Beth Trissel's Blog, page 33

Ghostly, Gothic, Historical Romance ‘Traitor’s Curse’

I’m excited to announce my upcoming release, spine-tingling��historical romance novel Traitor’s Curse, book three in my Traitor’s Legacy Series, and the sequel to historical romance novel Traitor’s Legacy.

The series opens with award-winning historical romance novel, Enemy of the King, Unlike the first two novels, Traitor’s Curse is set shortly after the American Revolution, and has a ghostly, Gothic flavor. Although, come to think of it, a ghost also figures in Enemy of King. I can’t seem to keep��away from them. But Traitor’s Curse has a darker paranormal bent. Mystery and carefully researched history are strong elements in both Traitor’s Legacy and Traitor’s Curse. Enemy of the King abounds with adventure. And all three books pulse with the unpredictable and exhilarating scintillations��of the heart. And humor, I always incorporate touches of humor.

Blurb for Traitor’s Curse:

Halifax, North Carolina, 1783. Captain Stuart Monroe returns home from the Revolutionary War to find Thornton Hall threatened by a peacetime foe: debt. He knows the location of a treasure amassed to pay for the capture of Benedict Arnold that would restore his manor to its former glory. The catch, it’s hidden in the graveyard, and coveted by old enemies. Hettie Fairfax inherited the Sight from her Cherokee ancestors, and her otherworldly visitors warn her, and Stuart, away from the buried treasure. Half-dead from fever, she delivers a message: the treasure is cursed. But will he believe a girl half out of her mind with illness? Even when a very real enemy attempts to poison her? Stuart soon wants to marry Hettie, but she fears her “odd ways” will blemish his reputation. The spirits have their own agenda, however, and the battle against darkness tests everything the couple holds dear, including their love for each other.

Colonial American historical romance novel

Blurb for Traitor’s Legacy:

1781. On opposite sides of the War of Independence, British Captain Jacob Vaughan and Claire Monroe find themselves thrust together by chance and expediency.

Captain Vaughan comes to a stately North Carolina manor to catch a spy. Instead, he finds himself in bedlam: the head of the household is an old man ravaged by madness, the one sane male of the family is the very man he is hunting, and the household is overseen by his beguiling sister Claire.

Torn between duty, love, and allegiances, yearning desperately for peace, will Captain Vaughan and Claire Monroe forge a peace of their own against the vagaries of war and the betrayal of false friends?

Blurb for Enemy of the King:

1780, South Carolina: While Loyalist Meriwether Steele recovers from illness in the stately home of her beloved guardian, Jeremiah Jordan, she senses the haunting presence of his late wife. When she learns that Jeremiah is a Patriot spy and shoots Captain Vaughan, the British officer sent to arrest him, she is caught up on a wild ride into Carolina back country, pursued both by the impassioned captain and the vindictive ghost. Will she remain loyal to her king and Tory twin brother or risk a traitor���s death fighting for Jeremiah? If Captain Vaughan snatches her away, he won���t give her a choice.

All novels in the Traitor’s Legacy Series are published by The Wild Rose Press and available in print and eBook from their online bookstore, in kindle and print at Amazon, in Nook Book at Barnes & Noble and in eBook from all major online booksellers. Local bookstores can order the paperback in as can libraries. Release date for Traitor’s Curse TBD, but probably late summer.

Graphic Artist Debbie Taylor did the covers for Traitor’s Legacy and Traitor’s Curse. Rae Monet designed the cover for Enemy of the King.

Filed under: Gothic historical romance, gothic romance, Historical, Historical colonial American romance, Historical Romance, Historical romance novel, Uncategorized Tagged: Colonial America, ghostly romance, Gothic romance, Halifax, Historical Romance, mystery, New release, North Carolina, old plantation home, paranormal romance, The American Revolution

About ‘Plants For A Medieval Herb Garden in the British Isles’

With daughter Elise’s invaluable help, the print version of my herbal,��Plants For A Medieval Herb Garden��in the British Isles , is filled with images and available in print. The kindle version also has many pics. ***Note: A number of these herbs later made their way to America and are in use today. They’re not solely relegated to the Middle Ages. That’s just the main focus of the book.

From the Introduction:

The Middle Ages span a large chunk of time. In European history, the Medieval period lasted from the 5th to the 15th century and is subdivided into the Early, the High, and the Late Middle Ages. The plants grown in a Medieval herb or physic garden depended on time and place, as well as the avail��ability of the plants. The Crusades played a vital role in the introduction of new varieties. Some of the herbs we consider inherently English, notably, rosemary, sage, and thyme, were introduced to Britain with the return of the Crusaders (the 11th through the 13th century). Before the Crusades, fewer plants were available for an herb garden. Lavender, such a favorite, didn���t arrive on the scene in England before the mid-16th century.

Spices, so common today but rare then, also made their first appearance with the Crusaders. Among these were nutmeg, ginger, and peppercorns, only afforded by the wealthy. Medieval England was mad for these new taste sensations that added zest to their food and helped disguise spoiled meat. Nutmeg was touted as a cure for the plague. Ginger also made that claim, and peppercorns were worth their weight in gold. Wars were fought over spices, but back to the plants. Unless an individual lived in an isolated region and gleaned only native species, a Medieval physic garden would have had many varieties.

The herbs weren���t grown for their beauty alone, so much as for their healing properties. To the modern eye, they might appear rather weedy. Plants were peoples��� medicine kits, and aesthetics wasn���t the focus. These were not the opulent luxury gardens, but humble and earthy.

Not all of these herbs grow year round in winter, so root stock, cuttings, or seed would have been saved for the next season. Depending on what part of the plant was desired, the leaves, roots, bark, seeds, fruit, etc, determined whether they were used fresh or preserved. Methods of preparation include: waters (simple or distilled), infusions, decoctions, cordials, syrups, conserves, tinctures, oils��� ���Simples��� are the use of one herb, rather than a combination.

18th century botanist and apothecary Sir John Hill in his book, The Family Herbal, says, ���In general, leaves, flowers, and entire plants whether fresh or dried, are used in infusions; the roots and bark in decoctions.��� So decoctions are for the tougher materials. When fresh roots are used, he advises first cutting them into thin slices. Fresh bark should be shaved down to better prepare it. Grind dried roots into a coarse powder before using them in a decoction.

A decoction might be infused with nut oil, wine, vinegar, alcohol, or water and then dispensed by the spoonful or wineglassful in the proportions deemed appropriate. This was guesswork. Tinctures are concentrated and dispensed by drops. Only a skilled herbalist was able to more accurately judge how much was enough. In the case of potentially poisonous herbs, too much was lethal. And still is. Dosage is critical.

Herbs were dispensed singly or as a mixture. If an external dressing was needed, a poultice or compress might be applied. Herbal ointments were commonly made with lard. The wealthy might employ more exotic ingredients such as nut oil, wax, and resin. Medicinal baths were also used, or the patient breathed in the vapors of a steeping herb or the smoke from burning leaves. How the curative powers were delivered depended on the plant and the ailment or injury being treated.

I���ve compiled a list of many herbs, including some trees, that could have been grown in an English Medieval Herb Garden after the Crusades. These have been noted, also whether the plants were indige��nous, and, if not, when they arrived in England. Many would have been cultivated in other regions of the British Isles, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, depending on climate conditions and access to seeds.

Where possible, I noted that too, particularly Scotland. Medical properties and uses are given after each one. I���ve listed the plants in alphabetical order. Or tried. The complete plant index is at the end of this work. Some plants make appearances in reference to others because herbs are often used in combinations in medical applications. And, depending on the full name, they may not appear in the order you expect.

***Disclaimer: I am not advocating the medicinal use of these plants, only providing information about their age-old uses. Any applications are strictly up to you. Added cautions are provided for potentially poisonous herbs. Heed them.

***Amazon Link:��Plants For A Medieval Herb Garden in the British Isles

Filed under: herbal treatment, herbs, Uncategorized Tagged: herbal lore, herbal medicine, Herbs of the Middle Ages, medieval herb garden, physic garden, preparation of herbs, Scottish herbs, the British Isles

Choose Life — Support Small Family Farms

Years ago, after I’d first written��Shenandoah Watercolors, my nonfiction book about the joys and trials of life on our small dairy farm in the Shenandoah Valley, Mom showed the manuscript to a local historian. He said I’d beautifully captured a vanishing way of life and that this book must be published. His insistence, coupled with the term ‘vanishing way of life’, gained my attention. I knew it was hard for small farmers to hold on with mounting pressure from the broader dairy industry, unregulated imports, and the growth of mega farms, but I didn’t realize we faced extinction.

Irregardless of our fate, the consumer will always have dairy products, but are they of the quality you desire?

Have you heard of Milk Protein Concentrates, also called MPC’s? There’s scary stuff sneaking into food, we need to become aware of and speak out against.

(Cows in our meadow by daughter Elise Trissel)

From��Food and Water Watch:

“Unregulated imports of cheap milk protein concentrates are driving down the price of domestically produced milk and putting American dairy farmers out of business. And fewer American dairy farmers mean fewer choices for consumers, who are seeing increasing amounts of MPCs��� new, unregulated protein source��� in their food supply.

MPCs��� are created by putting milk through an ultra-filtration process that removes all of the liquid and all of smaller molecules including the minerals that the dairy industry touts as being essential for good nutrition.

What is left following the filtration is a dry substance that is very high in protein and used as an additive in products like processed cheese, frozen dairy desserts, crackers and energy bars. Because MPCs��� are generally produced as a dry powder, exporters can ship the product long-distances very cheaply, and almost all of the dry MPCs��� used in America are imported.”

Visit the above link for more on MPC’s, not inspected or subject to the quality standards demanded of American dairy farmers. Check your labels carefully.

(Harvesting rye in the valley by my mother, Pat Chuchman)

My question is, do you care where your milk and other food comes from? ��Are you concerned about the quality of what you’re feeding yourselves and your families? If so, then support your local farmers. We’re a dying breed.

Back to our farm which has been in the family for five generations. To try to preserve our way of life, we banded together with 20 other farmers in 2013 to form Shenandoah Family Farms Cooperative. Our goal: to purchase our own creamery and sell local natural milk and other dairy products from our farms to appreciative consumers. Nothing tastes as good, or is as good for you, as milk fresh from happy cows grazing in grassy meadows. We’re as picturesque and idyllic as the hobbits in the Shire.��But a growing shadow hangs over us.

(Our farm garden by daughter Elise Trissel)

Marketing our own dairy line was a great concept, and our products were very well received by the public. The work farm families poured into this venture is beyond description, No one could have tried harder to succeed than this group, but the creamery was too costly to run on our own. We failed to gain vital investors and co-packers. In mid-January 2015, after less than one year of actual production, Shenandoah Family Farms was forced to close. Our products are no longer offered. Instead of better helping our farm(s) to survive, we have further endangered ourselves. Our story is woeful, indeed. Barring a tidal wave of support, we’re not going to recover.

(Our farmer son and grandbabies by daughter Elise)

If you want to help the Trissel farm family and learn more of our lives, buy my book,��Shenandoah Watercolors, available in kindle and print with lovely pictures taken by my talented family. There’s also much in here of interest to gardeners, to anyone who loves the country and a more natural life style.

Our beautiful valley. For now. Some things are worth fighting for, some things worth saving. If this isn’t, I don’t know what is.

Image of the Shenandoah Valley in early spring by my mom.

***Disclaimer: I am speaking as an individual farm owner and NOT as the official spokesperson��for Shenandoah Family Farms Cooperative. .I am entitled to a voice. This is my post and mine alone.

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: country life, farm life, Gardening, local, Milk, MPC's. milk protein concentrates, Natural, preserving the small family farm, produce, sustainable agriculture, The Shenandoah Valley, what's in your food

Inspiration from the Inky Dinky Spider

If you’re among those who insist on referring to said spider as ‘Itsy Bitsy’, so be it. I was raised singing The Inky Dinky Spider. But back to the point. Given the number of posts I’ve done centered around inspiration, it’s likely not a surprise to hear I’m experiencing some challenging times. ��Being a spiritually minded individual, I’ve prayed hard. Last night, I told God if he had a sign for me, I was sorely in need, as I’d given up. This morning, I awoke singing, you guessed it, The Inky Dinky Spider. ��I have no idea why. It’s not a favorite of the grandbabies, and been years since I sang it with my kids. As I pondered this seeming Divine response, I gleaned the deep wisdom in these simple lyrics.

‘The inky dinky spider climbed up the water spout.

Down came the rain and washed the spider out.

Out came the sun and dried up all the rain

And the inky dinky spider climbed up the spout again.’ (In order for that last bit to rhyme, you must pronounce again with a British accent).

So, the message of the Inky Dinky is this: troubles come, but the sun returns and we try again. And again.

I’m also a big fan of the beautiful song, The Impossible Dream, but will save that for another day.

*I couldn’t find an image of a spider, but there are many in our garden. The big Charlotte’s Web writing spiders are especially evident. They’re in here somewhere.

Images of our garden by daughter Elise Trissel

Filed under: Adversity, inspiration, Uncategorized Tagged: Garden, Inky Dinky Spider, inspiration, perseverance, spring

���Not all those who wander are lost.��� ~ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

Some of us are finding our way. In need of inspiration? God knows I am. Sharing some quotes from the ever inspiring Lord of the Rings, the Fellowship of the Ring. I love the camaraderie, the loyalty, the sacrifice, and the profound truth.

���I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo.

“So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.���

And so I am pondering.

Very cute exchange below. One of my favorite ever.

Aragorn: “Gentlemen, we do not stop ’til nightfall.”

Pippin: “What about breakfast?”

Aragorn: “You’ve already had it.”

Pippin: “We’ve had one, yes. What about second breakfast?”

[Aragorn turns and walks off in disgust]

Merry:��“I don’t think he knows about second breakfast, Pip.”

Pippin: “What about elevenses? Luncheon? Afternoon tea? Dinner? Supper? He knows about them, doesn’t he?”

Merry: “I wouldn’t count on it.”~

Legolas: “Lembas!”��[nibbles a corner]��“One small bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man!”

Merry: [to Pippin] “How many did you eat?”

Pippin: “Four.”~

Aragorn: “I do not know what strength is in my blood, but I swear to you I will not let the White City fall, nor our people fail.”

Boromir: “Our people, our people. I would have followed you, my brother… my captain… my king.”

Aragorn: “Be at peace, Son of Gondor.”~

���Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.���

��� J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

Frodo: “Go back, Sam. I’m going to Mordor alone.”

Sam: “Of course you are. And I’m coming with you.”~

Pippin: “Are we lost?”

Merry: “No.”

Pippin: “I think we are.”

Merry: “Shh. Gandalf’s thinkin’.”

Pippin: “Merry?”

Merry: “What?”

Pippin: “I’m hungry.”~

Aragorn: “Are you frightened?”

Frodo: “Yes.”

Aragorn: “Not nearly frightened enough. I know what hunts you.”~

���Deserves it! I daresay he does. Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends.��� ~Gandalf to Frodo

���I give you the light of E��rendil, our most beloved star. May it be a light to you in dark places, when all other lights go out.��� ~Galadriel to Frodo

���Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger.���

��� J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

Arwen: Do you remember when we first met?

Aragorn: I thought I had wandered into a dream.

Arwen: Long years have passed. You did not have the cares you carry now. Do you remember what I told you?

Aragorn: You said you’d bind yourself to me, forsaking the immortal life of your people.

Arwen: And to that I hold. I would rather share one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone.��[hands him her pendant]

Arwen: I choose a mortal life.

Aragorn: You cannot give me this.

Arwen: It is mine to give to whom I will. Like my heart.~

(Arwen and Aragorn)

���But it does not seem that I can trust anyone,’ said Frodo.

Sam looked at him unhappily. ‘It all depends on what you want,’ put in Merry. ‘You can trust us to stick with you through thick and thin–to the bitter end. And you can trust us to keep any secret of yours–closer than you keep it yourself. But you cannot trust us to let you face trouble alone, and go off without a word. We are your friends, Frodo.���

��� J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

���Yes, I am here. And you are lucky to be here too after all the absurd things you’ve done since you left home.���

��� J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

Filed under: courage, friendship, humor, loyalty Tagged: inspiration, J.R.R. Tolkie, quotes, The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings

Is It Still January?

A most uninspiring month. So I’ve combed through wintry quotes and nah–let’s think spring. Time to peruse my burgeoning stack of seed/plant catalogs and ponder what to plant where, after sorting through the seed saved from last year–of course. Many heirloom varieties reseed themselves outside with no help from me, but a number get their start in my little greenhouse. It’s a happy place, but chilly, as it depends solely on the sun for warmth. I can plug in a space heater, rather costly to run, so don’t much. Built against a hill on the side of the barn near the dairy, the greenhouse is barricaded��from bitter northeast winds. That leaves wicked westerly blows and general chilliness.

When the temperature consistently hovers above 20 or so at night, I’ll get out in the heating mats that go beneath the pots. Some are improvised from yogurt/cottage cheese containers filled with Pro-Mix, my favorite soiless potting medium, and my chosen seeds. Bottom heat aids germination in such a cool greenhouse. I also start tuberous begonias and other bulbs. Most anything that appeals to me. The hardy seeds are planted first.

(Pics of seeds and me in the greenhouse from last season taken by daughter Elise. She and the grandbabies are my garden assistants. She’s the biggest help by far, but some of the little people try hard.)

Years ago, hubby dug back into an unused concrete receptacle that once contained cow manure, located in the bank the greenhouse is built against. His goal: to create a dark root cellar. Turns out the sides and ceiling leak, so we have what we term ‘the grouch pond’ after Oscar the Grouch of Sesame Street fame. The kids thought the unintended pond would appeal to him. Oscar likes broccoli and liver flavored ice cream and lives in a garbage can, so why not? I’ve tried gold-fish in the grouch pond, and the occasional frog hops up from the large farm pond in the meadow, and I’ve added water plants. Some of the plants survived. It needs new fish.

We’ve started vegetable gardens around the greenhouse in the last few years and found tomatoes and pumpkins thrive there. Some vigorous vines trail up over the greenhouse and the bank. Orange globes appear in unlikely places, which is part of the fun for zealous pumpkin fans such as we. This year we shall have the best pumpkins, the loveliest, most fragrant herbs and flowers, the tastiest vegetables, and sweetest berries. EVER. Our own mini Eden.

I actually believe this and work toward accomplishing it every year. Amazing, really, how undaunted I am. My gardening triumphs keep me going, and the less than stellar results of my efforts fade into the background during the long winter months. Snowy blasts, icy rain, and endless mud combine to bury any discouraging recollections. All are��blotted out. Only the glory shines bright, beckoning me to strive once again for the best gardening season ever.

The many seed and plant companies I patronize count on this near religious fervor to keep me and countless other gardeners coming back with new orders each year. The worse the winter, the more orders I zap their way. Last year, I was so demented during the long winter, I sent off a LOT. In return, I received box after box from UPS deliveries in the spring. Where to tuck all this bounty in was a challenge. But now, I wonder, what if I seed the entire front yard in wild flowers? How glorious that would be. Sigh. Dream.

I have some vague memory of weeds and quack grass contending with whatever I plant, but in my mind’s eye I see only the wonder of it all.

(Images of Shirley Poppies and my grandbaby Chloe smelling flowers in the garden taken by Elise.)

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: children and gardens, Gardening, heirloom seeds, Herbs, seed starting, small family farm, small greenhouse, solar, vegetable garden

As every cat owner knows, nobody owns a cat. ~Ellen Perry Berkeley

But a number of kitties own me. The latest in my crazy cat lady menagerie are the devious duo, Peaches and Cream. They remind me of the pair of Siamese in the movie Lady and the Tramp. And, in fact, are part Siamese, particularly evident in Cream. (Peaches and Cream looking down from the top of the couch).

To make amends for his exasperating curiosity, Cream touches his nose to mine in greeting, then curls beside me on the armrest while I sit on the couch with my laptop. How does anyone write without cats?

If I lean back, Cream nuzzles my head and nibbles my hair, a sign of affection in cats. At least, it is if they nibble each other’s whiskers. I don’t have whiskers, so…hair. Cream purrs delightfully, and is a most soothing companion when he’s not rifling through my purse for peppermints–loves the crackly sound of the wrappers–or stealing my lip gloss, or anything else he can dislodge. He also raids cabinets. Drawers. Baskets.

Peaches is also curious, but less inexhaustible in his pursuit of naughtiness. He’s a particular friend to our tiny pom-poo Sadie, whether she likes it or not. He’s also a willing friend to most anyone. An exceedingly sweet kitty.

‘There are few things in life more heartwarming than to be welcomed by a cat.’ ~Tay Hohoff

The two kittens together manage more mischief together than one could ever achieve alone. They shut our eldest cat Minnie Mae in the shower. I tracked down the piteous meows and freed her while they milled outside the door claiming to know nothing about it.

Their exploits with the Christmas tree are legendary. They shook it like a stiff wind blowing through the living room. Even chewed the branches and they’re artificial. Crunch. Crunch. I’d look up to see them perched in the tree gnawing on boughs. Stolen ornaments were��batted gleefully about the house. We didn’t put breakables on it this year. And the Nativity scene remained safely stashed away, or wise men, camels, sheep and shepherds would’ve turned up in random places. Poor baby Jesus would have fallen victim to ‘the paws.’

The tree is down now. Peaches and Cream thoroughly enjoyed the undecorating process. Party time. They hid in the big bag we zipped the separate parts of the fake spruce in, but we found them before they got tucked away until next year. Nothing can replace the delights of the holidays, not even their stash of dingle balls, one of which they tore up. I didn’t know cats would rip the stuffing out of a ball like a dog, but they kept appearing with stuffing they were batting around. So I suspect they’re responsible for its demise, Only the dingle was left.

(The camera doesn’t do justice to Cream’s blue eyes)

Now, they’ve invented a new game that involves one kitten hiding under the braided rug before the kitchen door while the other pounces and they sail into the door. The slam sounds like someone entering, and I keep calling, ‘Hello? Dennis? Cory?” to my husband and son, or whomever I expect to discover within. Nope, it’s just two kittens going ‘Wheee!’ and leaping back and forth.

‘Everything’s a game to them,’ my granddaughter observed.

True, everything is, or should be.

There’s much to learn from kittens. Play more. Have fun. Enjoy life. ‘Wheee.’ And if you really want to have a blast, adopt a pair of these furbabies.

‘It is impossible to keep a straight face in the presence of one or more kittens.’ ~Cynthia E. Varnado

(Image of Peaches and Cream when they were tiny)

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: cat quotes, holidays with kittens, kitten adoption, kitten quotes, kitten rescue, kitten thoughts, kittens in the family, writing with cats

When the Wind Goes Out of Your Sails

Find a new jump off place. Launching from the same spot and crashing ‘is no even working,’ to quote from my then 3-year-old grandson, Colin. Fresh wind will give you lift and the perspective to explore new ground. Inspiration can come from the most unlikely places. If you never deter from the path, you don’t know what wonders may be hidden in the trees. Hold fast to your��faith. If you don’t have any, reach deep inside and find some. You’re gonna need every last bit.

An author once told me I’d need a second and third skin to be a writer. I was still working on the first one. I’m tougher��now, but that doesn’t mean the barbs don’t hurt. Just less. Every venture in life is a challenge. Some more than others. Writing has to rank way up there. I write because it’s what I do, and put my heart into each story. The labor required to craft these creations is indescribable. The gratification must come from the journey, though. Nothing else��is a given. Readers may or may not appreciate my efforts. Ultimately, I must write for myself, and I’m exploring new ground. The path’s a little hazy, but I’ll find my way.

���We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.���

~ Maya Angelou

“Out of difficulties grow miracles.” ~Jean de la Bruyere

“We know what we are, but know not what we may be.” ~William Shakespeare

“The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have.” ~Vince Lombardi

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: Challenges, inspiration, life, reaching goals, seeking, Writing

“Love came down at Christmas.” ~Christina Rossetti

 

“Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.” ~Laura Ingalls Wilder

“Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall.” ~Larry Wilde, The Merry Book of Christmas

(***Vintage American Christmas Card above from our family)

“Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.” ��~Washington Irving

“Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.” ~Peg Bracken

“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love!”~Hamilton Wright Mabie

“I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month.” ~Harlan Miller

(***Kitty Pabel helping to decorate)

“Christmas is the day that holds all time together.” ~Alexander Smith

“Remember

This December,

That love weighs more than gold!”

~Josephine Dodge Daskam Bacon

“A Christmas candle is a lovely thing;

It makes no noise at all,

But softly gives itself away.”

“For the spirit of Christmas fulfills the greatest hunger of mankind.”~Loring A. Schuler

“This is the message of Christmas: We are never alone.” ~Taylor Caldwell

~Eva Logue

“At Christmas play and make good cheer,

For Christmas comes but once a year.”

~Thomas Tusser

“It is the Christmas time:

And up and down ‘twixt heaven and earth,

In glorious grief and solemn mirth,

The shining angels climb.”

“Great little One! whose all-embracing birth

Lifts Earth to Heaven, stoops Heaven to Earth.”

~Richard Crashaw

“Love came down at Christmas,

Love all lovely, Love Divine;

Love was born at Christmas,

Star and Angels gave the sign.”~Christina Rossetti

~Dinah Maria Mulock

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: Christmas, Christmas candle, Christmas tree, inspiration, quotes

When a Dream Dies

What do you do? Dream again? How do you let go of the dream that was and go on?

Not easily. Dreams come in many forms and some at great cost. It can be excruciatingly painful to recognize that’s all it ever was–a dream. Not to be realized. Ever. The dream beckons mightily and nothing in the dreamer wants to release it.

When is it time to bid farewell to what might have been?

Langston Hughes says:

���Hold fast to dreams,

For if dreams die

Life is a broken-winged bird,

That cannot fly.���

Well, Langston, sometimes the only way the bird is gonna soar is to let it go.

���It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.��� ~J.K. Rowling

I’m going with Rowling on this one. Live and go on. Dream a new dream.

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: coping, disappointment, dreams, Grief, inspiration, JK Rowling