The Longest Night
It’s the solstice – so here’s a poem. Light a candle, bring your loved ones close, and hold fast against the longest night.
Peace & love, Book Barmy
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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, reveling.
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.
Susan Cooper
Courtesy of Stephanie HERE
and then there’s this…
Another favorite is THIS Christmas Ad from 2013.
Happy jingle bells — indeed.
Christmas Ads
Years ago, back when the dinosaurs still roamed the earth, I was fortunate to work in advertising. I still hold a special fondness for any really good advertising – but especially Christmas ads. It’s when advertisers and their agencies pull out all the stops to either make us laugh or tug at our heartstrings.
Here’s a few of my favorites for 2016 …
So take a break from your Christmas shopping, get yourself a warm drink, perhaps a cookie (or as in the British ads below – a nice mince pie) — and be sure to have the tissues handy…
Several of these are British ads and if you find the accents difficult to understand, click on the CC (in lower right of video) to get subtitles…
Knitting, not reading.
I know you’ve been asking yourselves, what’s going on, where are the book reviews? Isn’t this crazy little blog called Book Barmy? Emphasis on book, if you please. What the heck is going on?
Well my friends, I am deeply into my Christmas knitting projects. Within my circle of dear friends there are three little ones on my knitting list (ages two, one, and not quite born yet). I also have family in the frigid northeast who need, appreciate and wear out woolen hand knits.
And so, I am happily knitting away…
And while audio books are an option, I prefer to take advantage of my knitting obligations to persuade my husband to relinquish our television (and his Walking Dead shows ~~ shudder) to me and my knitting evenings — after all, dearest, Christmas is coming and I have to finish these knitted presents…Okay? Nighty night…
Thought I’d pass on a few of my screen time favorites.
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First, to tag on to my most recent POST – a very decent (s0 far) time travel show on a major network.
Timeless on NBC
A scientist, a soldier and a history professor travel back in time to critical historical events. They’ve go back through a rickety time machine, (okay I know, just go with it) to various key points in history, such as the Hindenburg and Lincoln’s assignation. And while they must not change the events of the past themselves, their mission is to find a rouge time machine traveler, who stole the more modern version of the time machine and is intent on dastardly time crimes. (I just love writing that phrase — “dastardly time crimes”).
It’s pure fun–the costumes and historical references are great…and while it’s not Masterpiece Theater, Timeless is very well scripted — and worthy escape television.
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The Crown on Netflix
This is a lavish, Netflix-original drama which chronicles the life of Queen Elizabeth II from the 1940s to modern times. I’m only a few episodes into the series which begins with an inside look at the early reign of the queen. It portrays, with great empathy, what this remarkable young woman had to take on when she ascended the throne at age 25 after the death of her father, King George VI. The costumes and scenery are jaw-dropping, and as an added bonus, John Lithgow plays Churchill. Mesmerizing TV for any Anglophile.
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Vera on PBS
Based on the novels by crime writer Ann Cleeves, these are a distinctly different sort of crime series.
Based in Yorkshire, DCI Vera Stanhope is obsessive about her work and driven by her own demons. She plods along in a constantly disheveled state, but has a calculating mind, and despite her prickly personality, she cares deeply about her work and comrades (she calls everyone “pet”).
Best to find Vera on-demand, so you can rewind to catch the accents -but after awhile you’ll get the hang of that unique Yorkshire accent, and well worth the effort.
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Graham Norton on BBC America
A British “chat” show hosted by the affable Graham Norton.
Mr. Norton, an Irish comedian, cultivates a relaxed atmosphere on his show, not just because guests are allowed to have a drink, but also because he interviews the guests all at once, on a couch. This creates a warm repartee that often is uncontrolled and extremely funny. Mr. Norton is attentive, witty, flattering without being insincere, and is genuinely interested in his guests. He also knows when to keep quiet and stays out of the way of some fascinating and hysterical dialogue. Even though sometimes the inside British references are lost on me, I find this the funniest talk show on television. Look for the clip with Bill Murry, Matt Damon and Hugh Bonneville on YouTube. (I can’t seem to link it here.)
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Anne of Green Gables on PBS
I haven’t watched this brand-new adaption, which just aired on Thanksgiving night.
The production is gorgeously filmed in Canada and features Martin Sheen as Matthew Cuthbert. I have it recorded and am looking forward to seeing it with a cup of tea and, yes my knitting.
If you missed it, do not despair, it is supposed to air again during the Christmas holidays.
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In the meantime, fear not, I’m still here and will do some sparse reading when I’m able. I know you’ll understand
Shameless Plug – The Big Book Sale
On a more cheery note today…
It’s that time of year again. The Friends of the San Francisco Public Library Big Book Sale. It began several days ago with unloading books and filling a large pier down at Fort Mason with over a half a million books & media.
Here’s a time lapse video of a previous sale’s set up. Watch with your sound turned on. That’s a lot of books.
If you live in the Bay Area, tonight is our Member Preview Sale & Reception – we open the doors to members for a sneak peek — complete with wine & food!
The sale opens to the public tomorrow and goes until Sunday, 10 AM – 6 PM each day. All items are only $3 and under.
It’s not too late to attend tonight’s preview – you can become a member of The Friends of the San Francisco Public Library at our Will Call table beginning at 2 PM.
More information HERE
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