Category: Christmas

Wednesday (I look like an elf) Musings

This morning I put on navy slacks, a green turtleneck, and my favorite green shoes. As I was leaving the house, I grabbed a red shrug to bring to school in case I was cold. Only now do I realize that I look like an elf.

Oh well.
___________________________________________________________________

I bought this as a “good job you finished your thesis” present to myself. I think it’s lovely.

I found the seller on etsy.com, which is an awesome crafty website. If you love one of a kind handmade items, you need to check out this site. It is fantastic.
__________________________________________________________________

A little while back my daughter told me the following depressing joke:
Woman: What do you do?
Man: Me? Oh, I write books.
Woman: How interesting! Have you sold anything recently?
Man: Why, yes. My couch, my car and my flat-screen television.

Saturday (Snow!) Musings

It is snowing! I know that in January the novelty of this will wear off when I’ve cleaned my car off for the 100th time but for right now it puts me in the holiday spirit. Living in Indiana makes me a lot less annoyed with snow than when I was in Pennsylvania. There is no lake effect here and if we do get a lot of snow, it’s more of a treat.
_____________________________________________________________________

The Nutcracker was lovely. They put on an excellent production and because I love the mushrooms from Fantasia so much, I’ve posted a link below. Is it wrong that I giggle helplessly when I watch this?

Here it is.

___________________________________________________________________
As my sister put it, “Aw! Le petit arbe de noel!”

Below are three photos chronicling Kweli’s introduction to my “Jammin Snowman.” As you can see, he isn’t very sure of the whole situation.

Friday (Nutcracker) Musings

My thesis went out this morning. Phew

In honor of the Christmas season (which I’m now giving my full attention) we’re off to see The Nutcracker this evening at Butler University. I have fond memories of this show. When I was younger, my parents took me to a show at the Bushnell Theater in Hartford. There was this snowflake backdrop that hung in front of the stage and it was enormous. It was also beautiful. It was set against a cobalt blue background. You could stare at that backdrop for hours.

I also associate The Nutcracker with Disney’s Fantasia. The dancing mushrooms are my favorite:

__________________________________________________________________

I’ve really enjoyed the Paris Review giveaway on the Elegant Variation this week. Although, the blogs author is probably correct when he says that we should all just go and buy the set anyway. I’ve read a few interviews from the Paris Review online, but I had forgotten how good they were. At any rate, I probably will end up purchasing them. I mean really, buying books? Who am I kidding?
___________________________________________________________________

OK, so the Proposition 8 Musical has been out in the universe for awhile now, but I was in thesis land, so now that I’m back among the living, satiric, and ironic masses…love it!
___________________________________________________________________

Wednesday (Final Edits!) Musings

Before I begin working on my final edits for my thesis (yay!) I’m going to fill out this survey found on one of the blogs I read regularly. I have not filled one of these out since my days as an undergrad, but I like this one, so here goes:

  • My uncle once: fell off a roof when he was drunk.
  • Never in my life: will I wear a fur coat.
  • When I was five: cut my face open with a Bic razor trying to shave like my dad.
  • High school was: annoying and enjoyable at the same time.
  • I will never forget: the time my current boyfriend drove down to Texas to break up with me, got his car towed, had to walk to a bar (in the rain) and get a ride from a bouncer to get his car out of impound. He gave me the receipt from the towing company when we got back together.
  • Once I met: Tom Ridge.
  • Once at a bar:copied graffiti from a bathroom stall for a poem.
  • By noon I’m usually: eating lunch or grading or writing poems.
  • Last night: I made baked talapia and spinach salad and watched Mystery Diagnosis.
  • If I only had: lots of free time..
  • What worries me most: is that all I do is in vain.
  • If I were a character in Shakespeare: I’d be dead or insane because I also identify with the tragedies.
  • I have a hard time understanding: cruelty of any kind.
  • You know I like you if: I talk to you about my poetry.
  • Take my advice, never: go looking for an apple orchard without directions.
  • My ideal breakfast is: breakfast casserole my mom makes at Christmas time and a mimosa.
  • If you visit my hometown, I suggest you: bring walking shoes and a taste for cheap alcohol.
  • Why won’t people: read more?
  • The world could do without:hate .
  • I’d rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: hurt an animal (any animal).
  • My favorite blonds are: my dad.
  • If I do anything well, it’s: be an emotional roller coaster.
  • And, by the way: I’m mailing my thesis out on Friday!

Added Note: The word on the street is that I’m getting a new camera for Christmas. Although the giver of said camera refuses to admit that’s my gift, so he keeps referring it to as a “bike.” Anyway. I’m really excited about my new “bike” and come the first of the year I’m going to post a new photo every week. Because I don’t have any just yet, I’m using this lovely picture of a hydrangea for a place holder.

Monday ( Blue Christmas) Musings

_____________________________________________________________________

Poem of the week from Poetry

Our Valley

We don’t see the ocean, not ever, but in July and August

when the worst heat seems to rise from the hard clay

of this valley, you could be walking through a fig orchard

when suddenly the wind cools for a moment

you get a whiff of salt, and in that moment you can almost

believe something is waiting beyond Pacheco Pass,

something missive, irrational, and so powerful even

the mountains that rise east of here have no word for it.

You probably think I’m nuts saying the mountains

have no word for ocean, but if you live here

you begin to believe they know everything.

They maintain that huge silence we think of as divine,

a silence that grows in autumn when the snow falls

slowly between the pines and the wind dies

to less than a whisper and you can barely catch

your breath because you’re thrilled and terrified.

You have to remember this isn’t your land.

It belongs to no one, like the sea you once lived beside

and thought was yours. Remember the small boats

that bobbed out as the waves rode in, and the men

who carved down to nothing. Now you say this home,

so go ahead, worship mountains as they dissolve into dust,

wait on the wind, catch a scent of salt, call it our life.

Phillip Levine

______________________________________________________________


Kate Daniels is going to be featured on Poetry Daily this Saturday.
_______________________________________________________________________

As the title to this post suggests, I heard Blue Christmas by Elvis this morning on my way to school. I love the holidays, don’t get me wrong, but it seems a little premature to be playing Christmas music already. Although, my sister sent me a picture message this morning showing at least six inches of snow at their house in Pennsylvania. Perhaps it’s closer than I think…