CHRISTMAS TREES
The Chief Penguin and I gave up having a live Christmas tree some years ago since we were almost always out of town. We thought we moved one of our 2 ft. blinking-colored-lights trees, but alas, we had not. Consequently, we enjoy all the decorated trees in our building.
And yesterday, the North Carolina extended family gathered near another tree for the annual Christmas tea and gift exchange. Here are a few of those pretty trees.
READING
Compelling Mystery Set during Advent:
At Midnight Comes the Cry by Julia Spencer-Fleming
Julia Spencer-Fleming is one of my favorite mystery writers. I’ve read all ten of her novels about pastor Clare Fergusson and police chief Russ Van Alstyne. At Midnight Comes the Cry, her latest after a gap of five years, is simply excellent.
In keeping with Clare’s ministerial profession, the book titles in this series are usually words from a Protestant hymn. This particular mystery takes place at Advent, making it appropriate for reading in December. Each set of chapters taking place on a Sunday in Advent opens with a scriptural passage or a prayer; religious yes, but not overdone.
The setting is upstate New York, the fictional small town of Millers Kill north of Albany, and also the Adirondack Mountains. A minor incident involving a white supremacist group’s unexpected float in the local Thanksgiving parade raises questions for Russ and Clare. When officer Kevin Flynn, working under cover, has not been heard from for some time, colleague officer Hadley Knox convinces Russ that it is worth investigating his whereabouts and the possibility that the supremacist group is involved and dangerous. Meanwhile Clare befriends Tina, the wife of one of the group’s members.
Many of Spencer-Fleming’s books bring in contemporary issues, and this one is no exception. Her principal characters are well developed and likable, and the reader has insights into Clare and Russ’s marriage and parenting, along with wondering whether Hadley and Kevin will have a rapprochement. Plenty of action, but no gore.
WATCHING
Politics and Jim Garfield: Death by Lightning (Netflix)
In school years ago, I learned that President Garfield was one of two U. S. presidents who had been assassinated, but nothing about the man who did it. Death by Lightning is a 4-part historical drama focusing on the intersecting lives of Garfield and Charles Guiteau. Ohio farmer James Garfield was an unlikely president, becoming the nominee at a frenetic party convention as an unusual last resort.
Charles Guiteau was a seductively charming and mentally unbalanced ne’er do well. An ardent early supporter of Garfield’s candidacy, Guiteau tries to ingratiate himself with the politicos in Garfield’s circle to get a position in his administration. Frustrated and rejected, he contemplates violent revenge.
In this portrayal, Garfield is a stalwart and steady, while Guiteau’s nervous and disturbing energy pushes the action forward. The CP and I have now watched all but the last episode; we know the outcome, but not the details. Recommended!
Note: Tree photos ©JWFarrington (some rights reserved.)
