Remembering Christmas, Book review

Book description:

Rick Denton lives his life on his terms. He works hard, plays hard, and answers to no one. So when his mother calls begging him to come home after his stepfather has an aneurysm, Rick is more than a little reluctant. 

What was supposed to be just a couple days helping out at the family bookstore turns into weeks of cashing out old ladies and dealing with the homeless guy who keeps hanging around the store. The one bright spot is the lovely and intriguing young woman who works at his side each day. 

As Christmas nears, Rick's old life beckons, the hurts from his past loom large, and the decisions he makes will determine more than just where he spends Christmas Eve.  

My review:

I almost did not see this book on our local library shelves...But one glance and the cover just called to me!

You could almost step in the photo and Dan Walsh's writing always promises a good tale!

'Remembering Christmas' is the warm story of one man's change of heart and the lives he touches along the way!

Dan Walsh gives us a delightful tale of forgiveness and love set in the 1980's in this classic and you will love to discover each character's personality! This is after all Christmastime Folks and anything is possible!

'The old wooden bench was still there, sagging a bit in the middle. Rick felt like standing anyway. He leaned against the rail. A gentle breeze blew against his face, with just enough chill to feel refreshing. It was so peaceful and calm. Tiny river waves slapped against the wooden pilings. Across the river, the black silhouette of hundreds of palm trees rose up to meet the deep blue sky. The dock was, perhaps, a mile north of all the mansions that lined both sides of the river leading back into town. Rick was glad the town progress had slowed in his absence, leaving this place alone. He needed this place to be here. Just as it was.'

Set in a basement bookstore, the amazing kindness of two loving people, the quaint but very faithful customers, the helpless homeless hanging around, a loving but struggling Mum and her little girl and a very successful man are some of the protagonists in this unforgettable story just in time for Christmas!

The author uses careful details to remind us of times gone by and you might chuckle (groan maybe?) a time or two at the mention of a gallon of gas for i.e.!

This is a story that radiates warmth and reminds us that kindness is the reason for this season!

With a few strokes of a pen (keypad) Dan Walsh reaches out to everyone and I am certain you will have a hard time to put this book down!

I give this one 5 stars of course!

Meet the author:

"Several of my novels are considered historical fiction. When I was young, I used to hate history. Years later, I discovered some non-fiction history books that read like page-turning novels. They made history come alive.
Reading became a joy.

That's my goal now, whether I'm writing historical or contemporary novels. I hope my readers get inspired
and thoroughly enjoy themselves, while we also explore some of the themes in life that matter most'.

For more on Dan Walsh, visit his website: http://danwalshbooks.com/
.
Note to readers: I was not asked to review this book and any opinion reflected is entirely my own!

Today is Winter Solstice...

Today many celebrate Solstice or 'Sun stands still'. This astronomical event coincides with the Holidays and is celebrated by many different cultures deeply rooted in ancient religions! The seasonal milestone marks the rebirth of sunlight after the darkest period of the yearly calendar.

For us here in the Pacific Northwest coastal region or the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice occurs in Decembre when the tilting of the Earth makes the Sun appear to be furthest to the south and furthest away. In the Southern Hemisphere as in Australia, both the seasons and solstices are reversed.

In Celtic lands winters are harsh and Winter Solstice was celebrated by all in Ancient times. The growing season was over,  the cold weather would last many months until the next planting....Fires would be lit and burned throughout the long nights...

Perhaps we should all pray today...

The food is put away for the winter, the crops are set aside to feed us, the cattle are come down from their fields, and the sheep are in from the pasture. The land is cold, the sea is stormy, the sky is gray. The nights are dark, but we have our family, kin and clan around the hearth, staying warm in the midst of darkness, our spirit and love a flame a beacon burning brightly in the night. 

Thank you God!

 Blessings to all,

Chimney sweep and Christmas tradition...

Did you know there are several legends about Chimney sweeps? A Chimney Sweep is said to be "The" harbinger of good luck. 

One legend has it's origins in old England, where King George was riding horseback in a royal procession. A dog ran from the crowd, barking and nipping at the King's horse. The horse reared, and to the horror of the crowd, almost threw the King! A lone figure, shabbily dressed and filthy, stepped into the road. He caught the horse's halter and calmed the animal.

As quickly as he appeared, the man faded back into crowd. The King, wishing to reward the man, asked his name. No-one knew the man's name, but many told the King that he was just a Chimney Sweep. The King declared that from that day that Chimney Sweeps should be regarded as Lucky! 

To this day we hang in our tree at Chrismastime a Chimney Sweep figure...Just one of our many traditions!

How about you? Do you have a special tradition?

Enjoy this blessed Season!

For Anyone Who Has Not Seen This Yet... Christmas Story, DVD Review

This being the Christmas Season we have a rule in our household: all movies selected for viewing must be about the Holidays! Thus we take turns to select one or more of our favourites such as 'A Christmas Carol', 'Joyeux Noel', 'The Christmas Card', 'The Forgotten Carols', etc...

Winter will soon be here and the days are getting much shorter and the nights are long...hence we like to get together around the table for something warm to eat and once the dishwasher is loaded, we settle down for a movie...This year (would you believe this is our first time?) we discovered 'It's A Wonderful Life', an amazing story sure to be become one of our favourites and then....'Christmas Story' or how Santa became Santa!

Here is the actual description of the DVD contents:

This Christmas, a great secret will be revealed. Have you ever wonder how Santa Claus came to be Santa?
A long time ago, the world's greatest story was born when a young boy named Nikolas took on a mysterious
mission and created a legend that would be carried on from generation to generation. This magical and
heartwarming tale of how the gift giving tradition was created will bring holiday joy to the entire family!

My review:

'Joulutarina' or 'Christmas Story' is a Finnish movie of how Santa...became Santa! 

Filmed against the stark but beautiful landscape of Lapland this is the long ago story of a young Finn named Nicholas whom a village adopts after he becomes an orphan. 

Each family in the fishing village commits to open their home to Nicholas for one year...Years are going by, Nicholas is growing and shares their lives, always helping by day, and carving small toys at nights with his father's knife...When Christmas comes, he leaves these wooden carvings outside of children homes...

Six years are going by and Nicholas must find a new home...

If you have not seen this beautiful movie, please take a moment and check your local library or another venue! It is 76 minutes short, perfect for little viewers!

A magical tale of this Santa we each still believe in no matter our age!

I give this one 5 stars!

Christmas Story or the joy of giving! A must see for anyone who still believes in Santa! (Me, me, me!)

Note to readers: I was not asked to review this DVD and all comments reflects entirely my own opinion!

Blessings to all,

The Christmas Season , What Better Time For ATouch Of Kindness...

 Old man beneath a lamp post stood

ragged collar turned against the wind

yesterday’s news tucked between feet and snow

at least the news now served some good

people by the old man passed

too in a hurry to notice him

so much to do so little time

for Christmas Eve had come at last

but still the old man stood and waited

frayed hat across his eyes

as soft snow began to fall

but still no one stopped to see at all

at the old man’s feet a metal cup

waiting for a kindness coin

a soul might notice the old tin cup

So at last the man might sup

but still the hours slowly passed

and did the hurried feet of strangers

but no one yet had paid him notice

until a a small boy stopped at last

and to the old man he did say

into your cup I have no pay

but would you like my chocolate hot

to warm you here as you must stay

at that the old man lifted gaze

pulling hat back from his face

and to the boy did show true self

revealing wounds in hands and feet

and to the boy he did speak

tonight my son God saw your act

in kindness to one you did not know

not thinking heaven’s gate you seek

and you and I will meet again

in a blink of times quick eye

for it was  you who saw me wait

here by the lamp post and the gate

(Poem by Dan Sanders)

I came across this poem and just loved it!

There is no better time to share a touch of kindness than the Christmas Season... 

Blessings to all,

This Being The Fourth Sunday Of Advent....

At midnight Liturgy this Christmas eve, we will hear the angels say to the shepherds:

"Do not be afraid; for behold, 
  I proclaim to you good news of great joy
  that will be for all the people."

PEACE...

All of us, at one time or another, have felt heart-sick about the war in the Middle East.  Apart from all the politics, we know that war is a failure of peace.  No matter how evil the enemy, or how critically necessary it might be to remove him, war is simply tragic and results in the death of thousands of innocent people, and scars thousands more - if not all of us in some way.

Part of our Advent longing should be to grow in our desire for peace - hunger and thirst for it!

Let's let a desire for the Good News of Christmas grow in our hearts each day now.  Let's feel the pain of "hostility" and fear and anxiety of all those who are in the middle of the terror of war - civilians, soldiers, and all of us.  And as we feel this tremendous longing and hope, let's turn to God and ask for peace in our own hearts.  In these precious days of preparation, we can all be peace-makers at home, with our friends and relatives, in our parishes and faith communities and where we work.

Two thousand years ago the angels announced to the shepherds:

"Glory to God in the highest 
  and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." 

Let us all continue to pray for peace in our world.  Let's pray that hearts might be transformed, to find the path of peace together.  But, as we pray, let's let peace have a chance in our own hearts, in our own world, close at home.  The peace-making begins with God's work in us.  This is truly Advent longing.

 Let there be Peace on Earth,
and let it begin with us!

 "Taken from Praying Advent, on Creighton University's Online Ministries web site:
http://www.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html.
Used with permission."

One Hundred And One Nights, Book review

Book description:

After 13 years in America, Abu Saheeh has returned to his native Iraq, a nation transformed by the American military presence. Alone in a new city, he has exactly what he wants: freedom from his past. Then he meets Layla, a whimsical fourteen-year-old girl who enchants him with her love of American pop culture. Enchanted by Layla's stories and her company, Abu Saheeh settles into the city's rhythm and begins rebuilding his life. But two sudden developments--his alliance with a powerful merchant and his employment of a hot-headed young assistant--reawaken painful memories, and not even Layla may be able to save Abu Saheeh from careening out of control and endangering all around them.

A breathtaking tale of friendship, love, and betrayal, One Hundred and One Nights is an unforgettable novel about the struggle for salvation and the power of family.

My review:

I stand in awe for this story is not only hauntingly a part of actuality in Iraq, but as written by a Westerner, it is breathtaking! 

For his very first novel Benjamin Buchholtz introduces readers to a foreign world we have very little knowledge of yet he seduces us with tales of love, friendship and betrayals leaving us to find out more about Iraq.  Families have seen their loved ones departing to serve numerous missions in this country which was once called after all 'The Garden Of Eden' a country with many secrets!

As we welcome back many servicemen and women who have served in Iraq it is fitting we are given an idea of what life is truly like for its citizens, then and now, and the author excels in his descriptions!

Benjamin Buchholtz' approach is to introduce us to a man who is seemingly rebuilding his life in a country unlike the one he grew up in. The present for Abu Saheeh is like a mirage...There are flashbacks which helps us to understand what Iraq once was, what has been lost after years of war and its subsequent ravages. It is a window of opportunity in discovering the other side...and his use of the present tense makes it even more vivid!

The continuity described in the beginning of each chapter tells us something of the human stamina in surviving  oppressed regimes and invasions of one's country. It is survival of the fittest and we have seen enough photos to let us imagine if only for a moment what it does to man, woman and child.

Imagine for a moment the intricate invasion of sand following a storm...It infiltrates everything and leaves a sticky gritty residue. The Muslim world the author so well described is thoroughly unknown to us yet it intrigues and leaves us wondering...What life could we rebuild for ourselves shadowed by foreign powers with the limited resources allowed? What damages are hidden below the surface for so many and should it surface, which form will it take?

 (Photo taken in Safwan by B.Buchholtz)

This is not an easy book to read but I will highly recommend it! One Hundred and One Nights is told from a perspective other than the American point of view yet we soon discover Abu Saheeh has lived in America for thirteen years and the past, his past is haunting him! 

I will add a caution as this is after all a story about the aftermath of war and as such should be labeled for 'mature readers'.

It is however a story which will stay with you, it holds so many emotions! 

About the author:

In 2005, U.S. soldier Benjamin Buchholtz deployed to Iraq as a civil affairs officer, a liaison to the local community in the border town of Safwan. His impression of that war-ravaged country is encapsulated in this "cathartic" debut novel.

After recently completing an additional assignment in Oman, Buchholz is currently working on a master's degree in Near Eastern studies at Princeton. He also writes a Middle East culture blog, Not Quite Right, and is drafting his second novel.

This story is worth every 5 stars I have given it and I am looking forward to read Benjamin Buchholtz next novel (Taxi to Queen Alia) a tale revolving around the assassination of an American diplomat and his wife outside the US Embassy in Amman, Jordan leaving two children seat belted into the backseat of a taxi whilst their parents are killed. The taxi driver panics, flees the scene and we are to discover how two American children survives in a foreign culture.

I received this book free from HACHETTE BOOK GROUP as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.