Every year for the past 26ish years, I read Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. It’s one of my favorite holiday traditions. The other day, my dad asked me if I get anything new out of the book each year. My mom chimed in that there’s always something to discover in a good book. I agree….
Good morning. It’s 9:11 in the AM on Christmas Eve. I’m listening to the Campbell Brothers’ Sacred Steel for the Holidays. I’ve woken up, brushed my teeth, pooped, and showered. It’s going to be a busy day. I have to go Christmas shopping, grocery shopping, wrap presents, help mom with pies, go to my brother’s…
As a former horn player, I listen to as much French horn music as I can get. I love the big orchestras and bands, but there’s always been a special place in my heart for small ensembles. Things like woodwind quintets, brass trios, and brass quintets. One of my favorite brass quintets is the Canadian…
Every year, PNC Financial Services figures out how much all the presents in the Twelve Days of Christmas would cost. This year, it’s $46,729.86. That’s a record high. It’s up 2.7% from last year, which was the previous record holder. If you’re wondering, ten lords a leaping led the way at $14,539.20. That’s almost a…
“Do You Hear What I Hear?” is one of my favorite Christmas carols. Sadly, it’s not one of the more common holiday songs. Of my fifty-ish holiday albums, the only one it seems to be on is a Bing Crosby compilation. You’re not likely to hear it while walking through the grocery store. I listen…
The past two Christmases I’ve noticed something. It’s not really a big deal, just a little odd. This is only the past two years, but the wrapping on the presents isn’t what it used to be. When my kid was little, the wrapping used to be clean and precise. Sharp, even lines and three or…
It’s late on Christmas Eve Eve and we just got our tree up. We should have done it earlier but just haven’t had the time. It’s a nice tree. Small but full. It’s covered in colored lights, homemade decorations, and silver baubles. We also hung the stockings, put some garland on the railing, and placed…
It’s December 17th and we haven’t put up our Christmas tree yet. Don’t worry, I don’t think Christmas is a humbug or anything like that. It just shows how busy our lives have been since Thanksgiving. I’ve still been listening to Christmas (and Chanukkah) music non-stop. I’ve done some shopping. I’ve eaten candy canes. The…
It’s December 8th and I haven’t done a single Christmas post this year. In the past, holiday posts have been a staple of my Decembers. I’ve written a bunch of posts about Santa and a bunch of posts about holiday music. I’ve written a fair number of posts about Chanukah. I’ve written about the language…
Don’t worry, this isn’t going to be about peace on earth or anything like that. Not that there’s anything wrong with wanting peace on earth. On some level, I do, but it’s a very vague, diffused feeling. It’s not a real wish. I always feel like it’s a cheat when people say they wish for…
