A Child's Christmas in Wales

Today I am posting the full text of A Child's Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas.

Thomas was born in Wales in 1914 and died in 1953. He left a body of work behind him of stories and poetry. Several years ago I began reading this every Christmas...to students, to children, to adults. I had several small paperback versions that have all but disappeared from my library shelves as I have given them all away.

I had attached the full copy of the story in print, but there are also versions on utube in which you can enjoy the strong Welsh voice of Dylan Thomas.

In the meantime, I am leaving the mountains of North Carolina to journey on to Charleston.

Enjoy a cozy read on this rainy day in the Carolinas!


A Child's Christmas in Wales

Art out my window...

Philip and I are spending the Christmas season in North Carolina with his son and family. They live outside of Asheville in the mountains and it is certainly beautiful.

We spent Christmas Day with Snee's family (his wife), and so we traveled deeper into the mountains for a huge family celebration.

The scenery was lovely as we traveled. As always, I keep my camera ready.  Philip graciously stopped the car so I could take this great photo in the mountains.

This really caught my eye. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. There are many stories to be told from this one photo!

Merry Christmas to my circle of family and friends!

Merry Christmas to all...enjoy this week's column!



Click here for my Christmas column!

In the Bleak Mid-Winter

With coffee and camera in hand, I waited for the morning sunrise in the mountains outside of Asheville. It was so quiet a peaceful, a perfect Christmas Eve morning.

I couldn't help but think of the song, "In the bleak mid-Winter". Please click on the link to hear the song.

Join me tomorrow morning on Christmas to watch the sun come up wherever you are on the holiest of mornings.

Click here for text and music!

To Librarians Everywhere!!

Click here for this week's column!

This week's column is dedicated to librarians everywhere! Enjoy!

"Date a girl who reads..."

Date a girl who reads...(click here)


So here I am directing you to another blog site and wondering why I didn't take the time to write this myself.

It is a brilliant piece of writing so I thought you must read it as well.

By the way, I am writing this as I await reading on this rainy day in December where the snow should be flying instead of raindrops. Alas, the lights are lovely against the windowpanes and the birds still share their own gossip at my bird feeders.

Out of my own curiosity, what are you reading right now?

This week's article...enjoy!

Click here for Christmas in my home town.


This week's article features the events of last Sunday. It was one of those whirlwind days enjoying each and every event in my hometown.

It was, however, not the least or the last of these events. As you all know, each town, city, village or rural areas take great pride in their own traditions.

I would love to hear from you about something wonderful in your hometown a well.
Thank you all for the comments on the blog or on Facebook. You give me encouragement in this life as an artist that I pursue.

Some of the musicians at Wing Haven.



Just folks enjoying the sing!

Here are the three new musicians that have joined the group:

John Boyd, Steve Eyrich and Kevin Burnell.

Maybe next year I will be in this photo with my guitar!

This is Art Eberhardt!

Here is Matthew and Jonah warming up by the pot belly stove. I can't

tell if this is pre or post cookie consumption!

Here are a few members of the Trine choir accompanied

by the multi-talented Lyn Syler.

Girl's Potluck!

Girl's Potluck was started a few years ago in my house, although none of us can really remember exactly when. I know it was after a recent visit to Ocracoke where community is the main focus of the Island, and I love and long for community.

There are no rules for the potluck, you bring whatever you like; somehow it always works out. Once in a while there are all salads, and once there were all desserts, which was fine by all. But usually it all works out. New girls often ask what to bring, but I just tell them anything.

The numbers always vary due to busy lives. We spend time celebrating milestones in our lives. We also had quiet moments as we did last night as we remember Linda, who died this past year. Our thoughts went to Jeri as well as she sits by her sister's bedside just waiting.

We tell lots of stories too, and most stay as long as the candles are lit!

The potluck will meet again on February 6th, please join us. If you live in a different community, which you probably do, then start your own. It is always fun to see who comes in the back door!



Thanksgiving is over...now moving on to Christmas!

Hi Everyone,

I always appreciate you reading and commenting on my blog. I do try to get to it...but seriously life just gets in the way for writing every day. New Year's Resolution #1. Write daily.  #2. Work out daily. #3. Write on my blog why I couldn't write or work out.

Click here for this week's column!!   

The title says it all!!!

Jack Frost of Robert Frost?

The first snow of winter, and it was definitely a winter wonderland! The storm was predicted a couple of days earlier and the snowfall count continued to grow. It was one of the most beautiful snows I have ever known. Warm, soft snow clinging to each tree and bush.

The first photo is of the boys shoveling. They shoveled my walk and every other walk in the neighborhood. They are too young to know that someday they could make money doing this! The second photo is from my front porch and the last photo is taken from my living room window. As you can see, I fill my windows with prisms!

The porch windows were frosted over enough to actually etch your name in the glass. I love always telling the window sales folks that, "No, thank you, I love my old windows!" Where would Jack Frost do his work if I had new porch windows?

I couldn't help but think ofRobert Frost as well in his poem,Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening.

So, the first of winter is here, let it snow and let the earth gently be covered letting the world rest until Spring.

Walking the 5K!

Click here for this week's column!


Hi Folks,

Hope you enjoy this column on walking the 5K!! It was fun and my first big walk for a while!!

Thanks for reading, always a pleasure!

Lou Ann

Girl's Night Out

Every Thanksgiving vacation I take my three daughter-in-laws out to the Hatchery for an evening for dinner.

The Hatchery is a locally owned restaurant just down the street and make the best appletinis!! It is fun to have dinner, chat, catch up with these young ladies.

From left to right: Karen Homan married to Aaron (they live here in town), Kristin Homan married to Abe (they live in Phoenix), and Tonya Homan married to Adam (they live in St. Pete, Florida).

We had a wonderful time leaving the men with their own dinne and the kids!

The Hatchery always has a special table saved just for us!

We had a great time!

Family Story Night

Last night was family story night at my house. It was actually a planned event because of so many activities during this week.

My sons and their families are here for 10 days. It makes life very interesting and busy with children and their wives and personalities!

Each night is a different activity and I love all of it. I made a chore list this year so that everyone could help out with the work. (It is not quite working out as well as expected, however, it is a big help!)

I have been writing for NaNoWriMo. I have over 67 pages. These stories are all from the farm from which we all 'grew up'.

I made copies for the boys in notebooks and they read the stories before story night.

There were hundreds of stories I had forgotten or details. We set the tape recorder in the middle of the room. For two and a half hours the stories just poured out. We laughed, we cried. I took notes. Stories of which I had never heard about the farm....growing up, hunting, all of their activities on the farm.

I could only think that it is a wonder that all three survived those years.

I was oblivious to some of these stories as I lived in my wonderful world of writing, and romance and my own imagination.

So, what a great night of story. This is an important event for all families; turn off the cell phones, the TV and anything else that plugs in and tell those stories!

Lou Ann