Liz Flaherty's Blog, page 10

Every Christmas Tree is a Unique Masterpiece by Darlene DeLuca

Isn’t it amazing how every Christmas tree has its own look? Almost like snowflakes or a fingerprint—no two are exactly alike. A thousand people can start with the same basic tree with trunk and branches and make it fit their personality, taste, style, and decor.

When my husband and I first got married, we had no particular style. We bought basic glass balls for ornaments and hand strung popcorn-and-cranberry garland to decorate our early Christmas trees. (We didn’t have much money, either.) ...

About Santa Claus

by Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy

Each Christmas Eve, my brother and I would wait on the bottom stair landing so we could gaze at the sky through the north-facing window hoping to catch a glimpse of Santa’s sleigh or Rudolph’s red nose. We never did, but one year, Santa arrived early and walked through the front door instead of coming down the chimney.

My Uncle Bill was Santa Claus, from the tip of his fur-trimmed hat to his polished black boots. He personified the old elf better than anyone else ...

Christmas Traditions Around the World by Debby Myers

It’s almost Christmas! Kids are excited, parents are exhausted. It’s a holiday of tradition, and when deciding what to write this time, tradition is what first came to mind.

In my own family, most of our traditions have splintered as the years have passed. Oh, don’t get me wrong. I’m sure my children have traditions with their children, but as we get older, the holidays change, don’t they? But that’s another story entirely that I’ll tell another time!

Every country has Christmas traditions jus...

How Did It Get to Be Saturday?

When I was working, I always knew when it was Saturday, because there were--depending on what kind of week it was--anywhere between five and 36 work days between it and the previous Sunday. Also, depending on what kind of weekend it was, there was anywhere between 15 and 25 minutes between Friday afternoon and Monday morning.

But retirement is so cool. So cool! I never know what day it is unless I've missed an appointment and someone calls and asks with exaggerated patience where I'm at this t...

Moving...

 Well, already moved. In case I didn't get the word around, the Window has moved to a new venue. You can find us at https://www.lizflaherty.net/blog on my new website at https://www.lizflaherty.net/ I'm still feeling my way around a bit, but hope you visit me there. 

Thanks for coming by! 

Making Room

Thanksgiving is this week, just five sleeps away. If your turkey's a big one, he's probably already taking up the entire bottom shelf in the fridge. You've done your holiday meal shopping, except for the two things you forgot but you really, really don't want to brave the grocery store aisles again.

Today is the 27th Annual Downtown Peru Open House. There will be ice skating under the Big Top and a parade at 6:00 PM when Santa comes to town and to his new house. My daughter's in the parade. ...

When Things Are Different by Liz Flaherty

Congratulations to the Maconaquah Braves and the North Miami Warriors on great seasons. You are wonderful!

This morning, I printed out a three-book contract with Turn the Page Publishing. I'm happy to have it, happy that two of the books have already been written and Chapter 3 of the third one just opened with a surprise. (Writers love being surprised--just ask them.) Aside from making your stomach churn a bit and hearing a little voice in your head saying Am I doing the right thing? signing ...

Why Jews Eat Chinese Food on Christmas by Susie Black

I'd like to welcome Susie Black to the Window this week with a rerun of her funny and informative post about Jewish people and Chinese food. Speaking for myself, the only thing I knew about it was the hilarious scene in A Christmas Story . I'm glad to learn more. Enjoy! - Liz

What makes the holiday season most special are the traditions we create and share; and in that way, make them uniquely our own. Even those of us who do not celebrate Christmas have still found ways to participate in the jo...

The Poppies Still Grow

I can't write anything new yet, so I'll share this yet again, with the hope that you will do honor to the people to whom it's dedicated. It is offered in honor of those who have served and who still bear the scars from that service. And with thanks to those who are serving now. Be safe.

Congratulations, North Miami Warriors and Maconaquah Braves for winning your sectionals!

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

    That mark our place; and in the sky

    The l...

A New Day by Liz Flaherty

Sunday, the 27th: I'm writing this ahead of time--at least some of it--because of lessons I've learned recently. This doesn't mean I'll retain those lessons.

And that right there is one of them. 

I worked the early voting polls yesterday. I like being a poll worker. I like knowing how hard these people work, how important (and occasionally annoying) the rules are, and how many steps are made to ensure fairness for all. I like that so many people take advantage of the right, privilege, and responsi...