Category Archives: News

Merry Christmas 2023!

“I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.”

Maya Angelou

“Christmas: It’s the only religious holiday that’s also a federal holiday.  That way, Christians can go to their services, and everyone else can sit at home and reflect on the true meaning of the separation of church and state.”

Samantha Bee

“It’s always consoling to know that today’s Christmas gifts are tomorrow’s garage sales.”

Milton Berle

“Santa Claus has the right idea.  Visit people only once a year.”

Victor Borge

“Christmas is a baby shower that went totally overboard.”

Andy Borowitz

“The main reason Santa is so jolly because he knows where all the bad girls live.”

George Carlin

“What I don’t like about office Christmas parties is looking for a job the next day.”

Phyllis Diller

“It’s easier to feel a little more spiritual with a couple of bucks in your pocket.”

Craig Ferguson

“It’s Christmas Eve! It’s the one night of the year when we all act a little nicer; we smile a little easier; we cheer a little more.  For a couple of hours out of the whole year, we are the people that we always hoped we would be.”

Bill Murray

 “There are three stages of man: he believes in Santa Claus; he does not believe in Santa Claus; he is Santa Claus.”

Bob Phillips

“I love Christmas. I receive a lot of wonderful presents I can’t wait to exchange.”

Henny Youngman

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December 2023 Literary Calendar

Events in the month of December for writers and readers

Read a New Book Month

Famous December Birthdays

Other December Events

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Happy Thanksgiving 2023!

“If you stand in the meat section at the grocery store long enough, you start to get mad at turkeys.  There’s turkey ham, turkey bologna, turkey pastrami.  Someone needs to tell the turkey, man, just be yourself.”

Mitch Hedberg

Feeding America

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Moving Forward

Today marks 60 years since one of the most fateful days of the 20th century – the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.  I wanted to republish this essay from a decade ago.  A good deal has changed – for me and this nation – in the decade since I first posted it.  But one thing remains certain: time always moves forward and our hope for a better world never dies.

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In Memoriam – Rosalynn Carter, 1927-2023

“Do what you can to show you care about other people and you will make our world a better place.”

Rosalynn Carter

The Carter Center

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For Those Who Never Came Home

From fellow blogger Alastair with “A Mixed Bag”.

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Veteran’s Day 2023

“Older men declare war.  But it is youth that must fight and die.”

Herbert Hoover

Veteran’s Day

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November 2023 Literary Calendar

Events in the month of November for writers and readers

National Family Literacy Month

National Memoir Writing Month

Native American Heritage Month

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)

Picture Book Month

  • November 1 – Author’s Day; Day of the Dead; World Vegan Day
  • November 2 – All Soul’s Day; International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists
  • November 4 – Book Lovers Day
  • November 9 – International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism; World Adoption Day; World Freedom Day
  • November 10 – World Science Day for Peace and Development
  • November 11 – Veterans Day (U.S.)
  • November 12 – World Pneumonia Day
  • November 13 – World Kindness Day
  • November 14 – Young Readers Day
  • November 15 – I Love to Write Day
  • November 16 – International Day for Tolerance; World Philosophy Day
  • November 18 – Margaret Atwood’s Birthday; High-Five a Librarian Day
  • November 19 – International Men’s Day
  • November 21 – Voltaire’s Birthday
  • November 23 – Thanksgiving (U.S.)
  • November 25 – International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
  • November 29 – Louisa May Alcott’s Birthday
  • November 30 – International Computer Security Day

Famous November Birthdays

Other November Events

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Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2023

“If we wonder often, the gift of knowledge will come.”

Native American Proverb (Arapaho)

Indigenous Peoples’ Day

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Banned Books Week 2023 – October 1-7

Today is the start of “Banned Books Week 2023” – the annual pronouncement against literary censorship.  Every year we have to deal with this.  It’s a war that will never be won, since there will always be those who think they know what’s best for society and what everyone should read.  They may win small battles in particular communities and in certain school districts.  But we can never let them win the overall conflict.

Writing coach and fellow blogger Dan Blank is a true supporter of writers and other artists.  In his most recent post, he made this proclamation:

“There has never been a better time to be a writer. The world has never been more open to hearing a wide range of ideas & stories, and embracing the voice of each individual – including you!”

One of Dan’s mantras is simple, yet profound:

“I believe that you should GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION TO CREATE. Put craft first and accept that the world needs what you create. You are ready to be seen and heard as a creator. Don’t follow trends and rush for the easy “like” on social media.”

Indeed, to all my fellow writers and artists, don’t ask for others to grant you permission to create your particular brand of art!

Banned Books 2023

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