Christmastide flowed gently here on the Cutoff, and we now find ourselves at Epiphany. I’m sure the three “wiseguys” would not have travelled through so many feet of snow and double digit, negative, temperatures to bring their honorable gifts. I started this post nearly a week ago, and here I am, revising it yet again before it goes out on the virtual waves of blogdom.
Our Christmastide activities were somewhat restricted as Tom recovered from surgery, however, we were gifted with more time to enjoy our decorations, holiday music, movies and the gentle solitude for much of the season.
Personally, I have had more time to read mid-afternoon, teacup in hand, a Christmas cookie swiftly disintegrating into crumbs down my sweater. Somehow, the trappings about me seemed softer, my angel collection sweeter, and the smallest moments crisper.
I had time to peruse my collection of Christmas books at a more leisurely length, enjoying lush volumes with holiday decorations and traditions, reading the treasures of children’s books accrued, and revisiting longtime favorites, such as “One Christmas”, Truman Capote’s memoirs of a childhood Christmas and Philip Van Doren Stern’s “The Greatest Gift”, upon which my favorite movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life”, was based. If you haven’t discovered either of these gems, you must put them wherever all good book lists go, perhaps in abeyance for next December.
M. C. Beaton kept me entertained, as only she can, with a light Hamish MacBeth Christmas mystery, “A Highland Christmas”, and I managed to rip through Alan Bennett’s delicious novella, “The Uncommon Reader”, which was a Christmas gift. Have you read this charming and funny story about how the Queen upsets the well-ordered royal apple cart when she starts spending all her time reading? Not known for literary pursuits, her staff, the prime minister, and the Bishop of Canterbury don’t know what to make of her and measures are, um, taken.
I’ve also enjoyed Bess Streeter Aldrich’s collection of short stories, “Journey Into Christmas”, which I first discovered through Nan’s blog, Letters from a Hill Farm. You can find her post about it here. Do wander around her blog where she writes about books, poetry, life on their farm, and often posts the best recipes.
“Journey Into Christmas” was a present one Christmas. I enjoyed some of the stories then, but this year I delved deeper into this collection of homespun stories of simpler times and the soul of Christmas. I was so moved by one of Bess Aldrich’s stories about a family’s hard times at Christmas on the prairie and how the characters made “the best of it” that off to the library I went on New Year’s Eve day to check out her novel, “A Lantern in her Hand”. I ended up returning home with four of Aldrich’s books, which include two volumes of her short stories and essays.
The novel, “A Lantern in her Hand” is based on Aldrich’s own family stories of homesteading on the Nebraska prairie. It brings to mind the Little House books, which you know how much I love. As I sit here, finishing up a post that has taken a pilgrimage of time to publish, I am warm and safe in our home amid this deep freeze we, and much of the United States, are in. Our shelves and freezer are full. We have any number of ways of communication at our fingertips, one of which I am employing right now. These are factual stories of a time that seems simpler, but, of course, really were not. I can only imagine the loneliness that must have hung over so many during the devastating winters of the early 1870’s, and truly admire the determination and pure grit that came to be known as the pioneering spirit.
I’ve not minded this gentle flowing Christmastide, with my Tom and my books and my comfort. I’ll hang on to it for a few more days.
Have you read any stories by Bess Streeter Aldrich?
Do you have a favorite or new Christmastide read?
I read, as usual, The Christmas Carol, The House Without a Christmas Tree, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, a book of short stories called A Classic Christmas, Home for Christmas which is 4 novellas that intertwine as adopted children find each other as adults. Of course, I always read parts of my favorite A Fireside Book of Christmas Stories. It includes stories by O’Henry, Henry Van Dyke, Louisa May Alcott, Kate Douglas Wiggin, Langston Hughs and many more. It also include both Matthew and Luke’s version of the Christmas story. I immerse myself in Christmas literature from Thanksgiving through New Year and beyond. I haven’t read anything by Bess Streeter Aldrich, but I will be looking.
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All these are favorites of mine, too, Janet. Except for Home for Christmas, which I think you’ve mentioned before. I should look for that. It is so rewarding to read collected stories right now. They are well written, but, don’t demand as much time as a novel. Have you ever read Madeleine L’Engle’s telling of The Glorious Impossible? I think you would like Bess Streeter Aldrich. I’m really enjoying “A Lantern in her Hand” right now. It is a prairie novel for sure!
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I mean only that I haven’t read “Home for Christmas”, so, it isn’t yet a favorite. The cold has me addled. tee hee
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Wow – a wonderful set of reading, Penny! Did you ever see the Hamish Macbeth series the BBC dramatised? Fabulous, it was. We never missed an episode, Phil and I. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00r172s
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I haven’t, Kate. I don’t think it has aired here, but I do hope it does. I’ll check out your link. I’m sure I would love the series. I did attend a book event with M.C. Beaton some years ago. She was delightful.
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There’s a set of CDs from the BBC -http://www.bbcshop.com/drama+arts/hamish-macbeth-the-complete-collection-dvd/invt/cctv30432
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I’ve been collecting a series of books (fiction, but I’m sure based on fact) about the Norwegian settlers in North Dakota in the 1890s and on, by Lauraine Snelling, called ‘Red River of the North’ starting with ‘An Untamed Land’, followed by another series ‘Daughters of Blessing’, and then others. They’re a fascinating insight into the hardships and joys of the early Lutheran settlers, and the dreadful weather conditions (especially winters) they had to endure and struggle through. Not specifically Christmas literature, but a totally absorbing read about how their communities grew and flourished, even before the railways came through to them. Very sad in places as well, but a real tribute to the human spirit and the faith that sustained them through triumph and tragedy. Highly recomended!
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Thank you so very much, Helva. I’ve just spent about a half an hour exploring my library system and have discovered a good many of Lauraine Snelling’s novels awaiting at a few nearby libraries, with one in particular having quite a few of her books. List in hand, I’m sure I will be exploring this author in the weeks ahead. We are often in Minnesota, where our daughter went to college and where she and her family are now. Snelling is a prominent name of a route up there, so, the name stuck with me right away. You have me interested and I appreciate your recommendation of this author and sets of series.
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I am glad you stayed warm and cozy during the storms and the Holidays… a wonderful time to read and I love the idea that you and Nan gave me to read Christmas books … I will try this next year…it is a little bit hard to get in the Christmas spirit with our weather and away from family (by our choice, so I can’t complain).
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I hope you will be able to find some enjoyable Christmas reads next year, Sallie. There are so many good ones and it is a nice way to settle into the holiday season. I know that the snowy weather entices those of us who live up north to read Christmas books. Right now it is so cold here that I may go back to your post with those wonderful birds just to warm up a bit.
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What a lovely, cozy post Penny and thank you for all the book recommendations, none of which I’ve read. One of my favorite things to do during the Christmas season when I was you was to read the short Christmas stories that filled Women’s magazines back then. That is what a lot of your suggestions remind me of!
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Another typo! I was never “you” but I WAS “young” ! haha
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Thank you, Janet. That is such a nice comment. I used to love the short Christmas stories as well. They were still in magazines in the ’70s and I think the ’80s. They were such pleasant ways to pass the time. I miss that in magazines. Actually, Bess Streeter Aldrich was a contributor to many women’s magazines for many years.
I’m the queen of typos, Janet. Not to worry.
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I hope you and Tom are staying warm, Penny. I told MTM last night I was so glad were got out of there before the Snowmaggedon and cold.
I wish I liked to read Christmas books. Technically, I don’t know whether I like them or not. I’ve never really tried to ready any, other than “A Child’s Christmas in Wales,” which I really love. I should expand my horizons come December and read some of your recommendations.
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Snowmmaggedon it is, Andra. We are warm and cozy here tonight, hunkered down.
If you have read any of Truman Capote, you might appreciate “One Christmas”. Our book group read it a good many years ago and I’ve read it it over and over again since. It is not what you might expect from him.
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Except for Capote’s “One Christmas,” I haven’t read any of the books you list here, Penny! I will write the titles down. I do like to collect Christmas books, but until now, almost all of them are really children’s books. I don’t have specific favorites, I don’t think. It all depends on my mood and I’m usually reading them to a child, which makes them more or less important depending on how the children respond. One book I do enjoy is Caroline Kennedy’s compilation of Christmas short stories, poems and readings, “A Family Christmas.” I think it’s a wonderful book to own, complete with old and new favorites.
I was coming home tonight and heard on the news that Chicago was 50 degrees below zero? That has to be wind chill, but regardless…is that even possible? Oh Penny! Stay indoors! And I love the picture of you enjoying a slower, gentler Christmas season. That sounds just perfect!
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Debra, I have more children’s Christmas books than you can imagine. I love them all; the story lines, the illustrations, and I’ve been collecting them for years. Have you read Pearl S. Buck’s “Christmas Day in the Morning”? It is for children, of all ages. Your granddaughters might like it. I will look for Caroline Kennedy’s compilation. I’ve enjoyed her volume of poetry, and would enjoy “A Family Christmas”.
We are -12°F right now. 50 degrees would be with the wind chill, and yes, it is very true. Skin freezes very quickly with these temperatures, so, all are being cautioned to cover up as much as possible IF one needs to be out, even to go to the car. All schools and many businesses were closed today and will be tomorrow because of the cold. We are hunkered down, thankfully warm.
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Despite our own lovely Christmas and new year visits, I rather envy you and Tom your quiet time with plenty of time to read. I hardly opened a book over the two weeks we were away, as there was so much going on. I’ve a lot of catching up to do….
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Our quietude really was an unexpected gift this year, Perpetua, and had me reflective this season and enjoying it more. I did enjoy all the reading I was able to do.
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