META STRAUSS : December 2011

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

WISHING YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS

Regardless of religious practices, it's the time of year when festive lights, music and a general feeling of joy fills the air. Only a "bah humbug grouch" doesn't enjoy singing and listening to carols. Sonoma has had beautiful sunny, clear and crisp days for weeks, a true Christmas gift for all.

My Tree

Grapes are all picked and in the process of becoming wine. Even a "grouch" enjoys a nice glass of Pinot.

Olive gathering. Because of the rains and late cold weather of 2011, our olive crop is small, but folks are out harvesting, preparing for the Blessing of the Olives in early January.

This Persimmon tree looks a bit like my Christmas tree.

We will attend a live nativity and Family Christmas Eve service and then will share a dinner of fresh Dungeness crab. Instead of a regular Christmas celebration we opted for a "re-gift" exchange and a Talent Show. The idea is for each family member to share some kind of talent with the others. Since we only have one family member who has a legitimate star-quality talent (Elizabeth sings and plays the guitar), the show should be interesting and, I'm sure, will be much fun. It's top secret, but I know one 73 year old plans to dance the Charleston, something she's always wanted to do but has never done before. I will read one chapter from my El Chico novel that I vow to publish in 2013. If the show turns up a candidate for The X-Factor or American Idol I'll let you know!

ABOUT META

Meta Strauss moved from her life-long home, Houston, Texas in 2005 to northern California. She lives in the heart of wine country where the scenery, weather and people are so perfect locals don't like to brag for fear the entire world will move to Sonoma and spoil the small town atmosphere. Meta joins the long list of artists, writers, film-makers, chefs, gardeners and philosophers who live in the Valley of the Moon, fertile ground for growing in creativity and contentment.

Meta's writing is often published in the Sonoma Sun's Fine Art Section. Her work appears in the anthology Cry of the Nightbird and a memoir of family tales, Stories for Emma, is available on Amazon.

Meta's first novel, Saving El Chico was released in January, 2016, available on Amazon, Kindle and at local book stores.

From the owners of Ed’s Salvage Yard and Golf Course to the Be Lovely Boutique, citizens of the small west Texas town of El Chico band together in order to survive and flourish in the twenty-first century. A devastating drought appears to be the final blow to the community and Bea McPherson’s Circle McP Ranch. Taking advantage of the situation, a fast-talking Dallas businessman joins with the local mayor to swindle the residents. They don't count on the unwavering devotion to the land and shrewdness of the female rancher aided by Jake, a cowboy who was born a hundred years too late, and Silver Crow, the Great-Grandson of Quanah Parker, noble chief of the Comanche nation.