Writing is like being able to put life into a snow globe. It takes the things that are too big and scary and reduces them into a form that I can put away when I want and look at from a distance. It also takes all that’s good in life and captures it into something I can take out when I want and look at close up and keep forever. It makes the bad things into something I can hold…and the good things into something I can hold onto. Both help so much that I need that little souvenir of life.

Monday, December 24, 2012

Signing and Christmas and Stuff


I know—I’ve been remiss in my blogging, much too bogged to blog. I must nonetheless report that the “Chicken Soup for the Soul, Canned Soup for the Body” book signing was wonderful, and we even got to meet the elusive Val Thevictorian along with some male members of the Thevictorian family.

We collected lots of food for charity and sold an average of 4 books each. Many, many thanks to our friends and family who came out to support us, not to mention to my dear and talented writer friend Theresa Sanders, for doing the work of setting it all up. She begins the preparations at least six months beforehand and did even more work this year to add the extra bookstores.

The above is video footage accidentally shot by my friend Jeffry. None of us knew the camera was on “movie” setting. I thought Jeffry was just one of those people who make you wait forever before he snaps the picture.

Shown left to right are Nina Miller, Theresa Sanders, Dennis Tidwell (co-owner of All on the Same Page bookstore), me, and Patt Hollinger Pickett. 

Friends, family, chocolate, books, laughter…does it get any better?

Which brings me to Christmas, and:

Ten Wonderful Themes of Christmas, No Matter What Your Religion
  1. Give.
  2. Celebrate babies.
  3. Let there be chocolate.
  4. Spend time with family.
  5. Spend time with friends.
  6. Embrace traditions, because we never outgrow them.
  7. Make children feel special.
  8. Create magic. Believe in magic. Be magical.
  9. Decorate. Sing. Get in touch with your spiritual side. One of life’s many paradoxes is that the greatest of people are the ones who know they are not the greatest thing out there.
  10. I am now going to reveal what I find is the greatest miracle of Christianity. It’s the miracle that for over 2000 years, so many people worship, as the greatest king who ever lived, a man who was born in a barn. A poor “nobody” who taught that the most valuable riches are found within. Now that’s something.

May Christmas find you with exactly what you value most in life. May it be light in darkness and comfort in need. May it raise humanity to new heights and cause your soul to sing with angels.

"Better joy in a cottage than sorrow in a palace..."    ~ Proverbs

6 comments:

  1. Merry Christmas! Wishing you a stocking full of blue pens. So you don't have to flinch when I meet you and off-handedly inquire as to whether you carry a supply of them in your purse. And snatch the purse out of my reach.

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  2. I was afraid you'd think I have Expo dry erase markers in there. Because I don't! Those rumors are false! Merry Christmas to you and those other Thevictorians!

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  3. I just had to watch the video twice, Tammy, and I must tell you your Christmas list is beautiful and wonderful.
    Wishing you and yours happiness for the holiday season and the coming year.
    K

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  4. The book signing was great fun. Here's hoping that 2013 brings even more. Merry Christmas!

    Pat
    Critter Alley

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  5. Chocolate makes everything better.

    I hope you're having a wonderful holiday, and thanks again to you and Theresa. You two made the day run smoothly...

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  6. I enjoyed your video and your "list", Tammy. Great advice, I think that I will print it off ... those are things that we can do all year long.

    Hope that you have a great new year!

    Hugs,

    Kathy M.

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