Getting into the holiday spirit with
2021 Angel submissions
HodgePodge, By Charlie Hodge
I know I should be miserable and grumbling about the snow and all the havoc it creates. I further acknowledge that I should cease to celebrate the comforting canvas created by the crisp, cold, colorful combination of Christmas lights and snow. It’s easy for one like me to marvel in merriment when I do not have to shovel it or deal with it like others. However – I love snow.
I ventured out of my hermitage yesterday (it’s a scary world out there) to pay some bills and complete some tasks. Admittedly it was more challenging dragging my oxygen tank through the wet white stuff than the normal and hauling it in and out of the car for several hours – however it provided an opportunity to witness the happy hustle and bustle of the festive season.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
The obviously successful Downtown Christmas Light-Up fair on Saturday sufficed as a great seasonal stimulator for Tez and I. Thousands of locals gathered on Water Street across from City Hall for the event.
Among those in the crowd was Downtown Kelowna Association’s executive director Mark Burley. Even though it’s his job to help take on such events, Mark is the gregarious, positive and effective sort one needs to help organizations such as the DKA function at full steam. His efforts go above and beyond – which in my mind make him a class example of a deserving name for the annual Charlie’s Christmas Angels List.
Speaking of Angels, among my many stops while out and about was to my favourite bookstore in the world – Mosaic Books. I am thrilled to mention that well-known local writer Darcy Nybo has just released her novel Reluctant Angel.
Reluctant is an exciting 290-page story of a young woman named Ana who despite her wishes otherwise is under contract to be a ‘real-live guardian angel’.
Set in the mid-1970s the fictional tale keeps readers turning pages. A great Christmas present for readers of fiction and action – more on Reluctant Angel once I’ve finished it. Well done Darcy!
Speaking of Mosaic – thankfully my own novel Lost Souls of Lakewood – the History and Mystery of Blaylock Mansion is still selling well both hard and soft covered, however the hardcover are selling quick. Aside from myself and Mosaic the book is available through Amazon, eBook, Friesen Press and hopefully later this week at Indigo. Amazon is giving the book a 4.5 rating (I’ve never or rarely seen a 5)
The Lost Souls website will be online this Saturday.
Readers have sent me some Angels this week and I eagerly await your Christmas Angel submissions so I can print them. Send to charliehodge333@gmail.com.
My Angel Teresa (Tez) nominates co-worker Meg Black who “takes the sign and table out to the porch everyday during my broken rib healing, takes on extra work without thought, and most importantly takes such amazing care of her mother – along with her sisters- always putting mom first. She is a kind and caring person.”
Tez’s other nominee is Deb Stone. “Best friend a girl can have. She is there in good and bad times and has the biggest heart. Deb is one of the most giving and sweetest persons I know.”
Jay Dallamore writes, “I am always inspired, happy, feel good most all the time reading “Hodge Podge”. Best thing in the Capital news to me. I see you’ve been looking for “angels”… I know one for sure. She is always giving and coming up with new ways to give and help others pretty well full time…her children are right along with her. The current thing is the “shoebox” project and she has got many allies with her. An amazing giving person I find her to be. Look her up Marika Solei .an angel on earth. CHEERS … and thank you for all the GOOD you put out there. Merry Christmas.”
Dawna Mulock writes, “Thank you Mr. Hodge for once again hosting this tribute to angels. I am so pleased you and Tez are starting your Christmas chaos. I feel like I know you both.
“Gabriella Pruden and her mom Bobby-Jo are Kelowna Angels. I am in awe as they generously volunteer throughout the year to improve our community.
“They were instrumental in talks with Regional Waste Management regarding a trial for new bear resistant garbage bins. They assist with fundraising events for Paws It Forward. They pick up donated fruits, veggies, clean veggie fields and then transport the food to animal sanctuaries. Quiet angels, we would never know cause they don’t tell us.
“Also, Daisy Miles is a 9-year old angel. I am a 71 year old Baba. Usually Babas sing lullabies to their grandchildren at bedtime however Daisy sings to her Baba. When the lights are out and we are holding hands the softest, sweetest song can be heard. The song does not change. No one else knows the words except Daisy. This is an angel. Thank you sweet Daisy.”
Tim Anheliger writes, “I’d like to nominate my fantastic wife, Deb. With my illnesses she takes awesome care of me. She makes sure I eat properly, if I need anything she is there making sure I’m comfortable. And still she looks after the family. Takes our granddaughter shopping, baby sits the boys. If it wasn’t for her, I don’t know where I’d be. She is the best wife anyone could ask for. Thank you dear, I will always love you.”
