Everyman's Wonderful Life

 

I’m married to George Bailey, the fictional character played by James Stewart in the 1947 movie It’s A Wonderful Life. My goal this holiday season is to read the short story The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern, published in 1943, on which this movie was based. Maybe you too identify with the Everyman character of George Bailey and his seemingly simple life.

Like the Baileys, hubby and I bought an old, drafty, handyman’s special house surrounded by family living in the same town. Instead of the depression era, hubby and I were young adults during the ‘80s recession. We also populated our home with four children and are still making original home repairs after living here for over 30 years. We’re lacking the loose newel post, though.

Hubby calls me Mary Bailey, and jokes that if he never was born, I’d be an old maid working at the public library. No children, no grandchildren, no rustic old home, no anxious husband who works too much and stresses during the holidays. Surely, no wonderful life. I don’t need George's guardian angel, Clarence Odbody, to show me hubby is probably right.

My George is also hearing challenged. And he may not build homes for a living, but he feeds the homeless during his lunch break at work. What I love the most about my George is that he too is spiritual in a down-to-earth way that’s honest and sincere.

It’s A Wonderful Life is our favorite movie to quote dialogue from, since personal situations remind us of this story more than any other. Re-watching this timeless movie reminds me we’re not the only ones who struggle in spite of working hard and trying our best without cutting corners in our moral compass. Yet, during especially difficult times, it’s human to identify with George’s consideration that his family would be better off with money from his life insurance policy than with him. So, when I saw the plaque pictured above at a fair, I bought all three in stock as gifts for George and family who also admire this classic.

We’re in good company with other real-life Baileys in America whose actions start reactions to beneficial results, and don’t know it.

Happy holidays Everyone.

   

 

A Sheltered Childhood

 

          https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/45028c66-61de-488f-922f-0b0d6c14bd87

Their childhood was interrupted by history.

Schools closed without celebration.  

They washed their hands a lot.

Wore masks.

By Halloween, they were tired of face coverings.

Dad and Mom stayed home from work, too nervous to be fun.

Lots of people stayed home.

Outside, it was so quiet.

Only a few cars going by. Less planes humming overhead.

Stores closed.

Ah, for hours with Mom working the clothes racks.

Computer games felt like online math on a smaller screen.

It was wacky Wednesday every day, where they wore pajamas perpetually.

They ate school lunches at home.

No lunch bunch to complain to about mushy vegetables and hard grilled cheese sandwiches.

So, they talk to friendly faces on a screen.

Even do old-school texting—snail mailing notes back and forth.

Relatives visit from their cars. No messy kisses or tweaking cheeks!

Things come to the door almost every day: take-out food, books, shoes, clothes, furniture, toys, decorations.

They think more than they ever thought.

They fight more than they ever fought.

And wonder if their pandemic stories will make future kids say, “Ooh” and “Aah” and “What did it feel like to go through that?”

They’re storytellers now.

Heroes and heroines, whose childhood is present history.

 

A Solar Sigh

 

I’d been jonesing for a solar powered home since the only option was to buy solar panels. They were so expensive that money saved using them wasn’t assured to cover the cost of the panels and their instillation for 10 or more years. Creating a smaller carbon footprint is now more viable.

Hubby and I are renting the solar panels on our roof because we know nothing about maintaining them or storing the energy they produce. I had heard positives about Trinity Solar, so we went with them. The following is an honest description of our experience. I’ve included our PSE&G bills from the year before we incorporated solar energy, this year’s PSE&G bills, and our IGS Solar bills. You may check my math.

The Trinity salesperson frazzled us by showing up a day before our appointment time. During his spiel, if he mentioned we’d receive a bill from PSE&G, and a bill from IGS Solar, we may have paused with more questions. IGS owns the panels and receives tax credits on the panels’ harvesting of solar energy.

The salesperson mentioned a $500.00 start-up bonus. We understood this as compensation for Trinity needing someone home for days to allow access to our attic and basement before, during, and after the panels’ installation. However, we failed to get the bonus agreement in writing. So, no bonus for us.

We have pictures of the installers from Trinity on our roof with a large water jug perched on our chimney’s lining. When the installers left, I found bricks from or chimney thrown in our yard with wet putty slathered on them. Trinity never told us they had knocked loose the bricks or that they had tried to repair them. Trinity denied doing damage to the chimney. However, our pictures show the chimney intact with the water jug atop the chimney.

Our solar panels collect kilowatts of energy. IGS Solar charges us for those kilowatts. Since the panels were installed in the summer, our first IGS bill was $178.05. This shocked us. We don’t have central air conditioning, so our summer PSE&G bills before the solar panel installation were much lower than winter bills (we have electric heat). We weren’t prepared for such a large bill during a summer month. Our winter bills are now lower, but that unexpected initial IGS bill along with our PSE&G bill was a hardship.

 

PSE&G 2018 to 2019                              PSE&G 2019 to 2020                          IGS Solar 2019 to 2020

8/25/18 to 9/25/18 = $97.82            8/23/19 to 9/25/19 = $132.20                9/1/19 to 9/30/19 = $178.05

9/26/18 to 10/24/18 = 171.05          9/26/19 to 10/24/19 = 23.90                  10/1/19 to 10/31/19 = 93.82

10/25/18 to 11/26/18 = 582.52       10/25/19 to 11/22/19 = 167.78             11/1/19 to 11/30/19 = 80.08

11/27/18 to 12/26/18 = 684.23       11/23/19 to 12/26/19 = 666.68             12/1/19 to 12/31/19 = 53.45

12/27/18 to 1/26/19 = 782.72           12/27/19 to 1/27/20 = 550.24              1/1/20 to 1/31/20 = 66.69

1/27/19 to 2/26/19 = 816.88             1/28/20 to 2/26/20 = 504.36                 2/1/20 to 2/29/20 = 82.91

2/27/19 to 3/27/19 = 599.50             2/27/20 to 3/26/20 = 354.79                 3/1/20 to 3/31/20 = 123.85

3/28/19 to 4/26/19 = 331.02              3/27/20 to 4/27/20 = 249.34                4/1/20 to 4/30/20 = 152.96

4/27/19 to 5/29/19 = 192.06              4/28/20 to 5/27/20 = 23.09                  5/1/20 to 5/31/20 = 189.10

5/29/19 to 6/26/19 = 67.90                 5/28/20 to 6/25/20 = 21.37                  6/1/20 to 6/30/20 = 206.42

6/27/19 to 7/26/19 = 132.33              6/26/20 to 7/27/20 = 42.02                  7/1/20 to 7/31/20 = 197.72

7/27/19 to 8/22/19 = 102.42               7/28/20 to 8/25/20 = -33.34               8/1/20 to 8/31/20 = 159.25

 

 $4560.45 - 483.32 (gas) =                                     $2702.43                                                        $1584.3

           4077.13

                                                                                                  $4286.73 - $402.89 (gas) = $3883.84

 

$4077.13 - $3883.84 = $193.29 

                                                                             

As show above, subtracting what we paid PSE&G and IGS this year from what we paid PSE&G last year, minus gas, we saved $193.29. It’s disappointing that we didn’t save more, which is what the salesperson led us to believe would happen. But, we did save some money, if you don’t count the repair work we need done to our chimney. The biggest bonus, which was really our main goal, is that we are conserving resources and helping the environment.

Please leave any questions in the comments section below. If you chose to go with Trinity and let them know I mentioned their company to you, hubby and I may receive $500.00. That will cover almost half the repairs to our chimney.

I wish you clean energy and good health.

Rare Inclusion

In seventh grade, for silent reading, I took to school PHILIP HALL LIKES ME I RECKON MAYBE by Bette Greene. It’s one of the books in a Newberry Awards Library box set I received as a gift. The other titles in the collection are: THE WITCH OF BLACKBIRD POND by Elizabeth George Speare, JOHNNY TREMAIN by Esther Forbes, ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS by Scott O’Dell, and THE CRICKET IN TIMES SQUARE by George Selden. I chose to read Greene’s book last because the others featured white characters. Why was I surprised I love this book too?

A classmate asked if she could borrow Greene’s book. Her shock that I agreed to lend it to her wasn’t surprising. In 1977 it was unusual for a Black child in a predominately white school to ask a strange white child a favor.

As the school year ended, I worried that the following year I wouldn’t be in any of my fellow student’s classes for her to have the opportunity to return the book. On one of the final days of school, I asked her for it. She told me she had given it back.

My heart dropped. I didn’t own many books. And my only box set collection was incomplete without PHILIP HALL LIKES ME I RECKON MAYBE. I replied that she didn’t give it back. She insisted she did. The expression on her face was one of offense, but not surprise. She thought I was accusing her of stealing. I walked away sure that she still had it and didn’t know it.

The next year, before my family moved again, this student approached me holding out the book. Its cover was bent, and the pages puffed out in the way much loved books are. An apology showed on her face. She must have really enjoyed the book. Maybe a sibling or a friend also read it. I almost told her to keep it. But I didn’t want her to think I was offended by her or the condition of the book.

As I seek to publish children’s literature, the reason why that student was bold enough to approach a strange white girl for a book is evident. She was thirsty for literature that represented her. How sick she must have been reading stories with characters in which she couldn’t identify.

Today, amongst the vastness of white stories, it’s easier, but still challenging, to find books with Black characters that tell stories other than ones on injustices. We need these books, and more of them. However, there’s also a scarcity of books with non-white characters in other everyday situations. Ones that feature topics any child would like to read: friendship, pets, relationships, adventure. No wonder that classmate longed to read PHILIP HALL LIKES ME I RECKON MAYBE.

I’m glad the author isn’t pictured on the inside cover. If that seventh grader could’ve googled the author, she’d face a white Bette Greene. How disappointing would it have been for her to not find an own-voice author?

I hold PHILIP HALL LIKES ME I RECKON MAYBE in my hand, thinking about that student. Fellow story-lover, if you’re out there, I hope you found other books as a child that you could love as much as Greene’s. Maybe you didn’t. Maybe you’ve had to write them yourself.

New Disease, Old Disease

I enjoy writing about what inspires me. However, any subject for a post is inappropriate if I ignore what must be addressed at this time. My conscious requires me to stray from lighter themes.

Who’d have guessed worldwide contamination of a disease would hit in the year 2020? Science fiction enthusiasts, for sure. Who knew social inequality would still be so fatal in 2020 that people need to protest during a pandemic? Americans who are more at risk of bullets and suffocation than a rapidly spreading, potentially deadly disease.

As surgical masks burn in protest, people die from COVID-19. People carry assault weapons to demonstrate their right to bear arms, while unarmed Americans are killed by law enforcement. Injustice towards someone because of their appearance can kill faster than COVID-19. We're swirling in a social maelstrom. 

I’m ashamed to admit I never heard of Juneteenth until this year. Maybe because I’m watching the news more now than I ever have. But, more likely, it’s because I’m white. When I saw people protesting George Floyd’s death, I thought it best to wait to protest until the pandemic passed, to prevent spreading the coronavirus. Demonstrators wearing masks shook my understanding that for a large population of Americans the threat of catching the virus and dying from it, is less likely than dying like Mr. Floyd.

On the other side of the pandemic, will the US have stamped out COVID-19? History shows science can produce vaccines to prevent people from catching a disease. As children, my four siblings and I had mumps and chicken pox. They were common then. By the time I started having children, there was a vaccine for mumps. While pregnant with my third child, my other two children had chicken pox. Between the 18 months of my second child’s birth and my third child’s birth, a vaccine for chicken pox was being administered to children. Since then, I don’t know anyone who has had chicken pox. Progress in science doesn’t necessarily take generations to happen.

Which disease will be controlled and stopped first in the US? The new virus, COVID-19, or an old bias that breeds from generation to generation? COVID-19 is physical, so it probably will be curtailed or stopped. What stops social illness from spreading? Not a serum. Not a mask.

I’m suggesting bias is a disease because I don’t understand why it exists. How it keeps reproducing. I see it in those I care for, so it doesn’t come from people who are pure evil. But it’s deadly. To a body. To a soul. To happiness and peace. It dominoes back to its source. In an endless setting up and knocking down.

I’m non-violent and want to end this post with a suggestion of hope. But watching the news has made it clear that violence and theft by those following peaceful protestors has done the most towards forcing positive changes. Changes that should’ve taken place generations ago. Peaceful marchers along American streets since before I was born haven’t gotten the attention of lawmakers and law enforcement as strongly as looters and arsonists have. The threat of anarchy seems to force those in power to act humanely because anarchy takes away their power.

However, anarchy erases civilization. Has our government’s system of checks and balances come to this? That civil order needs to be at risk for them to understand their responsibilities to those whom they have promised to serve?

The only small bit of hope I can strongly urge right now is, vote.

Throwback Honeymoon

"Pink Clouds over Downtown" by lonnypaul is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Like others on social media sharing creative ideas and thoughts, Hubby and I continue to pluck any unique pearl from our present situation. Peering on the shiny side, lemons into orangeade, a stiff mask-covered upper lip. 

Hubby suggested sheltering in place resembles our decades-ago honeymoon. I’d been noodling along the same wavelength. Each of us are living the nostalgic scenario.

After our wedding, Hubby and I sheltered in place for a week, not inviting anyone into our home. The second-floor row house apartment had no balcony or access to a yard, fire escape or even a front step to lounge on. But it was privacy heaven, our first place to ourselves after moving from our parents’ homes. We stayed safe, closed off from society’s contagion on our naïve optimism. No worries about what we wore during that week of self-quarantine. Especially since take-out was our only special dining option.

We had no children or grandchildren then. This time warp is cementing me in a cloud of denial—not missing hugs from our adult children, or little feet padding over wood floors, or small hands rearranging décor. These things aren’t possible. One can’t miss what one hasn’t experienced.

Hubby and I are young again. What will our future children look like? Who will they grow to be? Will we live to meet grandchildren? In my cloud, I’m not impatient for this, since we are just beginning our life together. Hubby does home projects to keep fit and focused. I’m improving my tech skills. It’s like we’re starting again in a bigger space with proper tools.

Things are so simple with only the two of us. Occasionally I feel the quiet weeks lacking an invisible element. But, anticipation of things to come intensifies. Even as we mire ourselves in watching re-runs and hearing the other say what’s on both our minds.

At the end of this extended honeymoon, and out of denial, we’ll celebrate with a return-to-reality reception. And, poof instant family.

Not Positively Positive

Corrie ten Boom, in her classic book THE HIDING PLACE, explains one of the horrors of a concentration camp—infestation of fleas. Her sister convinced her to thank God for everything, even the fleas. Can you believe something good came from that?

The coronavirus pandemic has positives coming from it too—real life heroes. Their masks are the opposite of comic book heroes whose costumes don’t cover eyes or mouth. Gauze gowns are capes worn backwards with sleeves. Recently, the nursing profession became saturated. Good thing. We’d have less now that we need more.

Covid 19 isn’t visiting during cabin fever winter, vacation time summer, or sleepy fall. It arrived in vibrant spring. With things put on hold, I have more time for gardening. And talking to neighbors six feet away on the other side of our shared fences. We’ve swapped blooming bulbs, and succulents. Shared updates on pets and family. Talked about home-made face coverings. No one’s entering my home, so I slack on housework, enjoying a wild break from the mundane.

Funny Facebook posts make me laugh. Keep ‘em coming. I need them. Hubby and I have a repertoire of TP hording that he won’t let me post. Humor as a coping mechanism is fun. Driving isn’t. I don’t miss driving to meetings and appointments. And what about cleaner air from less cars and factories in use?! I’ll add saving gas and transit time to this “looking on the bright side” list.

Technology and I had a like/don’t like relationship. However, since sheltering in place, technology humbled me. Zoom is an amazing tool for meetings and learning. People and organizations are giving of themselves and their resources to help and comfort others. Thank you. I’ve benefited.

Just before the virus hit, I won a Kindle and ebook from the author David Corbett. I never used a digital reader. The experience of hard copy is my joy. I expected to read my free ebook, then give away the Kindle. Until libraries closed. I’m so grateful I can borrow ebooks. I’ve even bought a book on my Kindle, with hubby’s helped of course. Being forced out of my comfort zone is frustrating, but I’ve gained resources that will last beyond the pandemic.

The quiet won’t last though. My home is too close to two churches, a school and our main street. Traffic usually rolls constant past the window in front of me. I’m near enough to Philadelphia airport to hear grinding engines arrowing along flight paths overhead. These noises don’t usually bother me, but right now I’m in sweet sensory heaven.

On the other side of the pandemic, life will be altered, and not all for the bad. I’m not overlooking the devastation. Nor slighting it. And I won’t thank God for Covid 19. But acknowledging positives refreshes me, allows a moment of peace, and gives me patience until I can hug and kiss my children and grandchildren again.

King = Queen = Jack

    

"Playing Cards" by Simone Bianchetti is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

I was explaining to my grandson how to play the game WAR with playing cards. He understood Ace beats everything. He understood higher numbers beat lower numbers, and that Jack beats all the number cards. He understood King and Queen beat Jack and the faceless cards.

After that, King and Queen became a problem. How does one royalty beat another when ruling the same kingdom? Suit and color don’t matter in this simple children’s game. A young child would naturally see the face cards as representing family. So, how does a daddy beat a mommy? Does a mommy and daddy beat a child (Jack)?

The card family is a hierarchy. Am I teaching my grandson that Queen’s femaleness is why she’s of less value than King? Femaleness is her only difference. And King beats Queen expresses that royalty closest in value to Jack makes him of even lesser value.

I’m toying with the idea of taking turns with King, Queen, and Jack’s values. Sometimes Queen will beat King and sometimes King will beat Queen. Sometimes Jack will beat both.

Since Ace (as a child I saw Ace as God) beats every card, to add fun to the game, I suggest letting Ace decide what the hierarchal value is at the beginning of each game. By flipping the remaining cards alternately on top of the piles of king cards, queen cards, and jack cards, Ace decides who is of greatest, greater and least value. Re-shuffle the number and Ace cards when you run out of cards to flip. If the first series of flips shows Ace, that doesn’t count. In case of a tie, the players default to a pre-game WAR.

This alteration adds a little more complexity to the game. I call it my fun family version.

I won’t see my grandson for a while to try this out. If you have a child of elementary school age in your home, could you try it with them and let me know how it worked out?         

Juliette Writers' Group Meeting

"Writing journal" by avrdreamer is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 

This meeting is canceled.

March 17th @ 7:30pm 

Barnes & Nobles

1311 Nixon Dr.

Moorestown, NJ

Topics for discussion: 

Spring/Natural Disaster Backdrop to Story

All welcome

Omni Us

"I want to Interrobang You in Spanish" by smoMashup1 is licensed under CC BY 2.0 

“The tall, middle-aged white woman with the Kensington Philadelphia accent, said that.”

You can tell something about me from the above quote. But the picture it creates in your head may be, and probably is, different from who I am.

I’m not just middle-aged. I’m the age I choose to be at any moment. I’m not tall compared to some people. I don’t live in a Kensington neighborhood in Philadelphia anymore. I tan or redden in the sun, like everybody. I’m not only female. That description alone separates me from others who are not. Why separate?

When I was very young, people called me a little girl. That highlighted me being small and inexperienced, suggesting little worth and much dependency. It labeled me as not strong or, possibly, not the correct sex. Zeroing in on physical aspects can be limiting even though given in love. It drove home how helpless I felt.

Religion can separate people, a lot. Even from similar denominations. The polarizing ‘us and them’ mentality shrouds unconditional acceptance. When a faith community demands that I live, believe, think and promote exactly what they do, I feel bullied.

If you’re black, you wouldn’t say, “That black man…” You’d say, “That man…” If you’re white, you wouldn’t say, “Those white women…” Sometimes my passive-aggressiveness wants to act out when someone points to a physically aspect in referencing a person. I want to say, “Hi, I’m white Dawn who smells like onions.” (I like onions.)

When I refer to someone, I try to use “person,” “individual,” or their name. Politically correct? Or just correct without unnecessary information that may skew opinion?

The pronouns “he” and “she” are still ingrained in my speech, writing and thinking. But I’m trying to be more inclusion. Not just to be nice but to progress my relationships. That’s also good business. It grows me personally and professionally. It’s all selfishness on my part.   

“Us” and “we” could end polarity if used as a general reference. It may work better than “them” or “they” because it reminds us that we can be included in every human situation. It forces us to consider the other perspective. Even in the case of an antagonist. But this could be problematic in children’s literature. That audience hasn’t had time to mature enough to realize that “us” isn’t being used in a concretely inclusive way. They may not be able to distance themselves and understand that we all have antagonistic abilities, and that to choose not to accept a villain’s thoughts, acts, or speech is the point. 

Instead of altering or adding to our lexicon, what symbol could represent “he” “she” “him” and “her”? “They” and “them” is a step in the right direction but like “us” and “we” these are confusing and awkward. My first thought was an interrobang glyph. Suggestions should be inclusive and stay away from stereotypes and negativity. I wonder how an audio book would read an omni-symbol.     

Any other suggestions for a word or symbol?











 





 

Juliette Writers' Group Meeting

This was a great meeting. Thanks to all who attended.

February 18th @ 7:30pm 

Barnes & Nobles

1311 Nixon Dr.

Moorestown, NJ 

Topic for discussion is: Romance Writing/Character Relationships

Second-Hand Experience

Pinterest NellieBellie.com

For this consumer, who hates shopping, second-hand stores are fun. My most memorable purchase was a laundry rack. Before trudging to Target or Kohl’s, I stopped in Goodwill. Passing through isles of tchotchkes, knick-knacks and wall décor, I almost tripped over the most impressive laundry drying rack I ever saw. Collapsed and leaning against the shelving unit, it was tagged at $5.00. How convenient.

I’ve found used furniture safer than affordable new furniture for sturdiness and durability. So, I was happy to trash pick a swivel rocker from my neighbor. Years later, after our family dynamic changed, I donated the rocker to Goodwill. They priced it at $25.00. On a subsequent trip to Goodwill, the rocker was gone. I was giddy knowing that instead of rotting in a landfill, the rocker was getting a 3^rd life with another family.

Shopping non-profits is conscious-free spending. I’ve even re-donated purchases. This is recycling at its finest. The Goodwill Store may have a well-paid CEO , but it provides a community with jobs and a local store of affordable products. The Goodwill near me recently expanded. It’s the largest second-hand store for essentials I’ve been in. See my humorous experience during their Sunday special here.

Go to Habitat for Humanity ReStore for large items. My local Habitat ReStore has a huge selection of furniture and home improvement materials. I volunteered at a ReStore and was amazed at their stock of doors and windows. And ceramic tile! Those boxes were heavy. Hubby and I recently bought a new 12 x 15 area carpet there for $20.00.

Green Drop serves Purple Heart, National Federation for the blind, American Red Cross, and St. Vincent de Paul. I’ve seen their truck picking up bags from a neighbor’s home. Wrap fragile items securely before donating. The Green Drop collection facility near me isn’t a store, so dropped off items aren’t put immediately on shelves, like at Goodwill. They’re shipped out.

UrbanPromise not only uses donations to aid city communities, their store also serves my town by providing a local shop that sells necessities and more. Today, I bought a tablecloth, 5 unused decorative rubber stamps, sealed Post-It notes in the shape of a flower, and a new unwrapped box of 3 large scented soaps. The total was $20.00. Thanks to second-hand stores, I can afford linens with high thread counts.

Of course, use common sense buying used items. Non-profits usually won’t sell things like baby furniture (too unsafe), mattresses, food, or personal items like hairbrushes. However, sometimes volunteers stock shelves and floors. Things can slip by that shouldn’t be sold used. Make sure electronic works before buying. You may not be allowed to return them. Or might only receive store credit for a returned item. Ask if the electronic was tested. The store may let you plug it in and try it out. I’ve seen workers/volunteers being friendly and helpful when asked about electronics.

Before spending top dollar on a Halloween costume, check out non-profits. Sometimes they have new wigs and other costume essentials still in their original, sealed wrapping. Creatives fashion costumes with things meant for other uses. You could put together a unique get-up that wins a contest because it isn’t “store bought”. Shop early. I see these stores busiest in September.

I’ve talked with people who buy from non-profits and resell those items online or through their own thrift shops. Remember this when you see prices at non-profits that seem a bit high. Non-profits are forced to price their inventory so that people shopping to profit for themselves don’t sweep shelves. That would deprive those products to people who need them for themselves or their families.

Warning: My husband said some candles I’ve bought have that “Goodwill smell” to them. Now I’m sticking to candles sealed in their original packaging. Of course, clean everything before use. Check clothing for pulls, holes, stains, dry rotted rubber, and stretching.

Shop with your head high; you’re helping others and saving room in landfills as you save money. Think of dear old Granny’s dusty, disheveled home when a store shows signs of volunteers being sick or on vacation. Even if you don’t enter the store with child-like awe, it’ll hit you when you see items from your past. I’ve chuckled to myself picking up a familiar game. But then, I put it back on the shelf. Overbuying won’t save money, or space in a home.

Buying from second-hand stores is more fun than getting something used. If you receive a gift from me, be assured it’s not from a second-hand store. If my gift to you does wind up there, I won’t be offended. I’ll be proud you recycled, and happy the gift isn’t in a landfill.    

     



 

Not Just Coziness

"311.365" by Kate Renkes is licensed under CC BY 2.0

I’m thrilled to have found that there’s a word for snuggling under a soft blanket with a cup of hot tea in candlelight—Hygge. It doesn’t just mean coziness. It’s a charming contentment that fills me when I’m hunkered down in gentle consciousness. I always thought myself boring for enjoying this. Sharing relaxing conversation or playing a tabletop game with a group of friends on a chilly night, is something I thought outdated. So, when I learned of hygge, I was so happy to know that others, a whole country of people, also have this desire for creating intimacy.

Hygge is Danish. The closest my DNA results show anyone in my family being from Denmark, is an 8% Norwegian descent. Was I culturally appropriating and not knowing it? As an American, I feared being seen as lazy for enjoying this special feeling.

When I’m hyggeligt, if I’m alone, I don’t do anything but read or think. No electronics. Pure quiet. Earth tones feed my craving to absorb nature’s calm. Fortunately, my old home has original wood floors and woodwork. Surrounded by the spirit of the forest in my living room, I’ve purposefully placed a sparseness of things that allows energy flow. Plants are a must. This is my personalize space (hyggekrog) to experience hygge. All I’m missing is a fireplace.

Finally, hygge has come to the states. People may be hyggeligt mostly during winter months to ease depression when days have less sunlight. I think of hygge as sophisticated hibernating. I eat comfort food and enjoy the cold months that limit outdoor activity.

Hygge balances a hectic day. It helps control anxiety. It reminds me I’m human and should experience special moments of peace, even if I set myself up for it. When hygge happens on its own, that’s when it’s the most special.

Educating myself about hygge has been reassuring and fun. It’s also inspired me to learn more about Danish people and their lifestyle. I’m grateful to the Danes for naming this amazing experience, and for it being a part of their culture.  

Juliette Writers' Group Meeting

Start the year off gathering with serious writers and attending a workshop.

painting by Sarah Slack

This was a great meeting.

January 21st 7:30pm

Barnes & Nobles 

1311 Nixon Dr.

Moorestown, NJ 

Topic for discussion is Seasonal Writing.

My colleague Victoria Marie Lees, memoirist and contributor to Cricket Magazine and Chicken Soup for the Soul, is giving free workshops at Maple Shade Library in Maple Shade, NJ. The first workshop is January 23rd @ 6pm: Making Your Memoir Universal