Celebrating: This Is Always Write’s 1,400th Post
Featured Bloggers for Toys or Play
Since I don’t know all of your first names, I changed the format of Featured Bloggers somewhat to reflect your tagline or title. Your friendships mean so much. Thank you all for joining in. If I missed your post, please send me a comment. Not all Pingbacks come through.
- CATH’S CAMERA
- KEEP IT ALIVE – LIFEAFTER50FORWOMEN
- LADY LEE MANILA
- LADYSIGHS
- LIGHTWRITELIFE
- LOVING LIFE
- MANNY’S ADVENTURES
- SECOND WIND LEISURE (SUNDAY STILLS)
- TOURING MY BACKYARD
- WIND KISSES
- WRITER RAVENCLAW
ITโS EASY TO PLAY ALONG WITH #WQWWC
This weekly writing challenge runs from Wednesday through Tuesday. The only rule is to use a quote. If you want to participate, create a pingback to link your post. Not sure how to do that? See how to create pingbacks here. Be sure to link to the most recent post, not my page. I donโt see links to my page.
#WQWWC #52 – Topic: Festive Celebrating
Definition: Festive: Cheerful, jovial, celebratory synonyms: jollyjolly ยท merry ยท joyous ยท joyful ยท happy ยท jovial ยท lighthearted ยท cheerful ยท cheery ยท jubilant ยท convivial ยท good-time ยท high-spirited ยท gleeful ยท mirthful ยท uproarious
Other Challenges
Today, along with #WQWWC, I’m combining Amy’s LAPC #177, “Celebrating,” along with Sunday Stills – “Christmas Song Lyric Challenge“. I also want to include Jez’s Challenge, “Fan Of.”
My Celebratory Choices for This Week
I’m a fan of Christmas, but not a superior decorator. I enjoy visiting others and seeing their decorative choices rather than creating our own for a few to see.
โWinter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour.โ
โJohn Boswell
In Woodlake, the entire town came out for the Christmas parade. Along the way, we also enjoyed how people decorated their yards.
โLove the giver more than the gift.โ
โBrigham Young
Friends from different service organizations, the Woodlake schools, and churches came together to provide a way for parents in need to pick out some beautiful gifts for their children.
โBlessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.โ
โHamilton Wright Mabie
Many from Prescott and Prescott Valley come together for the lighting of Courthouse Square. The place for judgment becomes the place of beauty and joy during December.
โYou can tell a lot about a person by the way they handle three things: a rainy day, lost luggage and tangled Christmas tree lights.โ
โMaya Angelou
I laughed out loud at this quote. I am the worst offender, falling prey to frustration without using festive words to make it go away.
I grab the tangled sparkles away from my husband who stands perpetually fiddling with them. After giving them a good shake, I drop them on the floor. Then, finding one end that looks friendly, I start twisting and turning until I have a long string of lights. I immediately wrap the string of lights around my arm tangling it once again. Then we pass the retangled lariat of lights around the tree, fighting with our artistic fingers over which limb needs the light most. When it’s time to attach the next bunch, we discover that we started at the wrong end and there’s no place to plug in the next strand.
We saved $20 over the pre-strung Christmas tree. ๐
โWinter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.โ
โEdith Sitwell
It looks colder than it is with this plastic snowman. That’s as close as we could get in Central California to a white Christmas.
โChristmas, children, is not a date. It is a state of mind.โ
โMary Ellen Chase
What was really strange to me was department store Christmas windows filled with scenes of summer Christmas barbeques in Melbourn, Australia.
Sunday Stills: A Christmas Story and the Song
For Terri’s Sunday Stills post today, I’m sharing a 2008 version of a very old Christmas song our pastor shared at the end of his sermon today. The lyrics are embedded in the video. This version and the story of Longfellow made the song even more meaningful to me than it had been.
Christmas Day was written by Longfellow in 1864 at the end of the Civil War when peace was yet a dream. His own life had been troubled in the three years prior to that time. In 1861 his wife, Fanny was saving curls cut from their little girl’s curls. In the process, she dripped sealing wax on her dress. It started to smolder, and a gust fanned it into flames. She ran out of the room to save her daughters. Henry W. Longfellow tried to put out the fire, but even throwing himself over her only burnt him, and did not save her life. His December journal that year reflected his grim outlook and sad memories.
Two years later his eldest son was severely injured in the Civil War. He penned this poem on Christmas day, 1863.
Christmas Day
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play, and wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men! And thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along The unbroken song Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Till ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, A chant sublime Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Then from each black, accursed mouth The cannon thundered in the South, And with the sound The carols drowned Of peace on earth, good-will to men! It was as if an earthquake rent The hearth-stones of a continent, And made forlorn The households born Of peace on earth, good-will to men! And in despair I bowed my head; "There is no peace on earth," I said; "For hate is strong, And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!" Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men." December 25, 1863
“The English organist, John Baptiste Calkin, used the poem in a processional accompanied with a melody “Waltham” that he previously used as early as 1848. The Calkin version of the carol was long the standard. Less commonly, the poem has also been set to Joseph Mainzer’s 1845 composition “Mainzer”. Other melodies have been composed more recently, most notably in 1956 by Johnny Marks.” Wikipedia
Many feel that way today about holidays. It is hard to celebrate right after losing a loved one or during other hardships in your life. If you are struggling with loss or sorrow, let the words of the poet soothe your emotions knowing that he too suffered greatly as he wrote this poem.
The Cedarmont Kids sang the first tune written by John Baptiste Calkin in 1848. This was the standby tune for many years.
This is the third version written by Johnny Marks in 1956. You have probably heard at least these two. I was not able to find the second version. Many famous recording artists recorded this version of I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.
Now it’s your turn.
Tell us what you are celebrating or why it is hard to celebrate this year. Thanks so much for stopping by and having fun with quotes. Have a wonderful holiday season, and enjoy the rest of your week!
Marsha Ingrao - Always Write 
63 responses to “#WQWWC #52: Festive Celebrating”
[…] Celebrating/Festive – 115 views, 47 likes 62 comments, 11 Featured Bloggers, 3 links to other […]
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Hi Marsha – the casting crowns song Plays as I type – quite a nice version
and enjoyed your post.
That ice-skating ornament is great
and we heard it is usually better to go without pre-lit – we know a few folks who have had problems with the pre-lit trees – hmmm
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[…] #WQWWC 52– Writer’s Quotes Wednesdays Writing Challenge: The topic this week is Candles/Lights. This post goes perfectly with the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge – “You Choose” and Sunday Stills – “Metalic Taste.” Many people paired with the seasonal link-up challenge โFestive Bon-Bons,โ co-hosted byย Debโs World,ย Retirement Reflections, andย Women Living Well After 50. Does anyone cook by candlelight? Quotes might include a recipe! […]
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Hi Marsha, hereโs my post.
http://lifeafter50forwomen.com/2021/12/13/celebrating-the-festive-season/
Thanks
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Lovely! ๐
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Thanks ๐๐ผ
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[…] After such a magical time, I don’t think I’ve ever felt more festive. […]
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http://writerravenclaw.com/2021/12/13/http-alwayswrite-blog-2021-12-08-wqwwc-festive-celebrating/
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Thanks for joining, Diana.
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[…] Written in response to WQWWC, hosted by Marsha […]
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[…] Writerโs Quotes Wednesday challenge is โfestive,โ and Iโm keeping it so with all this metallic […]
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Here you go, Marsha, I can add this post to your quote challenge since it indeed includes two quotes, both reposted in my blogging memories at the end. As you saw, it’s not a happy post, but sadnesses must be counted too.
https://manjameximexcessive6.wordpress.com/2021/12/11/ppac-piran-4-safet-zec/
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Thank you so much, Manja. It fits perfectly. We don’t always think of sadness as part of celebrating, but it really is.
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What wonderful Christmas decorations, Marsha. A lovely Christmas post.
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Thank you so much Robbie. ๐
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[…] #WQWWC 52– Writer’s Quotes Wednesdays Writing Challenge: The topic this week is Festive – Celebrating. This is my milestone 1,400th post and one year of WQWWC! So, celebrate with me. This post goes perfectly with the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge – Celebrating and Sunday Stills – Christmas Song Lyrics. You don’t have to limit yourself to Christmas or even winter holidays. Just pick times you have been festive. It’s a great chance to share pictures and stories of family gatherings, parades, or other celebrations. The only requirement is to include at least one quote with your post. Songs count as quotes – by the way. ๐ […]
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Great celebration photos. Congrats on your 1400th! Who so few?!?! ๐
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LOL! I deleted a few. I spent four years on a different website, and I combine challenges. Otherwise, I’d have probably 2,000, but no more than that. What about you, John?
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Mine appears to be a meager 679 in 12 years. Alas alack… ๐ฉ
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What can I say, Iโm wordy!!! LOL
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๐ฑ๐
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It tis the festive season … the lights, decorations, music, food, smiles, and more … so an excellent choice for your Wednesday. Unfortunately, I can’t think of a beach walk that fits!
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Sad for me!!โ Nobodyโs decorating the beach? I bet all the beach front hotels are resplendent.
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Bummer …. but Santa will appear on the beach. Give me time!
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You have all the time you want or need, Frank. ๐
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[…] #WQWWC 52– Writer’s Quotes Wednesdays Writing Challenge: The topic this week is Festive – Celebrating. This is my milestone 1,400th post and one year of WQWWC! So, celebrate with me. This post goes perfectly with the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge – Celebrating and Sunday Stills – Christmas Song. You don’t have to limit yourself to Christmas or even winter holidays. Just pick times you have been festive. It’s a great chance to share pictures and stories of family gatherings, parades, or other celebrations. The only requirement is to include at least one quote with your post. Songs count as quotes – by the way. ๐ […]
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love your festive post, Marsha ๐
https://ladyleemanilablog.wordpress.com/2021/12/09/festive-quotes/
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[…] For: https://alwayswrite.blog/2021/12/08/wqwwc-festive-celebrating/ […]
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A beautiful festive blog Marsha full of fun and colour ๐๐๐ HAPPY CHRISTMAS ๐๐.
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Well Marsha, I started out loving your festive photos and then whammo, you hit me with the Longfellow story! i’d never heard that and found it so very sad. I do, though, love that song. How he could come through that and end on a positive note is beyond me. I’ll get over it but it’s a good reminder that not everything about the holiday is joyful and there are many for whom this will be a very difficult time. Thanks for the reminders of both the joy and the sadness, and that we should remember both. And of course, thanks to linking to our challenge!
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What a festive post! Thanks for clueing me in on the carol. I had no clue the words were written so long ago. It is now even more so one of my favorite carols.
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How awesome. I didnโt know either.
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we always enjoy driving around to look at the Christmas decorations in our town…
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Sounds fun. Woodlake was so small, I found these on foot. ๐ LOL
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that looks like an enjoyable walk…
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Lots of lots of celebration! You are the perfect juggler of challenges! Well done!
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Wow, perfect? I’m honored.
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โฅ
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Your posts are always perfect, Leya. ๐
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โฅ Thank you for positive feedback – But always it can never be!
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LOL Oh well. almost always! ๐
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๐
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lots of fun in your post and love your pre strung xmas light tree and ice skate!!! NICE! ๐๐
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Thanks, Cindy. Did you read my ice-skating story? I’ve probably written a poem about it somewhere.
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I looked again… but don’t see it? ๐คฃ
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Iโll send you a link when I get home. Youโll appreciate my dilemma. ๐๐๐
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Oh good.. somehow I missed it!!๐
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Here’s the link to my embarrassing moment. https://alwayswrite.blog/2021/05/01/embarrassing-and-dangerous-falls-and-five-tips-to-avoid-them/
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oh my Marsha.. what a great story shared and sounds mortifying with your wig falling off etc. you are right we don’t want to fall. Every fall creates impact and worsens as we age! Not sure how i missed that!! Thanks for sending!๐
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I wrote it a million years ago. Just one of those things you never forget.
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Such a memory in your consciousness. No, how could you forget that!๐๐ท
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LOL impossible unless I develop Alzheimerโs!
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Sadness mixed with joy and laughter. Like all of life, Marsha. I loved your tangled lights tale. I always leave them to Mick. We have quite a small tree but I have NO patience. And today is the 1 year anniversary of the only death from Covid that has really touched my life. The lady who set up our croquet club with her husband had to watch him die through a plastic screen, unable to touch or hold. A living nightmare for her. If you can survive that I think you can survive most things in life. They played A-Ha and the songs they loved at the funeral and I can’t hear one without filling up.
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Oh, that is so sad, Jo. I’m so sorry for your friend. I know some of my readers have recently lost family members, and the song and story about Longfellow made me think of them. I haven’t lost anyone close to me from Covid but one acquaintance lost his mother who was younger than I am. That always gives me pause.
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๐ค๐
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Beautiful Christmas lights and decorations you’ve captured, Marsha! Musics, friends, sweet memories… thank you for sharing with us. ๐
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Thanks, Amy. I don’t have nearly the number that you posted. I like the way many people thought outside the box of Christmas.
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I don’t think I have ever heard all the verses of “I Heard the Bells.” I would probably give out after the first “Peace on Earth Good-will to Men”. We do need more of that.
https://ladysighs.wordpress.com/2021/12/08/holidays-festive-celebrations/
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They probably didn’t put them all to music. Some of them reflect his great sorrow at the time.
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Awesome post, Lady. Thanks for joining in this week. ๐
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What’s not to love about your festive post, Marsha! Once again you expertly combined several challenges and made them all work! Firstly, I enjoyed your festive decor in Woodlake and now in Prescott. The courthouse looks very nice in its festive state. But I love that old song Christmas Day and didn’t realize what a history it had which Longfellow penned so eloquently! That last verse is awesome and is a wonderful addition to the variety of Christmas/holiday songs others have contributed.
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Thanks, Terri. One of my contributors sang a song for her entry. Ladysighs. You will love it. ๐
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