The Neat L'l Bookshop is Closed between Christmas and New Year's.  We will reopen on Wednesday, January 2nd.

(Photo:  Ouse Street, around the corner from the bookshop.  Thursday, December 27 ~ lbw)

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."

~ Leo Buscaglia (1924 - 1998) American author, motivational speaker known as "Dr. Love."

[Can you imagine a better way to start each day than with this Leo Buscaglia quote? Thank you to my friend who gave me this beautiful 2013 Date Book ~lbw]

In the Peanuts comic strip, Snoopy walks up to Charlie Brown and his sister, Sally, giving them a great big hug.  Charlie says to Sally, "You can always tell when he's been listening to his Leo Buscaglia tapes." ~ Wikipedia.

Idea Writers ~

"With our revolutionary background in every activity we've ever touched ~ electricity, communication, flying ~ we've revolutionized just about everything in the history of the world, and it's interesting to me that we Americans are not interested in paradox more, and in ideas.  The literature we read up until the early sixties has been almost bankrupt of ideas.  A man like Hemingway hardly had an idea in his life.  It was always one idea:  the male situation.  It's good stuff, I love it, but he was not an idea man.  Neither was Steinbeck or Faulkner.  Fitzgerald came closer to being a kind of idea writer;  he had wonderful insights into human personality and foibles, his notebooks are full of ideas."

~ Ray Bradbury (b. Aug. 22, 1920, d. June 5, 2012) American Fantasy, Sci-Fi writer.

[Photo:  St. Thomas, Ontario Air Show, lbw]

"What can I give Him, Poor as I am?  If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;  If I were a wise man, I would do my part, Yet what can I give him? Give my heart."~ Christina Rossetti, 1872, "In the Bleak Midwinter."

"...and a Merry Christmas to All."

Thank you to All Who Helped Make the Cayuga Village Green Festive and Fun.

Bristish poet, Christina Rossetti, wrote the devotional verses, "Love came down at Christmas."

Love came down at Christmas,

Love all lovely, love divine;

Love was born at Christmas,

Star and angels gave the sign.

Worship we the Godhead,

Love incarnate, love divine;
Worship we our Jesus ~

What shall be our sacred sign?

Love shall be our token,

Love be yours and love be mine;

Love to God and neighbor,

Love for prayer and gift and sign.

~ Christina Rossetti (b. Dec. 5, 1830.  d. Dec. 29, 1894) British poet.  Also wrote "In the Bleak Midwinter."  Both poems were eventually set to music as Christmas carols.

A Very Merry Christmas ~ a safe and happy holiday.  The bookshop will be closed between Christmas and New Year's. 

Shaped Christmas Card 1950s

Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer ! 

A novelty song written in 1979  by veterinarian Elmo Shrophire and popularized by Elmo and Patsy.  In it Grandma, who had been drinking too much eggnog, is found dead under circumstances that suggest she has been hit by Santa's sleigh.  The song achieved notoriety in Canada when complaints were lodged with politicians, women's groups, and seniors' organizations that it was offensive to elderly women and that the death of a matriarch was no laughing matter.  Though nothing was done to limit its airplay, the song was voted one of the "Three Most Dreaded Christmas Songs Ever" and an American disc jockey was fired for playing it (by request) 27 times in a row.  A parody followed entitled "Grandpa Got Runned Over by a John Deere."

~ THE WORLD ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CHRISTMAS, Gerry Bowler, McClelland & Stewart Ltd., 2000.

"...to bring happiness, true peace and hope back to our country" ~ words spoken by a soldier standing at a school doorway.

More than one soldier has voluntarily stood guard outside U.S. schools. Some are retired, some are on their days off.  The sense of security for their children, the appreciation and relief expressed by parents make it worthwhile for these soldiers' random acts of kindness.  Contrast this movement with the self-serving gun advocates who want to arm teachers and principals.
"Thank you for your service," from the children, parents, grandparents and folks everywhere who want to see happiness, true peace and hope return to our world.