Lighten Up Your February with 7 Classic Comedies & Romance

Bill Chandler: I thought that was rather clever of me.
Connie Allenbury: Yes, I thought you thought so.

From Libeled Lady, 1936, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

2017 and Counting…

So far in this brave new year of 2017, the weather has been warmer than normal, and the political climate has been blowing the top off the thermometer.

I took a bus trip to Washington D.C. the other weekend with a bunch of  radical fringe types—you know, teachers, mothers, social workers, nurses—and ran into a huge crowd (by which I mean, an actual crowd of actual people). Several wore pink hats.

“I have decided to stick to love… Hate is too great a burden to bear.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

I saw a lot of signs that day. Many were clever, many were funny, many were inspiring, and some were, yes, pissed. My favorite signs, though, were the lawn signs we saw liberally sprinkled throughout the residential neighborhoods along East Capitol Street during our 30 minute walk from our bus at RFK Stadium up Capitol Hill.

Each sign bore a different quote from Martin Luther King, Jr.  We saw one after another after another of these signs.

Maybe there’s hope for us yet.

Lighten up your February…

Some Like It Hot

The days are too short, the nights too long, and the news just keeps pissing everyone off.  Time to lighten up and refill the well.

Here are seven—count’em, seven!—classic comedy and romance picks from TCM’s awesome (“31 Days of Oscar”) February schedule. If these lighthearted gems from yesteryear don’t refresh your winter-weary spirit, I don’t know what will.

Saturday, February 4

Breakfast at Tiffany’s

8:00 pm Eastern  Breakfast at Tiffany’s  (1961) Comedy/Romance.  A free-spirited  party girl and an unemployed writer find love in 1960s Manhattan.  Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard.

Why? Hepburn, of course.  And that Little Black Dress. 🙂

Author  Truman Capote may not have been thrilled when Audrey Hepburn was cast as quirky commitment-phobe Holly Golightly, but today it’s impossible to imagine anyone else in the role.

From the early-1960s Manhattan setting to the Academy-Award winning Henry Mancini soundtrack (“Moon River”), this flawed but fanciful and touching romantic tale of two lost souls who find love in the big city is well worth a watch.

Friday, February 10

8:15 am Eastern The Goodbye Girl (1977) Comedy/ Romance.   An oft-jilted Broadway dancer is chagrined to learn that her latest fiancé hasn’t just left her broken-hearted, he’s sublet their apartment to an out of town actor. Marsha Mason, Richard Dreyfus.

Why?  How many times can the human heart be broken and put back together again? You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll laugh again. Dreyfus (Best Actor), Marsha Mason, and Quinn Cummings soar in this funny, heartwarming, delightful Neil Simon gem.

Tuesday, February 14th

Barbara Stanwyck in The Lady Eve

8:00 pm Eastern The Lady Eve (1941)  Screwball Romantic Comedy. A beautiful cardsharp sets out to con the shy young heir to a beer fortune only to fall for him instead. Barbara Stanwyck, Henry Fonda.

 Why?  Sexy, funny, sweet. Stanwyck is at her sassy best as jaded con girl Jean Harrington out to seduce and bilk the soft-spoken naive heir to a beer fortune.  If you like some heart with your screwball romantic comedy, don’t miss this.

Tuesday, February 14

9:45  pm Eastern  Libeled Lady (1936)  Screwball Comedy/Romance.  A wily newspaper editor hires a glib ladies’ man to woo an heiress who has sued his paper for libel. William Powell, Myrna Loy, Jean Harlow, Spencer Tracy.

Why?  Four mega-stars of the 1930s knock it out of the park in this entertaining screwball comedy with a dash of romance.

Powell and Loy made 14 films together, six of which were part of the super popular Thin Man series. Libeled Lady is the fourth of their non-Thin Man pairings and it ranks with their best.

Jean Harlow’s stellar comedic skills are on display as Spencer Tracy’s cheeky, long-suffering fiancée. She even steals a scene or two from (then-boyfriend) Powell. Tragically, Harlow would appear in only two more feature films before her untimely death in 1937.

Libeled Lady was nominated for Best Picture. It lost to another Powell-Loy film, The Great Ziegfeld.

Monday, February 20

Peter Sellers

4:00 pm Eastern  The Pink Panther (1963)  Comedy/Caper. A bumbling police inspector travels to a posh Switzerland ski resort to catch an international jewel thief. Peter Sellers, David Niven.

Why? Sign up for some silly. Watch this first Pink Panther movie with the knowledge that it was originally conceived as a comedic jewel heist caper film for David Niven, not Peter Sellers. Sellers wasn’t even the first pick for the supporting role of Inspector Clouseau, but he got the part., and—ten sequels and spin-offs later—the rest is history. Comedy gold.

Wednesday, February 22

Roman Holiday (1953)

8:00 pm  Eastern  Roman Holiday (1953)  Romantic Comedy. A runaway European princess falls in love with an American reporter who is being paid to write an exposé on her.  Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck, Eddie Albert.

Why?  Ask a group of twenty women over thirty to name their favorite classic movie, and there’s a good chance more than one will choose Roman Holiday. This delightful 5-star romantic romp through the Eternal City launched Audrey Hepburn’s film career and won her not only an Oscar for Best Actress but a special place in movie-goers hearts that lives on today.

Friday, February 24

Marilyn Monroe – Some Like It Hot

8:00 pm Some Like it Hot (1959)  Screwball Comedy. Two womanizing musicians hide from the mob by masquerading as women to join an all-girls band. Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis.

Why?  Take three A-list stars, sprinkle in a passel of exemplary support players, and add a few walk-ons that shine. What do you get? One of the best cast comedies ever.

From her iconic comic entrance to the finish, Monroe plays big-hearted, maybe-not-so-dumb-blond singer Sugar Kane to perfection. Jack Lemmon’s physical comedy has never been better—the scene with the maracas is classic—and Tony Curtis out-does his pretty self with a spot-on impersonation of Cary Grant in his attempts to woo sweet Sugar.

Some Like it Hot garnered six Academy Award nominations and is ranked #1 on the American Film Institute’s “100 Funniest Movies of all Time.”  A pièce de résistance not to be missed.

***
And that’s a wrap! How did I do?
What are your favorite go-to movies when your spirits need a lift?

Have a great February!

***

Photo Credits:

Some Like It Hot  – Screen capture from a public domain film trailer  (Some Like It Hot trailer) [Public domain], via Wikimeia Commons

Washington DC Lawn Sign – Delynn Royer

Breakfast at Tiffany’s –  By Trailer screenshot (Breakfast at Tiffany’s trailer) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Barbara Stanwyck – By Trailer screenshot (The Lady Eve trailer) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Libeled Lady Poster  – By Employee(s) of MGM [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Roman Holiday – By Trailer screenshot  (Roman Holiday trailer) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Peter Sellers – By Chicago Sun Times / United Artists studios (Historical Images on eBay) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Marilyn Monroe  – Cropped screen capture from a public domain film trailer  (Some Like It Hot trailer) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Good Night, Angela and Flappers & Jelly Beans

Good Night, Angela is here!

A homicide detective and a tabloid reporter suspect there’s more to the case than meets the eye when a popular Midwestern radio evangelist is kidnapped for ransom after she appears to a sold out crowd at Madison Square Garden.

Well, here we are, near the end of January and well into my least favorite season of the year, but it’s the weekend, yes? And there’s other good news to share. The third book in my 1920s romantic mystery series, Good Night, Angela, is now available at  Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo and Smashwords.

Find the new book page, blurb, and an excerpt here.

Good Night, Angela is a stand-alone romantic mystery that can be read by itself, but if you haven’t caught the earlier books in the series, now may be a great time to start. Book One,  It Had to Be You, is priced to sell at $0.99 at Amazon and other ebook retailers.

Flappers & Jelly Beans

Welcome to Flappers & Jelly Beans!  To celebrate the release of my new 1920s romantic mystery, Good Night, Angela, I’m talking about facts, fads, and headlines from America in the 1920s.

THE RED CARPET TREATMENT...

20th Century Ltd Red Carpet – Photo by Rickyrab via Wikimedia Commons

Ever wonder where the expression “getting the red carpet treatment” came from?

Today, we cross continents in a day, and if we’ve got the bucks, we can add some luxury by flying first class. But prior to World War II, commercial airline travel was still new and not very cushy. If one wanted to travel across land in first class style, that meant taking the train.

THE 20TH CENTURY LIMITED

During the first half of the 20th century,  a handful of trains were known the world over for luxury travel. In Europe one might hop aboard the Orient Express or Le Train Bleu.  In America, well-heeled travelers took the Commodore Vanderbilt, the Broadway, or the 20th Century Limited.

2oth Century Ltd 1920

Aside from the Orient Express, no train was more famous than the flagship of the New York Central line, the 20th Century Limited.

The Century, as it was called, was a luxury express  that ran between Grand Central Terminal in New York City and La Salle Street Station in Chicago.  In 1902, when it made its first run, the trip took 20 hours. By the mid-1930s, the travel time had been cut to 16 hours, 30 minutes.

The Century boasted the newest Pullman sleeping and dining cars.  Staff included chefs, waiters, barbers, manicurists, ladies’ maids, and valets. The dinner menus rivaled the culinary standards at world class deluxe hotels—Russian caviar, filet mignon, lobster.

The passenger lists boasted the rich and famous: Theodore Roosevelt,  J.P. Morgan, Walter Chrysler, Coco Chanel, Enrico Caruso, Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Bing Crosby.

One of its signature practices began in the 1930s. They rolled out a red carpet runner nearly the length of a football field for passengers boarding in New York. After that, the saying “getting the red carpet treatment” became synonymous with receiving first class customer service.

Barrymore & Lombard – Twentieth Century

The Century had a British cocktail named after it—the 20th Century Cocktail—and, in 1934, a classic screwball comedy film, Twentieth Century, starring Carole Lombard and John Barrymore was set aboard the famous train.

Twentieth Century, (1 min. 58 sec. clip at TCM.com), 1934, Columbia Pictures, Carole Lombard and John Barrymore (Directed by Howard Hawks)

Other classic films with memorable scenes aboard the Century include Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest (1959, Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint) and George Roy Hill’s The Sting (1973, Paul Newman, Robert Redford).

Times change, of course.  By the end of the 1950s, jet travel was becoming the norm, and train travel was losing its cachet.  The Century began to cater to more economical travelers. In December 1967, it made its final run to Chicago. The Century’s heyday was over, but its place in American history of travel will never be forgotten.

Traveling by rail in close quarters…

Good Night, Angela – January 27, 2017

In Good Night, Angela, tabloid reporter Trixie Frank and homicide detective Sean Costigan put their no-hanky-panky-during-the-work-week rule to the test when their latest murder case requires them to travel overnight in close quarters to Chicago aboard the luxurious 20th Century Limited.

EXCERPT…

The hour grew late, and the observation car emptied. Sean and Trixie followed suit. They passed through an open section sleeper car with its lights dimmed and curtains pulled to reach their own car, which was likewise quiet.

When they found their compartments, Trixie opened her door first and was disappointed to find the lower berth had already been pulled down for the night.

Nuts. The service aboard the Century was far too efficient. She’d hoped to ask Sean for some gentlemanly assistance with her berth. Could she help it if, once they were inside her compartment, maybe the train went around a curve and they happened to fall together onto the open bed and nature took its course?

All right, yes. It was Monday, but they were alone, no one knew them and they had privacy. No nosy landladies with barking Fox Terriers and no night clerks at the Alhambra to clock their comings and goings.

“That’s some swell service,” Sean said from behind her in the corridor. “I guess that’s why they get the extra bucks for a ticket.”

Trixie bit her lower lip pensively. “Yes indeedy.” She yanked the door closed again and turned to face him. They were only inches apart. His hand rested against the door jamb above her head, fencing her in. She could feel his body heat. It drew her to him. Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me…

She smiled up at him sweetly. “Long day, huh? Tired?”

“Beat. You?”

“Bushed.”

His gaze dropped to her mouth, then climbed slowly back up to her eyes. “Time to turn in.”

“And how.”

Big palooka. He knew exactly what was on her mind. It was on his mind too. They’d been flirting since before dinner, but he wouldn’t be the first to crack. Would she?

***

Have a great weekend!

Photo Credits

Red Carpet – By Rickyrab (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons

20th Century Limited – Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons – Image available from the United States Library of Congress’s Prints and Photographs division under digital ID det.4a33145

Twentieth Century – Cropped Lobby Card – By Columbia Pictures ([1]) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Good Night, Angela cover art design by Fiona Jayde Media. Learn more About Fiona here. Custom Photo Shoot and Cover Model Images from RomanceNovelCovers.com

So Long, 2016 & Cover Reveal

Hey, 2016, don’t let the door hit you on the way out…

I suspect I’m not alone in feeling like 2016 was quite the mixed bag of the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Too many celebrity deaths, for one thing—or at least, it seemed so, especially with the recent tragic loss of Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds. Some celebrity deaths hit harder than others. Carrie Fisher and her legendary mom were like that for me.

Then, of course, there was the dismaying vitriol of the U.S. presidential campaign, the hacking, the leaks, the incivility and fake news…  Yuck.

Thankfully, on a personal level, I had plenty to be grateful for. Our family remained in good health and doing well with jobs and school. My youngest son got married to a wonderful girl, and a dear friend battling cancer continued to make amazing, positive strides.

Less important but notable for my sanity (or insanity) was that it was a dismal year for my personal creativity. Good writing days were few and far between.

In April, we unexpectedly lost our beloved ten-year old Chihuahua-poodle Kacee. For empty nesters like my husband and me, losing our pup was rough. On the upside, we adopted a new member of the family, Lexi, a lovable Cockapoo who has livened up our household considerably.

So, there it is, the mixed bag that was 2016. It’s true of every year–the good, the bad, and the ugly. There’s always more to be grateful for than to complain about, but I’m ready for this one to turn.

How about you?

So long, 2016!

Creation of an Ebook Cover

When I decided to release two more books in my 1920s romantic series as an indie author, I faced the challenge of creating cover art that would harmonize with the first book’s truly awesome cover (created by Carina Press).

Easier said than done.

My biggest hurdle? I didn’t have access to the same cover model or cover artist. In addition, there was one concept I wanted to handle differently. Namely, I wanted both my lead characters on the cover, not just the heroine.

Thus began hours of searching through stock photography at romance cover art sites.  There were plenty of model couples to choose from in time period costume that ranged from Medieval Europe to the Old West, but almost none in my time period—the Roaring 20s.  The few that did fit either failed to match the physical descriptions of Sean Costigan and Trixie Frank or they featured couples in a “clinch” pose that didn’t suit the light romantic tone of the series.

RomanceNovelCovers.com Custom Photo Shoot – Behind The Scenes – Jimmy Thomas & Inessa

I was about to give up when I arrived at RomanceNovelCovers.com, a site owned by cover model Jimmy Thomas. What that site offered that the others didn’t were custom shots that featured either Jimmy Thomas alone or paired with a female model chosen from a list of available models by the client.

Bingo.

Did going this route rather than using stock photography cost more? Sure, but maybe it wasn’t so much when you consider how much time and effort go into writing and editing a novel.

As a writer, there’s nothing more exciting than seeing my characters come to life through cover art. Thanks to RomancenNovelCovers.com, New York City homicide detective Sean Costigan finally came off the written page.

And as for my perky tabloid reporter Trixie Frank?  She was reborn. 🙂

The Darrin Syndrome

Dick York

Anybody remember this?

In the 1960s, the popular Bewitched TV series made a clunky mid-series switcheroo that has gone down in TV history as the “Darrin Syndrome.” With no warning or explanation, they replaced lead actor Dick York, who played Elizabeth Montgomery’s long-suffering husband Darrin, with actor Dick Sargent.

Dick Sargent

In the end, the two Dicks were not interchangeable, and the new Darrin was never quite as popular as the original.

Thinking about that, I braced myself for…  the Trixie Syndrome.

What do you think of the Trixie switch from Cover 1 to Cover 2?

To be honest, I was happily surprised by the resemblance between the two models, but, more important, both are a great fit for my leading lady, Beatrix “Trixie” Frank.

Putting it Together

The final step was to take those custom shots of Sean and Trixie to a cover artist to work some magic. I chose Fiona Jayde of Fiona Jayde Media.

Along with my custom shots and my back cover blurb, below are some keywords Fiona and I worked with to create the mood and tone for the cover of Good Night, Angela.

1. 1920s
2. Mystery
3. Romance
4. Detective
5. Reporter/Newspapers
6. Black & White/Sepia
7. Art Deco
8. Golden Age Cinema

Now, can you picture it?

Maybe not. I couldn’t. That’s what cover artists are for. They pull all the pieces together.

And here’s the result!

GOOD NIGHT, ANGELA

A Trixie Frank – Sean Costigan 1920s Romantic Mystery

***
New York City, Spring, 1925.

When the wife of a popular Midwestern radio evangelist is kidnapped for ransom only hours after they preach to a sold-out crowd at Madison Square Garden, Detective Sean Costigan and tabloid reporter Trixie Frank suspect there’s more to the case than meets the eye.

***

Let me know what you think.

Check out the blurb and an excerpt of Good Night, Angela’s on its new book page here!

Photo Credits:

Champagne bottle clipart  is from WPClipArt

 It Had to Be You – Cover Art used by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises Limited ® and ™ are trademarks owned by Harlequin Enterprises Limited or its affiliated companies, used under license.

Dick York – By McDermott Company (public relations) (ebay.com, front of photo, back of photo) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Dick Sargent – By American Broadcasting Company (ebay.com, front of photo, back of photo) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Goodbye, Tootsie and Good Night, Angela cover art design by Fiona Jayde Media. Learn more About Fiona here. Custom Photo Shoot and Cover Model Images from RomanceNovelCovers.com

5 Golden Age Movie Picks for Your Holiday Week

Lieutenant Guild: You got a pistol permit?
Nick Charles: No.
Lieutenant Guild: Ever heard of the Sullivan Act?
Nora Charles: Oh, that’s all right, we’re married.

From The Thin Man, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1934

Feeling that Old Holiday Schmaltz…

Yep, it’s that time. Time to get out the hankies. (And, for once, I’m not talking about  election hankies.) I’m talking about Holiday Hankies, the big, thick, absorbent kind we need in mucho grande supply for all the schmaltzy holiday classic movies we’ll be indulging in while we’re decking our halls with boughs of holly this week. (Yay!)

This year, between NBC and Turner Classic Movies, the options are plentiful. It was no easy task to pick only five, but this annual chore is finally done. This year’s picks are Capra-heavy with some time-tested favorites returning as well as two lesser-known holiday films in case you’re in the mood for something new.

Happy viewing!

Which movies or TV shows get you revved for the holidays?

5 Golden Age Movie Picks for Your Holiday Week

Holiday Movie Schmaltz Rating Guide

1 Hanky =  Heartwarming
2 Hankies – Misty Eyes
3 Hankies – Oh, man…!
4 Hankies – Don’t schedule anything for the rest of the day.

***

#5   Tenth Avenue Angel (1948) Drama. TCM.  Depression era New York City. A bright little girl’s faith in miracles is tested after she learns that her family has lied to her. Margaret O’Brien, Angela Lansbury.

When? Saturday, December 24, 6:45 a.m. Eastern

Why? Nine year old Juvenile Academy Award winner Margaret O’Brien carries the day in this heart-tugger about a precocious little girl outgrowing her childhood beliefs in the impoverished Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of the 1930s.  O’Brien is supported by an able adult cast, not the least of which is a stunning young Angela Lansbury as her Aunt Susan and Rhys Williams as “Blind Mac,” the kindly owner of the neighborhood newsstand.

Holiday Movie Schmaltz Rating  = 3 hankies

***

Holiday Affair

# 4     Holiday Affair (1949) Light Romance.  TCM.  A widowed single mother is torn between the security offered by a responsible business man and shaking up the status quo when she meets a footloose romantic newcomer. Janet Leigh, Robert Mitchum.

When?  Saturday, December 24, 2:30 p.m. Eastern

Why? Sweet and predictable? Yes, but this underrated holiday romance set in post WWII New York is very well cast and worth a watch.

A young Janet Leigh (long before Psycho) gives a laudable performance as a war widow unable to move forward with her life after the loss of her husband.  Robert Mitchum–a tough guy cast against type as her romantic lead—plays “Mitchum,” as always, but with a softer edge and understatement that surprises and works amazingly well.

This film also marks the debut of adorable child actor Gordon Gebert as six-year old Timmy. I bet you a cookie you’ll want to hug this little guy to pieces.

Holiday Movie Schmaltz Rating – 1 hanky

***

Meet John Doe

#3  Meet John Doe (1941)  Comedy/Drama/Romance. TCM. A reporter’s fake story for her soon-to-be-defunct column saves her career, turns a homeless man into a national hero for the working class, and changes them both into pawns of a powerful politician. Will they sell out? Gary Cooper, Barbara Stanwyck.

When?  Saturday, December 24, 8:15 a.m. Eastern

Why?  Feeling a little 21st century world weary? Need a revitalizing dose of some Frank Capra-like optimism? There are some who rank the lesser-known Meet John Doe right up with Capra’s crowning achievement, It’s a Wonderful Life.  Decide for yourself. A fist-pump-worthy final scene earns this film a…

Holiday Movie Schmaltz Rating of 3 hankies

***

#2  The Thin Man (1934)  Mystery/Detective. TCM. A tippling ex-private detective and his heiress wife investigate a murder while spending the holidays in New York.  William Powell, Myrna Loy.

When?  Friday, December 23, 8:00 p.m. Eastern

 Why?  Not normally thought of as a holiday film, right? But these wisecracking sleuthy spouses are visiting the Big Apple for Christmas when they stumble into this, the first of several more screwy murder mystery screenplays to come.

Check it. Sparkling romantic chemistry, droll humor, and snappy dialogue are topped off by a true-to-form dinner party reveal-the-murderer scene that will tickle your funny bone. “The murderer is right in this room. Sitting at this table. You may serve the fish…”

Holiday Movie Schmaltz Rating – 0 Hankies (All smiles.)

***

James Stewart and Donna Reed 1946

#1     It’s a Wonderful Life(1946)  Holiday Fantasy/Drama.  NBC.  A small town banker contemplating suicide is saved by a guardian angel-in-training. Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Henry Travers.

When?  Saturday, December 24 at 8:00 p.m. on NBC

Why?  Of course this is number one. It will always be number one.  If I ever do a list of holiday films and this is not number one, call the cops. I’ve been kidnapped and an imposter took over my blog.

This is the granddaddy of all classic holiday films for good reason.

Jimmy Stewart is so pitch perfect as Everyman George Bailey, it’s impossible to imagine anyone else in the role. Donna Reed plays beautiful counterpoint, Barrymore preens as the quintessential villain, and Henry Travers wins hearts as Angel 2nd Class Clarence Odbody.

It just ain’t Christmas without it.

 Holiday Movie Schmaltz Rating = 4 hankies

*** 

Last year’s trivia question remains unanswered, so here it is again:

What classic holiday film title appears on the Bijou theater marquee when George Bailey runs through the streets of Bedford Falls near the end of the movie?

• Christmas in Connecticut (featured in last year’s 5 Picks)
• The Bells of Saint Mary’s (featured in last year’s 5 Picks)
• A Christmas Carol

Have a wonderful holiday week!

 

Photo credits:

Margaret O’Brien –Tenth Avenue Angel movie trailer screenshot

Angela Lansbury – Tenth Avenue Angel movie trailer screenshot

Meet John Doe screenshot – By Frank Capra Prod., Warner Bros. (Tumblr) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

It’s a Wonderful Life  – Screen Shots [Public domain]

Publicity Photo for The Thin Man with Myrna Loy, Skippy, and William Powell (1936) – [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

William Powell and Myrna Loy – Trailer screenshot Licencing information :http://web.archive.org/web/20080321033709/http://www.sabucat.com/?pg=copyright and http://www.creativeclearance.com/guidelines.html#D2 (After the Thin Man trailer) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Holiday Procrastination

My Holiday To-Do List

From left to right – Snoozing Lucy Cat, Tardy Christmas Tree, Lexi the Dog

It’s useless to deny it any longer. The holiday season has begun.

The final two months of the year are crazy-busy at my day job, which means I’m stressed and cranky. Every holiday season for the past 15 years of so, my coping mechanism has been to live in a state of denial that the holidays are looming until at least the weekend following Thanksgiving. (That’s when I’ve always put up our Christmas tree.)

This year, the denial must have run deeper than usual because the weekend after Thanksgiving… I forgot to put up our tree. (Say, what?) Yes. For. Got.

I think the election and my resolution to become better informed (i.e. catatonia followed by voracious political reading) may have had something to do with my distraction.

Regardless of the reason for this serious setback, the result is the same. I’m alarmingly behind on my annual holiday procrastination to-do list.

Below is a peek at this week’s list…

1. 

   Photography by Ryan McGuire – Gratisography

   Go to work. (No crying.) (Okay, no audible crying.) Do this: Daily.

2. Pick up mini-pancakes and syrup to make smile faces out of same in order to cheer self up at breakfast.
3. Fall prey to Facebook click bait. Do this: Minimum two hours/daily.
4. Amazon-surf for awe-inspiring gift ideas. Find many (for me). Do this: Minimum two hours/daily.
5. Organize plastic containers and lids in cabinet under sink.
6. Furminate cat. Do this: Daily.
7. 

   Furminate me.

   Research parallel universe theories. (Where do missing Ziploc® lids go after only three uses? What about missing socks? Keys? Earrings?)

8. Rewatch The Princess Bride

And those are just the high priority items.

Normally, by this time—in a non-screwed-up election year—I would have had all those things done and I’d be over halfway through not sending out my Christmas cards.

Any other holiday procrastinators out there? Please share. Not only will it waste some precious time that you could otherwise be spending productively, it helps me to know I’m not alone.

 Holiday Buy Links

Mystery and Romance in 1920s Manhattan

Looking for more ways to procrastinate during the holidays? Why not indulge in a fun, seasonal romantic e-mystery? Check out It Had to Be You, which opens on Thanksgiving Day, 1924. It’s priced to sell at 99 cents at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, and other ebook outlets. 

And don’t forget… You can gift ebooks virtually to fellow ebook readers on your gift list via Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

***

Coming later this week… Good Night, Angela Cover Reveal!

Until then… make your lists and have a great week!

 

 Photo Credits:

Tardy Christmas Tree and Pets – Delynn Royer

Lucy the Cat – Delynn Royer

Pancake Smiley Plate – By Ryan McGuire, Bells Design, from Gratisography

 It Had to Be You – Cover Art used by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises Limited ® and ™ are trademarks owned by Harlequin Enterprises Limited or its affiliated companies, used under license.