Tea. Toast. and Trivia.

I am heading over the Canadian Rockies to St. Albert, Alberta to meet up with my nephew, Aaron, who has challenged our family to the Book Challenge 2021.

As background, it all started in January 2020, when I received Aaron’s message challenging me to participate in a 2020 Family Challenge which was to read 25 books in the Year 2020. Incidentally, Aaron is a prodigious reader, much like his Aunt Sarah, who is well known to consume vast qualities of books, moving from genre to genre with a dexterity that leaves me breathless.

Aaron has joined me to today to launch the Family Book Challenge 2021. I want to be the first to know his plans for the coming year and to have head start on my competitive siblings.  Of course, I do not have a competitive nature, but this is survival of the reading fittest.

I am you host, Rebecca Budd, and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you.

Thank you for sharing this moment with Aaron and me.  

Thank you, Aaron, for being the champion of the 2021 Family Book Challenge.

Dear listeners, all the very best on your reading adventures in 2021.  As Dr. Seuss wrote in his book, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut:  “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

Season 2 Episode 61: ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

I am you host, Rebecca Budd, and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you.

Clement Clarke Moore, born July 15, 1799 was a writer and American Professor of Oriental and Greek Literature, Divinity and Biblical Learning at the General Theological Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in New York City.   Clement Moore had strong ties to the seminary for I understand that it was his generosity that led him to donate land, which was his private apple orchard, upon which the seminary was built.  The Seminary remains on the same parcel of land, which is located at Ninth Avenue between 20th and 21st streets, in an area known as Chelsea Square

Clement Moore became a wealthy man through the ownership of the estate “Chelsea,” an inheritance he received from the passing of his mother and grandfather.   Fast forward to present day, the “Chelsea” area is located on the West Side of the borough of Manhattan in New York City, between 14th Street to the south, the Hudson River and West Street to the west and Sixth Avenue to the east, with its northern boundary variously described as near the upper 20s or 34th Street.

Clement Moore accomplished a great deal in his lifetime.  He was a writer and a poet, a professor and scholar. He served twice in the position of President of Columbia College (now Columbia University) and served as a board member on the New York Institution for the Blind.

But what he is most known for is how he changed the way we see Christmas.

He called the poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas.” It was published anonymously in the Troy Sentinel in 1823.  He had second thoughts in 1837 when eventually he told everyone that he had penned the poem.  Many believe that it is the most well-known and beloved poem written by an American poet.  We read it every Christmas, most generally on Christmas Eve, and then reflect on Christmases past when we were young and heard the familiar words read by our parents and grandparents.  Santa and the tradition of Christmas gift-giving was transformed by this poem

Clement Moore published several academic works, including A Compendious Lexicon of the Hebrew Language (Collins & Perkins, 1809), but “A Visit from St. Nicholas” more commonly known as “The Night Before Christmas” and “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” captured the hearts of children young and old.

I am heading over the Canadian Rockies to St. Albert, Alberta.

Brian, my brother, has come back to continue the conversation on embracing a greater journey.  In our last two podcasts together, we discussed the stages of life, from childhood to old age and then the idea of FOMO or fear of missing out.

As we enter December, the month of festivities, many of us will not be going home for Christmas in the usual way.  We will be joining family and friends through virtual channels to celebrate and connect.

Today, Brian and I will be discussing the relationship between music and celebration.   Music has always been integral to memorable events. When we remember important moments in our life, we remember music.   On wedding anniversaries, couples may recall the first song that brought them together.  At graduation, music of pomp and ceremony play as graduates cross the stage.  Birthday parties, retirement events –  and the list goes on.

So put the kettle on and add to the conversation and in the singing on TeaToastTrivia.com. I am your host, Rebecca Budd, and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you.

Thank you for joining Brian and me in this conversation. And thank you, Brian, for sharing your love of music with us.

All the best coming from our house and Brian’s house to yours during this festive month . May you feel the presence of kindred spirits in your homes and hearts.

Season 2 Episode 59: Hanne Siebers on the Art of Photography

I am heading to Blakeney National Nature Reserve on the north coast of Norfolk, England, to meet up with my dear blogger friend and photographer, Hanne Siebers.  I have been looking forward to once again witnessing the uninterrupted views of the spectacular North Norfolk coastline, feeling the wind coming across the water and breathing in that unforgettable clear air.

This is your invitation to join Hanne and me in an extraordinary conversation on how photography increases self-understanding of our environment, nature, other people and society. Over the years, Hanne has taught me that photography embraces a creative journey that gives meaning and purpose.

So, put the kettle on add to this exciting discussion on Tea Toast & Trivia

And a special thank you, Hanne, for sharing your insights on photography and embracing a creative life.  You continue to inspire me.

Dear listeners, you are only an internet click away from  Hanne on The World According to Dina, where you will meet up with The Fab Four of Cley. It is a place that welcomes life-affirming conversations.

Season 2 Episode 58: Elizabeth Gauffreau Reading Telling Sonny

“I am drawn to the inner lives of other people – what they care about, what they most desire, what causes them pain, what brings them joy. These inner lives become my characters.  I am here to share their stories.”  Elizabeth Gauffreau, Writer, Poet, Storyteller

Bookstores, libraries, and coffee shops are great places for book readings. There is something extraordinary about hearing the voice of an author reading their stories. Their voice and intonation are nuanced by the many hours of effort putting pen to paper.  They created the characters, structured the plot, and lived every twist and turn that introduced  bumps in the storyline.

Living in the reality of Covid-19, book readings at public libraries and bookstores have been curtailed.  We are learning to embrace technology in new ways.  Welcome to a new podcast series,  “Authors Reading their Books”, which will recreate the reading spaces in a virtual venue.  I invite you to put the kettle on and join the conversation on Tea Toast & Trivia. I am your host Rebecca Budd, and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you.

I am thrilled to introduce Elizabeth Gauffreau, who has graciously agreed to be our guest author reading her novel, “Telling Sonny,” a story of a son who became an afterthought, told by a mother who had once loved the vaudeville show. Telling Sonny is available on Amazon.

Listeners, you would be interested to know that much of Elizabeth’s fiction is inspired by her family history, and lately she has developed an interest in writing about her family’s genealogy. Learn about her attempts to stick to the facts of her family history by visiting Elizabeth at http://genealogylizgauffreau.com.

Thank you for joining Elizabeth and me on Tea Toast & Trivia, Authors Reading Their Books. I invite you to meet up with Elizabeth on Goodreads.  You are only an internet click away from  her website lizgauffreau.com. It is a place where stories dwell. Until next time, stay safe, be well.

Season 2 Episode 57: Dave Astor on Comics, Cartoons & Confessions

“Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, ‘Where have I gone wrong’. Then a voice says to me, ‘This is going to take more than one night.”  Charles Schulz

Dave Astor and I are once again  bridging the 3,923 kilometers between New Jersey to Vancouver.

Listeners, you will remember that Dave Astor’s book, Fascinating Facts About Famous Fiction Authors and the Greatest Novels” was one of my first 2020 reads! It was a marvelous collection of delicious literary trivia. And you know how I love trivia!!

Today, Dave has come back to talk about comics, cartoons, confessions, and his first book, “Comic (And Column) Confessional,” which covers an extraordinary period in media history that witnessed the advent of the digital revolution, media mergers, and the shrinking newspaper business that changed journalism forever.

This conversation came about when I read Dave’s post on October 5, 2020 celebrating the 70th anniversary of the 1950 debut of Charles M. Schulz’s “Peanuts.”  I have followed Peanuts all my.  So how much influence does comics strips have on our society and cultural values?   Dave has a unique perspective on this question.  Put the kettle on and add to this exciting conversation on TeaToastTrivia.com

I am your host Rebecca Budd, and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you.

Thank you for joining Dave and me on Tea Toast & Trivia. And a very special thank you and shout out to Dave.  You can connect with Dave on Dave Astor on Literature.   There is always an adventure in reading waiting for your arrival on his blog.

“Why can’t we get all the people together in the world that we really like and then just stay together? I guess that wouldn’t work. Someone would leave. Someone always leaves. Then we would have to say good-bye. I hate good-byes. I know what I need. I need more hellos.”  Charles M. Schulz

S2 E56: Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene Reading Hullaba LuLu

Bookstores, libraries, and coffee shops are great places for book readings. There is something special about hearing the voice of an author reading their stories. Their voice and intonation are  nuanced by the many hours of effort putting pen to paper.  They created the characters,  structured the plot, and lived every twist and turn that creates bumps in the storyline.

Living in the reality of Covid-19, book readings at public libraries and bookstores have been curtailed.  We are learning to embrace technology in new ways.

I am thrilled to introduce Teagan Geneviene, who will be our guest author reading her freshly published book, Hullaba Lulu – a Diesel-punk Adventure. We are embarking on a wild and woolly 1920's fantasy story. I am looking forward to meeting Lulu and tagging along on her adventure.

But first put the kettle on and join the conversation  on Tea Toast & Trivia. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you.

Thank you for joining Teagan and me on Tea Toast & Trivia. And a very special thank you and shout out to Teagan for introducing Hullaba Lulu in our virtual reading room.

I invite your to meet up with Teagan at Teagan’s Books. You are only an internet click away from being swept away on a daring adventure.

Season 2 Episode 55: Resa McConaghy on Glamour, Fantasy and Art

“Once upon a time, there was a beautiful young girl named Virginia who lived in the Empire D’Amore. Unfortunately, she was very poor, a seamstress for the wealthy merchants of the kingdom. One day, the Emperor D’Amore demanded that his son, Prince Will, marry. He decreed a holiday with a royal procession throughout the empire.” Resa McConaghy, Empress D’Amore – A Cheeky Fairytale

I am heading over the Rocky Mountains across the Prairie Provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba to the vibrant city of Toronto, Ontario to meet up with Resa McConaghy, a dear blogger friend, artist, photographer, and established costume designer in film, television, and digital media.  Resa has worked her costume designer magic on productions for Showtime, ABC, Disney, CBS, CBC, Hallmark, and more.   She brings out personalities with her costume designs and adds dramatic moods to each scene by balancing texture and colours.

Resa’s mission is to enable the articulation of character through wardrobe.  And she does this brilliantly through storytelling.  An illustration of this talent is captured in Empress D’Amore – A Cheeky Fairytale, recently published on Flapper Press, an on-line magazine created by Elizabeth Gracen and an international team of talented artists and writers.

Today, Resa invited us to Art Gowns, the world of art and glamourous fantasy. So, put the kettle on and add your thoughts on Tea Toast & Trivia.  I am your host, Rebecca Budd, and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you.

And a very special thank you and shout out to Resa –  you live life with compassion, hope and bold enthusiasm.

Listeners,  I invite you to meet up with Resa on Art Gowns and Flapper Press. You are only an internet click away from the world of glamour and fantasy.

Season 2 Episode 54: Paul Andruss on Myths, Travel, Language & Writing

Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in!

I am heading across the ocean to Wales, that beautiful country full of magic, mystery, music, and great writers. I am excited to introduce one of those great writers – Paul Andruss. He was born and reared in Liverpool. The city’s legendary Scouse wit and dogged stoicism has left its mark.

Keen to get out into the world, Paul dropped out of college at 17. A year later he was taking exams at night school, while working in the local Tax Office. 

Today, we are going to talk about Paul’s love of writing.

Paul is the author of the Young Adult magical realism trilogy, the Jack Hughes Books, and the forthcoming (very adult) Finn Mac Cool – a mythological saga. He has also written several short stories and novellas.

Listeners, thank you for sharing this moment with Paul and me on Tea Toast and Trivia. I invite your to meet up with Paul on Goodreads and on his website, Jack Hughes Books.  You are only an internet click away from a daring and exciting adventure. Until next time, dear friends, keep safe and be well.

All works, including The Jack Hughes Books Trilogy.  are scheduled for release with exciting new, independent Scottish publisher, Black Wolf Books.

http://www.jackhughesbooks.com/

https://blackwolfbooks.wixsite.com/black-wolf-books/our-authors

https://blackwolfbooks.wixsite.com/black-wolf-books

Season 2 Episode 53: Sisters Unscripted on The Book Dialogue

Much to the chagrin of my father, over 500 Harlequin romances were delivered to our doorstep in the early 1970’s, a gift from an uncle who owned a bookstore and had a delicious sense of humour. My sister, Sarah, and I were delighted by the stack of 1950’s and 1960’s romances with such names, if I remember correctly, as “A Promise is for Keeping,”  and “A Song to be Sung”.  Soon the marathon was underway, even as my father tempted us with non-fiction books strategically placed around our home.

Sarah has always been a voracious reader, moving from genre to genre with a dexterity that leaves me breathless. While I followed my father’s footsteps into non-fiction, she embraced fiction from sci-fi to fantasy to historical to romance.

And then quite suddenly, the trajectory of our reading changed. I have rediscovered the marvelous world of fiction and Sarah has made a pivotal foray into the non-fiction arena.

Sarah and I discuss our reading experiences in The Book Dialogue” podcast, an unscripted discussion of books we love, hosted by Sarah.

Tea Toast & Trivia is pleased to present an upcoming podcast scheduled to be published on The Book Dialogue.

Until next time, dear listeners, keep safe and be well.