The number one rule for writers is to write what you know. Douglas Stuart knows exactly what he is writing about and it’s amazing he escaped his childhood. Set in the 1980’s Glasgow Scotland recession, Shuggie Bain is a young boy who tries to navigate life with an alcoholic mother who is both destructive and self-destructive.
Month: December 2020
Reindeer?
A week or so ago we had a deer walking through the green space behind our house. Based on her markings, I’m pretty sure it’s Blitzen. The reindeer must have been fattening up for their big trip tonight. I didn’t know that the reindeer also scout out the neighborhoods before Christmas. I’ve also seen Blitzen… Continue reading Reindeer?
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
When I was young I shied away from this story because I thought I knew it all from the movies and I thought Tiny Tim was sappy. But for the past couple of decades I have re-read this beautiful little book almost every Christmas and everytime I come away with a new insight; sometimes small, sometimes big.
It’s not too late to read it for Christmas this year. It’s a short book and can easily be read in an evening. When our kids were young we read it a once or twice in the lead up to Christmas; reading 1 chapter a night. The kids are all grown up now so I read it on my own.
Chicken Tikka Masala
As I was measuring out the third group of spices for this dish I thought to myself “this had better be worth it”. Although it took an overnight marinade, three groups of spices, and two pans to cook, this dish was well worth the effort.
