New Year's Eve 2020

Yet another New Year's party I was not invited to.

2020 was not a good year. For anyone.

Here's to hoping 2021 will be better--for all of us.

Holidaze 12/30/20

More yumminess from Dollar Tree.

Holidaze 12/29/20

Yumminess from Dollar Tree.

Christmas 2020

Like the hat says...Merry Christmas, everybody.

Holidaze 12/24/20

There have been many, many versions of Charles Dickens' classic novella comitted to screen and cinema, from Reginald Owen to Alistair Sim to Mr. Magoo to a singing, dancing Albert Finney to a singing, dancing Kelsey Grammar. (Yes, the mind, it boggles.)

But my second favorite (right after Alistair Sim's version from 1951) is the made-for-TV endeavor from 1984 with George C. Scott as a big ol' bear of a Scrooge. His reluctance in the face of the teachings of the spirits, and his ultimate conversion to their point of view, has stood as one of the great moments in Christmas cinema, big screen or small.

For years, I enjoyed the hardcover edition of A Christmas Carol released in conjunction with the Scott TV movie. Not only did it contain the full text of the novel, but it also included holiday traditions and recipes from the Victorian era meant to make the season that much more bright.

Of course, I lost that edition of the book when I had to move out of La Casa del Terror in 2016. So much of personal importance was lost that day. So much had to be left behind.

But some items can be--and have been--replaced.

Granted, this edition of A Christmas Carol won't arrive in time for the holiday itself--I ordered it late, and the Postal Service isn't running at peak efficiency these days, mostly because of the pandemic--but it will arrive before the New Year begins.

Close enough for me.

Holidaze 12/23/20

Holidaze 12/22/20

Holidaze 12/21/20

Holidaze 12/19/20

Holidaze 12/18/20

Holidaze 12/17/20

Holidaze 12/16/20

Atop the converter box at La Casa de Mama.

Holidaze 12/15/20

One of several Holidaze decorations at the job.

Holidaze 12/14/20

An oldie, but a goodie: Angelique, atop the living room lamp at La Casa del Terror.

Every Picture Tells a Story 12/12/20

Granted, this photo is from seven years ago--oh, all the things that have happened since then!--but it's still a fair approximation of how I look today.

Holidaze 12/11/20

Holidaze 12/10/20

NOMNOMNOMNOM

Holidaze 12/9/20

Holidaze 12/8/20

If you know the name William Dean Howells at all, it's likely from one of his novels like The Rise of Silas Lapham, which I'm pretty sure I had to read in college, though I have no recollection of its storyline or contents.

Christmas Every Day is more of an extended short story than a full-blown novel or even a novella, and its title pretty much tells the tale: It's the story of a child who wants it to be Christmas every day. Complications--if not outright hijinks--are sure to ensue.

This book won't take me long to read; it's only 48 pages long, and part of that count is taken up by an introduction by Richard Paul Evans, author of The Christmas Box, which was inspired by the slender volume I hold in my hand (metephorically speaking--I can't very well type with a book in my hand, now can I?).

It's yet another festive holiday find from Village Discount Outlet. (Why yes, I go there quite often--why do you ask?)

Holidaze 12/7/20

"The Cinnamon Bear" was a radio show that originally ran on a daily basis from Friday, November 26, 1937 to Christmas Day of that year. It told the story of Paddy O'Cinnamon, who helps youngsters Judy and Jimmy in their search for the Silver Star that's supposed to be atop their tree, but has been spirited away to the enchanted world of Maybeland. There, they encounter friends who try to help them on their quest and foes who try to stop them--so, y'know, typical quest.

I found this boxed set at (where else?) Village Discount Outlet, where it cost me the price of one CD--not a bad deal, really, for a month's worth of holiday entertainment.

Holidaze 12/4/20

I found this compilation of Dr. Seuss books Recently at Village Discount Outlet (where, obviously, I can find ANYTHING). It includes six of his most popular titles--including, of course, How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

It's somewhat shocking, after having been exposed to the Chuck Jones animated special (with Boris Karloff as the voice of the Grinch), the live-action abomination with Jim Carrey, and the more recent animated feature with Benedict Cumberbatch providing the Grinch's vocals, how relatively brief Dr. Seuss's original book is--you can read it in about 10 minutes.

But oh, what a ten minutes those are.

Holidaze 12/3/20

See this white chocolate Sam the Snowman from "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"? I found him at Dollar Tree. How long do you think he lasted? If you guessed "minutes," you'd be right.

Holidaze 12/2/20

In 1990, graphic artist Michael Ploog, best known for his work at Marvel Comics on titles like Werewolf by Night, Monster of Frankenstein and Ghost Rider, adapted a story written by L. Frank Baum, widely acclaimed for his Oz stories.

Here, though, Baum tackles a much more broadly known character: Santa Claus.

The story is much different than what you may think you know about Ol' St. Nick. There's action. Adventure. Romance. Even death. But it all ends up where you'd expect it to: With a large man with a white beard in a red suit.

It's an exciting, refreshing read--highly recommended, if you can track down a copy. (Mine came from eBay. Your mileage may vary.)

Holidaze 12/1/20