The Library

[Frybabe]

Barb sorry to hear that you might miss the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass this year. I hope these are helpful.

I found this schedule (don't know who puts it up) that says NBC will broadcast it beginning 11:30pm Dec 24. Of course I don't know if your local stations will carry it. Also, you can probably catch it here. http://www.catholictv.org/shows/papal-programming if you don't mind watching it from your computer. https://www.youtube.com/user/CatholicTV I have a smartTV, but I don't know if Comcast has Catholic TV among its listings. Those with Roku or Google or Apple devices are also likely to have the Channel in their stable of offerings.

I think you might have missed the St. Olaf's Christmas Festival live, but here is the program for it https://christmas.stolaf.edu/files/2019/12/2019-12-08_christmas_festival.pdf  St. Olaf on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/stolaf/featured I couldn't find the 2019 feed, but there is plenty here to listen to.

While looking for the stream St. Olaf stream on YouTube, I found this by the Recording Conspirare of Austin. You will want to forward it to 7:25 on the bar otherwise you will be sitting there looking at the header for a while. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WV13fk3uj7I
 

[BarbStAubrey]

Wow thanks frybabe - what a treat - and not having the TV on for 3 weeks now I may have missed several programs - I did catch Charlie Brown's Christmas which I did enjoy after all these years - I sent an email to our local NBC TV station but no response yet - so maybe, maybe, maybe there is hope - so many changes that I never know what to expect any longer and not having the same abilities as a few years ago there are just more and more adjustments but this is fabulous and now I can even see the St. Olaf choir - something so real about that group compared to the Hollywood version of so many others including from some of the Monastery groups - thanks again.

Just clicked the link to the Catholic TV - wonderful - never knew this existed - do not agree with much of where this Pope is coming from but then like all leadership there is a tradition that comes with the package and to separate that tradition from the man's politics works for me - I'm thinking that may be the best approach to many leaders - the men may not be all you admire but there is a tradition that I hate seeing being thrown away - ah so and we all have our opinion don't we...

[bellamarie]

Frybabe, thanks for posting those links. 

Barb, good to know you will have some options to watch what you look forward to each Christmas Eve.  I agree, this Pope has me shaking my head at times, but as you say, we have to embrace our faith traditions and try to ignore the politics.  Not sure if you have heard of Jonathan Morris, a former priest who had a church in the Bronx, he got so politically involved, that many Catholics were calling him out on his Facebook posts.  Last year he decided to leave the priesthood. 

Jonathan Morris is an American author, actor, and commentator on religious matters in the media who has been a Fox News contributor and analyst since 2005. He formerly served in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York as a priest. In 2019, he requested dispensation from the clerical state.

We have a cultural shift in the world today, and I think all faiths are being under attack for not conforming to the politically correct life styles.  As a Catechist, I attend meetings on how we are to teach the Catholic faith, be non judgmental, respectful and compassionate, yet stand firm in our doctrine.  It's anybody's guess where this is all leading to.  My oldest granddaughter graduated this past May, with a degree in early childhood education.  She got a long term sub position at a Catholic elementary school through November.  She was just asked to come back to take the place of the pre-school teacher, who they had to let go, due to her becoming pregnant and not married.  We were discussing how the diocese handled this situation, and also how they must follow their policy. This is the second out of wedlock child she would have, and she knew when she accepted the position what the policy was.  I told my granddaughter, that while I agree, she can not remain in this position, she needs to take responsibility for her part in this situation.  It's easy to condemn the church for their position, because they have in the past and present, handled things wrong, but each person has a personal responsibility for their actions as well.  The one thing that has helped me with this particular Pope is a statement he made early on, which was, "Hate the sin, not the sinner." 

Okay, enough of this..... I am pooped from our Reinhart Christmas gathering last night, which lasted til almost 2:00 a.m., leaving me so hyper I did not fall asleep until 5:00 a.m., waking up at 9:30 a.m., but I must get to this wrapping. 

[BarbStAubrey]

Tra la - local PBS is broadcasting the Mormon Tabernacle choir tonight - they get more Hollywood every year don't they but their music is quite wonderful.

Lots of changes in society and even in the church isn't there Bellamarie - glad you posted your thoughts - in a different way had similar thinking as to today versus yesterday but from a different angle.

Son and daughter-in-law up yesterday and talking about what Christmas means since their sons, my grands, are all three in Lubbock and for several years now the preparation did not include all the traditions that they did together - and of course my Christmas has changed not traveling to NC for a few weeks - We were actually talking about what we were reading and how I found information that startled me into a new way of thinking -  I had not understood ethical greed -

Since greed and fear are the basis for investing I took it one step further and see that we invest in far more than growing money - everything we do is an investment of time, energy and knowledge to better our life and the lives of others - for some of us we invest in education - or, our investment is in making a beautiful home - some invest their time in energy into ways to increase their physical strength or daring exploits - for others, various holidays is a cause to invest in bringing family together - on and on it goes as to what we invest our time, energy and knowledge into as much or more than increasing financial wealth.

With that, the same principles of investing apply - fear and greed - question of course, can using greed in our decision making be ethical? Reading up on 'ethical' greed I come to learn that we are all greedy.

Greed is when we expect more from anything then what we put into it and the secondary aspects, when we calculate the value of something based on how comfortable the trade of what we put in makes us feel, as in, 'we've got this', because that is how it always worked or another point, by thinking opportunities are more, or less, in our control than they really are.

That was when it hit me - as our lives change we sometimes use memories of the past to measure if something is pleasing,  and also, with our putting in a limited amount of energy, as compared to the past experience, I've wanted and feel responsible to create the same results as 10, 20 or more years ago. After seeing that video of a Victorian Christmas and the work it took, it was easy to see they were celebrating with a different level of personal investment. We look at those times with fondness but we really do not near match their level of time and energy towards Christmas.

Reality is today, not yesterday and not only has my life and surroundings changed but I've aged, lost some family and friends - lost some physical abilities, energy, and for sure the children and grandchildren are not the same as when my memories were new and fresh of earlier holiday celebrations.

And so with that I'm seeing I too was expecting to feel Christmas based on what I did in the past - using the past as the goal to measure, which is being greedy - putting less in and expecting the same or better results -  putting in what has always worked rather then expecting and planning a different approach or mindset.

Of course the next question has to be, 'what does Christmas really mean and what about the holiday is important to make us feel like Christmas?'

Back to my daughter-in-law who shared for her, she feels what the Christmas season is for her by decorating - she is good at it and loves the bright red and white combo and all the small bits that make a home merry - for me after my babies were born I latched into the concept of the birth of the new... how it is when there is a new baby in the house... starting with a clean slate and being a part of developing not just the basics, food, shelter etc. but knowledge, teaching and encouraging all sorts of skills, how to play and respect others - you know, it goes on and on - and so for me Christmas is symbolized by the creché and starting fresh. Almost as others do for New Year but rather than making a resolution to me it is like turning a new page and starting over.  And now that I understand better greed I can start there and look at how much in my life I keep up thinking I will get the same return as I did when I first added that thing, or activity to my life.

And so to me that is the fun question - What does Christmas really mean to you and what about celebrating the holiday makes you feel like Christmas?

I thought this link was an eye opener... https://www.collaborativefund.com/blog/origins-of-greed-and-fear/

[ginny]

Talking about ageing,  there are so many great youtube shorts of interviews on that subject and the Irishman movie.. One  that might interest us here is Martin Scorsese telling the interviewer that they had a "Posture Person" on set. Even though they altered the faces and hands with CGI to be an age of 49 or 50 for flashbacks, their  bodies were not aged and there is a difference (maybe not in you but certainly in me) between a person in their mid to late 70's and in their 40's,  posture wise.

He told a funny story about Al Pacino who will be 80 in April, hard as that is to believe, who plays Jimmy Hoffa in the film, and the scene of Hoffa  watching Kennedy get elected  on TV and his jumping up in anger (Hoffa hated Kennedy) and it was a great scene, but Scorsese said that all the faces around the table were frowning and he said what's wrong, it was great, and they said, he "jumped" up like a 79 year old man.  Scorsese told them, " You tell him." hahaha Well they did and they shot the scene again and this time he jumped up and everybody was all smiles. And Pacino held up a finger and said "62."  hahahaaa

I thought that was priceless.  Then there's an article in the Guardian by the person in charge of wardrobe on the same subject. She said that the difference in posture in a 49 year old and a 79 year old is the 79 year old thrusts his head forward, and a younger person will lift up his chin instead, that the 49 year old thrusts his shoulders back while walking and  the 79 year old hunches them over and that  if you swing your arms as tiy walk,  you look a lot younger.

I tried those three items and I am sure it was quite a sight as it was somewhat difficult to coordinate all those things at once and chew gum, but I FELT younger and that may be what counts. hahahaha

One of our Latin students wrote out the words to Felix Navidad for us, which is on the radio  in the car every 5 minutes and I have truly enjoyed singing  along with it, so much fun because now I can see the words: here they are if you would like to sing along too:


       "Feliz navidad próspero año y felicidad... I want to wish a merry Christmas...  etc "

It is the MOST fun to finally know what that means. And to sing along. What is your favorite holiday song this year? (Mine changes all the time).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZhhAD4EluY&list=RDWZhhAD4EluY&start_radio=1&t=23

[bellamarie]

Barb, I too, am like your daughter in law, I love decorating for Christmas.  My mother would buy the fattest tree on the lot, bring it home and decorate every spot possible.  She would put tinsel around the archways and doors, and every inch of the living room would have some sort of decoration.  I have definitely taken after her.

My living room....     



I decorate my entire finished basement/family room, and kitchen as well.

To answer your question: "What does Christmas really mean to you and what about celebrating the holiday makes you feel like Christmas?"

Christmas really means to me, the birthday of our Lord and Savior.  What makes me feel like Christmas, is decorating my house, doing traditional things with my family and friends, participating in an Advent program, listening to the weekly Sunday readings, and singing the Christmas songs, which brings me to answering Ginny's question: 

"What is your favorite holiday song this year?"

Easy, mine never changes, it has been and still remains, O Come All Ye Faithful.

My fun Christmas song is, Rockin Around the Christmas Tree.

[Tomereader1]

My newer favorite Christmas song is "Mary,Did You Know"? My classic favorite is Carol of the Bells. Love the harmonies in that one.

[BarbStAubrey]

Love the photos Bellamarie - thanks for sharing - and the favorite carols aha we all seem to have a couple - Tomereader I too love Mary, Did You Know - My very favorite though is Gesu Bambino -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVPyOZFaecs
you don't hear it that often any longer but it used to be the carol sung as we all left after Midnight Mass till in recent years they use Adeste, fideles.

[BarbStAubrey]

ahhh Carol of The Bells
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0uGnm3dGvc

Oh yes, and dear dear O Come All Ye Faithful
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5rMQ6P12WY

[BarbStAubrey]

Just had to share this - you can feel 900 years of history in this from Notre Dame in 2008
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQGBMl_CGQI

[Frybabe]

O Holy Night: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=or2mMJ6_YCM

[BarbStAubrey]

Looks like we could have our own hour of Christmas music here in the Library... fun...

Anyone read a new Christmas book - I gave the new one, 19th Christmas to my daughter-in-law where as I have been reading several new ones on my Kindle

Enjoyed a new one that takes place on the Islands between Finland and Sweden called An Island Christmas Also read A Vicarage Christmas by Kate Hewitt - there was something very familiar - I may have read it a couple of years ago but along with this delightful fluff I also read A Perfect Cornish Christmas by Phillips Ashley -

I can read these fluffy ones in a night or at most a night and finish up the next day - next I'm planning on Fairytale Christmas by Marrie Destefano

I've downloaded a bunch of them that were either free or 99 cents. As long as they are not bodice rippers or 'I just got divorced and now met a man at the Inn or on the plane or walking in the rain or snow or in the town where I grew-up or traveling to sunny Spain or or or'  I'm good - those two subjects just bore the heck out of me - it's like not again.

[bellamarie]

I plan to begin reading, Shepherd's Abiding by Jan Karon.  I bought her set of books last Christmas, but have not gotten a chance to indulge in them.  I began the first book At Home In Mitford the Fr. Tim series, and have not yet finished it.

Barb, I have to admit, I like the light, fluffy, predictable, good feeling ending, story lines.  The couples usually have to go through trials and tribulations we can all relate to, to get to the happily ever after ending.

Today I plan to finish up my last minute, last gifts Christmas shopping.... the end is in sight! 

[PatH]

Thanks for the splendid Christmas concert, everyone.  I can't settle on one favorite from all the beautiful songs, but for nostalgia it has to be Silent Night.  When we were little, we had our family celebration on Christmas Eve.  My parents would turn on the radio, and light their tree when President Roosevelt lit his.  Then we would get in the mood by listening to a 78 recording of Ernestine Schumann-Heink singing Silent Night in German.  Then presents, and togetherness.

I think this is an earlier recording than ours was, but it gives a notion of a long-gone singing great.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7b--g5gXqCQ

When I was older, and realized what my mother thought of Roosevelt's politics, I thought it was pretty funny that she was willing to coordinate anything with him.

[PatH]

Bellamarie, I love your pictures.  Your house is always so full of love and caring and beauty.

[bellamarie]

Oh PatH., thank you for your kind words, and for that link.  Just listening to the little scratches on the vinyl record as the song plays brings warmth to me, remembering when we had Victrolas.  Our Christmas Eve Mass always ends with Silent Night.  I so love it.  How interesting your parents would coincide your tree lighting, to when Roosevelt lit his. What a memory.  As children, we always woke up Christmas morning, and would sneak downstairs to see what Santa had brought us.  As we all seven children got married, my Mom then began celebrating Christmas Eve night, so we could all be home with our little ones on Christmas morning.  I took on that tradition as well, the only difference, we all celebrate Mass at 5:30 p.m., then on to my house for dinner and presents.  So, Christmas morning my hubby and I are alone to open our presents to each other, but then we go over to my son's house, to do breakfast and stockings.  We can come in our pjs, sweats or flannels.  I especially love that tradition.  Then, we go back home and spend the rest of the day just the two of us.

[FlaJean]

I usually only post in the Mystery folder but no one seems to be mystery readers in this group anymore.

Bellamarie,  loved your photos of your decorated rooms.  I read all the Mitford series a few years ago and was so glad when the last child found his way home and finished that particular series.  When we downsized, I gave most of my books to the Friends of the Library but kept my Mitford books.  Unfortunately, they are still packed in a box in the garage.  I must unpack that box so I can reread those books.

Wishing everyone a Happy Hanukkah and a Merry Christmas.

[bellamarie]

FlaJane,  My hubby gave me the entire Mitford series last Christmas in a boxed gift set.  I have only started the first book of the series, and want to read Shepherd's Abiding during this holiday season. I have been told reading this book out of sequence is okay.  Loving the small town settings, and Father Tim. 

I just wrapped the last gift, and am so glad to be done shopping.  I told my two daughter in laws for a Christmas gift for me I want to go see the movie Little Women with all four of my granddaughters, the Monday after Christmas.  My oldest granddaughter told me today she is so excited we are going to do this.  Sometimes, a gift just can't be wrapped.  I am like a little kid anticipating Christmas morning, now that I know we are going to all go together to see this movie!

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all.....
   

[PatH]

Oh, Bellamarie, that sounds so wonderful.  The reviews are glowing; they say the movie gets everything right.

[ginny]

Loved all the holiday songs!  There was one I used to hear and haven't in years, but I sing it every Christmas morning, Past Three O'Clock, the refrain is from the Renaissance but the words are from the 1920's, I think:
Past Three O'Clock

Bellamarie, what lovely photographs, thank you for sharing them.

I keep wondering, how did you achieve that angle  in the first one? You must have been close to the ceiling? There must be an overlook? Nice to see somebody has their decorations in hand.

This seems to be the season of movies, I just saw The Two Popes and it's absolutely wonderful. The ending, when the credits start to roll, is absolutely priceless, and it leaves a wonderful afterglow  of joy.  I can see why people are also raving about it.  Golly moses, what performances!!  And the best part, they're ALL old men. Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce (I stood next to him in line, believe it or not, waiting to see him at the Globe Theater in London, he was locked out like the rest of us...very tall man, very mannerly), Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, all against each other....  I hope fervently this will be the year of Awards to the Old, as certainly these actors all deserve it. And then there's Scorsese.  Nice to see somebody on the screen who actually looks real, too. I'll leave that where it lies.

How about food? Is there a favorite food that you really would hate to be without in this festive season? Something that, without it, it just doesn't seem right?

Are you a purist when it comes to  Cranberry sauce? Or are the "rings" OK with you?

When I was a child we always had Mincemeat pie with hard sauce, and you'd spread it out and try to eat a little  each of  the 12 Days of Christmas for good luck, Nobody here  will eat it, hahaha, and every year I try to think of some way to include it, but I do miss it. Nothing else really tastes like it.

Ho ho ho

[bellamarie]

Ginny, my Mom would always make mincemeat pie, and I loved it!  I found a great mincemeat cookie recipe and made them for years.  My kids didn't care for mincemeat, so eventually I quit making them.  I'm not sure I have a favorite food for this time of year, but I know tangerines and candy canes are a must in my house.  There is something about the smell of tangerines that brings me back to my childhood Christmases. As for cranberry, I am a purist when it comes to Cranberry, NO rings for me.  Oh and cut out frosted sprinkle cookies will forever be a part of my Christmas! 

[BarbStAubrey]

And how the time flew - finally a pretty day - I can open the doors and windows this afternoon and air out this house - I too love tangerines - easier to eat and to me tastier than an orange - apples have not been wonderful this year nor the figs but the annual local crop of strawberries are hitting the grocery stores which makes it feel like Christmas.

Been caught up in reading several books on how to change this or understand that - taking notes reading 4 books related to the topics at one time I ended up filling 12 Word pages - sheesh - now to review and group and make decisions based on all this - I must say it was helpful and several times an eye opener - I've a new look at how to handle some difficult decisions ahead.

Never did read my Christmas MItford book last year - I think that will be my Christmas eve curl up, tree lights on, mulled wine with cookies book. Today is pull out the vacuum and sparkle up the kitchen and bathrooms so I better get at it...

[nlhome]

Merry Christmas. I haven't had time to check this site for a while. Imagine the pleasure of holiday memories, pictures and music this morning! Thank you all.

We had our family Christmas this weekend, at our daughter's home because everyone lives closer to her than to us, and so it's easier to schedule. I miss having everyone here at Christmas, but we usually manage one big get together here in summer, when roads are better and time is not so precious. (We live 3 hours away from our daughter) We actually had two parties, the first just our children and their families and our son-in-law's parents, who are family. The next day my sisters and their spouses and one nephew and our aunt joined us. The little house rocked both days.

Favorite Christmas song is Silent Night. When I was a child that was the last hymn on Christmas Eve church service, last verse sung in German. Probably still is the tradition back home.  Favorite foods are whatever people bring to share. When I was growing up, though, my mom and my 3 aunts would all make a variation of my grandmother's (Dad's mom) family anise cookie cutouts with boiled white frosting.  Each woman made the recipe slightly differently, some using anise flavoring while others used anise oil, and some substituting shortening for the original ground hickory nuts, all were good. When my mom died, my husband and daughter (in college at the time) tried making them, good but very hard work. This year my elder son and his daughter made them, and my sisters and I agreed, they brought home the scent and flavor of Christmas. What a treat. Two special gifts this Christmas: Our younger son and his wife are here for a week, visiting family, on holiday from Germany; those family cookies that brought back so many happy memories.

I just finished A Christmas Gathering by Anne Perry. It was a fast read, not particularly well done. It read like she put it together quickly and didn't read it before sending it off.

Merry Christmas to all. Thank you for sharing your Christmas stories.

[bellamarie]

nlhome, your Christmas celebrations sound perfect, filled with family & favorite foods.  My sister and I were just talking about how it's not a Christmas cookie, without the anise.  We are Italian, and the smell of anise must fill our kitchens to remind us of years gone by.  Here is an easy recipe:

https://www.mysequinedlife.com/italian-anise-cookies/   

Barb, our temp here in Ohio/Michigan almost hit 60 degrees yesterday.  It was simply wonderful to walk outside without a coat, but.... for us northerners, it doesn't feel like Christmas without snow, and there is none in sight to come.  Guess we'll have to recondition our minds, and accept these warm temps this Christmas. 

[BarbStAubrey]

[Jonathan]

It's Christmas Eve, and isn't there something magical about
it. Have yourselves a merry one.

[PatH]

You, too, Jonathan.  It's good to see you here.

[Frybabe]

Best Wishes for a lovely Christmas Day!

[bellamarie]

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night! 

[ginny]

  Happy Christmas!   And Happy Boxing Day!  Hope your holiday was lovely, no matter how you spent it, and that, if traveling, you get home safely.

On  Christmas Eve I had taken a break to go sit on the porch and watch the chickens a bit, so calming, so soothing from the Raging  Inferno my kitchen was hahaha,  and I enjoyed that simple moment here on the farm.  It was 67 degrees, and the two chickens (I only have 2 left, but they are 8 years old,  that's fairly normal), one black with white striping , one white,  so companionable with each other in the simple way of animals. I thought if something happens to either one, the other will miss that one a lot, and was actually  thinking of birds, of  that line from Hamlet about how on Christmas Eve the bird of dawning singeth all night long...("Some say that ever ‘gainst that season comes Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated, This bird of dawning singeth all night long; And then, they say, no spirit dare stir abroad, The nights are wholesome, then no planets strike, No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm, So hallow'd and so gracious is the time").

So that was the strange thing I was thinking when I came in to  the lovely surprise to  see Nlhome here! And what a wonderful post!  I know you are enjoying your youngest son all the way from Germany.  And the anise cookies, and the great photograph, Bellamarie, thank you for that,  I miss them, too. I also really like those mincemeat cookies, haven't had one in years, but they are good.  I've heard the same about the Anne Perry book.

So here it is on the...what do you call it, would you say it's the 2nd Day of Christmas or the 1st? People do argue over it, and one of us needs to eat some mincemeat. Maybe two servings.

Barbara, what care you take in every decision,  will you share some of what  you are deciding?

Jonathan, I am so glad to see you here, magical is right, I wished I had put in the quote when I saw your post, but even though here we don't do what they call an "Echo Chamber" on the Internet,  I was somewhat....reluctant..... to post about chickens and magic. Chickens have a lot more sense than people give them credit for, they've actually a lot like  humans in some ways.

FlaJean, I am glad to see you here, too, and to hear what you are reading. I think we have a lot of mystery readers here , possibly just not posting,  and I am glad you, too, are reading the Mitford series, I've really enjoyed the ones I've read, as well. Maybe we can also talk mysteries here if you all would like. So glad you dropped by.

This Christmas has brought with it quite a few changes for several people, not all good,  but I trust that it finds you all safe and happy.

Pat H, those old 78 records, do you remember the ones which were red in color? I used to love red records, I have no idea why.  I would kill for some now. We do have some old vinyl records but nothing to play them on, that was a nice treat.

What's everybody reading now? Any great  books received  under the tree?

[BarbStAubrey]

Read a great story - light fiction - Christmas but not - in that box on the bottom of the daily email, Book Bub showed for 99 cents was Miss Budge goes to Fountain City - Wow - lots of great sublet messages and an atmosphere we all knew at one time that seems to be disappearing, or at least here, as this area is bursting with folks from all over the country and the world - this belief in the goodness of people is now seen in large organized efforts rather than in small day to day living.

I love this exchange... Oh yes, you should know Mildred is eldery, a retired 5th grade teacher, who plays the church organ and did something unusual - just up and followed Dixie's suggestion they go to fountain city to find this bakery and the man who fixes things - Dixie is a damaged older lady who has multiple personalities. Mrs. Bopp is the gifted baker and the man next door, Mr. Fixit, loves and ardors her to pieces. Toward's the middle of the book is this exchange that I just love...  Oh yes, some words are written as said - Fountain City is outside Montgomery 

"Mrs. Bopp settled three small pies in a double-thick brown paper bag with a piece of carboard in the bottom to support the weight and folded the top carefully. “Your pies will be all right to get home if you just hold them steady,” she promised, passing the bag over to the man who said he was taking home lunch to the wife and her sister Lucille, who had come for a visit and now, bless her heart, she wouldn’t go home.

“I’ve got it,” the man replied stoutly, taking possession of the large bag with his three sublime pies.  He turned toward Buddy, who was concentrating now.  Dixie was waiting. Mrs. Bopp was watching. Harry Reid needed his lock fixed.

“I came this way looking for the fix-it fellow. Got sidetracked by the smell of these pies. Why isn’t Mr. Fixit over at his shop where he belongs? I knocked on his front door first before coming over here, but nobody answered it.  I wanted to ask him something.”   There was a tedious whine to Mister Man’s voice; he wanted more than the steaming pies that Mrs. Bopp had packaged neatly for him.

Mildred had heard that mewling whine in a lot of people’s voices from time to time.  She heard it right then and vowed privately to God that she would never use a whine to get what she needed or wanted from someone else. She wouldn’t even whine to God.  That last idea came to her out of the blue, and it startled her.   Mildred was warm enough in her purple corduroy pantsuit, but a shiver went through her when she realized that she had whined to God in the past. Immediately, she could name a dozen occasions in the recent past when she had done exactly that.  The church lady shook her head to clear away the jolt of that surprise.

Mrs. Bopp was non-plussed. Whining customers, like happy ones, were regulars, and she smiled genially.  “People know where Buddy is if they need him.  You can go over there and ask him what you want to know. He can hear while he works with his hands.”

The offer softened the nervous man who shifted the shopping bag with his pies, placing one of his hands under the sack while the other gripped the folded top. “If you’re sure I won’t be bothering him.” “Buddy doesn’t mind people talking to him while he fixes other things. That girl with the music box is ahead of you though.”

That girl was Dixie, and she was shivering.  Every time the front door opened, a blast of cold air came inside.  Whatever her theory about weight loss, Dixie the elf was now regretting she hadn’t dressed more warmly.

The man walked over to Buddy and waited for the old man to look up at him.  Buddy’s gaze stayed on his hands and the screwdriver and the lock.

“If keeping your shop door locked is a way to get your lady friend some pie-selling business, it worked like a charm. I’ve done bought three of the little pies.”  Mister Man’s voice was too loud for the room.

Mrs. Bopp’s face grew sad when her customer said those very words where everyone could hear them.  Mildred fought rising, going over, and taking the man and his sack of pies by the elbow and escorting him to the door.  The atmosphere of the pie shop had been perfectly pleasant before he came inside and would be again after he left.

“What’s worrying you?”  Buddy asked neutrally, priestlike.  He didn’t wait for the answer, however.  Laying down the lock, Buddy stood, exited quickly, rummaged around in his shop on the other side of the wall, and returned holding a man’s tan insulated jacket.  The lining was a cheerful red and blue  plaid flannel design that Mildred’s Uncle Tommy used to wear.  People who had known and loved Tommy bought him neckties with that plaid.

Mr. Fixit draped the over-sized jacket around Dixie’s shoulders and leaned down and whispered something in her ear.

Dixie’s gripped the front sides of the jacket close together tightly across her chest, looking up gratefully.  The expression in Dixie’s eyes was one that Mildred had never seen before.

Mister Man sat down in a small nearby bistro chair, situating his sack of pies on the table top across from Mr. Fixit at work and took a deep breath.

“Go ahead,” Buddy invited.  “What’s on your mind? I can hear you while I work.” “It’s about my vacuum cleaner,” he said, and his voice had grown less angry having watched the exchange between Mr. Fixit and Dixie.

Buddy nodded that he had heard. “The vacuum cleaner is one of the great inventions of the 20th century, but I’m not so sure about the 21st.  I think there are people loose in the world inventing all kinds of sweeping up machines.  I heard tell of one of those robot vacuums coming on in the night and scaring the lady who lived there.  Thinking the sound of the robot vacuum cleaning was a burglar, she locked herself in the bathroom and called the police. They broke down her front door and found the poor lady cowering in her bathroom, hiding from a vacuum cleaner.   

I don’t know anything about those robot vacuum cleaners.” “I don’t have all day…” the man said, interrupting Buddy.  And then realizing that he was sounding irritable in a room where everyone else was at ease, he stopped himself, and said, apologetically, “I don’t have one of them.”

Buddy recognized the struggle for help and how asking for it cost some people more than others. 

“Do you have the machine out in the car?” The man didn’t want to say yes or no to that question. Mister Man didn’t want to commit to paying for help until he knew what he could expect.  Instead, he explained, “There’s a burnt place in the cord.  The vacuum sucks up good enough, but I’m wondering if the house is going to catch on fire.” “Not if you don’t use it,” Buddy said, finally looking up.  His eyes were smiling.  Just smiling.

Mildred saw the smile in Mr. Fixit’s eyes and made her second prayer to God in the same five minutes: ‘Always make my eyes smile at people who have meanness in them. It will help them.’

“I thought about putting some electrical tape across the place where the wires are exposed,” the man said, and his voice was growing too loud again for the room.

“Did the cord get really hot when you did that?”  Buddy asked. His smiling eyes grew concerned. Cautious. “I said I was thinking about it.” Buddy grinned, and the smile was enough to prompt a confession. “Okay. Yes. I wrapped a little piece of black electrical tape around the scorched part. But it feels hotter than it should. Too hot.” “Do you want me to take a look at it now?”   Buddy asked, standing up, ready to interrupt his work to help this man. “I need to go drop these Morning Glory pies back at the house before I go back to work,” the man said, picking up his sack with pies.

“Morning Glory pies?”  Buddy asked, giving Edwina such a look. “That’s what she called ‘em,” he said.  “I tasted a sample.  Tasted pretty good.  Kind of like a chicken pot pie.”

“Sometimes she calls them that, too,” Buddy said, leading the way to the front door.  “I’ll walk you out and look at your machine in the car.  No charge for a curbside consult,” he promised.

Turning as he left, Buddy motioned to Dixie, asking, “Will you look after that lock for me?” Dixie sat up taller and scooted her chair closer to the lock. The customer was pleased with Buddy’s extra effort. He began to speak, passing under the kissing ball without an upward glance. No one tried to intercept him—give him a farewell kiss or a good luck kiss or even a I’m-glad-you’re-leaving kiss. “Because it’s kind of not a very good vacuum cleaner to begin with, and I don’t want to spend too much money getting it repaired. It might be smarter to buy a new one,”

“But you’d rather not spend that kind of money this close to Christmas because your wife wouldn’t think that a new vacuum cleaner is a very good present.” “Ain’t it the truth!” The pie shop became soothingly quiet while Buddy was outside looking in the trunk of the car at the problematic vacuum cleaner. 

The man placed his sack of pies inside on the front passenger seat. Then Mildred saw Buddy easily lift out the vacuum cleaner and massage the cord up and down with his fingers.

The two men talked, both nodding, their bodies slightly turned away from one another. Buddy came back in holding the vacuum cleaner just high enough to keep from rolling it on the street.

But once he was inside, Buddy lowered it and rolled it on the floor next to the small table where the lock was sitting frozen and still useless under Dixie’s protective gaze. “Honeybun, I told our new friend Charlie that he can pick up his vacuum cleaner on the way home from work this evening, and you were going to throw in a free full-sized dinner pie for his supper.  It just needs a new cord.”

“Then it’s going to be your shepherd’s pie because my other pies are spoken for, and just because I had leftovers yesterday doesn’t mean I’m going to have pies go begging today.  And furthermore…”

“There’s always a furthermore,” Buddy said with a wink at Mildred. His eyes lit up while the pie lady explained the checks and balances of fixing things and sublime pies.

“You think I’m going to mind you calling me Honeybun, but I don’t care Sweetie Pie.  You just call me anything you want, but you need to help


Simpkins, Daphne. Miss Budge Goes to Fountain City: A Mildred Budge Christmas Story Quotidian Books. Kindle Edition.

[Dana]

Just read the most interesting article about LM Alcott.  Apparently she hated the fame that Little Women brought her, and described it as "moral pap for the young", wrote it , hating every word of it, to make money.  Her father had very strange religious beliefs which effectively kept the family poor and starving and dependent on her for finances. Little Women however,made them well off.  She never married.  She preferred to write dramatic blood and thunder stories about scheming women, drugs and perversion  (!!) , and her own favourite novel was "A Modern Mephistopheles" which she asked to be published under her own name after she died.  All her other pot boilers were published under an assumed name.  They didn't make her as much money as Little Women though.   
Wow...!

[BarbStAubrey]

Whow that is a revelation Dana - now to find a few of her other novels to see the difference - never would have guessed her topics would be "scheming women, drugs and perversion."

Came across this today - Olivia De Havilland at 103 - the last from Gone With the Wind - I believe she lives in Paris

[bellamarie]

Well, I woke up at 10:00 a.m. yesterday and today, which tells me my body is exhausted and needs the rest after a full month of preparing for my daughter and son in law's visit, and Christmas shopping, wrapping and hosting family get togethers, and trying to make sure I visited my sisters in our hometown of Monroe, Michigan.  To wake up with no "to-do" list, or thoughts of what do I have to do next, is such a peaceful calm to my day.  I love all the hustle and bustle, but as I get older, I am realizing it takes a toll, and it takes me days to regain the energy back.

It's so good to come in and see all of you posting. 

Dana, how interesting to read LM Alcott had a dark side to her writing, who would have guessed it, after reading Little Women.  I can't imagine being a writer myself, writing something as lovely as the story of sister relationships, caring for the poor, and girls moving into adulthood, which is now a classic, and yet the author hated every bit of writing the story.  Yet, in a way I sense the character Jo, shows a bit of LM's personality, in her choices she makes, and her interactions with her sisters, especially after Amy burnt her book and how angry Jo got.  I thought she would beat her to a pulp!  When I go to see the movie with my granddaughters on Monday, I will look for more clues as to Louisa May's disdain for this story writing.  It could never alter my warm, loving feeling I get from the plot and theme.  The March sisters remind me so much of my childhood growing up with five sisters, and one brother (Laurie takes on a brother role), and also Jane Austen's sister relationships in her books, especially Pride and Prejudice. You revealing this little nugget about Louis May Alcott, brings to mind how much Harper Lee hated the fame To Kill A Mockingbird, brought to her. 

Ginny, taking time to just sit and watch your two chickens sounds wonderful.  We all need to remind ourselves to stop in the midst of our chaos, and take a moment to just sit. 

Barb, your story Miss Budge Goes to Fountain City, does give the feel of the town of Mitford.  I grew up in a small rural town in Michigan, and my family still lives there.  Every time I visit, I still get that same small town girl feeling, although when I stopped at a local grocery store with my older sister to pick up last minute Christmas dinner items, I was aware of just how big city I have become.  The store has been there for centuries, not much of an upgrade, and the selection of items were nil next to none, from what I have in my large town just seconds away from my development.  I realized, this small town girl, likes the conveniences of big city living when it comes to shopping. I tease my hubby and say, "You can take the girl out of the small town, but you can't take the small town out of the girl."  Or as Donnie & Marie Osmond sing, "I'm a little bit country, and a little bit of rock n roll." 

I got an Air Fryer cooking recipe book for Christmas.  Needless to say, my adult kids decided we needed to get with the times, and bought us an Air Fryer.  I also got this absolute lovely book from my daughter in law's mother, whom is a very good friend of mine, titled Everything I Need To Know I Learned From a Little Golden Book by Diane Muldrow.  She gives me a children's book each year, knowing how much I love writing about children.  I promised her I would submit my children's book I completed years ago, for publication this year.  I wonder how many other authors hold on to their finished books, for what ever reason, before they finally submit it to be published?  I'll keep you all informed.

Last night, I FINALLY finished reading Danielle Steele's book, One Day At A Time.  As I have said before, I have had it on my nightstand for months, reading bits of it here and there.  I can't say I would recommend this book, only because I feel Steele is trying to write for the politically correct times, and it just wasn't the same feel she has had in her past books. I can accept the culture changes, I just felt like this story was trying to cram them all into one story, kinda like some of the new TV shows, I prefer not to watch. 

Okay, so I need to get moving and go check out the after Christmas sales. I am in need of more ornaments for my tree, and what better time to find a diamond in the rough, for bargain basement prices, than the days after Christmas.  And to be honest.....I need to add the steps to my Fitbit, after eating all these delicious cookies and snacks.

[bellamarie]

Barb, we were posting at the same time.  What a find!  Yet one more of my favorites, Gone With The Wind. Wow, Olivia De Havilland, 103 years old!  Paris life sure does agree with her.  Imagine this classic is now being banned from schools and libraries.  Tsk, tsk, cultural change is trying to eliminate all of history, by tearing down statues, refusing to teach history in schools, and banning the great classics. 

[BarbStAubrey]

Last night read another one of the Christmas light reads - Rachel's Homemade Holiday - not nearly as good as Miss Budge... but then sure enough the aftermath of divorce is featured - grrr - they are all the same - dealing with anger and one being unfair and getting used to another love and how the kids are reacting - there could be a litany or indexed schedule - include all these, come up with a cute title and your book will sell - of course the excerpt does not include the after divorce schedule - sheesh

Not getting anything done - decided subconsciously I must be celebrating the 12 days of Christmas Have you watched the Tudor 12 Days of Christmas on PBS - really good and very informative - never realized mummers where just that - no talking, only mumuring and those costumes were pretty scary

Has anyone ever tasted mead - I wonder if it can be purchased anywhere - so many stories include drinking mead I would love to know what it tastes like.

[bellamarie]

I had never heard of "mead" so I looked it up.... also known as "honey wine."

https://www.eater.com/drinks/2015/3/6/8130419/meads-making-a-comeback-heres-what-you-need-to-know

I just began the book for my other on line book club in January, called Winter Solstice by Elin Hilderbrand.  I have never read a book that introduces so many characters, so quickly, as this book.  Phew, I almost feel like I need a family/friend tree to keep up.  But I have to admit, it has captured my interest, and I can't seem to put it down.

[bellamarie]

How many of these books have you read?  To be honest, I hadn't even heard of many of these.

Here are the Biggest Fiction Bestsellers of the Last 100 Years
(And What Everyone Read Instead)

https://lithub.com/here-are-the-biggest-fiction-bestsellers-of-the-last-100-years/?fbclid=IwAR1iJhmm_Ve4WhX-MaUmmGK8rpwO28viVghuJRv2pl1utorhxl3O8T4Qxzc

[ginny]

Isn't that interesting?  VERY difficult to count because there are two lists per year and you find yourself  not sticking to the numbered list but the also published, causing you to have double the score and having to start over,  counting something twice and then having to discard it. Also it appears that some books appear on more than one year's list, and have to be mentally subtracted again.

But I had misunderstood it to be the Top 100 books, not 100 years and hit 98 by 1988 and thought well something is obviously wrong, how far does this thing GO?

So I quit. But on the way, as you say, Bellamarie, lots of books most of us have never heard of, if anybody has ever heard of them,  then or now.

Anything by Edna Ferber and Sinclair Lewis, that seemed to help me along for a while, but  around 1988 things began to dry up. hahahaa

However some  REALLY good books in there. A fun, if frustrating (adding, subtracting and double years) experience, and interesting to see how taste and trends change, too.  Thank you.

[Frybabe]

I remember George telling me about the time way back in his early adult days, that he and a friend made a batch of Mead. They thought it turned out disgusting and proceeded to dump it down the toilet. It clogged the toilet.

As for the list, it amazes me with all the various book lists and all my reading, I have yet to have read very many listed in any of them. Anyway, aside from the dozen or so that I saw in the movies but didn't read, I came up with 33 read, 12 still on my various TBR piles, and four that I did not finish. There are a few Mary Roberts Rinehart's that I am sure I read, but I couldn't tell you which ones. Also, there are some authors on the list whose books I have read, but not any of  those on the list.

I downloaded the second volume of Romance of the Three Kingdoms two days ago but haven't started it yet, and read another chapter in A splendid Exchange. Also, picked up and read some more of a book I started years ago, in fact it is the first one I actually bought, The Ripple Effect, and read some more of that.  The the data is dated now, but the problem of clean water resources is still with us, even more so now I think .