Today is a lovely, warm winter’s day. Lots of birds are at the feeders, mostly goldfinches and chickadees. Gracie was in the backyard all morning, and when she came back inside, her mouth and chin were covered with dirt. Miss Gracie had taken the opportunity presented by the day to do a bit of digging. I suspect she buried the giant biscuit she got as a gift. I hate to think of what it will look like when she’s decided it’s prime for munching.

Yesterday was A Christmas Carol day. TCM had four different versions on during the day and evening. I watched two of them and have a third to watch later. The first I watched is my all time favorite, the Alastair Sim version released in 1951. I love watching Scrooge’s reclamation and his dance on Christmas morning. The second was an amazing version called Scrooge with Seymour Hicks which was released in 1935 and is the first of them with sound. Jacob Marley is unseen on-screen. He says only Scrooge can see him, and Scrooge looks at an empty chair while he and Marley converse. The best part of this movie is it gives a view of Victorian England and the contrast between the rich and the poor. One scene shows boys watching through a cellar window as a feast for lords and ladies is being prepared and then scraps are thrown through the same window to the boys who scramble for one. I love it when the Lord Mayor is asked if he wants to speak or did he want his guests to continue to enjoy themselves. Scrooge on Christmas morning is as merry as an angel, and there are scenes different from any other film. We watch Scrooge shave with a straight razor and nick his nose, throw his coat over his robe and night-shirt to go the butcher’s shop, and we meet the most charming of all his charwomen. Scrooge sits at his nephew’s Christmas dinner table after shedding a few tears standing at the Christmas tree. The next morning Cratchit is late as in every movie, but this time Scrooge sends Bob home with a raise and tells him to enjoy his family for the day. The last scene is in church where Scrooge sits in a pew and sees Cratchit beside him. He touches Bob’s sleeve and Bob touches Scrooge’s hand. That scene, so warm and loving, is the last in the movie.

I have a few grocery items to pick up but that’s my entire to-do list. The rest of the day will be leisurely. I’ll read, munch a few Christmas cookies my friend made and just delivered and I’ll drink some egg nog, laced just a bit. I’m thinking that sounds like the best of days.