The December celebration season is just about upon us. And it ain’t just for those awaiting the “jolly old elf” himself. Nor is it an either-or with the miracle of the menorah. As far as our thoroughly unscientific survey can provide, there are five — count ‘em, five! —major December observances (and if you come across others, send them on):
Bodhi Day (December 8): Buddhist tradition
Hanukkah (December 7-15)
Christmas (December 25)
Kwanzaa (December 26-Jan 1)
Zarathosht No-Diso (December 26): Zoroastrianism
Whatever tradition you are preparing to celebrate, there are artisans among us here at Kendal, with just the right thing. We start with Jane Hart’s new book The Newer Normal, 100 of the daily drawings that she has been sending to friends (Residents Website being among them) since the publication of her earlier collection of drawings that she called: Stop Screaming: How Some of Us Made It Through Covid 19.
The book’s philosophy? Here what Jane says: “Now that the pandemic is in our rearview mirror, we are free to worry about other aspects of life — some serious, some not so serious. I offer this new book both for fun and as a worry-guide of sorts, as well as a reminder that even in this newer normal, anyone who can share a laugh is never alone.”
Jane has dedicated this new collection: “to a wonderful and generous artist and friend. Mariet Van der Heide, and to Steven D. Prince, literary smartass extraordinaire, caption-wizard, and the man I love with all my heart.” It (the collection, not her heart) is available on Barnes and Noble and Amazon, in hard-cover, paperback, or Kindle.
Anyone else out there in Kendal-land who has created fare for our holiday season, either for gift-giving or decorating? Speak up! You know where to find us.