books were written in the late 1800s. It is a little creepy isn't it Bellamarie.

Right now I am continuing on with Red Moon, after a few days reading other things. Otherwise, for the moment I've slowed way down reading-wise over the holiday. Thursday I will be stretching my brain again when Latin classes start back up. I should also make an effort to finish listening to Augustus; I am almost finished. For when I need something lighter and smaller to hold while there is or are cat(s) on my lap, I have a detective story picked out.

Tomorrow George is bringing pizza. I believe this will be a first. Pizza for New Years Day dinner.

[BarbStAubrey]

Wow New Year's Eve  - a mixed year for me how about you - Ginny to your question, I've only read what I call a chit chat book over the holidays - light, usually involving a romance, and the main character experiences some solution to a current emotional topic of the day - Actually downloaded this last year and just never got to it - Christmas at the Comfort Food Cafe - takes place mostly in a town on the English coast with a couple of short scenes in London.  And I'm still plowing through understanding national and international finance, budgets, banks, trade, economics - not much reading since the weekend before Christmas but latest book in this quest is Understanding Government Finance by Brian Romanchuk. Never did figure out, is the first day of Christmas on Christmas Day or does it start the day after Christmas?

Well you sure are opening a can of worms Bellamarie with your gifted book The Biggest Lie in the History of Christianity - Lots of lies over the centuries but we forget that it is only about 200 years ago when Europe almost completely separated itself from the governing, political and bureaucratic side of the church. And so, like all governments, things are said and done to influence that agenda. Where as most of us are raised to think the church, any church is about growing the spiritual side of our nature without realizing any organization needs to govern itself and this religion has been governing itself for nearly 2000 years, splitting the 5 centers of Christianity to essentially 3 and then 2 biggies, the east and the west. All to say - it helped me to remember how the church governs itself has little to do with theology and the spirituality of those practicing the traditions and prayers.   

You know now that you bring it to our attention Frybabe seems to me there were other Barron's in children's books - the name was usually given to the posh kid - well agree with his politics or his lifestyle or not, he sure managed to bring up kids that function and make a difference with so many 'rich' kids at loose ends or publicly bashing their parents or each other.

Tomereader a new year starts tomorrow yea - wishing you the best...

[bellamarie]

Frybabe,  Yes, 1800's that is what makes it so eerie.  Pizza sounds great to me!  My hubby and I spend the day taking down all the decorations as we watch football, so we usually to sub sandwiches.  I have never cooked a special New Year's Day meal like my sisters and others.  Think outside the box!

I plan to start the Mitford Years this coming week.  I suppose it will take me all winter to get through the first seven books I got for Christmas.

Barb, 

Well you sure are opening a can of worms Bellamarie with your gifted book The Biggest Lie in the History of Christianity - Lots of lies over the centuries but we forget that it is only about 200 years ago when Europe almost completely separated itself from the governing, political and bureaucratic side of the church. And so, like all governments, things are said and done to influence that agenda.

Barb, you would be surprised at knowing this book is nothing like the line of thinking you have mentioned.  It was a sweet surprise for me.  No politics, bueaucrats, etc.  It's about each individual making "Holy Moments."  I loved it!  Matthew Kelly speaks of how we can turn the modern day culture's anti Christ/anti religion around, just like the early Christians did, by following the script of Jesus.  Worth the read!

Well, I have to go get ready to leave to go to dinner and the casino for New Year's Eve with hubby, so I will wish you all a very Happy New Year now.  I hope this year finds you all healthy, happy, and filled with new adventures in your reading choices.  I'm looking forward to our new book to discuss in the coming weeks.  Any ideas?

[BarbStAubrey]

Wow - that is a surprise - may look into it - just what we need although, sorry I am seeing those priests caught in their power over children not owning up and getting the church to back their 'not owning up', using the outcome of law suites as the rational - sorry, it's the typical line from all perpetrators - they not only do not own up they do not look at the damage they have caused and protest with their not knowing. And so, there has been a growing pit in my stomach and huge disappointment that this pope did not have the guts to go up against the curia that prefers to sweep this under the rug - spreading art to me is just not making up for the elephant in the middle of things - it is walking around it.  What is really sad to me is the Church could have been a leader in getting to the bottom of how this happens and how an adult can make change - neither of which are yet understood except it is about personal power over another. OK - onward -

[Tomereader1]

Barb, thank you for your thoughts!  Hope 2019 will be better!  Although...I will turn 80 at two minutes after midnight.  The "second" New Year's Baby of my year. 
For all of you here, Happy Hogmanay!  (Google it!)  Happy New Year! ! !

[nlhome]

I am reading Jacqueline Winspear's To Die But Once. It's good, keeps my attention, and I really would like to sit down and finish it today. But, we have grandkids, and it's more fun to spend time with them, read the book tomorrow after they leave. We are staying in - we had rain this morning, then it turned to frozen mist, and now it's snowing and below freezing. Not a night to go out, but at least we are supposed to only get an inch or so. My sister, further north, is looking at a potential 6 inches of snow. We are having pizza and sparkling cranberry juice and fresh apple pie tonight, playing some card games.

Happy New Year everyone.

[BarbStAubrey]

Sounds like a good plan nlhome - yes, yes, grandkids over reading anytime - how old are they now?

No matter where I read including chat with my daughter, and it is pizza for New Year's Eve - so nlhome you are au courant

Just cleaned out the frig - had some green beans I totally forgot and so they went bad and half a container of cooked sweet potatoes that were not looking just right and left over gravy that had milk in it so I tossed it as well. Still have lots of cranberry sauce and a kale cranberry pine nut salad and lots of cheese so that may be supper with a glass of wine from a bottle stashed in the cupboard and I still have 3 black and whites. I love those cake like cookies.

Been working on a few goals - it is too easy to have bunches that do not get done - but I am finally realizing all those things I was going to do when I got older - well it is time - most likely did my last transaction last summer so no more frantic phone calls at 11:30 at night or 6: in the morning - it has taken me a bit to realize I can relax and do things without interruption and so I can sort all the wants and saved projects and make a plan to start on what I would enjoy.   

[BarbStAubrey]

Happy Birthday Tomereader - A New Year's Baby!

[Tomereader1]

Thanks, Barb, that's beautiful!

[ginny]

  A New Year's Birthday! What a great way to start 2019!

Happy Happy Birthday, Tomereader!!

Calories don't count on birthdays.

[bellamarie]

Barb, my heart hurts at not only what has happened by priests, but also how the Vatican has dealt with it.  In saying this, I refuse to allow Satan to win.  Their acts are that of evil, sinful and of the devil, and I am not happy with this Pope at all, but I refuse to allow sinfulness to turn me away from my faith and church.  This book teaches us that we can individually, one by one, one holy moment at a time, make a difference.

I retired a few years back and love it!!!  You will for sure enjoy the no interruptions when getting to projects.   

nlhome,  Ahh..... grandkids over reading, yes, I had my two grandkids Wed, Thurs, Fri, and Saturday since it is their winter break, so not much reading.  After they left I was able to finish my one book.  I expect I will have them a few days this week as well, since they do not go back to school til next Monday.  It's so fun, yet I am exhausted after they leave.

Tomereader,  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!  How exciting to be a New Year's baby!! 

Well, even though I am pooped from the casino and staying up til the ball dropped, I have to tackle putting away all my decorations, while watching the Rose Bowl.  I am a Michigan fan (born and raised), and my hubby is an OSU fan (born and raised), so I really don't care who wins the game, Washington or OSU, but it is always fun to watch this traditional bowl game. 

[ginny]

What New Year's Resolutions has everybody made? Usually I don't make any, because mine are usually  unrealistic, and I don't keep them,  but this year just a little while ago something nice, a random act of kindness, somebody going out of their way to be nice,  happened to me and I thought, THERE is what you need to do: make somebody's day brighter.

I was getting pizza for tonight at Little Caesar's drive through, having gotten some groceries.  (And the grocery store parking lot was FULL).  And so he said because of what I ordered if you can wait 8- 10 minutes I can have all 3 and so I said fine, I'll be back, and circled the building in my giant farm truck (due to an accident in October in my car still  at the body shop) back to the front parking lot,  but anyway, I have to park the giant thing out quite a bit,  to park it at all,  it hangs over the front and back spaces,  at the end of the parking lot and I was happily eating lunch and reading the latest gossip magazine when HE was at the window! It wasn't quite time, and he was bearing all three pizzas with a shop full of customers, and he the only one on today,  bless his HEART, and he had walked a long way.

 I was so shocked I couldn't figure out how to roll the window down but we got it and  I just drove away so HAPPY at that random act of kindness, I said to self, this year YOU do the same thing every day for somebody else. Pass it on.

And so I have a new ledger and so I am, that's the goal, without being a Pollyanna, which I am not. Let's see if I can rack up 365 of them this year without  being a self righteous twat about it. I think that is  a worthy goal and have already done three,  today,  for starters.