We have come to a new year. I don’t look back especially fondly on 2022. There were good times, certainly, but we lost my soulmate dog in November, and I just don’t think that’s something I can easily recover from. As the days go by, I don’t see him as often from the corner of my eye, and I don’t as often plot out strategic shutting of baby-gates or placement of cat food to ensure he goes where he is…
With Christmas mere days from now, I thought I’d mix the holiday with some trivia about the Rockefeller Christmas Tree in New York City. This might be the most recognizable Christmas tree in the world and, based on the time, effort, and money that goes into creating this magnificent display every year, the title is well deserved. Every one of these trees is massive, ranging in height from 69 to 100 feet. Decorating takes almost two weeks and the lighting…
As this will be my last post before Christmas, aside from the final chapter of our serial, I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas! Whatever creed, religion, or belief system you ascribe to, I hope you have an amazing holiday season and a peaceful and happy New Year. As a final Christmas wish, I’d like to share with you a bit of holiday cheer from my family. The video I have attached below is the full cantata,…
I apologize for returning to Christmas music for yet another post, but I was trying to think of what I should post to fit the glimmer of gold theme when I heard the song “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” This song is one of my favorites, and it is a great illustration of how there is always a glimmer of gold beneath even the darkest of circumstances. If you aren’t familiar with the song or the poem, here…
The arrival of the Christmas season lifts my spirits every year. I love the smiles and good wishes we seem to exchange so freely and the peace I feel in my heart that honestly is not present in such quantity through much of the year. I especially love the Christmas carols that play in most stores and over the sound systems in shopping malls. There is something about them that affects me. Some of these songs are beautiful, with gorgeous…
It is strange to say there is little going on just before Christmas, but when it comes to publishing, there is relatively little going on. I am hard at work writing, but my current project will not see the light of day until at least February or March, longer if the audiobook company decides to pick it up. It has a tentative title: No Indignity so Abhorrent. I hope that does not give you too many shivers. While the book does…
Christmas is coming. The geese are getting fat. Please put a penny in the old man’s hat. If you haven’t got a penny, A ha’penny will do. If you haven’t got a ha’penny, Then God bless you! Christmas is right around the corner! I don’t know about you, but it has been a hectic time for me. From various Christmas-related parties and celebrations to meetings with family, it’s a wonder there is even time to eat! That said, I still…
On the Austen Authors site, I once did a post about my favorite Christmas songs. I have a few as I can usually not pick one, so with such a variety of songs available, I thought I would do a bit of a redux. I’ve only got a couple here, but I thought it might do for a Christmas post. Consider it a Thursday version of Tuesday Tunes! Mary’s Boy Child Easily my favorite version of this song. The Boney…
For my first Tuesday Tunes post, I had to decide what genre to focus on. My tastes are a bit eclectic – I like country music, folk music, oldies, Broadway tunes, and music from various children/family movies (Disney movies, CG movies, and that sort of thing). As for what to choose, I figured I should display something that is in keeping with the Christmas season! But what a problem that is – I love so many Christmas songs that choosing…
I love Christmas. The season seems to bring out the best in just about everyone, from friends and acquaintances ready with friendly greetings and holiday wishes, to strangers who wish you the best of the season while shopping in stores or passing on a busy street. My first Christmas celebration with my wife still ranks as one of our best. She was three weeks away from giving birth to our first child, a son, so we limited the length of…