’Tis the season for searching for that just-right gift.  (An aside: Has anyone cracked the code on gifts for dads/fathers-in-law? They always say they don’t need anything! Like, what am I supposed to do with that?!) 

Instead of another gift list (I’m such a sucker for those), here is a list of books I have been received as gifts that came at just the right time.

On this Thanksgiving week, there will likely be many messages meant to cheer you, saying “Yes, this year has been hard, but think of all you have to be thankful for!” Some of us will be able to receive that, but if those words just feel like a kick in the ribs in the middle of a hard season, take heart. In the midst of your sorrow, joy is not far from you.

An excerpt from “Land’s End” by August Kleinzahler

This morning brought to you by the unexpected joy of discovering a rainbow shining on our floor—and a poem about the same.