2017 Reading Quest 27

Book:  The Women of Christmas.

Author: Liz Higgs

Info:  Copyright 2013: New York:  Waterbrook Press.

Where acquired: Library check out.

Rating (on a scale of 1-4 stars):  ✮✭

Category:  Impulse Read:  The ladies' Bible study I was involved in before I started working were doing a study on this book.  Since I couldn't attend, I decided to read the book.

What it's about:  Higgs focuses on the principle female characters of the Christmas story.  Taking a verse-by-verse journey through the account of Jesus' birth, the author zeroes in on Elizabeth, Mary, and Anna.

What I Liked:

• The book was a short, easy read.
• The Kindle edition had real page numbers.
• There were no aside boxes in the text.

What I didn’t like: 

• The choppiness of the text read like a quick cut-and-paste of the author's notes and a few salient comments from her Bible study group thrown in.  Reading it was like being part of a Bible study where all the participants knew each other, but you were the newbie who didn't understand all the inside jokes and nuances of the group. 
• The study questions at the end just didn't do it for me.  It still felt like I was sitting as the lone "dunce" in a class full of teacher's pets.
• While I applaud her use of various Bible versions to further amplify the meaning of some passages, the manner is which they were done was very disruptive to the already choppy flow of the narrative.

Takeaway: 

Years ago, I read Higgs' Bad Girls of the Bible and really enjoyed it.  While I didn't expect this book to be written in the same style, I did expect a more in-depth text that would inspire me to dig deeper.  It didn't.  Maybe studying it along with others would have been more helpful--but maybe not. 

Don't Believe Me? Just Watch: The Weekly Hodgepodge

Want to join the party?  Come on over to From This Side of the Pond  for the Hodgepodge link-up!

Share one favorite moment/memory from your Christmas holiday.

On Christmas Sunday, our Pastor preached a message called "Unwrapped" where he had the kids in the church join him for an unwrapping session.  As the children unwrapped each gift, he would explain what the gift meant.  Each gift (a clock, a pair of shoes, a wallet, etc) represented what we could give the Lord as a gift all year (our time, our talents, our resources, etc).  You have to understand, Pastor Staples has a serious, scholarly personality.  That all got thrown out the window when he dealt with this gaggle of children.  It was so stinking hilarious.  Experience with preschoolers teaches that there's always that ONE kid who's going to answer EVERY question you ask, whether they know the answer or not.  They will come up with something. There was one particular little boy who came up with some zingers.  Pastor's quote, "This isn't turning out exactly how I planned."  Yep, but it sure was funny.

What was the best thing you ate over the holidays? Was it homemade or store bought? If it was homemade did you make it?

 

As I mentioned in a previous hodgepodge, I was considering going to Effina's and eating their Voodoo Pasta.  I vacillated back and forth about whether it was ostentatious or wasteful to buy myself an expensive meal.  It was neither...it was freaking delicious! 

What was one of the most beautiful things you saw over the holidays?

 

The Ladiga Trail for my Christmas Day walk.  The weather was perfect.  The only thing that would have made it better is some friends to chat with.

What does fresh start mean to you?

It means another chance to get things right.  It means another opportunity to learn.  A fresh start means all the false starts and mess ups won't be allowed.  It means a clean page to start writing a new chapter of life.  Yeah, I know it sounds like a cliché, but it's true. 

On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being very positive and 1 being not so great) how would you rate 2016 in terms of personal achievement and well being? Explain. 

A two, maybe.  I really didn't meet any goals.  The problem was, I set them, and then never looked at them again.  I couldn't tell you where I wrote them down.  I'm doing things differently this year.

Every January 1st since 1976 Lake Superior University has published a list of words they'd like to see banished from the Queen's English. Words may be banished due to misuse, overuse, or just general uselessness. Go here to read more about how the words were chosen or, if you're like me, to find out what in the world the word or phrase even means or the context in which it's used. There were quite a few on this year's list I'd never heard before.  Here's the 2017 list of banished words- You, Sir-focus-Bete Noire-Town Hall Meeting-Post Truth-guesstimate-831-historic-manicured-echo chamber-on fleek-bigly-ghost-Dadbod-listicle-get your dander up-selfie drone-frankenfruit-disruption. Which word on the list would you most like to see banished in 2017? What word or phrase would you add to the list?

First, who made these people the authority?  Second, I've not heard of many of these words so I don't have a dog in this fight.  Third, who cares?  If a word is being used properly what difference does it make.  Why don't we spend time getting rid of some really damaging words--racism, sexism, poverty, cancer, loneliness, depression, you know, stuff like that.  

Large or small, light or deep, share with us one goal you have for the new year. 

Each year, the Anniston Runners Club (ARC) has a mileage reward program.  An average of a mile a day (365, well 366 for leap year) wins the participant a pair of ARC socks.  Two a day (730, or 732 for leap year) garners an ARC visor.  The ultimate is the 1200 club--a average of 100 miles a month.  Not only does that win you an ARC jacket, but elite status.  I've been a member of the club for 3 years and each time I've only managed to win the socks. This year, I'm going for the jacket.  Even if I don't make it (I believe I will), I'll have walked and run more miles that I ever have.

Insert your own random thought here.

This song isn't new, but I'm usually late to latch on to good music.  I've been walking to this song all week.  Enjoy.

Auntie's 2016 Bookworm Challenge 20

Book:  A Christmas Carol
 

Author:  Charles Dickens

Info: Copyright 1986,  New York: Bantam Books.  (Originally Published in 1843

Where acquired: Either a yard sale or a library book sale; I don't remember.

Rating (on a scale of 1-4 stars):  ✮✭✭✭

What it's about:  Dickens' classic story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a shrewd businessman with a penchant for greed and cruelty, especially at Christmas.  He is haunted by three spirits who show him through his past, present, and the "shadow" of the future the dangers of his lack of compassion.

Favorite Quotes:

Speaking of Scrooge:  "Even the blindmen's dogs appeared to know him; and when they saw him coming on, would tug their owners into doorways and up courts; and then would wag their tails as though they said, 'no eye at all is better than an evil eye, dark master!'" - p. 6

"Man," said the Ghost, "if man you be in heart, not adamant, forbear that wicked cant until you have discovered What the surplus is, and Where it is. Will you decide what men shall live, what men shall die? It may be, that in the sight of Heaven, you are more worthless and less fit to live than millions like this poor man’s child. Oh God! to hear the Insect on the leaf pronouncing on the too much life among his hungry brothers in the dust!" - p. 53

What I Liked:

• Though this story is set in Victorian England, its message is universal to all of humanity.

What I didn’t like: 

• I know this is a trait of Dickens' writing, but he writes 8 pounds to the word.  He can take two paragraphs to simply say that someone is dead.  It reminds me of when I weeded through Moby Dick in graduate school.  Flowery language is one thing, but goodness, get it said!

Takeaway: 

Through the years, I've seen various movie adaptations of this story, but I'd never sat down and read the actual book.  Reading it made me love the story even more.  Rereading this may become a yearly Christmas tradition.

The Holly and the Ivy: The Weekly Hodgepodge

Want to join the party?  Come on over to From This Side of the Pond  for the Hodgepodge link-up!

Are you more task oriented or people oriented? Elaborate.

I think I'm a good mix of both.  I enjoy being with people (most of the time), but I like to be left alone to complete a task.

December 15 is National Wear Your Pearls Day...do you own/wear pearls? If you're a man answering the question, does your sweetheart own or wear pearls? Everyone share a 'pearl of wisdom' with us here today.

Nope, no pearls.  A pearl of wisdom?  Here's one I read Monday: "The only one who likes change is a wet baby." - Mark Twain

Speaking of pearls...oysters? Are you a fan or not a fan? If you answered yes, tell us your favorite way to eat oysters? If you said no, be honest-have you ever tried one or does just the idea of eating an oyster make you gag a little?

Not really a fan of oysters.  My friend, Suzanne, used to make a smoked oyster dip that I liked.  However, that was before I taught preschool and dealt with a lot of snotty noses.  Sorry, but the boogery texture of oysters causes my stomach to lurch now. 

Time Magazine has named President-elect Donald Trump Person of the Year. Let's take presidents and presidential candidates out of the mix for a minute. If a political figure had not been chosen who would you name Man or Woman of the Year for 2016?

Pastor Rick Warren should be man of the year.  He and Saddleback Church have done more to help make positive changes in society than any recent politician (federal, state, or otherwise).  Woman of the year?  It's a toss up between Brene' Brown and Beth Moore. 

The Pantone Color of the Year for 2017 has been announced, and it's a vibrant green aptly named-greenery. Your thoughts? Is this a color currently in your home or wardrobe? Will you add something in this shade for the new year? Click here to see the color.

It's pretty and would make a great accent color.   However, I don't think it would make it to my wardrobe.  Because I have yellow (bronze) undertones to my skin, I don't look good in most greens and yellows.  I'll most likely include shades of it in various paintings.  Wonder what paints I need to mix to get that exact color? 

Today I've had too much________________________.

Sugar.  I went to my Sunday School class' Christmas party today and had a blast, but I ate too many goodies.

Share a favorite lyric from a favorite Christmas carol.

From O Holy Night:

Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name

In this, my favorite version of the song, the last line is "Let every heart adore His holy Name."

Insert your own random thought here.

This is NOT a Christmas carol.  Just a fun song I like to hear every Christmas.  Have fun, y'all.

Bah Humbug: The Weekly Hodgepodge

Want to join the party?  Come on over to From This Side of the Pond  for the Hodgepodge link-up!

Let's talk holiday decorating. On a scale of 1-10 where do you fall? (1=Scrooge and 10= Clark Griswold). What's your favorite corner-room-table-space to decorate? Is it done?

This is going to take a hot minute, so you might want to get a cup of coffee before you start reading.

When I have my own place, I will be somewhere between Clark Griswold and Martha Stewart, so around 9.75.  It wouldn't be too gaudy and I may not put lights on the house, but I would make sure the inside was welcoming and festive.  The sky would be the limit.

Anyway...

As for this year, it started out as a Scrooge kind of year.  I love Christmas and everything it means, but I knew that most likely (for reasons withheld to protect the guilty) I'd have another bad Christmas (I've had several the past few years). My own sanity and emotional stability dictated that I simply not do Christmas this year--no decorations, no parties, no nothing.  The prospect was just too painful.  Some aspects still will be, but God has sent a Christmas blessing my way so that I can celebrate...and decorate.  More on that in the days to come. 

Is there a nativity scene in your decorating somewhere? Post a picture or, if it's special to you in some way, tell us why. Or do both-it's Christmas!

I wish.  I love Nativity scenes.

Do you live in a social neighborhood? If so are you glad? If not do you wish you did?

No, not really.  I wish I did.  We have several neighbors who are Alabama football fans (Roll Tide), but we all stay in our own homes and have our own tailgate get togethers.  It would be nice if we could all get together and enjoy the camaraderie.

As the saying goes, 'there's no time like the present'. How does that ring true in your life right now?

As I'm setting goals for the new year, I'm already working on some of the habits I want to cement as a part of my daily routine.  Why wait until January 1st?  As I read in Jon Acuff's blog: "Where does it say you have to wait until January 1 to turn some part of your life around?  If you start today, you still have two weeks to get a head start."

Sounds good to me. 

Do you dread Mondays? Why or why not?

Rarely.  I enjoy having a job to get out of bed for.  The only time I dread Monday is if I don't get enough rest over the weekend.  Then, it's only the tiredness I dread, not the day itself.

Poinsettia, Christmas Cactus, Amaryllis-which on the list is your favorite holiday plant? Are any of these on display in your home right now?

Wait, I thought Amaryllis was a spring bulb.  I had bulbs at my old apartment.  The first year they bloomed in late spring.  The next year, the landlord's yard crew cut them down (along with a lot of my good perennials--yes, I'm still mad about it).   They are gorgeous, but as I said, I didn't think they bloomed in winter.  I also enjoyed my Christmas Cactus until it died.  Poinsettias are my favorite holiday plant.  I will not have one at home this year, but I plan on helping buy one or two to decorate the sanctuary of the church.

Share a favorite quote from a Christmas movie.

In the George C. Scott version of A Christmas Carol, the Ghost of Christmas Present gets all up in Scrooge's Kool-Aid for his callous attitude about his fellow man while seeming to show concern for Tiny Tim's plight:

Ghost:  "If these shadows remain unaltered by the future, the child will die."

Scrooge:  "No, no, say he will be spared..."

Ghost:  "If these shadows remain unaltered by the future, none other of my species will find him here. But if he is to die, then let him die...and decrease the surplus population."

Scrooge:  "You use my own words against me."

Ghost:  "Oh yes.  So perhaps in the future you will hold your tongue until you have discovered what the 'surplus population' is, and where it is.  It may well be that in the sight of heaven you are more worthless and less fit to live than MILLIONS like this poor man's child!"    

Insert your own random thought here.

"If God said it, I want to believe it. If God gives it, I want to receive it. If God shows it, I want to perceive it. If Satan stole it, I want to retrieve it." - Beth Moore, Believing God.

My sister-in-blog, Annie, and I are reading this book.  It's a barn burner.  That quote from Chapter three is the cry of my heart.  Along with reading the book (among others), I'm also listening to Saddleback Church's series on believing God for breakthrough.  What I am learning has been amazing.

40 Days of Gratitude: Day 34



 

Today was a quiet Christmas.  I spent it resting when I wasn't working on projects.  Speaking of projects, I'm grateful for a couple of gifts I got from my friend Michelle last night.

 

I love the colors in these skeins of yarn.  I hardly ever take time to make something for myself, so that's what I'm doing with these.  I see a couple
of scarves and a maybe a hat.  Hmmm....

I've never seen these before. They are mini canvases on tiny easels; approximately 4 x 4 inches.  It's going to be fun finding something I can paint that's that small. 

It's great to have such fun gifts to work with.

I'll keep y'all posted on what I end up making.

Well, let's see what tomorrow holds...

40 Days of Gratitude: Day 33



I am thankful for the first ornament gift I received since starting over.  Thanks, Bob and Angie

I am thankful for the gift of shinny Christmas apples.  Yummy.  Thanks, Celeste.

















Today started with me dreading the Christmas Eve service at church.  I'd actually been dreading it for a while.  Last week, I tried to worm my way out of it, but our Worship Pastor wasn't going for it.  After that, my plan was to do my duty and play, become as invisible as possible, go home, say hi to all my roommate's family who are at the house, go in my room, and go to bed.  I'd even planned to refuse communion (Eucharist).  I wasn't trying to prove a point, or wage a protest, or garner sympathy, or draw attention to myself; I simply knew my heart wasn't right.  My heart was too heavy.

Look, I know that Christmas is about family--and rightly so--but I didn't know where to fit.  I'm not used to being wanted and included.  Sorry, it's been my experience since childhood, and yes, I'm sick of it too.  Unlike then, now I will not push for inclusion; that garners pity and resentment rather than love.  In other words, I know it ain't about me.

On top of not being in the best of mental states. the migraine-like tendrils of a post-menstrual headache set up shop around my right eye.  Thanks, Mother Nature, can I choke slam you now?  I did have enough sense to stop in the church parking lot and have a talk with the Lord about all this before I went inside.  I really didn't want to take the black exclamation point above my head into this celebration.

It tried to follow me anyway...

Not only am I late but when I sat down to play, I found out the hard way that one of my strings was more than 1/2 step WAY out of tune.  It was so bad it would have made baby Jesus cry and the heavenly host throw tomatoes.  Tune-as-you-go time.  That's what I get for being late.

On top of that, Christmas carols are notorious for having eight cords to the word. Look, I can't explain how I can play such complex improvisational runs all year long, but putting Christmas music in front of me turns me into a deer in headlights.

Anyway, I can never stay sad very long when I'm around other musicians and singers--we're all too silly; me being the worst of the lot.  It wasn't long before we were all laughing.

After the carols, Pastor Derek gave a brief message on the Christmas story.  I spent most of it praying about communion.  I asked God to help me get myself together enough to join in family Eucharist.  He did, and it was wonderful, and yes, I did get all tore up about it as usual.

The service in itself was plenty to be thankful for, but afterwards, a family invited me over to their home for dinner.  I had a great time.  Even though my headache didn't go away, I still drove home with a smile on my face.

And two Excedrin tablets later...with visions of fried chicken dancing in my head, good night y'all.

Christmas Got Run Over by a Reindeer: The Simple Woman's Daybook for Monday, December 23, 2013

If you would like to join in and post your own Daybook, please head on over to visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window …  cold and dreary, but on the upside, it's not raining.

I am thinking...  about whether my goal should be to survive Christmas or ignore it. 

I am thankful... for the true meaning of Christmas.

In the kitchen...  nothing in particular tonight. 

I am wearing... Red shirt and black pants.

I am creating... today, blog posts.

I am going...  nowhere tonight.

 

I am wondering... why people think that a good husband, as well as a good job, are things I can simply pull out of my butt?   YANK!  Ah, still nothing, not even a butt.  Dang!

I am reading... Listening to one of my favorite Christmas books, Shepherd's Abiding by Jan Karon.  I love the Father Tim / Mitford books.

I am hoping... for a good Christmas and all that means.

I am looking forward to... new possibilities.

I am learning… that heat pumps are a crappy invention.  They blow cold air when you need warm air.  Granted, mine is old and our landlords are replacing them, but still...

 

Around the house... stuff I need to do, but really don't feel like it.  It's not hurting anyone that they're not being done, so it doesn't matter.

I am pondering...   on how to do everything right so that success will come my way.  I guess that's how it works.

A favorite quote for today... "You know what the song Christmas Shoes needs? More Cowbell!" - Me

One of my favorite things... Hobby Lobby.  'Nuf said.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Christmas Eve service tomorrow night. Not so sure about the rest of the week, except for Celebrate Recovery on Friday.

A peek into my day...  pictures from playing at the Calhoun County Community Band Christmas concert.  Thanks to my friend, Regina, for taking these.  The biggest honor in this is that I got to play along side the man who taught me to play snare drum, my high school band director, Mr. Smith.

 

Starlight Mints: The Weekly Hodgepodge

Shout out to From This Side of the Pond for the Hodgepodge questions.

Do you believe in miracles?

Of course!  God works miracles every day.

What's a recent fad you admit to trying?

Zumba.

Peppermint-are you a fan? If so, what's your favorite food or beverage containing peppermint?

Candy canes and starlight mints.  That's about all.

Break the ice, on thin ice, as cold as ice (emotionally, not literally)...which phrase have you run into most recently? Explain.

I'm breaking the ice and attempting to make new friends.  I've run into cold as ice also.  There are a few people at church who still don't know what to make of me.  Things like manners and courtesy get pushed to the side in favor of lemon pucker stares  Oh well.  It's their loss.

Have you ever broken or spilled something in someone else's home? Still friends?

Sure, name me someone who's never spilled food or drinks at someone's house.  Of course we're still friends.  If they're so hoity-toity that they cease to be my friend because I spilled water at dinner, I don't need them as a friend anyway.  I don't like any relationship that involves walking on eggshells.

'Tis the week before Christmas...are you feeling more like Buddy the Elf or the Grinch before his heart grew?

I don't know who Buddy the Elf is, but I'm not quite the Grinch either.  Like I said last week, I love Who Christmas is about and what Christmas is about.  I'm just not able to do what I want and need to do about Christmas.  So, in that I am NOT the Grinch who didn't want anyone to have a good Christmas.  I just would like to have one myself.

Share a favorite quote relating to Christmas.

THIS!

Insert your own random thought here.

Never heard "The 12 Days of Christmas" like this, have you?  From the Rick and Bubba show:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/29899706/121808%20-%20Adler%20%26%20Friends%2012%20Days%20of%20Christmas.mp3

Little Drummer Boy: The Weekly Hodgepodge

Shout out to From This Side of the Pond for the Hodgepodge questions.

Are you doing anything special to mark this season of Advent? If so please share.

My makeshift advent wreath

Last year was the first time I'd ever been a part of a church-wide Advent celebration.  This year is the first time I've attempted Advent celebrations at home.  I love the idea, but honestly don't get it yet.  I've read how this practice is a great time of joyous spiritual renewal, but I'm not feeling it.  Maybe for it to be successful, it must be a "family" thing.  Oh well.  I am enjoying reading the prophesies of the coming Messiah and the New Testament accounts of His birth.

Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen...and of course you recall, the most famous reindeer of all...so, which reindeer name best describes you this week?

None of them really.

What's worse-too quiet or too loud? Which have you had more of lately?

Too loud, definitely.  Haven't had much of either, thank goodness.

This question comes to you from Zoanna over at A Penchant for Pens-thanks Zo! When you are administratively gifted, how often do you find yourself not trusting less gifted people to do what they've committed to do?  If you are not so gifted that way, but are reliable, how do you feel when the stronger person (in that area) goes ahead and covers it before giving you a chance to come through?

I don't know if I have administrative gifts or not.  I've not been given the opportunity to find out.  Anytime I've been in a leadership type role, those who know they are such gifted overran any opportunities I had to assert myself or be a part of the decision making process.  So, I just kind of go along to get along now.  It's like this, don't tell me I'm a vital leader in your business/ organization then take away any power I would have to be a leader.

What is your most dreaded task relating to the holidays? Your most looked forward to holiday task?

I don't really have a certain task I dread.  I've been fighting the urge to dread the Christmas season all together.  I love Who Christmas is about and what Christmas is about.  The dread is about wanting to bless and share and feeling thoroughly inadequate to do so.  So, once again I say, maybe next year I'll have myself together. 

Facebook has released its list of the 'most talked about' topics of 2013.' Pope Francis took the number one spot.  Does that surprise you? He was followed by election, royal baby, typhoon, and Harlem Shake. Your thoughts? What was your most talked about topic in 2013? (Facebook, around the kitchen table, or wherever it is you talk)

I'm always suspect of these kinds of lists, especially when these topics were barely mentioned (if mentioned at all) by my Facebook friends.  Where's the Iron Bowl?  Where's all the gripes about the formatting changes made by Facebook (of course THEY are not going to mention that)?  Nah, I put no stock in it at all.

What's something you consider a necessity that others might view as a luxury?

Good athletic shoes.  If I'm going to continue in my quest for health, I have to have good shoes that have good shock absorption and protect my feet from injury.  Long live New Balance! 

Insert your own random thought here.

Little drummer boy...the way it should be played...with DRUMS.

Carol of the Bells: The Weekly Hodgepodge

Shout out to From This Side of the Pond for the Hodgepodge questions.

According to Oxford Dictionaries, the 2013 word of the year is 'selfie'. Your thoughts? When did you last take a selfie? Do you post them online somewhere? Do you prefer to be in front of the camera or behind the lens?

The last selfie I took was actually of a shirt I was wearing.  I think selfies are O.K. I take them mainly because there's no one else around to take pictures of me during important or fun events in my life.  I would prefer that others take my picture because they tend to turn out much better than me taking them myself.

Will you send out Christmas cards this year? If so, are they ready to go? If not, are you glad or sad about leaving that tradition behind?

I want to, but I'm also so sappy that I may not.  It didn't feel right in the past when I just signed and dated the cards.  I like to write personal messages in the cards, but that may take too long, and I'll probably go through a whole box of tissues...or two.  I guess I'd better decide.

Do you trust easily?

Nope, been burned too many times.  I'm picky about who I trust with what.

Pine-cinnamon-peppermint-vanilla (as in sugar cookie)...of those listed, which one is your favorite December scent?

Vanilla (as in sugar cookie) definitely.

Did you do more talking or more listening yesterday? Was that by choice or necessity?

Neither, I was alone most of the day.

What's the last song that got stuck in your head? Sorry if it's back there now :)

Carol of the Bells.  We're practicing it for Sunday, so it needs to stay stuck in my head.  :)

Which world explorer (in the whole history of the world) would you most like to have traveled with, and why?

No one in particular.  I would just like the opportunity to travel the world and have the privilege of experiencing the sights, sounds, and cultures of different places in the United States and the world.  I even have a Pinterest board with some of the places I'd like to visit.  The list grows periodically.

Insert your own random thought here.

Had a great Thanksgiving.  I'm hoping to spread some joy during the Christmas season and stay out of the mullygrubs.

Christmas in June: 30-Day Blog Challenge, Day 7

Favorite Films. [Blog Challenge:  Day 7]

Let’s just cut to the chase.  My all time favorite movie is A Christmas Carol.  This movie has been made in various versions over the years, some good, some not-so-good (ok, the one with Cicily Tyson absolutely sucked dirt).  My favorite versions are as follows:

 
The George C. Scott version is my ultimate favorite.  No one plays a meaner Scrooge than he.  The Ghost of Christmas Present telling Scrooge off is my favorite line in the movie:

Ghost:  “But if he is to die, then let him die and decrease the surplus population.”

Scrooge:  “You use my own words against me.”

Ghost:  “Oh, yes.  So perhaps in the future you will hold your tongue until you have discovered WHAT the surplus population is and WHERE it is.  It may well be that in the sight of Heaven you are more worthless and less fit to live than MILLIONS like this poor man’s child.”  (That’s one of those lines I wish I could give).

 

Best modernized version:  Ebbie staring Susan Lucci as Elizabeth Scrooge.  It’s the scrooge story set in the 1990’s.  They showed it on Lifetime and on the Hallmark channel ages ago.  I wish it was available on DVD.  Fortunately someone has put it on YouTube.  I like it because it’s updated, but not cheesy.  Plus Susan Lucci plays the perfect witch on a broom, if you know what I mean.  And, yes, I know that they had the Tiny Tim character singing way too high for his changing voice, but it doesn’t ruin the movie.

Best Comedy Version:  The Muppets Christmas Carol with Michael Caine as Scrooge.  Find me a funnier version without Gonzo the Great and Rizzo the Rat narrating it!  You can’t, can you?

Best “I’m Surprised it Was that Good” Version:  The version starring Patrick Stewart as Scrooge.  Don’t get me wrong, Mr. Stewart is a great actor, but I’m so used to seeing him as Captain Jean-Lue Picard on Star Trek:  The Next Generation (engage!), that I wasn’t sure he could pull this off.  He did, and it was wonderful.  I heard that he does a one man stage production of it.  Now, THAT I would like to see.

 

Best Cartoon/Animated Version:  A toss up between Mickey's

Christmas Carol and Veggietales:  An Easter Carol.  Both of which I saw about 800 times when I taught preschool.

I think I like the Scrooge story so much because we’ve all been there at some point—hardened by life’s tragedies and other people’s harsh words and deeds.  We can either choose to live in hope like Bob Cratchit, or in empty greed like Scrooge.  If we're smart, we find lightness of heart and joy in letting go of anger and learning to love and serve our fellow man.  I think that Scrooge’s change of heart gave him the freedom to give and serve, not the other way around.  Maybe that’s just me…

{I'm linking up with So, Funny Story http://ktslifeisfunny.blogspot.com for this 30 Day blog challenge.}