Early presents from me to you

You've probably noticed that we spend a fair number of bits, bytes and pixels around here writing about place, local foods, local economy and bioregionalism. Sometimes we find others who share those interests and provide perspectives that shouldn't be missed. Over the past day or so we've encountered several instances that are so good we'll just provide links, short descriptions and strong recommendations that you follow the links. The reading and viewing may not be exactly seasonal, but should provide you with some of the season's warm, fuzzy spirit, although the last one may prompt you to reach for some stronger spirits, or not.

joyful signs of the season

Photo by J. Harrington

• Anne Queenan shares the joy of reconnecting both in writing and video (the video is way at the bottom). Watching and reading this made my day.


• Emily Johnson writes about place in a new and different way, at least I've never before read anything like her SILENT STORY. I find it to be a wonder and a delight and hope someday to match its quality (in writing, my dancing skills are nonexistent).


• Way back in the last millennium, when I lived in Massachusetts, I first encountered the writings of Ted Williams (the other one, not the baseball player). He drifted off my radar screen for quite awhile until I came across an interview with him in Forbes. He's as forthright and insightful as I remember and I'm looking forward to rediscovering his work.

On the home front, the tree is decorated (photos soon), much of the weekend is committed to Christmas cookie baking by the Better Half and the Daughter Person, plus allies. I know enough to stay out of the way. ; >)

Prayer for Joy

By Stuart Kestenbaum 

What was it we wanted

to say anyhow, like today

when there were all the letters

in my alphabet soup and suddenly

the ‘j’ rises to the surface.

The ‘j’, a letter that might be

great for Scrabble, but not really

used for much else, unless

we need to jump for joy,

and then all of a sudden

it’s there and ready to

help us soar and to open up

our hearts at the same time,

this simple line with a curved bottom,

an upside down cane that helps

us walk in a new way into this

forest of language, where all the letters

are beginning to speak,

finding each other in just

the right combination

to be understood.

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