Page 27 - San Diego Woman Magazine

An Unusual Christmas

By C.F. Illingworth Pie in

Christmas is fast their front lawn?" I had favorite dish. Mattak is the Sky
approaching, and always thought Pasa- raw whale skin served
my wife and I enjoy dena was somewhat with a side of blubber.
immersing ourselves in conservative. "Boy, was How can anyone resist and Other
the festivities. When we I wrong." that treat? Kiviak is
were first married, we After we arrived another Christmas Stories
lived in Pasadena, CA. home, I decided to delight. Kiviak is an
This year we decided go online to see what Auk bird stuffed into
to revisit the area to see interesting ways people a seal skin, then left to
all the Christmas dec- in other countries ferment for six months. Author: Ava Lepor
orations. As we drove celebrate Christmas. I guess they don't raise
through the residential In Venezuela, there many turkeys in Green-
neighborhoods, we is a tradition of roller land, unless they stuff
were surprised to see skating to early morn- them into a seal skin.
how decorations had ing Christmas services. In Japan, a tradi-
changed over the past After Mass, many res- tional Christmas food is https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BFTMJGHW
50 years. idents would go out to a holiday sponge cake.
One of the first eat tostados and drink These sponge cakes Pie in the Sky and Other Sto- What makes this book special
outdoor displays was coffee. come with whipped ries is a wonderful book by a to me is how real it is. With each
a four-foot Nutcracker In South Africa, on cream, chocolate, wonderful creative author. story located in a different part
dressed up as a pirate. Christmas day, there is and strawberries on Pie in the Sky and Other Sto- of the country and even the
Did pirates celebrate a tradition of snacking top. They are ordered ries is sure to become one of world, it makes me wonder if
Christmas? Not too far on deep-fried Emperor months in advance and
down the street was a moth caterpillars. Ah, are eaten on Christmas your favorite reads as it has Ms. Lepor is well-traveled or
display of Santa Claus ok. Austrians have Eve. Any cake that is become mine. It is refreshing simply possesses an extensive
popping in and out of a little twist on the not sold before the 25th to read a book that focuses knowledge of the world. One
an outhouse. I guess treatment of their is unwanted. on what is good in the world of the favorite elements of her
when you gotta go, you children on Christmas And finally, here's a and not one that highlights stories is how unique they are,
gotta go. Eve. Santa does reward strange tradition from the many plights we must yet full of wisdom in their own
One street over children who have been right here in the US. face. Once you pick up this way. “The Glass Slipper” begins
was a modern nativity good during the year Since 2010, Arizona's book, it is almost impossible as a fun episode in the life of a
scene with the three with treats and gifts. Scottsdale Gun Club to put it down. I am so happy soon-to-be bride who is pre-
wise men arriving However, a character has hosted what may to see this genre of Literary paring for her wedding, but
on Segways. Anoth- named Krampus is not well be the oddest Fiction full of stories that lift during this preparation, she
er nativity included so nice. This figure, out picture opportunity hearts and bring us back to a begins to question her motives
a donkey and the of Eastern Europe- of the holiday season. fundamental fact in life; there for the union. A story that ap-
Shepard's lamb singing an mythology, goes They take a snapshot of are good people in this world pears to be headed for a disas-
a duet of Jingle Bells. around and punishes you with jolly Santa and who do what they can to trous ending instead provides
What church do these children that have been an AK-47. The Gun make the world a better place a crucial lesson that temporary
people attend? A couple bad during the year. Club spokesman stated: without tearing down others. pain often can result in a life-
of streets over from the As if kids don't have "Our members and time of happiness. In “The Bi-
singing animals stood enough to worry about. customers like to take Her characters are so realistic cycle,” we learn of a little boy’s
a 15-foot inflatable I can just imagine that pictures with 'Santa and that you feel as if you know childhood memories and how
snowman standing next the children would Machine Guns." And them, and they will surely re-
to three penguins. I'm probably stay awake, you thought grandma mind you of someone you do a promise shared with a friend
still trying to figure that worrying if they were putting her false teeth know. The kindness that fills can be the thread that brings
one out. going to get a treat or a in just before eating their hearts proves that even us back to those we love. In
Not to be outdone, spanking. Now that has Christmas dinner was though bad things sometimes her story “Cold Welcome,” we
the neighbor next door got to be a real Christ- strange. Now you are happen to good people, in the find that painful childhood
displayed Santa arriving mas nightmare. all set to have a normal end, the good endures. The memories can often keep us
by helicopter. Well, at Italy also has an Christmas, right? ability to survive through hard from moving forward in life,
least it wasn't the three interesting tradition. times is a thread that runs and through this story, we are
wise gentlemen. Oh, Instead of Santa, there is throughout Ms. Lepor’s work. reminded that there is truly
were you aware that a witch named Befana nothing in the world more im-
elves attended the first who travels around Italy Each story found within her portant than love.
nativity? Yeah, me nei- on January 5th to deliv- book is unique and contains
ther. And last but not er gifts to the children. an element of surprise. This If you are looking for a refresh-
the strangest, was Santa If the kids were good fact, in itself, forces you to ing new read, pick up a copy
delivering presents to during the year, then keep turning the pages as of Pie in the Sky and Other Sto-
the baby in the manger. their socks are filled you cannot put it down until ries, and you will surely find
This last display was all with candy and gifts. a resolution is reached within yourself with a renewed look
done in black light. However, if they were the story. It is undoubtedly a on life, one that reminds you
Needless to say, bad, their stockings that life is good and kindness
our trip home was alive were filled with coal. work of art that will keep you needs to be shared.
with "Do you believe Greenland has up long into the night.
that people would some quirky Christmas
want those scenes on menu items. Mattak is a 27