Welcome Winter, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!


Merry Christmas!


Twelve Christmas angels met
Up near the Milky Way;
To discuss why joy was missing,
From the Christmas holiday.

It gave them so much sadness,
As they tracked the negative trend;
So each decided to do their part,
To bring this madness to an end.

Angel one would touch memories,
Reminding of the blessings of life;
Angel two would tenderize hard hearts,
Removing bitterness and strife.

Angel three would gather families,
From far reaches of the earth;
Then stir feelings of love and peace,
Giving hope and joy new birth.

Angel four would return Merry
And Christ to holiday greetings.
Angel five would clear calendars,
To make time for family meetings.

Angels six would flame enthusiasm,
Angels seven would spread cheer;
Angel eight would grow generosity,
Angel nine would diminish fear.

Angel ten would dispel darkness,
By lighting colorful decorations;
Angel eleven would draw the lonely,
To warm and friendly celebrations.

Angel twelve would have the hardest job,
Bringing wonder back to each heart;
And reminding all the people,
Of how Christmas had its start.

So with haste they met the challenge,
And made everything all right;
They restored the joy and happiness,
Before that Christmas night.

So Merry Christmas then to one and all,
May every tongue employ;
And thank you Christmas angels,
For bringing back the Christmas joy!


Written by Loyd C Taylor


2014 52 Books in 52 Weeks

Once again I'll be hosting another round of reading 52 books in 52 Weeks? Whether you are just joining in or continuing on for another round, the rules are very simple. The goal is to read one book (at least) a week for 52 weeks. Make the year easy and casual or kick it up by exploring new to you authors and genres. Challenge yourself to read at least some classics or delve into that chunkster (more than 500 pages) you always wanted to tackle. Do you have books gathering dust on the shelves just waiting to be read? Then now is the time. The goal is to read 52 books. How you get there is up to you. 


I have included several mini challenges to make it fun:

Read Around the World:  You can read books set in and/or written by an author of a different country each week.  You can hang out in one country, exploring their history and culture or strike out across the world, mixing and mingling.  It's entirely up to you how fast and how far and how many books you want to read.  Have fun exploring!  

Nobel Prize Winners in Literature:  read books written by winning authors

Well Educated Mind:  Continuing exploring the classics in 5 categories: Fiction, Autobiography, History/Politics, Drama and Poetry. 

52 BaW Reader Recommendations:  Read books recommended by participants in 2013

Dusty Mini challenge: Limit buying new books for 1 - 4 months and read 4 to 12 or more 
books gathering dust on your shelves prior to 2013. 

Chunky Mini Challenge -books more than 500 pages.


I've also some up with monthly themes and readalongs to kick it up a notch: 


  • January:     Haruki Murakami's 65th birthday - Wind Up Bird Chronicles Readalong
  • February:    700th Anniversary of Dante's Inferno - readalong
  • March:        Sully Prudhomme (French) 1st Nobel prize Winner -  birthday 3/16/1839)
  • April:          National Poetry Month
  • May:           Art History Mysteries - Monuments Men Readalong
  • June:          Steampunk month (gear con) (steampunk.com)
  • July:           Anniversary Thomas More's Death - Utopia /  Utopian/Dystopian reads
  • August:       World War 1 100th Anniversary / Fiction or Non fiction readalong
  • September: Banned Books Month
  • October:     Spooktacular
  • November:  Non Fiction November
  • December:  Inspiration reads
Yes, I plan on it being a busy reading year!   If you haven't joined in yet, now is the time to play!!!