“When the first snow arrives, I really give myself up to winter. The air comes cold and sharp and there is a quickening in the blood, a feeling that the seasons are rolling around quite the way they should, and all is well.” ~ Gladys Taber
Good morning, dear friends. I hope this finds you well and that you are enjoying the beginning of this beautiful month.
Do you enjoy old books? Of course, you know I do. One of my favorite antique haunts had not only lovely antiques but also a grand assortment of various and unique gems, which included a room full of old books. Such a fine place it was. Often, I would spend an entire afternoon in this delightful shop. One could easily spend such an amount of time just pouring over the collection of books, and I always came home with a jewel or two. One of my treasured jewels is one I want to share with you, “The Book of Stillmeadow,” by Gladys Taber.
The book, originally published in 1948, is about life in the country and living in a Connecticut farmhouse. Taber wrote the book in months, and it included a delightful writing at the beginning of each month which she referred to as a song. So, without further chatter, I will let you enjoy Ms. Taber’s thoughts about December. As you read, keep in mind the year her book was written. This book is always by my chair.
The following words are an excerpt from “The Book of Stillmeadow”, by Gladys Taber.
“Christmas is almost upon us before we get over Thanksgiving. Many simple folk like me are thinking long thoughts this Christmas as we wrap the packages. We are still waiting for peace. We are insecure, when we have won the war, Civil conflicts exist everywhere, people are still starving, Labor and Management are embroiled in half the world. Nations still argue unsolved issues. Race prejudice snakes along every hidden byway.
This must not be. The aggressive instincts have run the world into destruction, culminating in the desperate promise of the atomic bomb that man shall perish from the earth, and the earth from the cosmos.
What is the answer for us? The creative instincts, the love force must be nourished with every beat of our hearts until they overbalance the destructive instincts. And this cannot be accomplished by any great legislation. It will be the sum of the little people’s feelings. Good will toward men, that is the answer. . .Somehow, by some divine light we have got to see ourselves as people, one and all. Our children learn from us. This is a solemn and terrible responsibility. They learn from what we say and from what we do not say.
But I believe on this Christmas, this very special and holy Christmas, that we must have a faith in all the human beings of tomorrow, that we must look at life somehow steadily and whole, and not destroy ourselves and our childrens’ children with hate. I do not believe the men we have lost have died in vain; I shall never believe it. If humanity was destined to be pulverized by atomic energy, there would never have been a Jesus, born so long ago in that darkling stable.
As we celebrate this year, we must resolve to keep our lives free from racial intolerance, from bigotry and hate. We must do everything we can to defeat cruelty in our own country. And surely Christmas is a time to rededicate ourselves to the good, the true, the beautiful.”
Dear friends, I hope you have enjoyed your visit and the words of Gladys Taber. To me, it is amazing how relevant her words, published in 1948, remain today. Perhaps, one day we will see peace. Truly, it is the hope of the world.
Know, I wish you and yours a beautiful day.
And. . .
May you hear the angels sing as you walk your path.
Be well!
“In a world of change and confusion we need Christmas more than ever.” ~ Gladys Taber
Amour,
Sandra
Images: Tumblr
I’m glad you told us the year — I was wondering because it could have been written yesterday. Her words are so very thoughtful and beautifully phrased. What a lovely piece, and beautiful photos to go with it. Thanks for starting my day off with this.
You are most welcome, Jeanie. I wonder if we will ever learn? Wishing you a lovely day and week ahead!
Wonderfully written but sad to think that the same problems are happening today. Hugs.
You are so right, Penny. Do we ever learn? Have a lovely day, friend.
mi querida amiga, casi me vuelvo loca hasta que he dado con el secreto de poder comentarte.
El problema está en que yo ponía a priori traaducir al inglés mi comentario y no lo reconocía.
Dentro de un rato te mandaré mi comentario a tu hermoso post.
Dolores
my dear friend, I almost went crazy until I found the secret of being able to comment to you.
The problem is that I put a priori to translate my comment into English and I did not recognize it.
In a while I will send you my comment to your beautiful post.
Dearest Dolores, I am so happy it worked for you today. It was wonderful to see your name here under the comments. I will look forward to your additional comments. Love and hugs, my friend.
Sandra, it is hard to believe this was not written now. I have often read excerpts from words written long ago that are relevant for us today. The answer to our biggest problem is a heart change. Thank you so much for including Gladys Taber’s words in your post. Wishing you a beautiful week dear one!
Dear Pam, many thanks for your kind words and it is truly amazing this was not written recently. You are so right, it is a heart change and I believe we are all ready to see just that. This beautiful season is the reason and the time. Wishing you a lovely week and enjoy these most special days. Blessings to you and yours!
Thank you Sandra for sharing an excerpt from Gladys Taber’s book. It is certainly relevant in today’s world as it was in 1948.
May we continue to trust in the Christmas message and share that peace with others.
Beautiful photos. Have a very nice week.
Many thanks, Bonnie. Wishing you a lovely week as well.
How little the world has changed since 1948 when Gladys penned those lines. Yet light still shines and hope, as we all do our part to live with each other in this beautiful world. I have another of Taber’s books, written in months, published in 1967. I like reading her thoughts through the year.
Have a blessed Monday, Sandra, thank you for your post.
It is amazing how little the world has changed. But you are right, the “light does still shine and our world remains beautiful.” We just have to work to keep hope alive.
Wishing you a lovely week, Lorrie.
Sandra, thank you sharing this excerpt with us. I agree with the others….it is so relevant today. I also agree with what Pam said….it involves a “heart change.” Wishing you a peaceful and beautiful week ahead, sweet friend.
Many thanks, for taking a moment to comment. You, Pam, and others are correct in what it involves. May we strive for that. Wishing you a beautiful December, dear friend.
Well, I’m back !!!! … this stoppage of several days is due to the fact that my daughter came from Granada with her husband and children included. When this happens I am very happy but I do not have time for anything else … well being happy is optimal.
I have read your text, as it is always beautiful and you also learn something. I love that … The books you refer to are always beautiful, I love them …
The “secret” that I could not comment was in a very simple detail that I could not realize. It was my son-in-law who told me to try not to use the translator and … !!!!! Surprise !!! there was light !!! . In other words, the system did not contemplate the translation. Now I take it to the translator and voila!
A big hug
Good morning, Dolores. I am so late responding to you. I could write a book about how life can take over our daily living. I know you must enjoy so much when your family visits you. I am so happy you figured out your computer issues – such can drive me mad when it happens here. It is hard to have patience with technical things we don’t understand.
Christmas is almost here. Wishing you beautiful days leading up to the most special and Holy Day! Blessings, dear one.