Today I want to share three of what I think are the prettiest Christmas songs of the past sixty years. They are not carols, but they do bring the spirit of the season. The first is “I Believe in Father Christmas” by Greg Lake. A bit of interesting trivia about this song is he did not compose it as a celebration of the season, but rather as a protest over what he saw as the increasing commercialization of the holiday….
Today is Thanksgiving in Canada. As with so many times of the year, it arrives ahead of our American friends’ observation of the occasion. (Please don’t take offense, my tongue was firmly in my cheek as I wrote that last sentence.) My eldest sister lives in Utah, so I have a habit of pointing that out to her every year. What is a younger brother for, if not to bother older siblings, of which I have two? In Canada, the…
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…
This chapter was written amidst the craziness of the holiday season. I have not even done my usual multi-review proofreading (or even a single proofreading), so I apologize! Missed one of the parts? Here’s Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, and Chapter 4! Chapter 5 When the day of the Christmas assembly dawned, Elizabeth seriously considered whether to spend most of the day in bed, feigning a headache and avoiding the effusions of the exhausting parson who was the…
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…
Chapter 4 of our Christmas frolic has arrived. If you missed the previous entries, you can start here. Chapter 4 If not for Mr. Darcy and his charming sister, Elizabeth might have given in to temptation and wrapped her hands around Mr. Collins’s neck to choke some sense into the dolt. As it was, she limited herself to committing the act in her imagination and picturing her satisfaction at the sight of his crimson face and bulging eyes as…
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…
And now it is time for chapter 3 of Merry Mischief! To start on this amusing saga, you can go here. And Merry Mischief now has a cover! Chapter 3 Christmas was a time of peace on earth, and goodwill toward men, or so the Holy Bible said. With the ubiquitous presence of a courting Mr. Collins in residence, there was no peace, and the goodwill Elizabeth felt was dying by the moment, becoming a desiccated husk of resentment. While…