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Holidays

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Re-Encountering Ebenezer: A Holiday Read

This time of year, I always try to read a work by Charles Dickens. I associate his Victorian novels with chilly days and early nights. Recently, I reread A Christmas Carol, one of the more beloved and adapted pieces of English literature.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing my readers a wonderful Thanksgiving. I hope that you’ll be sharing a delicious meal with friends and family. On “Black Friday,” forgo the shopping. Continue to partake in the simple joys of hearth and home. Spend a day on the elements of life truly deserving thanks.

GT Original Cover

A Halloween Classic

Every October, I celebrate the Halloween season by reading a collection or two of ghost stories. I fell in love with such tales during my childhood. Recently, I happened upon an excellent documentary on the author H. P. Lovecraft. In this film, John Carpenter, famous for directing Halloween and other genre classics, recollected first encountering…

(Courtesy of New York Public Library)

Christopher Columbus & Washington Irving

The current historic interpretation and understanding of Christopher Columbus stands as complicated. To put it mildly. Controversy aside, Christopher Columbus figured prominently in the formation of a uniquely American cultural identity. This seems to be forgotten today amid our debates over identity politics and historical grievances. Proof: Washington Irving, the writer with whom I’ve been…

Happy Independence Day!

Happy Fourth of July!

Happy Easter!

Wishing you a happy and joyous Easter. May this season have left you with a sense of renewal.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Listen to a little Irish folk music. Read a piece of Irish literature. Snack on soda bread. Don’t hesitate to enjoy a Guinness or two.

(Courtesy of New York Public Library)

Happy Presidents’ Day

George Washington. Thomas Jefferson. Abraham Lincoln. Franklin Roosevelt. America has produced brilliant, bold, and inspiring leaders. These presidents shaped our nation, culture, and society. They guided the American public through harrowing events and called upon the best traits of our national character. Admittedly, they were not without their faults and failings. But, who isn’t? 

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all my friends and readers. Whether you’re recovering from too much cheer, sharing the day with family and friends, or relaxing within your cozy home, appreciate the day. Look to 2018 as a new beginning. Make a goal or two for yourself. Who knows? You might achieve it.  

Merry Christmas!

Wishing all my readers a merry Christmas. Enjoy the music, food, and good cheer of the season. Share a meal with a family member, friend, neighbor, or even a stranger. Make the most of the day. Keep its feeling alive in your heart.