The Shortest Day

 A most welcome turning of the Great Wheel. May the return of the Light heal our world.

I won't be the only one posting this beautiful poem today. On this Solstice, when we can't gather and celebrate, listen for the echoes from the past, all down the long years, and let their rejoicing fill your hearts.

                                     The Shortest Day

                                                 by Susan Cooper

And so the Shortest Day came and the year died

And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world

Came people singing, dancing,

To drive the dark away.

They lighted candles in the winter trees;

They hung their homes with evergreen;

They burned beseeching fires all night long

To keep the year alive.

And when the new year's sunshine blazed awake

They shouted, revelling.

Through all the frosty ages you can hear them

Echoing behind us - listen!

All the long echoes, sing the same delight,

This Shortest Day,

As promise wakens in the sleeping land:

They carol, feast, give thanks,

And dearly love their friends,

And hope for peace.

And now so do we, here, now,

This year and every year.

Learn more about the author and hear the poem read HERE.

Fun Guys

 

The Winternight Trilogy

 On these cold days, I've been wandering through a fantasy world set in 14th century Russia -- a land torn between Christianity and the older pagan ways that pay tribute to the spirits of the land and home. A land, too, struggling to free itself from its Tatar overlords.

Vasya, a young girl of good family, is  disturbingly aware of this pagan world and even more aware that she doesn't want to marry or become a nun--the only two possible futures for a girl like her. She is a compelling character--and her adventures in both of these worlds worlds are the stuff of mythology.

Arden has made a fascinating story in these three volumes, seamlessly interweaving Russian history and folk tales. The Winter King and the Snow Maiden, Baba Yaga, the Firebird, and many more come to brilliant life on the pages. 

A perfect trilogy for these cold dark days.

Only a Few Christmases Ago

2017 (no teeth)

2018 (meeting Dolly)

2019  (doing the decorating)

2019

 

Zuppa of the Evening, Beautiful Zuppa

A cold and rainy day calls for soup. After seeing a friend's post about the Caldo Gallego he'd made, I went to the kitchen, prepared to make some myself. I knew I had kale and potatoes . . . 

But I didn't have the right sausage on hand--neither the traditional Spanish chorizo nor the Polska kielbasa I usually use. I did have Italian sausage.

Zuppa Toscana was the delicious answer. Quick, easy, warming. 

                                      Zuppa Toscana

1 pound hot Italian sausages

        5 strips of thick cut bacon (I used hog jowl which I think lends extra flavor. Also, it's what I had in the freezer)

       1 large onion chopped

       8 cloves garlic minced

        2 cups chicken broth 

        4 cups water

       5 good sized, unpeeled red potatoes,  cubed

      1 tsp. Italian seasoning

       1 cup heavy cream

     1 small bunch of kale chopped ( Black kale is traditional but I just had a half bag of ordinary kale so I added in some frozen spinach. Collards would work too.)

·        Salt and pepper to taste

Here's How 

Cut the bacon into small pieces and add it to the pot. Cook briefly over medium-high heat till it begins to brown.

Remove the sausages from their casings. (This is most easily done if the sausages are partly frozen. Make a long slit down the length of the sausage and peel off the casing.) Then cut or break the meat into bite-size pieces and add to the soup pot.

Chop up the onion and the garlic. When the bacon and sausage are browned, add garlic and onion to the pot. Cook 3 or 4 minutes.

Now add the chicken broth, water, Italian seasoning, and potatoes. Bring the soup to a boil than reduce to a simmer.

Cook 15 minutes or till potatoes are soft.

Finally, add the kale, the cream, and salt and pepper to taste (very little is needed) and cook another ten minutes till kale is well wilted.

A little red wine, some crusty bread, and a salad make this a feast for a cold rainy night.

 

No Words

 

Good Reading from Western North Carolina

 

It's always nice to make a list of this sort-- especially when there are so many authors I admire--Ron Rash, Annette Saunook Clapsaddle,, and Leah Hampton, to mention just the first three on the list.

But what was really fun was to find myself sharing space with Renaea Winchester--a fine novelist I also admire and who was in my just-completed class where she was working on her second novel. 

Renea's Outbound Train features  strong women--a mother and daughter struggling with poverty (and the past) in 1970's western North Carolina. Renea's ties to the area (Bryson City) are obvious as she creates sympathetic and believable characters that will keep you turning the pages. 

For the full article and more recommendations, go HERE.

Decking Those Halls

Cutting evergreens to spread around inside and out. . .

And trying to remember what I once knew about making wreaths.

I think the kindest adjective for my two attempts would be exuberant.

 

The Magic of Christmas

 

A Deep Sigh of Relief

I was all set to write about the outrageous attempt perpetrated by Texas and a large number of Republican congresspersons to nullify votes in several states that went for Biden, but, praise be, the Supreme Court refused to hear the case. Between that and the promise of a Covid vaccine soon, I feel like we're getting our holiday gifts a little early. And none too soon in this dark time.

It's not over though while the factually challenged walk/drive among us and lunatics like Rush Limbaugh suggest that civil war might be imminent.  Even after Biden and Harris are sworn in, the previous Occupant will continue to foment unrest (and raise money) in any way he can. 

Still, it will be pleasant to have a decent human being in the Oval Office.

 

Writers Write

Last night was the 15th  and final meeting of my creative prose writing workshop. Six talented writers and thoughtful givers of critique--and I feel like I got to know them well despite the virtual format. I certainly admire them all and expect to see their work find publication eventually.

We used last night's class to talk about the realities of publication--interesting since one of our group has several non-fiction works to his credit, and another has a novel as well as non-fiction works. It was a good way to get different takes on the writing process, the realities of publication, and the increasing necessity of self-promotion. 

Publishing has undergone many changes since my first book came out in 2005. And the pandemic has changed things even more--very few in-person events, much more emphasis on podcasts, social media, and videos. . . and publishers ever more hesitant to take a chance on unknown writers.

But bless our hearts, writers just gotta write. 

And I'll be leading another 15 week critique group for creative prose, beginning in January.  There are still a few spaces open. For info, go HERE.

 

Funky Christmas--from the archives

 

A Work in Progress

Like this amaryllis, my Christmas preparations are underway. Packages mailed, overseas cards ditto, lights strung, Christmas doodads and pictures and quilts in place.  The tree and festive greenery are yet to come. And I have cards to write--more important than ever this year-- and presents to wrap . . .

Keeping to the traditions in hopes that next year will see a return to our usual Christmas revels.