One of my favorite holiday movies from childhood is Rudolph. I loved the type of animation used, the characters, the music, and Burl Ives’ voice and likeness. It was engaging in every way. And who couldn’t see him/herself in Rudolph in some way? Like many of us, he was the misunderstood, under-appreciated, awkward kid who … Continue reading
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‘Tis the Season to be Jolly? Getting Into the Holiday Spirit
“Deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la! ‘Tis the season to be jolly, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la!” …or, at least that’s how the song goes. While the holidays are a time for celebration and socializing, gift-giving and indulging, for many of us they are a time for worry, anxiety, and depression. There are pressures to … Continue reading
‘Tis the Season: The Joys of Giving and Receiving
As we approach the holidays, our thoughts become more focused on the spirit of giving. There is a joy in wanting to bring joy to others. It feels good. There is also a joy in receiving, too. What follows is a re-posting of an article I wrote earlier this year. In the spirit of the … Continue reading
‘Tis the Season: Appreciating Each Season in the Moment
With October’s pumpkins faded, Thanksgiving almost one week past, and the festive holiday month of December beginning tomorrow, I am in need of a reminder that it is still autumn. Everywhere I look right now, I see commercial ads depicting winter wonderlands and happy folks bundled up in heavy winter weather gear. But I’m not … Continue reading
A Simple Gift Idea for the Holidays
I don’t usually promote products, but I thought I’d share an inexpensive idea for a party favor or small gift. Purchased for $1 at the *Store Which Shall Not Be Named, these 3 oz. scented jar candles are affordable and come in a variety of fragrances. I have placed them on my Thanksgiving table as … Continue reading
‘Tis The Season for Socialist Santa!
Depending on where you are from, you have probably, at some time, participated in the holiday gift-giving tradition of “Secret Santa”, “Kris Kringle”, or “Pollyanna”, either at work or with a group of friends. It’s that system of randomly (and secretly) selecting the name of a person in the group for whom to give a … Continue reading
Thanksgiving, Turkeys, and Teamwork
A Happy Little Turkey Thanksgiving Day is a major production at our house. We usually have about 20 guests, so we borrow tables and chairs and rearrange our furniture to create enough space for everyone to sit in the dining room. Moving furniture and setting up is a lot of work, but somehow we always … Continue reading
Thanksgiving: Appreciating Emerson’s Message Through Family
Thanksgiving For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, for love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends. ~ By Ralph Waldo Emerson Thanksgiving Day 2011 at our house was a warm, relaxed celebration. With my mom and stepdad, siblings and spouses, nieces, nephews, my … Continue reading
Afternoon on a Hill
Afternoon on a Hill By Edna St. Vincent Millay I will be the gladdest thing Under the sun! I will touch a hundred flowers And not pick one. I will look at cliffs and clouds With quiet eyes, Watch the wind bow down the grass, And the grass rise. And when lights begin to show … Continue reading
My Turkey Day Top Ten
Thanksgiving in my house (maybe your house too, unless you’re coming to my house) is a major event. My Turkey Day Top Ten is a list of those things that keep the day running smoothly: 10. My Home It’s not a huge house, but we somehow find a way to make room for 20-25 family … Continue reading
Simple Pleasures 