It's been a weird year for a lot of reasons and reading has been no exception. This year has been a rollercoaster of not reading at all and then finishing 3 books a week. When all was said and done, I can say it's been a good year of books and there aren't many other chances to describe this year as being good! Drumroll please for a list of favorites!
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What. A. Year.
Let's flashback for a moment. New Year's Eve 1999. Dooo doo dooo dooo (That is a time traveling sound effect...Humor me). I was about to turn 14 and my best friend and I were rocking out to The Wedding Singer soundtrack while her older sister had a much cooler party upstairs in which we were not allowed to show our faces. You don't have to tell me how cool I was, the answer is: VERY. Okay, so, it's 1999, the Prince song is everywhere and it is the dawn of the new millennium. Everyone is anxious about Y2K. We are nervous to see how everything will change. We are hopeful for the future. We are IN the future. You can burn your own CDs for goodness sake! Flash forward to now *insert sound effect* and we're nervous for about a million reasons. Back then I wondered if I would still be able to use AIM, or how "it will be so weird to write '00 on my paper!" Now, I wonder about how quickly a vaccine can be delivered. I wonder what in-person school will look like after being online since March. I wonder how to challenge myself and others after a year of political and social unrest. I wonder if I'll ever shake someone's hand again or be cool about toilet paper. The issues are bigger, but the energy feels the same: Bring it on, future. Whatcha got? I'm excited for 2020 to be in the rear view mirror, but it has taught me a thing or two. It taught me patience, how to unmute myself, how to style the upper half of my body, how to not take anything for granted, how to clean out all of my closets twice, how to spend more time outside, and to be oh-so-grateful for good health. My heart and soul goes out to everyone who has struggled through this year or who has lost someone they loved. Let's forever tell their stories as well as our own. This New Year's Eve will be me, my dog, When Harry Met Sally, and we're gonna (not quite) party like it's 1999. It's time for another writing contest! Thank you to Susanna Hill for running the contest and to everyone who is offering up their time and talent as prizes! Please go check out Susanna's blog here!
This year's theme is Holiday Helpers. The story must be 250 words or less and focus around the theme of helping out during this holiday season. Intrigued by the fact that it's winter up here in the Northern Hemisphere, but summer in the Southern Hemisphere, I chose to write a story about two girls a world apart who are helping their families celebrate the solstice. Enjoy! December 21st by Kirsten Leestma 170 Words Aada hangs a tangle of twinkle lights. Zara strings a strand of shells. Aada twirls hers around a pine and Zara twists hers around a palm. Aada bakes gingerbread friends in the warm oven. She stands close so they don’t get away. Zara arranges fresh fruit into the shape of Santa. She sneaks a few grapes to stay cool. Aada puts the cookies on the table and Zara sets her tray on a blanket near the waves. Aada clomps through the snow to bring in new logs for the fire. Zara skips across the sand to snag the umbrella for shade. Aada gathers her family to celebrate light in the darkness and Zara gathers hers to celebrate a day of endless sun. Aada’s eyes sparkle in the glow of candlelight on the shortest day of the year. Zara’s eyes sparkle the way the sun shines across the sea on the longest. Aada smiles. Zara does, too. They've helped create a perfect day. It’s December 21st. Winter and Summer are here. |
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April 2021
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