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Review:
Holiday Writes arrived today!
Wow! From the first page, when tears inadvertently
squirted from my eyes, to my own stories sent to Betty so long ago I'd
forgotten, to the adorable cover picture of Betty and Santa Claus, the
shiny cover by www.LULU.com...well, you can only imagine my delight...I
may not get through this book before the Holiday season is over if I'm to
have 'time out for tears' on every other page...but I sure will enjoy the
collection of Holiday Writes.
You done good, Betty! Thanks for giving me two spots in Holiday
Writes and an author plug for Lifestorywriting! We're all grateful!
Write on, Thelly Reahm
EDITOR'S NOTE: The "adorable" girl on the
cover is actually my little sister, Erin...who's already convinced
she's the cutest thing going! ;-) |
Review:
What I like most about holiday anthologies is the views
of the different seasons seen through many pairs of eyes, religion,
beliefs, hopes, dreams, and even for some, the loss; thus, Holiday
Writes.
This short read is unlike many others in that it offers seasonal stories
and poems from every religious walk of life yet it includes some
historical lessons and facts. There were stories about where the Christmas
tree tradition originated, why turkey was first served on Thanksgiving,
and a brief explanation of Hanuka. One example would be the essay written
by Mamta Murthy, Tracing Back Thanksgiving Tradition. Did you know
that the Native Americans observed six thanksgiving festivals throughout
the year? I was also astounded to learn that after the first Thanksgiving,
the Pilgrims did NOT celebrate Thanksgiving the next year; or any year
thereafter, and it wasn't until 1863 that Abraham Lincoln declared it a
national holiday.
I also found the story,Thirteen Plates, very interesting. As the
title suggest, some Italians celebrate Christmas eve with family
gatherings, food of course, and thirteen plates which represents the
Stations of the Cross and Jesus and the Apostles; thus the number 13 is
lucky for Italians. Holiday Writes isn't limited to historical facts.
There is humor, longing, sadness, and triumph. Something for every walk of
life. Nice. Short. I liked it. Definitely two thumbs up!
Reviewed by Georgia
Richardson
for Boomer Book Reviews
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Review:
"A lovely collection" I was enchanted by the beautiful
stories, poems, and thoughts in this collection. I'd highly recommend it
for anyone who loves holidays of all kinds, or for gift giving to someone
who does. You won't be sorry!
Michelle Mills
Read
Carolyn Howard-Johnson's review at MyShelf
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Excerpt:
Black
Eyed Peas and Ham Hocks
Thelly Reahm
How
could anything as distasteful to me as black-eyed peas and ham hocks,
buttermilk and cornbread bring good luck?
I wondered as I stirred the pot of beans simmering on the stovetop. Little
bits of ham were flavouring the distasteful beans as they cooked, but not
even the wonderful flavour of ham could disguise the weird taste of those
peas. And why did they call them peas? They had no resemblance to peas at
all. However, that did give me pause, because I don’t like peas either.
It’s not the peas actually; it’s that mealy feel of them on my tongue.
I love pea soup, hate peas! Hate lima beans for the same reason, but love
lima bean soup!
“Why do you cook
black-eyed peas every year if you don’t like them?” Richie asked.
“A New Year’s
Day tradition is a New Year’s Day tradition! My Grandma said if you eat
black-eyed peas on New Year's Day it brings good luck.” I smiled.
“Well, that
doesn’t make sense.” He turned to leave the room. He probably needed
more space between the smell of the bean pot and his sensitive nose.
“No more than your
daughter, Linda, fixing rutabagas for Thanksgiving (and nobody eats them).
That’s a Benett tradition. Where did the Reahm tradition of ‘sick
eggs’ come from?”
“Well, that’s
different! Sick eggs taste good!”
It seems we only
approve of the baggage that we bring along to the table! On the other
hand, truly obedient people, even though they don’t like the taste of
something, keep the tradition alive! I was always a compliant child!
Drat those
black-eyed peas!
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