I stopped at the Steam Coffee Co. while on my way home from an early morning appointment. I ordered a carry out coffee for Tom and a cinnamon honey (or is it honey cinnamon?) latte for me. A warm treat on a cold morning. Just what we needed, or so we said, on this day – the last of 2020.
I liberally toasted an English muffin with some Lincoln-berry jam. Lincoln-berry was the name for lingonberry jam that our grandson Ezra used when he was just a tot.
Once home again, with the mid-morning sun dancing through the windows, I slid my latte carefully into a bright red mug and settled my muffin onto an accommodating plate. I then gathered a penny-sized pile of books and set them on the hopeful side of the table in the dining room.. There I sat and sipped and pondered what book on the pile I should read next.
You may already know that I have more Christmas/holiday/seasonal books than a woman my age should have. Many of them are children’s literature. Of course, some of you (and I think I know who you are) have equally substantial literary piles and a kindred spirits, but I digress. The pile beside me was just what I carry up a half flight of stairs. They seem to march out of their hiding spots come early December, about the same time the Christmas tree goes up, the baking commences and our home takes on a festive air – even in a pandemic.
So, my friends, I sat and sipped and nibbled, devoured if truth be told, soaking up the sunshine as I read, once again, “One Christmas” by Truman Capote. It is the story of Capote’s touching, insightful childhood reminiscence of a Christmas with his father, who he barely knows. Have you read it? You should. It’s really only as long as an English muffin and a mug of latte.
Not quite ready to give up my pleasurable pause, I picked up “Journey into Christmas and Other Stories” by Bess Streeter Aldrich. This is a gentle volume containing snippets of life in another era. They remind me of simple gifts awaiting us when we are open to receive them, unexpected joy and of what is really important. Some the stories have happy endings, others inspirational even in their sadness.
Both books reminded me of how much I appreciate short stories.
What have you been reading in these last days of December, 2020?
I am still struggling with the new formatting of Word Press. This isn’t as well crafted as I would like and I can only hope that the photo I attempted to attach will appear. Still, I am determined to post one last time as we say BEGONE to 2020. Here’s to better times ahead in 2021 and wishes for good health for all ahead. Penny
This post is the epitome of hygge! I used to have a stack of children’s Christmas books that would come out with the ornaments every year. We couldn’t move to Ireland with them and I had sort of forgotten about them until reading this π Now I can see them in my mind’s eye sitting on a coffee table! One of my favorite things to do during the Christmas season when I was young was to read all the short Christmas stories that filled the women’s magazines my mom used to have delivered – like Women’s Day and Family Circle. Those stories always gave me Christmas spirit! Happy New Year Penny!
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Oh, Janet, I remember those magazines, especially at Christmas. I devoured them as a young girl and then as a young woman. They had such wonderful short stories. I’m reminded of Better Homes and Garden. There was always an essay on the back page written by Hal Borland, if memory serves me. Thank you for bringing those many magazines to mind. Happy New Year!
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I am reading After the Flood. I should probably switch that dystopian climate change novel for Capote Christmas. Hereβs to a better 2021!
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I’ll be interested in After the Flood Andra. The Capote book, which oddly enough is showing on this blog but is on the link to FB, is a very short read – and hour or less. To a better 2021 for sure. Happy New Year.
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I like After the Flood so far. The writing is lyrical and the story well-crafted. Iβm not sure I needed to start the year with a dystopian apocalyptic story, but I read as books hit my queue these days. π
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And happy new year!!πππ
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A Very Happy Healthy New Year!!!!
I’ve started my 2021 reading with “A Big Little Life” by Dean Koontz. It’s a memoir of his first dog, Trixie, but it’s more than just a memoir. It’s also about how a dog can transform your life. I usually read about 100 books a year, sometimes more and don’t know how I would manage without them.
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A Happy and Healthy New Year to you as well!
“A Big Little Life” sounds interesting. I will put it on my list. I’m impressed by all the books you read in a year. That’s wonderful. I don’t know what I do without books either. Thank you.
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I was right there with you from the moment you brought your lattes into the house, Penny! I’ve a huge pile of Christmas books but I honestly didn’t open a one. Don’t really know why! I have been reading up a storm, but other things from my library pile, and it just didn’t happen. Maybe I struggled with Christmas a little this year, although we really did have a lovely day, with much to feel thankful for! I send big hugs to you and Tom for a healthy, and peace-filled new year, my friend. Keep those book reviews coming in. π
As for the WP editor. OMG! I went to post yesterday and had a terrible time. I was trying to format a poem, and I couldn’t do it the way I hoped. And the photo? Forget it! So I don’t know, but I feel your pain!
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I wish you the best for you and your family in this next year, Debra.
I tend to go through my Christmas books in the days after Christmas, but not as much as in years past – not even the piles of children’s Christmas books. I think many of us struggled with Christmas this year, Debra, and hope that next year will be better.
Sorry that you’ve had problems as well with WP. I don’t know why they have done this, but YIKES!
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Thanks for this peaceful end to the year. As 2020 came to a close, I began the third book in a trilogy by Scott Lynch, The Republic of Thieves.
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My apologies for taking so long to respond, Janice. I have a lot of excuses -:). I will look into that trilogy – or at least put it on my TBR list. Thank you for commenting and here’s to a hopefully better 2021.
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I did read some Christmas and wintery books, but didn’t pick good ones this year. One that was enjoyable was “A Week in Winter” by Maeve Binchy, but I wouldn’t purchase it (I got it from the library.) It was a pleasant winter read but was like a collection of short stories, with little to tie them together except that it told how diverse people ended up at a cozy inn near the holidays. I did flip through Christmas magazines from the library. Penny, I share your pain about WordPress! Don’t know why they “fix” things that aren’t broken, but I too find it a pain to use nowadays.
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I enjoy Maeve Binchy, but haven’t read “A Week in Winter”. It sounds like a good read for these winter days and nights. Since I wrote this post I did start “The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek” by Kim Michele Richardson. It was one my book group’s selections. We haven’t been able to meet but still reading the books we chose. I’m hoping this one breaks my distracted “spell”.
Thank you for stopping by, Sue, and commenting. My apologies for taking so long to respond.
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PS – Sue, thanks for sharing your frustrations with WordPress. It helps to know that I’m not alone.
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Finally getting back to comment on this. I love your book choices and will have to look for them. I have not read the Truman Capote story and must change that. Thank you for sharing. I have, of course, been reading Christmas with Anne and other holiday stories along with my FB Lucy Maude Montgomery book club. The first story is the one in which Mtthew gives Anne her first pretty dress with puffed sleeves. It has many old fashioned stories of Joy’s and trials of Christmas and hope for the New Year.
My other favorite is my Fireside Book of Christmas Stories, published in 1947. It has four sections of stories ; Christmas is Christ, Christmas is Santa Claus, Christmas is Dickens, and Christmas is Home. You can imagine the rich variety. Some or your and my
favorite authors are among them.
Thanks for your warm and cozy photo and post.
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Thank you for commenting, Janet, and sorry for taking so long to respond.
The Truman Capote story is so different from most of his books. Your library might have it. I can imagine you engrossed in your Anne stories and things it great that you are still in that book club. Good for you.
I’ll look for Fireside Book of Christmas Stories, and yes, I can imagine the variety. Actually, I need to check my piles – I might have it. haha
You are very welcome.
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Penny, how delightful to see you here! I also struggle with WordPress. I usually use the Classic Editor mode. Happy New Year!
I would love to sink into a book. But since I’ve been editing books for a publisher, it’s hard to sink into one after reading the book I’m editing all day. But I hope to return to reading soon!
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Thanks for mentioning the Classic Editor mode. I’ll see how that works. I’m such a creature of habit and struggling with WP changing on me! How dare they? π
I’m so glad you are busy with editing, though not the same as reading for pure pleasure. I need to check up on your recent posts and apologize for taking so long to get back. Happy New Year!
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PS – I sent Nacho’s Nachos to our Up North family two months ago. They still haven’t received it, along with what are probably now very spoilt pumpkin muffins and other goodies. Sigh.
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It has been awhile since I’ve read that Capote book; perhaps it’s time for a reread. That’s what I’ve been doing the past couple months – reading/rereading books I own. Have a box nearly full to donate. My next book is one of the latest of the Irish County (Doctor) novels by Patrick Taylor. There are 15 or 16 of them and even a cookbook. Soon I may go back to the library for some mysteries. I like reading them but don’t seem to have any on my bookshelves.
Happy New Year from Kansas!
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Happy New Year, Joyce. Thank you for stopping in and sorry for the lag in responding.
You are on a swell reading run! Good for you. I have one of the Irish County books by Patrick Taylor, languishing on a pile. Your mention reminds me that I should open it. Friends have mentioned that they are reading a lot of mysteries right now. Happy reading.
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I did post a comment from the bach but now I find it didnt ‘take’. So here I am again, to wish you a happy new year, with many good books to come. When I’m writing a book I tend not to read. But with my latest (9th) book now published before Christmas, I have been enjoying starting to read again.
I enjoyed having this reminder from you, and thinking of you taking books and latte at leisure.
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Oh, dear Juliet, thank you for coming back and how excited to hear your 9th book has been published. I’ve had trouble responding on some blogs, which is bothersome and finds me missing many of my longtime favorite blogs. I hope to find a way through that soon.
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Dear Penny, each year–from Thanksgiving onward to Christmas–I listen to two books on audio cassettes. (I’ve owned these cassettes for many years!) One is “Winter Solstice” by Rosamund Pilcher and the other is “A Redbird Christmas” by Fanny Flagg. Both remind me daily of the wonder of my life and the goodness of others that has shaped it.
Now we are in the “winter of our discontent” here in the United States. We’ve been heading in this direction for, I think, at least the last 50 years. Now the moment of truth has arrived. Will we work for a “more perfect union” or will we let the “killer angels” of our being and of our nation ruin this grand experiment that began 250 years ago.
Peace.
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Hi Penny. I’ve been thinking of you and “We Are Better Than This” the best writing by a blogger that I’ve ever read. I have hope, although some of our fellow citizens are not better than “that” obviously.
Thank you for all the many great posts and inspiration you’ve given me — I hope this finds you and Tom well and I wish you both a Hopeful New Year.
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Lovely post. I reread Jane Austen’s Persuasion over Christmas.
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