Sunday Poetry: That Glorious Song of Old
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear by Edmund Sears 1849 It came upon the midnight clear, That glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth To touch their harps of gold: “Peace on the earth, good will to men, from heaven’s all-gracious King.” The world in solemn stillness lay, To hear the angels…
Read MoreFour Tips to Make the Holiday Season Count
Greater Good Science Center. Really? I didn’t remember “liking” any such institution on my Facebook page, but now these interlopers were sending me updates. Just as I was about to send them to “unlike” purgatory, the link itself caught my eye. Gratitude vs. Materialism. Okay, now I realized who they were. GGSC researches emotional and social well-being and…
Read MoreCHUsday: Slow Food, Fast Food or Something in Between?
T’is the CHUsday before Christmas, and I don’t have to peek in your windows to see how fast you’re running. Whether it’s Hanukkah or Christmas, Kwanzaa or Winter Solstice you’ll celebrate this week, you’re rushing and wrapping and decorating to chase away winter’s shadows. This is the time of year for fast food, for drive-in…
Read MoreSunday Poetry: Because I Was Young That Morning
Welcome to Sunday Poetry. If this is your first visit you can read about the purpose and inspiration of my Sunday poetry blogs here. I’m learning I must read at least ten or even twenty poems before I find one I want to feature here. Not because the others aren’t wonderful, but because I want to share…
Read MoreWe Wish You a Merry Christmas: Booklover Carols Part Four
Some of you have been reading this blog long enough to remember that each Christmas I “gift” you with new Booklover Carols. For those who hoped I would forget this tradition, my apologies. For those who crave more, you’ll find links to tongue-in-cheek carols from previous years at the end. This year we highlight the “publishing world” with a…
Read MoreCHUsday and Christmas Fruit Cake
So how do you feel about fruit cake? I see a collective screwing of faces out there. But honestly this fruitcake, packed with chocolate chips, cherries, dates and walnuts is hard to beat. Did you get that? CHOCOLATE chips in fruitcake? Yum! I learned to make this recipe in the 1970s, and I’ve made it every…
Read MoreSunday Poetry: She Half Expects to Find Three Magi
Welcome to Sunday Poetry. If this is your first visit you can read about the purpose and inspiration of my Sunday poetry blogs here. I love this time of year. I love the traditions that come with it, religious and otherwise, although I could be easily persuaded not to love shopping or worrying if a gift carefully…
Read MoreLife Changing Experiences between the Covers of a Book
This week I had a showdown with a tooth possessing a crooked root and no remorse. Tooth and I were slated, with no other possibilities, for a date with my friendly, skillful dentist, whose news was destined to unmake my day. I put off the trip for two months, conveniently sick the first time, conveniently…
Read MoreCHUSday Giveaway from Barnes and Noble
Welcome to the final month of CHUSday. To end with a bang this month, I’m giving away a $50 gift certificate to Barnes and Noble bookstores instead of a silly kitchen gadget. That way you can indulge your cookbook fantasies or take the CHU pledge and use the ones you have and buy something yummy to…
Read MoreSunday Poetry: No Unsacred Places
Welcome to Sunday Poetry. If this is your first visit you can read about the purpose and inspiration of my Sunday poetry blogs here. Today’s poem by Wendell Berry comes just as our December holidays begin. How To Be a Poet is as much about a contemplative life of appreciation and connection as it is about poetry. While…
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