Reading Tolstoy on the 4th of July

It felt like a very American thing to be doing.  I am grateful for my beautiful country and my precious freedom.  I am thankful we are not ruled by a dictator, just a petty man who likes to pretend he's one.  (We'll change that on November 3, 2020.)

Book o' the Month: The Old Magic of Christmas

The Old Magic of Christmas, by Linda Raedisch, is quite the eye-opener.  It turns out, the days between mid-October and February 2nd are chock-full of nasty characters, spirits, monsters, etc.  You have likely heard of the Krampus, but he is just one of many menacing entities you have to watch out for during this season.  However, there are also several actions you might take to help keep the baddies at bay and usher in some good luck (and presents)!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.  It explores the folklore and traditions of Europe and beyond.  And in case you were wondering what you need to beware of on this New Year's Eve...it is moving night for Icelandic elves and if you are in Iceland, you might notice magical white frost "pantry drift" in your pantry.  Also, it is the night Finnish maidens might see the image of their future husbands reflected in a mirror. 

And, if you can swing it and you stroke a piglet this evening, you may have good luck all next year.  So with that I wish you--

(image found here)

Book o' the Month: Beowulf

Valerie read Beowulf in her language arts class, and since I have always been curious about it, I checked it out from the library.  This version is a prose retelling published for young readers.  It was easy to read, easy to understand, but definitely chilling, violent, and gory!  In fact, I have come to the conclusion that Grendel is the most terrifying creature I have ever come across in literature.  And, now that I have read this telling, I would like to explore Seamus Heaney's translation--since I had my first and last brush with Old English in tenth grade with the Canterbury Tales.  (My sister and some of my high school friends can still recite several lines from memory!)

I asked Valerie to draw her vision of the nine sea-monsters.  Here's what she came up with!

Also the stuff of nightmares, no?  Just in time for Halloween!

P.S.  Still reading Anna Karenina.  Down to the last 200 pages.

Books o' the Month: Anna Karenina and Go to Sleep, Groundhog!

Did you watch coverage of Punxsutawney Phil on February 2nd, Groundhog Day?  He did not see his shadow, so that means we are in for an early spring...right?  Riiiiiiiight.  Go to Sleep, Groundhog! is a sweet book about Groundhog Day, if you happen to be looking for one for grades Pre-K through 2.  How do I know this?  Because I am back in the classroom...for an average of two days per week.  I began substitute teaching at my son's school in September.  It has been a lot more fun than I thought it would be, which is a relief!  But...more on that subject at a new blog I just got the crazy notion to start up today.  Because I need more work to do.  That, and also, I realized after four months of substitute teaching that reflection is an important part of the job, just like with full-time teaching.  So, I'm going to be doing just that on a separate blog called Substitute Teaching Sundries.

If you are a student in the fifth grade class I subbed in this past January, you might remember to ask me which page I am on in Anna Karenina.  My answer would be an embarrassed "72," the same page I got to during silent reading in class that day.  I haven't even met Miss Karenina yet, for goodness' sake!  But, I will keep at it.  At least I own this copy, so will not have to return it to the library.  Have you read it?  Thoughts?

OK!  Now, please go visit Adrienne, because she always has interesting books to add to  your reading list!

The Best Day of the Year

Isn't the day after Christmas one of the best days of the year?

If you are like me (lucky you), you spend the bulk of Christmas day in the kitchen.  After having spent several days before Christmas preparing for the show.  It is a show, right?  And moms--mostly--put it on.  We decorate, we shop, we put on classroom parties, we shop, we clean, we shop, we work, we shop, we wrap, we run to the store for one last little thing and return home having forgotten toilet paper.  And during all this we keep on doing all the regular things that take up nearly all our waking hours already.  Yes, I'm complaining a little again.  Or, as a dear, understanding friend told me,"being real."  The same friend who offered me a bottle of homemade Irish cream.  Coincidence?  I don't think so.

But, back to the post at hand.

Today is the day after Christmas (which went quite nicely, after all).  The house is pretty clean (since I did the dishes last night--I mean, why leave the kitchen?), the relatives have gone, the kids are occupied.  Can we all just breathe a collective sigh of relief?

With me, now:  inhale, one, two, three, four, exhale.

Hubby and I even got the kids out for a nice little walk.  I don't think I had been outside in two days.  It felt great.

This morning I was thinking, again, that Christmas is for children.  The show is for the children.  As a mom, Christmas is all about giving.  If I think about it that way (and have a glass of wine) I can get through it.  Time spent with Hubby preparing the feast he wants to eat, cooking for my kids and relatives.  Energy spent getting the things in place that need to be there for the show.  Giving (that's what the namesake of Christ-mas was all about, after all).  It's not about me.

But today?  I got a little something.  I watched Holiday Inn--in the living room with the rest of the family!  They even watched it a little, too.  I may make fans of them, yet.

Each year, I focus a little more on Winter Solstice as my own quiet celebration of the season.  It makes sense to me and brings me comfort.  This year I was able to observe and reflect and I spent some time writing down some thoughts and ideas for next year.  It is evolving for me, and that feels nice.  I'll leave you with a photo taken on that day, another one of the best days of the year.

How Many Days 'Til Christmas?

I saw the image above on Pinterest just now and was inspired to write a blog post.  So, I Googled "days until Christmas" and got this: http://www.xmasclock.com/.  There are thirty-seven.  

(I also found this, which seems way more exciting to me:  http://www.howmanydaysuntilstarwars.com/.)  

But back to the topic at hand.  

I am kinda sorta getting in the mood this year.  Fall hit about two weeks ago and it has been COLD (which, where I live, means days in the mid-50s to 60s and nights near freezing).  I actually walked into REI and bought myself a down parka right off the rack (I got the Urban Navy Blue and I like it just fine--four stars!).  I still feel guilty that it wasn't on sale.  And I told Hubby he doesn't have to get me a Christmas present because of it (he still will).  But now I am warm at Valerie's swim practice.  From 6-7pm.  In the dark.  Four nights a week.

Yeah, so it's been cold.  And we've had rain, which seems like a good thing, but:  http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2015/11/16/1450700/-El-Ni-o-Does-Something-It-s-Never-Done-Before-Watch-Out-California?

I'm kinda sorta getting scared and am always checking how many gallon bottles of water we have on hand, and thinking about flashlights and batteries and non-perishable food.  And wishing that we could use the fireplace without it just filling the house with smoke. 

So, I like that Target didn't put up the Christmas decorations the day after Halloween this year.  I have heard that Nordstrom is doing the same thing.  Also, REI is closing on Black Friday.  I like this let's not diss Turkey Day attitude.

Thanksgiving was my favorite holiday before my grandfather became ill with colon cancer and we stopped having it at his house.  I was twenty when he died, and the holiday has never been the same since.  It became a foster holiday shuttled around to various locations.  Poor Thanksgiving. 

But, Christmas.  What I have liked most about it in the past is giving handmade gifts.  But, I just don't have the time like I used to.  I also like the table linens.  And after, I like finding decorations on sale.  But Christmas morning present opening and disappointment and complaints and ungratefulness?  That just makes me want to stick my head in the oven with the prime rib.  

Except, I'd rather not go into the kitchen at all.  I'm all for going out to eat.  Or...a friend of mine said Whole Foods does a good meal:  https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/shop/MRY/2721.  Looks good to me!!  Maybe Hubby will go for it this year.  I can hope.  

Whatever happens, I will likely have my first glass of wine at about 12:30p.m.  Thus, the image above.  And, if I can find it, I will totally rock that wig/hairdo.

My Christmas, this year, will come on the day Hubby, the kids, and I go to see...http://www.starwars.com/the-force-awakens/.

(Disclaimer:  I am in kind of a mood today.  Yesterday I spent seven hours waiting around for Jury Duty.  Luckily, when I finally got called, the judge kept our group for a total of ten minutes before excusing all of us.  And today...I had to skip my run because Andrew is home sick.  But, we are learning all about the solar system, so that is a pretty awesome way to spend the day.  So, closing on a happy note, here!)

(Above image is at http://www.retrochristmascardcompany.com/funny-christmas-party-invitations/)

Winter Solstice 2014

 

This coming Sunday, the 21st, is Winter Solstice in our hemisphere, which is my favorite December event.  Over the past few years, I have come to see it as my own private celebration.  It's not really, of course.  But I don't drag anyone else into it, besides trying to get my kids and hubby to maybe watch the sun go down on the shortest day of the year.

I do have my solstice fairy on our Christmas tree, and she does seem to be in a slightly different position every day.  But that's as metaphysical as I get about it.  Kind of.

This event appeals to me because it truly does mark a solar event, a continuation of the the on-going cycle of space and time and life.  This is something that feels good to me to remember in the days before the craziness that is our secular Christmas.  

Every year, I try to think of a tradition to tie to it.  I might be getting closer, but still I am just an observer.  And that seems like the most important task for such a day.

Happy peaceful kind loving giving nurturing reflecting restful solstice day to you, my friends!

(Image above was found online at several sites, so if it is copyrighted, my apologies--I will kindly remove it if need be.)

Watch This! : Ballykissangel

I meant to post this before St. Patrick's Day, but was having computer trouble...

I like to focus a bit on Ireland in March, for the obvious reason.  Plus, I've got Irish blood in me from three grandparents, making me more Irish than any other ethnicity by 1/8.  So, anything Irish catches my attention.  (I'm also Norwegian, Dutch, German, French, and Welsh, but I digress.) 

I don't remember how I found out about Ballykissangel (image above is from this site).  This is a BBC television series that went on for six seasons from 1996-2001.  I have watched through season three, and the first episode of season four.

If you enjoy Game of Thrones, you might want to stop right here.  Let me just say, I watched the very first episode of GOT, and afterwards I felt like I had been doing stomach crunches the whole time (I wish I had), from clenching my gut at all the violence, etc., etc.  I was interested in the story, and considered watching episode two, but decided not to put myself through the experience again.  So, if you can relate (and if you watch GOT, I concede you have a stronger stomach than I, and that is fine by me), please continue on.

BallyK is about life in a small Irish town.  A new priest is sent to the parish, a young English priest, and it goes from there.  The series is delightful.  It can be funny, serious, lighthearted, troublesome.  The storyline moves right along and you come to know the characters (played by actors who look like real people, by the way!) and believe this place might actually exist.

In fact, it does.  Ballykissangel is mostly filmed in Avoca, Ireland, which became quite the tourist destination for fans.  What I like most about the series is that it takes you someplace and immerses you in it--you get to live in a little Irish town for an hour at a time.

What have you been watching?

One Less Card to Send

I am sending one less Happy New Year card this year.  This past year we lost my Great Aunt Marian, reclining in the photo above.  My Great Aunt Margie, middle, died in 2009.  My maternal grandfather, at top, died in 1993. 

This picture was taken in December 1935.  Isn't it great?  My grandfather was fourteen, his twin sisters a little older.  Now I have no more great aunts (or uncles) left in my family.  A sad milestone.

But I do have wonderful old photos, and better yet, memories.  This trio of relatives above look mellow, but let me tell you, they were a hoot!  All of them.  My grandfather, six feet tall, had two green thumbs, and he loved to cook.  He was also great with animals, especially cats.  My aunts, both under five feet, were always laughing and telling stories.  Both of them played ukulele and were involved in several civic groups and clubs.  They were the life of the party, even into their old age.

I hope to start learning the ukulele this year.  I have the one that my paternal grandfather (deceased 1999) once used.  I hope to channel all three of them as I play and sing "Has Anybody Seen my Gal?," and " I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter, and (excuse the un-PC title) "Little Brown Gal."

For that is how we honor the loved ones we have lost, am I right?  By remembering them, telling their stories, and passing on their traditions.

Happy New Year!

Winter Solstice Fairy

This is my Winter Solstice Fairy.  I bought her last year on sale after Christmas.  She had been waiting for me.  See, before Christmas when I first saw her, she had a sister with her, but after, it was just her, waiting to come home with me.  I put her away with the Christmas decorations.

Last weekend, I took her out of the ornaments box. Valerie asked, "What's that?"  "The Winter Solstice Fairy," I replied, avoiding eye contact with Hubby, "let's put her on the tree up by the star."  "Yeah!" said Valerie.

So there she sits, watching us all and I expect, dancing very quickly, as I could not seem to take a photo of her in focus.

I don't really "do" fairies.  Well, besides the tooth fairy, and I have mixed feelings about her (as well as Santa and the E.B.).  But for the past few years, I have quietly been celebrating the Winter Solstice.  Since I dropped out of religion (I am a seriously lapsed Catholic), I have struggled a bit to find meaning in Christmas, especially since having kids.  I love the holiday season for the family warmth and giving of all kinds, but while I enjoy the story of Jesus, Joseph and Mary in Bethlehem, it doesn't have the same meaning for me now as it did in the Christmas Eve midnight mass-going days of my youth.

But, the Winter Solstice?  I think it speaks to my ancient Celtic blood.  It seems so simple, scientific, but with the awe of the universe that takes it to a metaphysical level.  The day with the least minutes of sunlight, and the longest night.  After this, there is more light each day, until the Summer Solstice in June.  For the ancients, that meant warming weather, growing crops, animals being born, anticipation of easier days ahead, perhaps.

And that's what I reflect on today.  In the midst of the stress of trying to get everything ready for the big holiday, Winter Solstice is a time to think about the bigger picture.

So, I am wishing you peace and tranquility on this Winter Solstice day! Wherever you are in your life, your dream, your to-do list, I encourage you to take a moment today to reflect on the bigger picture. Slow down long enough to sip a cup of tea. Spread some love.

Just remember, there will be light!


(Oops!  Today is actually the solstice--Dec. 21, 2013!)

Book o' the Month: The Cat Who Came For Christmas

OK, OK, I am still reading this book, but it is pretty fun so far!  Have you read it?

I have been busy, busy, busy with other things besides blogging.  And now the countdown to Christmas.  More busy on the way!

Will you be giving any books as gifts this year? 

Andrew will be getting Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton.

Valerie will receive Cats of the Clans by Erin Hunter.

Which books are on your wish list?

Toodeloo for now!

Book o' the Month: A Little House Christmas Treasury

Happy New Year!  Better late than never!  (Which is my motto for sending out Happy New Year cards this year...just ordered them today...in lieu of Christmas cards, yet again.)

I have never read any of the Laura Ingalls Wilder books.  But I did watch hours and hours of Little House on the Prairie on TV as a child.  Now I want to read them all!

I gave Valerie A Little House Christmas Treasury for Christmas, and then read the kids a chapter each night before New Year's.  What fun!  My favorite aspect of the stories in this darling collection is how the gifts were so simple (mittens, candy, an orange), and so very appreciated and celebrated.

In fact, I'm pondering skipping all the crazy shopping next December in favor of one trip to the grocery store.  Everyone is getting citrus in their stocking next Christmas.  Who's with me?

Happy Turkey

Wherever this coming holiday of gratitude may find you, I hope you are all healthy, happy and with the ones you love!

(Andrew's artwork--he adds, "And Valerie!")

Mother's Day Hair

Mother's Day was quiet.  Breakfast out at my favorite place.  A solo stroll through the local bookstore (plus book purchase) while Hubby and the kids went to the grocery store.  My second favorite ice cream after lunch.

And hair styling.

One of the things I dreamed about, when I found out I was pregnant with a girl, was braiding her hair.  I have braided Valerie's hair in the past, whenever she would let me, but on on Mother's Day she finally picked a style out of this neat book, and let me french braid her hair.  I was pretty excited!  I have only tried french braiding a couple of other times--on a doll and on my sister--a long time ago.  I feel pretty good about the results.  Now, if only my long flowing hair preferring girl will allow me to try it again.  She said she liked it...

 Then, of course, she wanted to style my hair.  Pretty, dontcha think? 

Happy E.B.

Happy E.B. (E.B. = Easter Bunny.) My grandmother has always written that on the boxes of See's eggs she gives us at Easter. See's and Easter go hand-in-hand in our family. I hope you get a little See's this year from the E.B.!

I'll be on a little break from blogging for a while. See you back here in a week or so...

(Vintage clip art, courtesy of Microsoft.)

Spring, Already?

Oh, dear. It's that time of year again. I'm fickle about spring, especially this year as winter kind of...never showed up. We actually just started getting rain last week. I'm hoping for a wet season. I want some cloudy, drizzly, quiet days, before the full-on raucous brightness of summer. Weird, I know.
Out and about today, I saw these camellias and snapped a quick photo. My grandma used to have two huge bushes of them in her backyard--dark and light pink. Every Easter, she would set several blossoms floating in a crystal bowl of water on the coffee table in front of the "davenport" for Easter. It was a special occasion for us. In our family of lapsed Catholics, it was also one of the year's church days. My sister and I would have new dresses and new shoes. Remember the pastel patent mary janes you could get at JC Penney? And the pretty white straw hats, and the gloves, and the little purses? I think my mom went all out one year and we got a whole outfit. Another year she sewed us matching dresses with a chiffon overlay of pastel flowers. I appreciate how challenging that must have been! We each got to choose the color of our ribbon sashes. Ah, memories.

Welcome, spring, melancholic time of year. You are the last season of my thirties. Let's be friends.

Happy St. Paddy's!

I love this vintage clip art (thanks, Microsoft) reminding you to wear green tomorrow. I'm nearly half Irish, so I'll be wearing my green for sure!

Watch This! : Bridesmaids

This is the last post of my yearly film and television suggestions, and also my offering for St. Patrick's Day.

What? Bridesmaids? This movie does not even take place in Ireland, but in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. So why am I recommending it for St. Patty's? Two reasons: One, it is so very very funny (and the Irish are well known for having a good time, right?). Two, the adorable Chris O'Dowd, who is Irish.

I love that this hilarious film (with so many funny-awesome actors!) also has a sweet subplot. Here is one of my favorite scenes (spoiler alert--kind of!). So, girls especially, if you have not seen this movie, you must. And if you can see it from the front row of a packed theater, with a bunch of gal friends, while nibbling on See's truffles, all the better.

Feliz Dia de Amor y Amistad

I have always loved the way Valentine's Day is named in Spanish best of all:

El Dia de Amor y Amistad, or The Day of Love and Friendship.

In my opinion, this holiday isn't just for romantic love, but love for family and friends as well. I hope you have a wonderful one. (This recipe I just happened upon may help...because Valentine's Day is also about chocolate, wouldn't you agree?)

P.S. I took the photo above while walking on the trail last week. Did you notice the heart cut-outs at the bottom of the fence? I think it is so sweet that someone took the time to make them.

Sewn Heart Garlands

Do you need a last-minute Valentine craft? Try these sewn heart garlands. I was inspired by similar garlands I saw, cut from book pages and sewn with red thread, in a store window and decided to give it a go with what I had on hand...catalog covers. I just cut out a heart template, then cut twelve hearts for each garland from the thick, colorful paper. I sewed them together on my sewing machine. Simple.

Here is what they look like from inside the house on this blustery day-before-Valentine's-Day, lemon and blossoming plum trees in the background.

Here is another version I made with fancy scrapbooking paper, and sent to my Grandma--thanks to Cousin K. for the photo. (BTW, I don't scrapbook, but I do love the paper!)

I'll be back tomorrow to wish you a Happy Heart's Day...for now I am just going to turn off the laptop, and watch the rain.