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Holiday Writes

Celebrations Throughout the Year
& Around the World

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See Carolyn Howard-Johnson's review at MyShelf

FEATURING STORIES & POEMS BY:

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

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

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!