The last day of November, and it’s sunny and cold here today.
November is a tiring month for me, and I’m always glad when the 29th is over. Although the sharp grief is past, I can’t forget it’s the date when my dad died – much too young – suddenly, after a heart attack. Many years ago. Sometimes when I think about those days it feels like a few lifetimes ago.
I’m looking forward to December. I’m not real big on some of the hoo-hah that goes on in the name of Christmas. But I enjoy seeing (other peoples’) decorations, even the tacky garish ones. 
And I like a lot of Christmas music.
Allow me to highly recommend some:
Cindy Horstman’s two CDs: Christmas Harp and Christmas Harp 2. Utterly beautiful solo jazz harp. I’ve had these CDs for years and have never tired of listening to them. I’ve given more than a dozen of them as gifts. Right now I’m importing them into my iTunes library so I can take them with me on my iPod.
Baroque at Christmas. “We were going to do Brahms or Beethoven for Christmas, but we’re BAROQUE!” – Scarlet Rivera & Tommy Eyre with The Newport Chamber Orchestra. I found it in a bargain bin somewhere; it’s a fine companion for the season. Traditional Christmas carols alternate with less obviously “Christmas” music, in a satisfying combination.
Winterlude - Instrumentals for a Contemplative Christmas. One of a series, I think. Another bargain bin find, certainly not elevator music but very good quiet-times listening.
And any CD you can find with the original rendition of Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer. And rousing choral versions of Joy to the World, Hark! the Herald Angels Sing, and the Hallelujah Chorus. Although probably not all on the same CD.
Wishing you all the joys – contemplative, heartwarming, and just plain silly – of the season.
