Holiday Serendipitous

For your Christmas Eve and Christmas Day enjoyment …

By Jace, a Trail Mix Contributor

Dear Friends,

I have put together something a bit different for today. For lack of a better description  I call it “12 Musical Moments of Christmas.”

Throughout history there is no holiday that has provided more impetus for musical celebration than has Christmas. It has elicited the best in the way of imagination and artistry from composers, arrangers, and performers, and continues to do so to this day.

These selections cover a wide range of musical genres and ideas. Some are very meaningful to me. More importantly, I hope that there may be one that is meaningful and joyous to you.

For at least a few precious moments, hours, or days, may each of you find peace and tranquility in your lives. Let us not languish in the doldrums of what might have been, nor give way to despair over that which may still come. Instead let us revel in the sparkling, iridescent moments of shared memories and and hope renewed.

As always, enjoy the music and enjoy your day!

Merry Christmas!

Jace

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84 thoughts on “Holiday Serendipitous”

  1. wonderful way to start the day, jace.  thanks for the music and the reminder: Let us not languish in the doldrums of what might have been, nor give way to despair over that which may still come….  written as beautifully as this sanskrit poem by kalidasa

    Look to this day:
    For it is life, the very life of life.
    In its brief course
    Lie all the verities and realities of your existence.
    The bliss of growth,
    The glory of action,
    The splendour of achievement
    Are but experiences of time.

    For yesterday is but a dream
    And tomorrow is only a vision;
    And today well-lived, makes
    Yesterday a dream of happiness
    And every tomorrow a vision of hope.
    Look well therefore to this day;
    Such is the salutation to the ever-new dawn!

  3. Amen to that Sturg. Was lucky enough to see here one-woman show at Lincoln Theater in DC a few years back, was a pleasure, and such great stories about her Mom

    Thanks Jace for a tour de force, going to space them out and listen over the weekend

  4. one of those inescapable moments where we are warned by jace not to “give way to despair” today.
    there are 11 states worse according to article’s accompanying video at
    huffpo‘s
    North Carolina’s Democracy Ranked On Par With Cuba
    The state barely counts as a democracy anymore, says an electoral integrity report.

     

    and more on this phenomenon from lawyersgunsmoney blog  Democratic Backsliding in the USA

  5. Dear Jace,

    What a beautiful gift to all those on the trail and to the world.  The music of the season does add a note of hope to end the year and open the door to the adventure ahead.  Thank You.

  7. this was their offering last year.  lovely compilation of the various ways in different cultures globally that light enlightens spirits

  8. Thank you Jace and all that have shared the message and the light.  We are sharing these today as we prepare.  These are simple blessings that deliver joy.

    Thank you Craig for being such a host and that after all of this past year we come together in this space with a common purpose.  I hope we all can Resolve to continue this in the  New Year as we look within ourselves, our family and friends, and with our community.

    God Bless

  9. At the little military school where I attended 8th grade we attended an episcopal church service every school day. I wasn’t particularly interested but always dug the music anyway.   I’d begun to notice that some of the kids simply didn’t participate in much of the mambo-jumbo, and finally asked somebody wassup wid dat, and was told that those kids were Jewish.  After pondering that for a bit I finally concluded that I, too, must be Jewish.

    It was a first step towards spiritual enlightenment, so to speak.

     

     

  10. Saw the news about Carrie, very  sad.  I have enjoyed her very candid interviews.

    Weather report from DC.  Wet and cool.  Dog who does not do mornings just got up, 9:45am EST.  One look outside and she tried dragging me to the bedroom to go back to bed.  Nah.  She is now chewing on her holiday bone and showing no interest in outside.  Some hunter dog.

    Reviving a tradition this evening.  Actually, same but different tradition.  Years ago when I was kicked out of the house my roommate and I promised to do Christmas day together.  Neither of us had family who cared about us or wanted us around.  So we started our own family tradition.  I cooked dinner for a few years, and decided I would rather not cook dinner anymore.  So I searched around and found open restaurants in the Denver area.  We went to an Indian restaurant and stood in line like so many others waiting for it to open at 6pm.  It was a good tradition.

    As I moved away from Denver in 2010, and have usually had Christmas dinner at my brother’s, there was no tradition to hold anymore, except those times my cat and I enjoyed something on my sailboat.  This year my dog’s dogmother and I were talking and decided to go out to Christmas Eve dinner.  As she said, a new tradition has started for her.  An old tradition of mine has revived.

    During my search in Denver for open restaurants I noticed two American restaurants open, along with the Vietnamese, Chinese, and a few Middle Eastern.  Driving by on the 25th I understood why.  There were a lot of cars and several of the retirement homes transport vehicles.  Rather than cook in they went out for a holiday party.  A good tradition.  I expect a lot of us Baby Boomers would rather eat out than cook.

  12. BB: I stopped cooking big holiday meals a couple years ago too so #1 son and his partner are stopping by our favorite Chinese restaurant on their way over to my place to pick up our Christmas feast tomorrow 🙂 Merry Christmas to all of us lazy boomers LOL!

    Jace: Lovely selections. I’ve been playing holiday tunes on the keyboard, watching Christmas and other Inspirational movies and running Christmas screen savers on my TV for the last few days to get into the holiday spirit and wash away the sad reality of our current political crisis as much as possible. If you don’t mind I’d like to add one more musical escape to your collection. One of the first songs I learned as a little French girl many years ago sung by another little girl with a much better voice:

     

  13. I may be wrong, but I’m thinking that Lennon was the only Beatle to have scored a solid Christmas hit song……..

  14. Our lemon tree is having a good year. We will peel this one and stuff it in the turkey for a moist and tasty bird.

  15. Sturg, when I went to Kenyon, an Episcopal college, attendance at a weekly religious service was mandatory. As a silent protest, I attended the Friday evening service sitting respectfully in the rear. I was politely tolerated.

  20. Really did dig the music, though:

    “A Mighty Fort-tress Is Our Goooood

    a Bulwark Never Fail-ing!”

    wow, whadda concept.

    “For Those in Per-il ooon the Sea”

    what’s not to like there?

  21.  

    Woops! I posted one song twice. This is what should have been there.

    Jace can’t count very well.?

  24. I’m doing Christmas at our house. Will be doing the turkey tomorrow–a nice Publix 18-pounder. Basic turkey with noi instilled chemicals. Bought real Publix cut-up bread all nicely dried for the stuffing. It will be marvelous.

    Now I’m about to make the sticky rolls. They will be the highlight of the dinner. The recipe is towards the back of the Kitchenaid mixer included cookbook from the middle 70s. The sticky part includes maple syrup, butter, pecans, etc. Marvelous. I’ve never seen them at a Chinese restaurant.

    But I will be cooking traditional rice

  28. Craig,

    Beautiful flower. Timing is everything.

    I am so good with blaming Russia, but I like Russians, probably my Volga German heritage so let’s blame Vlad. Him I don’t  like.

  29. Funny thing about that lemon tree is that we did not plant it. Just showed up on its own in a thicket of other trees with little sun. We didn’t even know it was there until it bore fruit many years ago. We call it our garden’s Immaculate Conception.

  30. People can learn a lot from others traditions.   But some are so smug in their setting they don’t realize when they are being a big giant asshole — I think Trump is a lot like  that  sort of white male exceptionalism.   I think most people like diversity and the contributions that other cultures can make to our lives.  And some people can’t get over themselves.

    Like that liar The Condom -she bashed  a job in DC talked about her responsibilities as a mother until she got  a job….every word out of her mouth is a lie.

    Craig a recipe for banana blossom tacos!

    https://www.facebook.com/pg/ChalkHillCookery/posts/?ref=page_internal

    Freshly picked banana blossom. Peeled, sliced, and marinated. Once it’s soaked in acidulated water for a few hours and leeched of the tannins it is ready to eat. Here we have Banana Blossom Salad Taco with Avocado, Passionfruit, and Fermented Jalapeño Chile Sauce.

  31. prep has started for tomorrow’s feast.  have just baked the requisite mince meat pie with vent hole in shape of Christmas tree, red cabbage and cranberry dish next so flavors can meld overnight and goose is well on its way of thawing so ready to thrust in oven at crack of dawn.  this year said goose is 11+ lbs since last year a smaller one was almost all consumed by just one of the guests leaving not much in the way of leftovers for highly anticipated sandwiches the next day. in addition to the red cabbage, there will be wild and white rice, asparagus, giblet gravy, poached pears, and spinach salad sprinkled with pecans, mandarins and cranberries.

    an extravagant indulgence looked forward to, appreciated at the having, and pondered upon days later.

  34. Merry and Tasty Christmas to all you Good Girls and Boys, and a lump of coal for you bad boys and girls.
     
    We run this Greeting on the Honor System, just like military academies. You get to select which you deserve, for by now you are old enough to know. 
    No Cheating !

  35. Is this Serendipity in addition to the customary Sunday Serendipity ?
    Or, will this Serendipity do ?     giggle

  37. X-R

    I’d vote for your parents in some best of category for their story that the tooth fairy had moved on to a place where she was needed more

  38. Since im a Pantheist….i will be offering thanks to all the gods everywhere……it is said that when you thank god (i do this at least once a day) for the food that you are about to eat……..that your karma will always have food on the table……..so gracias pos esta comida sra diosa…………later, see u all next year…….

    You are it, i am it, we are it, it is it….and That is THAT!

  39. I enjoy cooking, I’ve been playin with a new bread dough, it is rich 2 eggs a stick of butter, 1/2 cup of warmed milk 1/2 cup of honey  package of fast rise yeast  3 cups of flour. pinch of salt  Do what you do with bread dough, add liquid or flour to get it right. and knead it. let sit  till it rises punch it down roll it out 1/4 inch thick or thinner cut into triangles and stuff with the sweet of your choice. I stuffed mine with dried cherries and guava paste  or Almond paste. Now, because I’m diabetic I’m passing them and the cookies I baked yesterday,  out to neighbors.  Well maybe I’ll keep a few for breakfast and a few to nibble on through the day.

     

  40. Finally,  A restaurant opened down the street recently with the propitious name of Los Tamales.  I bought a test dozen yesterday.  Tacoma WA now has the Christmas tamales I’ve been longing to see for a decade.

  41. Nice Christmas Eve win for the Pats! Now hopefully Oakland will lose & Pats will have home field advantage for the playoffs! That’s what I want for Xmas 🙂

  42. I blame the Russians for a lot of things, because they are doing the messing with me.  They changed the attacks on my website from every two or three weeks to around the clock.  What a pain they are.  It would be nice if one of them showed and offered to buy me lunch or a drink sometime instead of screwing around trying to hack my website.

  43. I’m still not entirely sure what manner of theist I might be…… I know or have faith that Sun is God….and that gives me faith that fire is son of God …. After that point it’s all turtles.

  45. I talk to our plants, among other things. Today, after a hiatus of a couple of years, our favorite orchid decided to bloom. Explain that, y’all.

  46. I’ve just tried four of the holiday sweet rolls. They passed muster. I might try a couple more later on just to make sure.

  47. We’ve got a fine looking standing rib roast in the oven. But our digital thermometer battery is dead, so we’re flying blind

  48.  

    I I neglected to mention that this school, in the chapel, had a 19th C. Organ     I got to play Louie Louie on it once

  50.  

    well, Santa is home got all the presents delivered. At least this Santa is, don’t know about the others.

    We adopted a neighborhood family, eight kids, it was kind of fun it had been a long time since I had bought presents for children. Gotta love dollar tree, they had a lot of fun stocking stuffers.

    Jack

     

     

  51. My friend jace, Nossir…….I wouldn’t be a Lutheran if you paid me and bought me a new pair of Topsiders……..

  52. Sturg,

    I figured as much.

    While Lutherans don’t have the exclusive rights on A Mighty Fortress..  we are a bit choosy when it comes to sharing it. Episcapalions get to use it because they let us sing Oh God our help  in Ages Past It’s a fair trade.

  53. Wishing everyone good health & happiness, safe travels today & always.

    This is a great community & it is an honor to be a part of it.

     

  54. I purchased some chocolate covered cranberries & almonds from our friend Oldseahag for gifts. Will confess the only one who received them was me. They are addictive. Help me! Too much deliciousness!

  55. “While Lutherans don’t have the exclusive rights on A Mighty Fortress..  we are a bit choosy when it comes to sharing it. Episcapalions get to use it because they let us sing Oh God our help  in Ages Past It’s a fair trade.”

    jace,  have always liked the Mormons’ “how great thou art” for it’s soaring phrases.  what would one have to trade for it?  say if one were an apostate southern Baptist…. the whole broadman hymnal maybe or just “what a friend we have in you know who”

    also am quite fond of a quieter, calmer hymn that probably nobody would care trading for (is this one in your Lutheran lexicon ?) and it sings more to a Buddha nature:

    This Is My Father’s World  (Music by Franklin Sheppard; Text by Malthie Babcock)

    This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears

    All nature sings, and round me rings The music of the spheres.

    This is my Father’s world; I rest me in the thought

    Of rocks and trees, of skies and  seas, His hand the wonders wrought.

    This is my Father’s world, The birds their carols raise,

    The morning light, the lily white, Declare their Maker’s praise.

    This is my Father’s world; He shines in all that’s fair;

    In the rustling grass I hear Him pass, He speaks to me everywhere.

  56. sjwny, sea has some chocolate raspberry goodies beyond belief…. in heart shape form make perfect valentine presents.

  57. a Christmas present specially for fearless leader

    from hindustantimes

    Queen Elizabeth II will pay tribute to inspirational unsung heroes in her Christmas Day broadcast to the Commonwealth on Sunday.

    The 90-year-old monarch will put the focus on “ordinary people doing extraordinary things”, according to the text of her annual message.

    The head of the Commonwealth will urge people to achieve “small things with great love” in the speech, which is an integral part of Christmas Day traditions in Britain, and for millions around the world.

    “I often draw strength from meeting ordinary people doing extraordinary things: volunteers, carers, community organisers and good neighbours; unsung heroes whose quiet dedication makes them special,” she said, in the pre-recorded message.

  59. Patd

    Were we separated at birth or something.  This is my father’s World has always been my favorite hymn because of all the nature images.  So I’ll put the Mormons to work on it.

  61. Unless the fraud elect has a conversion to decency on the level of St Paul on the road to Damascus and reappoints Merrick Garland, who ever he does appoint will be sitting in a stolen seat.

    The Stolen Seat

  62. Merry Christmas….   and God bless us everyone (no….  I did not steal that from Tiny Tim…  well…  maybe a little bit).

    OSH’s chocolate is to die for!  My favorites….   Almond Butter Crunch and Pirate Food…  but then I’m partial to toffee and caramel.

    GrannyM…  the AFC will come through Foxborough.  And my favorite gift from Santa was a nice new plush Patriots blanket.

    Flatus….  I see Santa gave you an early Christmas gift….   a Brown’s win….  Congrats!

    Everyone have a great day!

  63. Jamie, thanks. first time I ever heard it sung with such a lilt. most times soft, stolid but calming.

    those nature scenes were nice touch…. they sure know how to sell a song.

     

    p.s. think craig will like his Christmas greeting?

  64. sad to lose some magnificent voices.  not exactly the Mormon tabernacle bunch but close.

    from today’s boston globe

    There is no indication anyone survived the Sunday crash of a Russian plane with 93 people aboard, including members of a well-known military choir, Russia’s Defense Ministry said.

    The Tu-154, which belonged to the Defense Ministry, crashed into the Black Sea two minutes after taking off from the resort city of Sochi, officials said.

    The military plane was taking 64 members of the Alexandrov Ensemble to a holiday concert at the Hemeimeem air base in Syria’s coastal province of Latakia.

    A total of 85 passengers and eight crew members were on the plane when it disappeared from radar. 

  66. Patd

    I’m sure Craig is too nice a gentleman to be mean to a great grandmother with severe sniffles.

     

  69. The interior of St. Luke’s Chapel, where I spent every school morning for four years…….formerly on the campus of Porter Military Academy, now maintained by the Medical University of South Carolina

    nice place………looking for a recording of the organ.

  71. It’s open to public most days and as I’d made a friend of the lady curator she would let me play the organ…….used to take my daughter by there and play a bit for her……….didn’t know any Bach but knew a ton of Lieber and Stoller tunes………that and fur Elise, of course…….I think that means Elise’s Coat……..

  72. That above is a fairly tame piece, but when they honked down on it, that thing would rock the rafters.

  73. So the pew story might just be a local fabrication or something.
    This popular non-denominational wedding location, located at the corner of Ashley Avenue and Bee Street, was originally part of a Federal arsenal built between 1825 and 1832 by the United States government. It was later obtained in 1879 by the Reverend Anthony Toomer Porter for the education of boys orphaned or left destitute by the Civil War. In 1883 Dr. Porter converted the artillery shed into a chapel. The building served Porter Academy students from 1883 to 1965.
    The Medical College (now Medical University) of South Carolina took possession of the property at that time. The Chapel was rededicated on April 17, 1966, and renamed to honor the important biblical figure, St. Luke the Physician.

    In September of 1989, Hurricane Hugo severely damaged the building, and most of its contents were destroyed or made useless. The rebuilding of the chapel began as soon as possible and it now meets modern standards of comfort and efficiency while retaining almost all of the building’s historical appearance. St. Luke’s Chapel was restored and rededicated on February 10, 1994, affirming MUSC’s commitment to healthcare and health education as an art with spiritual, ethical, emotional, and relational components.

  74. Wonderful gift Jace.  Having a nice relaxed day cooking & hanging with Mrs. P and LP. It’s a good clear 50 degree day. Turkey, all the traditional fixins and my mom’s spirit in her sweet potato casserole. Mmmmmm.

    Everyone have a great day, whatever holiday you’re celebrating, if any.

  75. Courtesy of Neil DeGrasse Tyson:  On this day long ago, a child was born who, by age 30, would transform the world. Happy Birthday Isaac Newton b. Dec 25, 1642

  76. Poobah, we did a standing rib roast yesterday.  Green beans & onions, roasted potatoes w/onions & carrots.  And Mrs P’s ex gramma in law’s cheesecake. Oh my god, I coulda died happy.

  77.  
    To Craig, David and to all of the great commenters and lurkers on the Trail Mix blog, Merry Christmas or what ever.
     

  79. Friday I was next to a shopper who was short $ for her purchase. I noticed (by her license) she was from out of state, appeared really tired & probably had a bad day. I gave the $ she was short to the cashier to cover the purchase. The cashier acted like I was ‘touched’ or an idiot. The shopper was confused. Honestly, I felt sorry for the lady. Paying it forward, I told her. If she saw someone in the same situation & could help, then help. Was I wrong?

     

  83. My best wishes for my TrailMix friends and sincere thanks to Craig for making all of this happen!  I hope you and David have a wonder holiday.  I am so fortunate to have this group whom I can share thoughts and get put in my place if necessary.  I trust everyone is enjoying that which they should be enjoying.

    As we move forward into next year, let us remember those immortal words of Winston Churchill about this just possibly being the ‘beginning of the end’.

    God!

    And as a side note to all of you, the Republican party where I live has approached me through a back channel and asked me to consider running for the state legislature year after next – as a Republican.  Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha !

    All I need to say is that I’m in favor of getting rid of Obamacare.  Of course I have to keep the “single payer” wish to myself.

    Merry Christmas everyone!

  84. Someone had tweeted that Carrie looked “old” in that Star Wars movie she was in…….

    she tweeted back……..That really hurts my feelings…..all 3 of them…….

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