'Twas the month before Christmas..

Linda Sappenfield — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:29:00 GMT

...and my brain's in a fog,

Just pondering topics

For the library blog.

Actually, a few tense moments spent wrestling a bulky wreath onto my banister last night reminded me how many opportunities we have to regard December as an ordeal. Regardless of one's religious orientation, festivals and commemorations in the next few weeks occupy our attention. Holiday tasks can provoke either delight or misery, and most of us have acquired traditions guaranteed to sustain us in the proper spirit. Here are a few for starters; I hope you'll send in comments to pass along yours:

Parodies of "The Night Before Christmas" (original title, "A Visit from Saint Nicholas"). Has any other literary entity been re-worked or imitated as much? As an English major, I love the adaptation that begins "'Twas the nocturnal segment of the diurnal period preceding the annual Yuletide celebration...", but you're certain to glimpse your own pick. For "The Biker's Christmas", "A Mom's Christmas", "A NASCAR Christmas", "A Genealogists's Christmas", and many, many others, see About.com's With Apologies to Clement C. Moore.
Choosing a seasonal book to share with friends and loved ones. Last year, we purchased copies of Lemony Snicket's The Lump of Coal for our book group. It's like "Bullwinkle" cartoons--written for children but most appreciated by adults.
Watching our family's designated version of A Christmas Carol. At our house, only the George C. Scott edition will do. What is your favorite?

Reader's Exchange : Round Rock Public Library, Lemony Snicket

'Twas the month before Christmas..