Glad tidings

A few links and a quick message of thanks

A batch of collages from Christmases past

Hey y’all,

We’re two days past the solstice and two days from Christmas. Down here in Texas, it looks like we’ll be running the A/C a few more times before the year is over. Our kids have caught whatever plague is running around, so they’re snuggly and mellow. We have no plans for the week and no guests. I must say: it ain’t bad!

A little batch of things I wanted to share before I go back to sleeping in, eating cookies, and playing Stardew Valley:

• I already sent you my Christmas mixtape of music, books, and movies I like, but I forgot to add one of my favorite holiday traditions: listening to KUTX’s Holiday Mix from Dec. 22 to Dec. 25! I’ve heard from several readers who have made it their tradition as well, and that makes me very happy. (If you’re sick of holiday music, how about some music that sounds like it could be holiday music, but isn’t?)

• As you might be able to tell from this thumbnail, I had a downright delightful time chatting with filmmaker Penny Lane about the creative life and making movies. I got so much out of our conversation and I think you will, too.
  
  

• Years ago, writer Tim Krieder told me he starts every day by looking at NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day. There were some particularly excellent solstice entries this week: a solstice sun tattoo, the solstice on a Spinning Earth, and a solstice sunset over Stonehenge.
  
  

• “It's a family celebration of the light coming back after the dark threatens to take over the world.” Susan Cooper’s poem, “The Shortest Day.” (Illustrated by Carson Ellis.)  

  
  

• I’m grateful to know the term “dead week” to describe the no-man’s land between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. I used to dread this week, but now I look forward to it as a time when nobody really expects much of me and nothing I do really matters that much. It’s a great time to rest, recover, and relax. Maybe even get in a little holiday practice.