Cornucopia: Thanksgiving Trials and Traditions

Thanksgiving Trials and Traditions

By Kate Chamberlin

   Well, the evening air was perfect for all the little trick-or-treaters, but, by golly, there’s frost on the pumpkin now!

   The air is definitely autumnal with a nip on your nose and a fragrance of wood-stoves and ripening grapes. The crops, for better or worse, are harvested and, before we batten down the shutters for a long winter, it’s time to gather our family and friends for Thanksgiving.

   Most of us are familiar with the stories of the first Thanksgiving, but what about our own personal traditions?  Does Thanksgiving have as much meaning for us now as it did in the Pilgrims’ time?  Or even 50 years ago?

   I asked a man of nearly 90 what was it like when he was a boy.  At first he told me he was too young to remember, but then he confessed: “We always had chicken instead of turkey for Thanksgiving.  I always felt badly about that.”

   “However, now that I’ve been having turkey for more years than I can count, I find I don’t like turkey!”

   Most people I asked said they’d had the usual large family gathering of 25 to 30 aunts, uncles, cousins and tag-alongs. Dinner would be of chicken or turkey with squashes, dressings, gravy, vegetables and a variety of pies.

   One Italian octogenarian said she’d fixed all those plus lasagna and numerous other Italian dishes for her family of 35 members.

   In my youth, Thanksgiving meant I wouldn’t get to sleep in my own bed!  If we went to my grandmother’s in Fairfield, CT near Long Island Sound, I’d have to sleep on a bed in the cold back bedroom.  For some reason, that bed always had beach sand in-between the sheet–even in winter!

   If everyone came to my mother’s house, I’d have to sleep on a cot down in the basement near the smelly oil furnace, so my mother’s sister and her husband could sleep in my double bed.  My cousins got the couches in the den.

   My happiest memory of Thanksgiving occurred when I was an adult with young adult children.

   The evening before Thanksgiving, we were all in the kitchen filling our home with wonderful aromas of baking  pies and breads, tearing up with the chopping  of onions, friendly kibitzing, and feeling good about being together. 

   The next day, Dave did the turkey and I made the gravy. 

   I figured I’d been doing the Thanksgiving dinner so many years that, even though I’d lost a lot of vision,  I’d still be able to make the gravy.

   While Dave and our children scurried around getting the rest of the dinner ready, I set about to make the gravy.

   I  used cornstarch instead of flour to thicken the turkey juices left in the bottom of the roaster pan. It was simple enough for me to put the cornstarch in a small jar.  I  added water and shook. It dissolved quickly with no lumps, so, I poured it into the roaster pan.

   When I could hear it boiling, I added enough water to make gravy for dinner and the left-overs.

   I stirred and stirred.  It didn’t thicken.

   I added more cornstarch  straight from the box. I stirred and stirred.  It still didn’t thicken.

   Eventually, I tasted it.

   It was sweet! I had been adding confectioner’s sugar instead of cornstarch!

   Now days, I have more braille labels on things, so, I know I won’t repeat that mistake.

   This Thanksgiving might actually be a lot of fun.  I don’t feel the need to control everything any more. Marion knows how to make the pumpkin pie, Paul makes the Pecan pie, Will makes a caramelized flan and Dave roasts the turkey.

   I guess the only thing I really need to do is to train my daughter-in-law-to-be how to make perfect lumpy mashed potatoes to go with my perfect frosting, er, I mean gravy.

   I also like what my friend and her family does.  She, along with her husband and children ages 13 and 9, volunteer on Thanksgiving Day at a Shelter for Homeless.  They bake and serve almost all day and return to their own home extremely tired and much more appreciative of what they have.

   The annual tradition the Walworth Methodist Church has is to invite members of our community that don’t have family in the area or aren’t able to cook for themselves, or are just alone and want company for the holiday to join them in the Fellowship Room for Thanksgiving dinner.

   Even in the bleakest of times, there is always something to be thankful for.  Some years you might have to look a little (or a lot)deeper than other years, but when people reach out to others, we all can be thankful.

(NOTE: This article is a cabal of my ‘Cornucopia’ weekly columns published in the Wayne County STAR Newspaper, November, 1996 and 1997.)

Kate’s 2¢: “The Glass House” by Beatrice Colin

“The Glass House” by Beatrice Colin

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

   Well now, talk about skeletons in the closet! Or should I say: Look who’s calling the kettle black!  Very interesting story and a good ending, except for still not knowing where George is.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

   Beatrice Colin was born in London on 14 October 1963. Her family moved to Lancashire and then to Glasgow, where she attended Dumbarton Academy and Park School for Girls, followed by the University of Glasgow in 1982, where she read English. There she formed the musical duo April Showers with Jonathan Bernstein – their single Abandon Ship reached 144 in the UK singles charts.

   After graduating from the University of Glasgow, she worked as a journalist for the arts and features pages of publications including The Scotsman, Sunday Herald and The Guardian.

In her late twenties, she won a Radio 4 short story competition and started writing radio plays and adaptations.[4][5]

She completed her PhD in creative writing at the University of Strathclyde in 2008.

   She passed away  February 6, 2019.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

The glass house DB100589

Colin, Beatrice. Reading time: 9 hours, 7 minutes.

Read by Helen McAlpine.

Historical Fiction

Mystery and Detective Stories

Scotland, 1912. Antonia McCullough’s life isn’t what she planned. Her marriage is fractured, her art career came to nothing, and her reflection shows only disappointment. When a woman claiming to be her brother’s wife arrives, Antonia’s life becomes infinitely more intriguing–but threatens Antonia’s future. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2020.

Kate’s 2¢: “Murder in a Scottish shire” by Traci Hall

“Murder in a Scottish shire” by Traci Hall

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

   “Don’t judge a book by its cover” would aptly apply to the characters in this story. Paislee’s life becomes complicated when her long-lost, homeless grandfather is brought to her shop’s door by a handsome Police Detective, her landlord serves her with an eviction notice, the Head Master at Brody’s school says Brody is lying, and, oh yes, the girl she’d re-hired is murdered.

   Basically, this is a “soft” murder mystery. There aren’t a lot of blood and guts spilling all over, but, the solid forward stalking of the killer is successful.

   The ending leaves several yarns untold, such as, Does Grandfather find Craig? Does Hamish woo Paislee? Does she fall for Dectective Zeffer? And Does she have to leave her shop location?  

From https://www.tracihall.com

About Traci Hall From contemporary seaside romances to cozy mysteries, USA Today bestselling author Traci Hall writes stories that captivate her readers. As a hybrid author with over fifty published works, Ms. Hall has a favorite story for everyone. Mystery lovers, be on the lookout for her Salem B&B Mystery series, co-written as Traci Wilton.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Murder in a Scottish shire DB100189

Hall, Traci. Reading time not available.

Read by MaryBeth Wise.

Mystery and Detective Stories

Specialty sweater shop owner and single mum Paislee Shaw has knit together a sensible life for herself, her ten-year-old son Brody, and Wallace, their black Scottish terrier. But, when she discovers a young employee dead in her flat, Paislee must team with Detective Mack Zeffer to untangle a murderous yarn. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2020.

Downloaded: November 8, 2020

Kate’s 2¢: “Murder at Blackwater Bend” by Clara McKenna

“Murder at Blackwater Bend” by Clara McKenna

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

   The Americans portrayed in this rural setting in August, 1905 are crude, brash, and totally out of sync with the British sense of correctness in behavior and deportment. Yet, Lyndy’s fiancée  comes across as a breath of fresh air, clever, and resourceful.  I like her.

   You knew the pushy reporter had a nefarious motive, so it was no surprise at what she stole. The killer, though, was a surprise.

From her website:

Clara writes the historical Stella & Lyndy Mystery series, about an unlikely couple who mix love, murder and horse racing in Edwardian England. Murder at Morrington Hall kicks off  series.  As a student at Wells College in Aurora, NY, she published several poems in the college’s literary magazine. She graduated with a B.A. in biology. She graduated from McGill University with a Masters in Library and Information Studies.  Besides her current series, Clara had penned five novels in a mystery series set in 19th century America. She is the founding member of Sleuths in Time, a cooperative group of historical mystery writers who encourage and promote each other’s work, as well as a member of Sisters In Crime. With an incurable case of wanderlust, she travels every chance she gets, England being a favorite destination. When she can’t get to England, she’s happy to write about it from her home in Iowa.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Murder at Blackwater Bend DB100188

McKenna, Clara. Reading time not available.

Read by MaryBeth Wise.

Historical Fiction

Mystery and Detective Stories

Now engaged to Viscount “Lyndy” Lyndhurst, Stella Kendrick joins an elite social circle in rural England. This includes Lyndy’s former fiancée and her husband. When the husband’s body is discovered floating in the river, Stella realizes that one of these new acquaintances may be a calculating killer. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2020.

Downloaded: November 8, 2020

Kate’s 2¢: “You Again” by Debra Jo Immergut

“You Again” by Debra Jo Immergut

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

   As you read this very interesting, mind bender, pay attention to the dates and who is e-mailing whom.

   “Time the destroyer is time the preserver.” T. S. Eliot. Moments preserved always and forever..a paradigm shifter.

   I think the following quote from this book, sums it up: “Time past and time future, what might have been and what has been  lead to one end, which is always present.”

Debra Jo Immergut is the author of the novel The Captives, (June 2018), and Private Property, a short-story collection. She is a MacDowell and Michener fellow and has an MFA from the Iowa Writer’s Workshop. A magazine editor and journalist, she has also taught writing in libraries, military bases, and prisons.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

You again DB100186

Immergut, Debra Jo. Reading time not available.

Read by MaryBeth Wise.

Suspense Fiction

Abigail Willard first spots her from a New York cab: the spitting image of Abby herself at age twenty-two–right down to the silver platforms and raspberry coat she wore as a young artist with a taste for wildness. But Abby is now forty-six and married, with a corporate job and kids. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2020.

Downloaded: November 8, 2020

Kate’s 2¢: “The aviators: Eddie Rickenbacker, Jimmy Doolittle, Charles Lindbergh, and the epic age of flight” by Winston Groom

“The aviators: Eddie Rickenbacker, Jimmy Doolittle, Charles Lindbergh, and the epic age of flight” by Winston Groom

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

   This was a fascinating story about the evolution of the airplane, from gluing fabric on the wings of bi-planes to the B12 and B24 to the sleek fighter Corsair. The somewhat detailed lives and careers of Eddie Rickenbacker, Jimmy Doolittle, and Charles Lindbergh kept the narrative flying along, mixing in many famous military big wigs and industries connected to aviation.

   I was disappointed that the Women Air Support Pilots and the Women Airforce Ferry Support were not mentioned; however, he did include a brief mention of Lindbergh’s seven children by his three wives in Europe  and the kidnapping of his American son by Ann Morrow.

   The bibliography at the end of the book provided other sources to learn more about these American heroes.  Thank you for your dedication to serve and protect.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Winston Francis Groom (b. March 23, 1943 – d. September 17, 2020) was an American novelist and non-fiction writer. He is best known for his 1986 novel Forrest Gump, which was adapted into the popular 1994 film Forrest Gump directed by Robert Zemeckis. The film was considered a cultural phenomenon and won six Academy Awards. He published a sequel, Gump and Co., in 1995. He also wrote numerous non-fiction works, on diverse subjects including the American Civil War and World War I.

   Groom was born in Washington, D.C., the son of Ruth (Knudsen) and Winston Francis Groom.[3] He was raised in Mobile County, Alabama, where he attended University Military School (now known as UMS-Wright Preparatory School).[1] Groom’s earliest ambition was to become a lawyer like his father; but, instead, while a literary editor in college, he chose to become a writer. Groom attended the University of Alabama, where he became a member of Delta Tau Delta International Fraternity[1] and the Army ROTC, and graduated with Omicron Delta Kappa honors in 1965.[1]

He served in the United States Army from 1965 to 1967, including a tour of duty in the Vietnam War (from 66–67). Most of his service time was spent with the Fourth Infantry Division.[1]

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

The aviators: Eddie Rickenbacker, Jimmy Doolittle, Charles Lindbergh, and the epic age of flight DB78787

Groom, Winston. Reading time: 16 hours, 23 minutes.

Read by Steven Carpenter. A production of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress.

Science and Technology

Author of Shiloh 1862 (DB 74383) and Vicksburg 1863 (DB 68947) profiles three celebrated aviation pioneers and recounts their service during World War II: World War I flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker, Charles Lindbergh, and Jimmy Doolittle–who in 1929 was the first to fly using instruments only. 2013.

Downloaded: November 8, 2020

Kate’s 2¢: “The women with silver wings: the inspiring true story of the Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War II” by Katherine Sharp Landdeck

“The women with silver wings: the inspiring true story of the Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War II” by Katherine Sharp Landdeck

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

   This non-fiction story follows several real women in Jackie Cockran’s the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots, and also in Nancy Love’s the Women’s Air Ferry Service.

   I thank and applaud these talented, gutsy women who broke gender barriers as well as sound barriers while they flew every air craft needed to win WWII. Their battle didn’t end when the war ended, though. Before the last one died in her 90’s, she could rest in peace with the knowledge that she set the pace for generations to come.

   I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story and recognized many of the military men named who may or may not have been instrumental in the quest to prove women can do everything a man can do.

From her website:

Katherine Sharp Landdeck is an associate professor of history at Texas Woman’s University, the home of the WASP archives. A Guggenheim Fellow at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and a graduate of the University of Tennessee, where she earned her Ph.D., Landdeck has received numerous awards for her work on the WASP and has appeared as an expert on NPR’s Morning Edition, PBS, and the History channel. Her work has been published in The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and HuffPost, as well as in numerous academic and aviation publications. Landdeck is a licensed pilot who flies whenever she can.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

The women with silver wings: the inspiring true story of the Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War II DB99816

Landdeck, Katherine Sharp. Reading time: 10 hours, 55 minutes.

Read by Gabra Zackman.

World History and Affairs

A historian profiles the young women who joined the US Army Air Forces to aid the war effort for World War II and who were known as the Women Airforce Service Pilots. She recounts the pilots’ hard work, their eventual disbandment, and their fight for recognition as veterans. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2020.

Downloaded: October 22, 2020

Cornucopia: Happy Birthday, Marines

In honor of the Marine Corps’s birthday, I’m re-posting my essay: “Mimi’s Dilemma: The Thing About Patriotism and Faith”.  The boy in this essay will be completing his tour of duty with the Marines in June, 2021 and his Mimi is still waiting with open arms. Although, I suspect the menu will be different.

Mimi’s Dilemma: The Thing About Patriotism and Faith

By Kate Chamberlin

November, 2015

   A huge lump formed in my throat. I stood paralyzed with tears streaming down my cheeks. I struggled to catch my breath.  No sound escaped my lips. I didn’t know if I should laugh or cry at the news I’d just received.

   Once before, my faith in God had been challenged by an event in my life, but, never before had my Patriotism been challenged, until now.

   My 17-year old grandson, the new-born we brought home from the hospital, adopted, and raised for the first 13 years of his life, just phoned to tell me he’d signed-up with the United States Marine Corps. I felt tremendous pride in his decision, yet, fear welled up inside me, too.

   As my eager fingers held the scissors, the doctor guided my hand toward the baby’s umbilical cord. The sharp surgical scissors sliced through the chord’s sinewy tissue. The nurse guided my hands onto the wet head of my first grandson.

   The definition of Patriotism is, as found in “A Manual of Patriotism”, authorized by an Act of the New York State Legislature in 1900: “…Patriotism is more than a sentiment; it is a conviction based upon a comprehension of the duties of a citizen and a determination loyally to perform such duties. Patriotism is love of country, familiarity with its history, reverence for its institutions and faith in its possibilities, and is evidenced by obedience to its laws and respect for the flag…”

   “Yours will be a blessed life,” I softly said to him as I stood near the warming table awaiting his APGAR. He turned his head as if to look at me and tightened his grip on my finger. ”I’m your Mimi. Your Mommy’s my daughter. My husband’s your granddad. We’re your family and we love you very much.”

   Patriotic is an adjective used to describe members of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution and I don’t doubt that for a minute. I am one of them. The bonds that DAR members have, just by virtue of their ancestor fighting–and some of them dying–in the American Revolution, provide a strong impetus toward being patriotic. They have family members who felt strongly enough to lay down their lives for the ideal that is our daily life now.

   “I couldn’t help but wonder about my grandchild’s future. Would NATO, the UN and SEATO be able to stabilize the world? Would the AMA allow the HMO’s to get out of hand? Could the WHO and UNESCO possibly make a healthier planet for the survival of our species?”

   If we expect our children and grandchildren to be patriotic, we need to be role models of courage, strength of character and determination. There were many cool summer mornings at my grandmother’s Saltbox home in Connecticut, when we’d drag the heavy wooden kitchen step-stool out to put the sturdy standard bearing the large American flag into its bracket on the side of the house. When our flag was snuggly in its holder, we’d stand back and salute. Each evening we’d bring the flag in with just as much solemnity and ceremony. It was part of being at Nana’s. She was a dedicated member of the Eunice Denny Burr Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

   I still give a salute when I put up or take down my flag. As a dedicated member of the Col. Wm. Prescott chapter in NY, I encourage my grandchildren and neighborhood children to respect our American flag as they assist me in presenting our colors.

   “Little Love,” I whispered fighting back the tears of awe and joy, “grow strong; learn your ABC’s and how to count by 2’s and 3’s. Learn Latin, Spanish and French with just a little Chinese.

   ”For now, Little One, your life’s a bowl of cherries. We’ll leave the pits for later.”

   Alas, those words spoken at his birth come back to haunt me. He is going to march off to some God-forsaken war.

   When I lost my sight 30-years ago, I railed “My God. My God. Why have you forsaken me in this darkness?” However, time has shown me over and over again how He has carried me when I fell down. How my Guardian Angel worked over-time to nudge me away from danger. How He brought others into my life to walk with me. How He loves me in spite of my mood swings, rants, and doubts. Where is He now, when my grandson is going to march into harm’s way?   

   The realization seeps into my mind. My grandson is being patriotic and following my role model of courage, strength of character and determination. The lump in my throat has dissolved. My cheeks are dry. My heart swells within me. we’ve done a good and noble job with this grandson.

   So, my young grandson, march off with my Blessings to new adventures to fulfill your dream of becoming a United States Marine. After basic training, your Mimi will be waiting here with milk and cookies for you. Okay. Okay, beer and pretzels!

  “…though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me…”

Amen

Kate’s 2¢: “The edge of lost” by Kristina McMorris

“The edge of lost” by Kristina McMorris

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

   Who wouldn’t root for Shanley Keagan to be successful in his quest? This plucky Irish cum Italian boy is both lucky and unlucky, but I like the ending.

Kristina McMorris is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author published by Sourcebooks Landmark, Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, and Kensington Books. Her novels have garnered more than two dozen prestigious awards and nominations, including the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, RWA’s RITA® Award, and a Goodreads Choice Award for Best Historical Fiction.

At age nine, she began creatively expressing herself when she embarked on a five-year stint as the host of an Emmy® and Ollie award-winning kids’ television program. Being half Japanese, Kristina jokes that she discovered a genetic kinship with the camera early in life and continued to nurture that relationship by acting in many independent and major films while living in Los Angeles. Later, as the owner of a wedding/event planning company, she served as the six-year host of the WB’s weekly program Weddings Portland Style.

Kristina’s extensive experience in media and events led her to becoming a professional emcee and contributing writer for Portland Bride & Groom magazine. Her previous writing background also includes ten years of directing public relations for an international conglomerate.

In 2001, deciding sleep was highly overrated, she compiled hundreds of her grandmother’s favorite recipes for a holiday gift that quickly evolved into a self-published cookbook. With proceeds benefiting the Food Bank, Grandma Jean’s Rainy Day Recipes sold at such stores as Borders and was heavily featured in regional media. It was while gathering information for the book’s biographical section when Kristina happened across the letters her grandfather mailed to his “sweetheart” during his wartime naval service—a collection that years later inspired McMorris to pen her first novel, a WWII love story titled Letters from Home.

Since her debut released in 2011, Kristina’s published works have expanded to include the novels Bridge of Scarlet Leaves, The Pieces We Keep, and The Edge of Lost, in addition to her novellas in the anthologies A Winter Wonderland and Grand Central. Her forthcoming historical novel, Sold on a Monday, will be released September 2018. Rights to her books have also been sold to numerous foreign publishers, Readers Digest, Doubleday, the Literary Guild, and more.

A frequent guest speaker and workshop presenter, McMorris holds a B.S. in International Marketing from Pepperdine University. For her diverse achievements, she has been named one of Portland’s “Forty Under 40” by The Business Journal. She lives with her husband and two sons in Oregon, where she is still sleep deprived but eagerly working on her next novel.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

The edge of lost DB99835

McMorris, Kristina. Reading time: 10 hours, 50 minutes.

Read by Charlie Thurston.

Historical Fiction

Mystery and Detective Stories

1937. The ten-year-old daughter of Alcatraz’s prison guard has gone missing. Only inmate Tommy Capello knows her whereabouts, but he lies about his knowledge. In 1919 Dublin, twelve-year-old Shanley Keagan dreams of finding his real father in America. Their stories unfold, twining together. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2015.

Downloaded: October 22, 2020

Kate’s 2¢: “The Christmas Barn” by C. L. Davis

“The Christmas Barn” by C. L. Davis

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

A few take-aways from this wonderful and poignant Christmas story:

–Poor before the Depression is just as poor before the Depression.

–You gotta do what’s gotta be done and there’s nothin’ to be done but do it.

–The blue patch on my side of the quilt was from my favorite blue dress  that I out-grew

–I‘d try not to say anything about them, whether a tree was about to fall on them or not.

–Their ingenuity still inspire me today.

   Will the real C. L. Davis please acknowledge your true identity?

From NLS/BARD’LOC:

The Christmas Barn DBC16413

Davis, C. L. Reading time: 2 hours, 43 minutes.

Read by Lesley LePage. A production of Wolfner Talking Book and Braille Library.

Family

Holidays

In 1930, when a snowstorm destroys their home in the Appalachian mountains, twelve-year-old Roxie and her family move into the barn and prepare for a very unusual Christmas celebration. For grades 4-7.

Download The Christmas Barn