My favorite is by the editor herself. It is titled "A Bunch of Rocks: The Environmental Gutting of Malta." In it Betty Dobson decries the desecration of our days, our times, our history. Though it is written in prose, the music of Betty Dobson's words hang on as if they were poetry. The beauty of the place is palpable and, sadly, the possibilities for the future of holidays is not encouraging.

There are other encouraging pieces. It is a nicely-balanced collection which includes pieces by emerging authors and some by more well-known authors like Roy A. Barnes, Kristin Johnson and Susan Stephenson. It's a lovely little book. I would have liked it to have been fatter. That it is not may be a testament to how difficult it is for an editor to maintain quality and keep to a theme.

Oh, another favorite selection is from Linda J. Hutchinson. It's about Thanksgiving. You know, the family slackers and a father with "a proclivity for saying 'I do.'" You can see that you won't necessarily get the usual fare in this little compendium. You'll get some unusual viewpoints. Some unique voices. Really, you should give one to yourself.