I know I used this quotation two years ago but it’s as apt today as it has ever been.
“There are people who will tell you that Christmas is not to them what it used to be; that each succeeding Christmas has found some cherished hope, or happy prospect, of the year before, dimmed or passed away; that the present only serves to remind them of reduced circumstances and straitened incomes……
Never heed such dismal reminiscences………..draw your chair nearer the blazing fire – fill the glass and send round the song – and if your room be smaller than it was a dozen years ago, or if your glass be filled with reeking punch, instead of sparkling wine, put a good face on the matter, and empty it off-hand, and fill another, and troll off the old ditty you used to sing, and thank God it’s no worse.”
Charles Dickens Sketches by Boz (1836).
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all readers and supporters of crimepieces. I really appreciate the time you’ve taken to read and comment on my reviews this year and I look forward to discussing all things crime fiction with you in 2014.
Sarah Ward & Rhiannon Ward 
And a very happy Christmas to you Sarah!
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And to you Jose
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These are wise words indeed. Merry Christmas to you as well, Sarah.
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And to you Alex. I hope you had a great day,
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Sarah – That’s a lovely quote! Happy Christmas and all the best to you now and always.
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Thanks Margot x
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A lovely quote, Sarah, and I had not seen it before, so I am glad you repeated it. Have a great Christmas and I am looking forward to your reviews for 2014.
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Thanks Tracy and looking forward to us both having a fruitful 2014 for reading.
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Sarah, a Merry Christmas to you and your family!
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Thanks Prashant. I hope you had a great day.
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Sarah,
I’m going to copy, save, and print these words and paperclip them to the “December” pages of my 2014 engagement calendar. So true!! So worth remembering and repeating. Thank you!
Judith (Reader in the Wilderness)
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Thanks Judith. I thought that they needed another airing. Very apt!
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That’s lovely Sarah, what a great quotation. Happy Christmas to you and yours.
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Thanks Moira
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Happy holidays to you! This quotation hasn’t aged a bit. So fill the glass, send round the song..; and keep on with the good work on the blog!
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Many thanks!
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Happy holidays and on to a new year filled with great books and blogging.
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Thanks, Kathy. And best wishes to you too x
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