Insightful Nana

Dickens Christmas Carol

I’ve had a fascination with Dickens Christmas Carol every since I was a tike and my mom read the story to me.  The old books didn’t have colorful pictures like they do today.  The illustrations were old wood cut images or ink drawings which added to the darkness of the tale.   The art work always intrigued me.

dickens-coverback-of-dickens

A number of years ago, I designed  craft projects for  instructions books for the “Tole Painting” crowd and I designed an entire Christmas book dedicated to the subject of A Christmas Carol.  I had just a good time with this book and it was very well received…. even though the printer spelled Dickens wrong on the cover.   (You can imagine my dismay and panic when the first book was delivered and I realized 20,000 copies were sitting in the warehouse waiting to be delivered to craft stores.)  Yikes!  Miss that one in the proof reading!  However, it sold out and went to two extra printings….guess those painters didn’t care about a little misspelled word.

I watch the Dickens Christmas Carol movie every year but I stick to the old black and white version because it takes me back to childhood.

There is a quote by Scrooge’s partner, Marley, that  I ponder over now and again.  It reads:    “I wear the chain I forged in life,” replied the Ghost. “I made it link by link, and yard by yard; I girded it on of my own free will, and of my own free will I wore it.  Is its pattern strange to you?”

Hmmmmm.   The encouraging  thing is… I can break the chains that bind me to old thoughts and habits.  Every day I can start anew.   That’s what A Christmas Carol is all about…. breaking the chains that bind.

Just doing a little reminiscing the past few days.

Till Later,

Kathy Griffiths

Insightful Nana

P.S.  Haven’t seen the new Dickens Christmas Carol with Jim Carrey… Is it worthwhile?

Kathy Griffiths

6 responses to “Dickens Christmas Carol”

  2. Although I love A Christmas Carol, (remember the old Mr. Magoo version? Why don’t they show that anymore?) but get very tired of it. Because it is such perennial favorite, everybody does a version of it. I can’t tell you how many theatres in Los Angeles are mounting productions of it this year. (I also review theatre in Los Angeles)

    I had planned on missing them all. Tonight, I am going out to review one such production, done as a musical with puppets, masked performers and a large choir. It seemed to original to miss. Perhaps after this, I will stop being tired of it.

    Or, it could be dreadful… 🙂

  4. I love your ideas behind Marley’s quote. The Alistar Sims/black and white version of A Christmas Carol is my husband’s favorite. I’ve probably seen the movie a hundred times or more. His favorite line is usually repeated at restaurants . . . “More bread.” to which I reply, “Tain’t no more bread, sir.”

    At least his diet shouldn’t allow it. ggggrin! Thanks for giving me a smile today.

  5. What fun to “meet” you online. I painted from your book many, many years ago and still use my little Dickens characters to decorate my home….in fact, I’m pretty sure I still have the book because I always intended to make “just one more.”

    So glad to know that you are still making life pleasant for all around you.