Lit for Christmas

WARNING: This episode contains adult language and discussion of a certain guy in red fur that may not be appropriate for small children.

Welcome to our first 'ber month Lit for Christmas party of the year!

In this episode, Marty and his friend, Madeline, become Merry Prankster’s as the discuss Ken Kesey’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest in honor of what would have been Kesey’s

BONUS POINTS: Take a drink every time someone says the word “crazy.”

GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT:

Surfer on Acide (recipe adapted from Liquor.com)

 Ingredients

Directions:

1.   Add all the ingredients in a shaker with ice.

2.   Shake, strain, and pour into a highball glass with ice.

3.   Garnish with pineapple wedge (optional).

GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT NONALCOHOLIC ALTERNATIVE:

Use ingredients and follow above directions, making the substitutions listed above.

⁠

YOUR HOSTS

Marty has a Master's in fiction writing, MFA in poetry writing, and teaches in the English Department at Northern Michigan University in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  He served two terms at Poet Laureate of the Upper Peninsula, and has published the poetry collection The Mysteries of the Rosary from Mayapple Press.  For more of Marty's thoughts and writing visit his blog Saint Marty saintmarty-marty.blogspot.com) or listen to his other podcast Confessions of Saint Marty, also on Anchor.fm.  Marty is a writer, blogger, wine sipper, easy drunk, and poetry obsessor who puts his Christmas tree up in mid-October and refuses to take it down until the snow starts melting.

Madeline has a BA in English Creative Writing and gin drinking.  Currently, she is pursuing a Library Science graduate degree and avoiding the Lizard Man of Bloomington.  In her spare time, she enjoys reading eco-lit, true crime, and Alice Hoffman books.

Music for this episode:

"Jingle Bells Jazzy Style" by Julius H, used courtesy of Pixabay.

"A Christmas Treat" by Magic-828, used courtesy of Pixabay.

Other music in the episode:

"O Come All Ye Grateful Dead-Heads."  Rivers, Bob. Twisted Christmas.  Critique/Atco/Atlantic, 1988.

A Christmas Carol sound clips

The Campbell Theater 1939 radio production of A Christmas Carol, narrated by Orson Welles and starring Lionel Barrymore.

This month's Christmas lit:

Kesey, Ken.  One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.  Penguin Books, New York:  1962.

Welcome to this late (by a few days) Lit for Christmas August party!

In this episode, Marty and his wife, Beth, partake in a few Mars Explosions while talking about Ray Bradbury’s short-short story “The Gift” in honor of Bradbury’s 103rd birthday.  Also, learn the history of grenadine.

BONUS POINTS:  Take a shot every time you hear a bad Close Encounters of the Third Kind allusion.

SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT:

Mars Explosion (courtesy of https://cocktailsandshots.com/recipe/mars-explosion/#google_vignette)

Ingredients:

Directions:

Directions for Non-Alcoholic Mars Explosion Recipe

 Follow same directions as above, omitting vodka and rum, substituting 4 shots of orange juice instead. 

Lit for Christmas Party Hosts:

Marty has an Master's in fiction writing, MFA in poetry writing, and teaches in the English Department at Northern Michigan University in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  He served two terms at Poet Laureate of the Upper Peninsula, and has published the poetry collection The Mysteries of the Rosary from Mayapple Press.  For more of Marty's thoughts and writing visit his blog Saint Marty (saintmarty-marty.blogspot.com) or listen to his other podcast Confessions of Saint Marty, also on Anchor.fm.  Marty is a writer, blogger, wine sipper, easy drunk, and poetry obsessor who puts his Christmas tree up in mid-October and refuses to take it down until the snow starts melting.

Beth has a BS in English Secondary Education.  She has worked as a substitute teacher, medical transcriptionist, medical office receptionist, deli counter attendant, and Office Max cashier.  Currently, she works in a call center and enjoys discussing/arguing about literature with her loving husband.

Music for this episode:

"Jingle Bells Jazzy Style" by Julius H, used courtesy of Pixabay.

"A Christmas Treat" by Magic-828, used courtesy of Pixabay.

Other music in the episode:

Zimmerman, Roy. "Christmas on Mars." Real American. Metaphor Records, 2010.

A Christmas Carol sound clips from:

The Campbell Theater 1939 radio production of A Christmas Carol, narrated by Orson Welles and starring Lionel Barrymore.

This month's Christmas lit:

Bradbury, Ray. “The Gift.”   Esquire, 1 Dec. 1952.

Welcome to our very, very, very late Lit for Christmas in July party! In a day's time, look for our August Lit for Christmas party!

In this episode, Marty and his friend, Madeline, charm some Copperheads and discuss opioid addiction, foster care, and Kingsolver love.

BONUS POINTS:  Take a drink every time Marty or Madeline make a bad exorcism pun.

GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT:

Copperhead (recipe adapted from https://www.thedrinkkings.com/copperhead-recipe/)

 Ingredients

·      2 shots of vodka (omit for nonalcoholic alternative)

·      5 shots of ginger ale (7 shots for nonalcoholic alternative)

·      Lime wedge or 1 shot of lime juice

·       Ice

Directions:

1.   Add all the ingredients in a shaker with ice.

2.   Shake, strain, and pour into a highball glass with ice.

3.   Squeeze the lime wedge into drink (or add lime juice), drop wedge into drink, and serve.

GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT NONALCOHOLIC ALTERNATIVE:

Use ingredients and follow above directions, omitting vodka and using 7 shots of ginger ale.

YOUR HOSTS

Marty has a Master's in fiction writing, MFA in poetry writing, and teaches in the English Department at Northern Michigan University in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  He served two terms at Poet Laureate of the Upper Peninsula, and has published the poetry collection The Mysteries of the Rosary from

Madeline has a BA in English Creative Writing and gin drinking.  Currently, she is pursuing a Library Science graduate degree and avoiding

Music for this episode:

"Jingle Bells Jazzy Style" by Julius H, used courtesy of Pixabay.

"A Christmas Treat" by Magic-828, used courtesy of Pixabay.

Other music in the episode:

"Christmas Time’s A Comin’."  O’Connor, Mark.  An Appalachian Christmas.  OMAC Records, 2011.

A Christmas Carol sound clips from:

The Campbell Theater 1939 radio production of A Christmas Carol, narrated by Orson Welles and starring Lionel Barrymore.

This month's Christmas lit:

Kingsolver, Barbara.  Demon Copperhead.  HarperCollins Publishers, 2022.

Merry Christmas in July, all you Lit for Christmas partiers!

Welcome to this bonus shot of Christmas in July!  For this special Lit for Christmas pre-party, Marty shares his essay "Just Like the Ones I Used to Know." In a couple weeks, a brand new, full Lit for Christmas party will drop.

BONUS POINTS:  Say "Merry Christmas" to at least three of your neighbors!

NOTE: Still working on sound issues. My apologies.

Welcome to the Lit for Christmas Pride Month party!

In this episode, Marty and his wife, Beth, enjoy a few Tom Collinses while talking about David Sedaris's collection of essays/short stories Holidays on Ice. Also, witness a podcast first: Marty spills his drink all over his laptop.

BONUS POINTS:  Take a shot every time you hear the word "ice."

SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT:

Tom Collins (courtesy of liquor.com and sipyours.com)

Ingredients:

Directions:

Lit for Christmas Party Hosts:

Marty has an Master's in fiction writing, MFA in poetry writing, and teaches in the English Department at Northern Michigan University in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  He served two terms at Poet Laureate of the Upper Peninsula, and has published the poetry collection The Mysteries of the Rosary from Mayapple Press.  For more of Marty's thoughts and writing visit his blog Saint Marty (saintmarty-marty.blogspot.com) or listen to his other podcast Confessions of Saint Marty, also on Anchor.fm.  Marty is a writer, blogger, wine sipper, easy drunk, and poetry obsessor who puts his Christmas tree up in mid-October and refuses to take it down until the snow starts melting.

Beth has a BS in English Secondary Education.  She has worked as a substitute teacher, medical transcriptionist, medical office receptionist, deli counter attendant, and Office Max cashier.  Currently, she works in a call center and enjoys discussing/arguing about literature with her loving husband.

Music for this episode:

"Jingle Bells Jazzy Style" by Julius H, used courtesy of Pixabay.

"A Christmas Treat" by Magic-828, used courtesy of Pixabay.

Other music in the episode:

Vanilla Ice. "Ice Ice Baby." To the Extreme. SBK, 1990.

A Christmas Carol sound clips from:

The Campbell Theater 1939 radio production of A Christmas Carol, narrated by Orson Welles and starring Lionel Barrymore.

This month's Christmas lit:

Sedaris, David.  Holidays on Ice.  Little, Brown and Company:  New York, NY, 2008.

Welcome to our May Lit for Christmas party!

In this episode, Marty and his friend, Madeline, enjoy Sex on the Beach and tackle the stigma of mental illness talking about Sonya Sones’ Saving Red.

BONUS POINTS:  Take a drink every time Marty says “you know”! WARNING: YOU WILL GET VERY DRUNK!

GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT:

Sex on the Beach (recipe adapted from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/sex-on-the-beach-cocktail_n_596f74dfe4b0a03aba86b779)

Ingredients

Directions:

GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT NONALCOHOLIC ALTERNATIVE (CUDDLES ON THE BEACH):

Use ingredients and follow above directions, omitting vodka and substituting peach nectar for peach schnapps.

Marty has a Master's in fiction writing, MFA in poetry writing, and teaches in the English Department at Northern Michigan University in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  He served two terms at Poet Laureate of the Upper Peninsula, and has published the poetry collection The Mysteries of the Rosary from Mayapple Press.  For more of Marty's thoughts and writing visit his blog Saint Marty (saintmarty-marty.blogspot.com) or listen to his other podcast Confessions of Saint Marty, also on Anchor.fm.  Marty is a writer, blogger, wine sipper, easy drunk, and poetry obsessor who puts his Christmas tree up in

Madeline has a BA in English Creative Writing and gin drinking.  Currently, she is pursuing a Library Science graduate degree and avoiding

Music for this episode:

"Jingle Bells Jazzy Style" by Julius H, used courtesy of Pixabay.

"A Christmas Treat" by Magic-828, used courtesy of Pixabay.

Other music in the episode:

"California Dreamin’."  The Mamas & the Papas.  If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears.  RCA Victor, 1965.

A Christmas Carol sound clips from:

The Campbell Theater 1939 radio production of A Christmas Carol, narrated by Orson Welles and starring Lionel Barrymore.

This month's Christmas lit:

Sones, Sonya.  Saving Red.  HarperCollins Publishers, 2016.

NOTE: Apologies for the sound quality of this recording.

Welcome to the Lit for Christmas National Poetry Month party!

In this episode, Marty and his wife, Beth, imbibe in the official state cocktail for Michigan, visit the Motor City (and Greece and France) with colby Cedar Smith's novel in verse Call Me Athena: Girl from Detroit.

BONUS POINTS:  Take a shot every time you hear the word "call."

SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT:

The Hummer

courtesy of Punch (https://punchdrink.com/articles/how-the-hummer-cocktail-recipe-became-detroit-michigan/)

Ingredients:

Directions:

SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT NONALCOHOLIC ALTERNATIVE (courtesy of boozybisou.com):

Ingredients:

Use above ingredients and follow same directions to prepare.

Lit for Christmas Party Hosts:

Marty has an Master's in fiction writing, MFA in poetry writing, and teaches in the English Department at Northern Michigan University in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  He served two terms at Poet Laureate of the Upper Peninsula, and has published the poetry collection The Mysteries of the Rosary from Mayapple Press.  For more of Marty's thoughts and writing visit his blog Saint Marty (saintmarty-marty.blogspot.com) or listen to his other podcast Confessions of Saint Marty, also on Anchor.fm.  Marty is a writer, blogger, wine sipper, easy drunk, and poetry obsessor who puts his Christmas tree up in mid-October and refuses to take it down until the snow starts melting.

Beth has a BS in English Secondary Education.  She has worked as a substitute teacher, medical transcriptionist, medical office receptionist, deli counter attendant, and Office Max cashier.  Currently, she works in a call center and enjoys discussing/arguing about literature with her loving husband.

Music for this episode:

"Jingle Bells Jazzy Style" by Julius H, used courtesy of Pixabay.

"A Christmas Treat" by Magic-828, used courtesy of Pixabay.

Other music in the episode:

Kiss. "Detroit Rock City." Destroyer. Casablanca, 1976.

A Christmas Carol sound clips from:

The Campbell Theater 1939 radio production of A Christmas Carol, narrated by Orson Welles and starring Lionel Barrymore.

This month's Christmas lit:

Cedar Smith, Colby.  Call Me Athena: Girl from Detroit.  Andrews McMeel Publishing:  Kansas City, Missouri, 2021.

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains discussion of physical and emotional trauma and abuse.

Welcome to our St. Patrick’s Day Lit for Christmas party!

In this episode, Marty and his friend, Madeline, indulge in a wee drop of Irish Cream, Crème de Menthe, and vodka

BONUS POINTS:  Take a drink every time Marty tries on a bad Irish accent!

GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT:

Bailey’s Mint Martini (recipe adapted from lemontreedwelling.com)

Ingredients:

Directions:

1.    Fill cocktail shaker with ice. 

2.    Add ingredients; cover and shake well. 

3.    Strain into a martini glass. 

4.    Garnish with whipped cream and chocolate shavings as desired.

GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT NONALCOHOLIC ALTERNATIVE:

Use ingredients and follow above directions, substituting mint simple syrup for Crème de Menthe, Bailey’s Coffee Creamer for Bailey’s Irish Cream, and Arkay’s Zero-Proof Vodka for vodka.

Marty has a Master's in fiction writing, MFA in poetry writing, and teaches in the English Department at Northern Michigan University in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  He served two terms at Poet Laureate of the Upper Peninsula, and has published the poetry collection The Mysteries of the Rosary from Mayapple Press.  For more of Marty's thoughts and writing visit his blog Saint Marty (saintmarty-marty.blogspot.com) or listen to his other podcast Confessions of Saint Marty, also on Anchor.fm.  Marty is a writer, blogger, wine sipper, easy drunk, and poetry obsessor who puts his Christmas tree up in mid-October and refuses to take it down until the snow starts melting.

Madeline has a BA in English Creative Writing and gin drinking.  Currently, she is pursuing a Library Science graduate degree and avoiding the Lizard Man of Bloomington.  In her spare time, she enjoys reading eco-lit, true crime, and Alice Hoffman books.

Music for this episode:

"Jingle Bells Jazzy Style" by Julius H, used courtesy of Pixabay.

"A Christmas Treat" byM agic-828, used courtesy of Pixabay.

Other music in the episode:

"The Christmas Reel." The Chieftains.  The Chieftains 10.  Claddagh Records Ltd., 1981.

A Christmas Carol sound clips from:

The Campbell Theater 1939 radio production of A Christmas Carol, narrated by Orson Welles and starring Lionel Barrymore.

This month's Christmas lit:

Keegan, Claire.  Small Things Like These.  Grove Press: New York, NY, 2021.

Welcome to the Lit for Christmas Eve party!

In this episode, Marty and his wife, Beth, take a little trip to the Caribbean with a lot of rum and John Grisham's Skipping Christmas.

BONUS POINTS:  Take a shot for every bad John Grisham allusion and pun.

SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT:

Bahama Mama

courtesy of cocktails.lovetoknow.com

Ingredients:

Directions:

SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT NONALCOHOLIC ALTERNATIVE (courtesy of boozybisou.com):

Ingredients:

Use above ingredients and follow same directions to prepare.

Lit for Christmas Party Hosts:

Marty has an Master's in fiction writing, MFA in poetry writing, and teaches in the English Department at Northern Michigan University in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  He served two terms at Poet Laureate of the Upper Peninsula, and has published the poetry collection The Mysteries of the Rosary from Mayapple Press.  For more of Marty's thoughts and writing visit his blog Saint Marty (saintmarty-marty.blogspot.com) or listen to his other podcast Confessions of Saint Marty, also on Anchor.fm.  Marty is a writer, blogger, wine sipper, easy drunk, and poetry obsessor who puts his Christmas tree up in mid-October and refuses to take it down until the snow starts melting.

Beth has a BS in English Secondary Education.  She has worked as a substitute teacher, medical transcriptionist, medical office receptionist, deli counter attendant, and Office Max cashier.  Currently, she works in a call center and enjoys discussing/arguing about literature with her loving husband.

Music for this episode:

"Jingle Bells Jazzy Style" by Julius H, used courtesy of Pixabay.

"A Christmas Treat" by Magic-828, used courtesy of Pixabay.

Other music in the episode:

"Skipping Christmas."  Rivera, Brent.  Brent Rivera Productions Inc.  2017.

A Christmas Carol sound clips from:

The Campbell Theater 1939 radio production of A Christmas Carol, narrated by Orson Welles and starring Lionel Barrymore.

This month's Christmas lit:

Grisham, John.  Skipping Christmas.  Doubleday:  New York, NY, 2001.

Welcome to our out of this world Lit for Christmas party!

In this episode, Marty and his friend, Madeline, drink alien secretions and have a close encounter of the Christmas kind with Whitley Strieber's Communion:  A True Story.

BONUS POINTS:  For any listener who's been abducted by aliens!

GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT SPIRIT:

Alien Secretion (recipe courtesy of Tipsy Bartender)

Ingredients:

Directions:

SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT NONALCOHOLIC ALTERNATIVE:

Use ingredients and follow above directions, substituting melon syrup for melon liqueur and coconut and rum extract for coconut rum.

Marty has a Master's in fiction writing, MFA in poetry writing, and teaches in the English Department at Northern Michigan University in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  He served two terms at Poet Laureate of the Upper Peninsula, and has published the poetry collection The Mysteries of the Rosary from Mayapple Press.  For more of Marty's thoughts and writing visit his blog Saint Marty (saintmarty-marty.blogspot.com) or listen to his other podcast Confessions of Saint Marty, also on Anchor.fm.  Marty is a writer, blogger, wine sipper, easy drunk, and poetry obsessor who puts his Christmas tree up in mid-October and refuses to take it down until the snow starts melting.

Madeline has a BA in English Creative Writing and gin drinking.  Currently, she is pursuing a Library Science graduate degree and avoiding the Lizard Man of Bloomington.  In her spare time, she enjoys reading eco-lit, true crime, and Alice Hoffman books.

Music for this episode:

"Jingle Bells Jazzy Style" by Julius H, used courtesy of Pixabay.

"A Christmas Treat" by Magic-828, used courtesy of Pixabay.

Other music in the episode:

"I Want an Alien for Christmas."  Fountains of Wayne.  I Want an Alien for Christmas.  Atlantic, 1997.

A Christmas Carol sound clips from:

The Campbell Theater 1939 radio production of A Christmas Carol, narrated by Orson Welles and starring Lionel Barrymore.

This month's Christmas lit:

Strieber, Whitley.  Communion:  A True Story.  Walker & Collier, 1987.