Two Nativities

As I write this, many people are making out a shopping list on this last weekend before Christmas. Oh, we've done some shopping, but there is more to do than spend money, and we are grateful for the opportunities to remember the blessings of this season.

The Yargo Community Band gave a free concert in my hometown, and we received a couple of invitations, so we attended the performance. Since they are a fairly new organization, there are not many musicians, but they were of all ages, from high school to their eighties. The music was more or less traditional, ending with a sing-a-long medley of familiar carols.

After dark, we drove over to Madison County, and as we did so, we passed a country church with a large lighted Nativity scene in their yard. The figures were flat, but the spotlights called attention to the display. When I was growing up, many churches and other organizations would put out a Nativity scene as a reminder of the real reason for celebrating. Hubby and I remarked that it has been years since we saw one near our home.

A few more miles down the road, we arrived at our destination, a rather rural road where the residents put out luminaries, and one farm family goes a bit further— their place features a live nativity. As we approached the road, we noted quite a few cars, slowing for the occupants to look at the soft lights of the luminaries. As the traffic on the country road became congested, we saw that cars and trucks were parked in the grass on the side of the roadway. I pulled over and we got out, donned hats, gloves, and heavier coats, and walked up to a barbed wire fence. Christmas music was playing in the background, and several parents were holding tots aloft. As we came closer, we realized that the kids (and some adults) were petting a rather large camel. Beyond the crowd of folks near the fence we could see two more camels, a donkey, a couple of sheep, a couple of cows, and a campfire. Three shepherds warmed themselves at the fire. A bit further back, we could see the stable, with a manger, Mary and Joseph, and some magi. A large star called our attention to the figures in the stable. As we stood, watching the scene, a couple of young folks dressed as angels joined the group around the manger. A young shepherd brought out some hay for the cows and camels, and there was some shifting of position as the animals moved to the pile of hay each of them preferred.

Hubby and I grinned, despite the cold wind, as we stood watching the animals, the people dressed in costumes, and the parents who brought their youngsters. As we returned to our car and drove the rest of the way down the road, looking at the luminaries, we discussed the scene, a living testament that Christmas is still celebrated, not just for the stuff under the tree, but for the person for whom it is named.

Sounds of the Season

As the Christmas season approaches, there are myriad visual cues, including a rather large display with many, many lights, across from my house, but as a former band member and choir singer, music means Christmas as well. My church used to do an annual program at Christmas called "From the Cradle to the Cross" and the choir marched in singing, Hail to the Lord's Annointed from memory. I remember a satisfying feeling of accomplishment when I finally memorized it completely. During the program, we sang standard carols, for the most part, and I do enjoy most of them. At one of those programs, my cousin was recruited to be The Little Drummer Boy and play his snare drum as we sang, and that, too is a favorite song.

Having decided to write about music of the season, I asked one of my sisters for her favorite holiday song, and she mentioned two— The Carol of the Bells, which she says makes her remember church programs in her youth, and Amy Grant's Breath of Heaven. Hubby's response was rather basic, Jingle Bells. Daughter likes Rock Around the Christmas Tree which is on a CD of Billboard's top Christmas songs that we often played when they were small. Son picked, Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer, but he is seldom serious, and I rather doubt that choice. Still, that is another title on that Billboard Christmas CD, and everyone I asked mentioned musical memories from childhood.

When I was in the high school band, we were only allowed to play Sleigh Ride every four years, and I only got to do so once— my sophomore year. Why we were so restricted, I am not sure, but I loved the instrumental version that we performed; therefore, my own choice of favorite seasonal song is Sleigh Ride. I didn't know the words until I was older, and I've always enjoyed the rendition with lyrics done by The Carpenters.

I hope readers of Pam's Pages have reasons to be thankful and joyful as 2009 comes to a close. If remembering songs of years past doesn't make you feel any older yet, just look at the fashions in the video.

8 Things for 08

For 2008, I am offering a quartet of lists eight items long. These are in no certain order, but might make readers think of their own favorite things.

Eight books I have read more than once and will no doubt read again
1. Stranger in a Strange Land, by Robert A. Heinlein
2. The Impossible Virgin, by Peter O’Donnell
3. Friday, by Robert A. Heinlein
4. Touch the Wind, by Janet Dailey
5. Shards of Honor, by Lois McMaster Bujold
6. The Ivy Tree, by Mary Stewart
7. Contact, by Susan Grant
8. To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee

Eight songs I could listen to over and over again
1. I Won’t Last a Day Without You, by The Carpenters
2. The Phantom of the Opera, by Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman
3. The Music of the Night, by Michael Crawford in The Phantom of the Opera
4. Memory from Cats, by Andrew Lloyd Webber
5. Any Dream will Do, from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, by Andrew Lloyd Webber
6. My Favorite Things, by Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music
7. Jambalya, by The Carpenters
8. Put Your Hand in the Hand, by Elvis

Eight movies to see again and again
1. Star Wars
2. Gone With the Wind
3. The Sound of Music
4. Galaxy Quest
5. Star Trek, The Wrath of Khan
6. Cat Ballou
7. The Dollmaker
8. Ben Hur

Eight things I am passionate about
1. A great story (mine or other folk’s)
2. My family
3. My church
4. My friends
5. Teaching
6. Decent transportation
7. Never spending all day cooking or cleaning
8. Not wasting money

Q and A from Love Romances

Only a few people posted questions for my Author Day at Love Romances, but the experience was quite interesting. I've decided to post a few of those in lieu of any other blog entry. Here they are (in no certain order.)

What is your favorite all time movie and why?
Most of you will think this is a silly answer, but I have a great fondness for The Sound of Music. When I was a young girl, a couple in our small church took the children who won an attendance award to the cinema in Athens (about 20 miles away) to see it, and I'd never even been to a movie theatre. I was entranced by the beautiful music, the lovely Austrian setting, and the story which said that the love of a family could take on a force as powerful and as evil as Nazi Germany. I've shared this film and a love of musicals with my own children, who also enjoy it.

If either of your books would be made into a movie, which one would you choose and what actors to play the characters?
I hope no one would want to do The Gift Horse. Some bad stuff happens in it! As for Trinity, gosh, some of the settings and the physical changes which occur make it a bit unusual. If it were to be made into a movie, it would just about have to be animated, but not "child friendly" animation. I'm thinking more like video games, I suppose. However, the look and feel of video games might clash with the maternal theme. Okay, assuming that we'd be casting voices, I love Michael Dorn's voice overs, so maybe he could be the menacing Azareel. Gena Davis could be Venice (she's doing okay as the president), and Sally Struthers would make a great Alathea. Matthew McConaughey would make a good Steve, because he is strong without being too showy.

What kind of music do you enjoy to listen to?
I like show tunes, like Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera, and I still enjoy hearing oldies from my high school days-- the seventies. I don't care for much of what my children listen to, however. Hip Hop, rap and stuff like that don't appeal to me.

Who is the biggest supporter of your writing?
Many people are supportive, including my mother-in-law, who proofread Trinity twice-- before I sent it to WCP and between editing and the final version.

Which part of writing a book do you enjoy most and which do you enjoy least?
I am horrible at proofreading. Honestly, I see what I want to see on the page, not what is really there. So I'm grateful to people who edit and proofread for me. Promotion is rather difficult for me as well, because I am a bit shy. I know that sounds odd, b/c I do public speaking, but I quake when I walk up to that podium!

Congratulations on Trinity. It sounds interesting. Is there a genre you haven't tried yet that you want to?
Thanks, I hope many people come meet the characters in Trinity. I'd like to write some non-fiction sometime, perhaps a guide to integrating technology into classroom teaching. I like helping people with technology, but I don't want to speak or think like a geek.