Since this has been such an awful year for most of the world, I had previously decided not to create any new blog posts for 2020. It's not a year that most of us want to remember. But, in my work, I'm truly blessed that I get to shine a spotlight on good people doing things that make the world a better place. So...

During the seasons of Advent and Christmas, Maysoon Khair, who came to the United States in 2006, frequently finds herself crying. It's the time of the year when it's especially difficult for her to be away from her large, close-knit Palestinian family. It's also the time of the year when she misses her hometown the most.

"There is more value to family than here; it's just unbelievable -- beautiful," Ms. Khair said. "Everybody knows each other. It is a small town."

Ironically, that small town is a big part of why she felt compelled to come to this country. She was born and raised in a home next to the Shepherds' Fields in Bethlehem. Ms. Khair beamed, "Where the star appeared to the shepherds, that's my neighborhood!"

As part of a Christian mission group in Bethlehem, Ms. Khair came to the United States to share her faith and to support her fellow Christians who are still living in Bethlehem. She does so by selling hand-crafted Christian items that are made from olive trees, grown and cultivated in Bethlehem and other parts of the Holy Land. The items are crafted by Christians in homes and workshops throughout the region.

According to the Star of Bethlehem Handicrafts website, www.StarofBethlehemHandicrafts.com, around 400 years ago, "Franciscan monks began teaching residents of Bethlehem the art of carving Holy Land olive wood."  That art has evolved as it has been passed down from generation to generation. And the olive trees, which are associated with peace, prosperity and fertility and are mentioned throughout The Bible, are treated with respect by the artisans. The olive wood that's used to make the crafts is derived from branches that need to be pruned from the trees every two years to help the trees to bear fruit.

While the beautiful array of crafts generally include many Christmas items, such as ornaments and Nativity scenes, there are other items as well. The artisans make a variety of crosses, Christian statues, Rosary beads and keychains. Some of the items even include soil from the Holy Land. 

Unfortunately, Khair said that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a nearly 75 percent decrease in business. She said that one of the most disappointing effects of the pandemic on Star of Bethlehem Handicrafts is that she is no longer allowed to visit area churches. Over the years, she's become friends with parishioners. The economic situation has also dealt a blow to business. "People are really struggling; they don't have the money to spend," she said. She added, "It was a tough year for everyone."

But despite the difficult year, Ms. Khair is thankful to God for watching over her and bringing good people into her life. She's also thankful to be doing the work she's been doing. "I love doing it," she said. "It just gives me that thing that I want to do. I want to spread the Word. I want everyone to know God."

Although Ms. Khair gets emotional when she thinks about how she misses her beloved family and her beautiful little hometown of Bethlehem, she's thankful that her work has brought tears of joy to some of her customers.  And she hopes that God will continue to give her the strength to persevere in her work. "Believe me, it's not easy; the wood is heavy," she noted about the wooden crafts that she carted to a couple of malls this past Advent. But, she added, "I just love it -- love it!"        

The late great Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz said "Happiness is a warm puppy." That's also true of kittens, cats, dogs, horses, hamsters, birds, goldfish and other loving pets that share their lives with us. They bring us joy, and they can make us better people.   
 
Earlier this month, I was tremendously blessed to be able to celebrate my cat's 18th birthday. Because I adopted her after an unforeseen tragedy in 2005, we're not sure of her exact age, but we are sure that she's a sweet, dear, amazing little blessing who has brightened every home she's been in ever since she was born.

So, in honor of her birthday, the final knitting charity/project in this pop-up blog is the Snuggles Project. Part of the nonprofit Hugs Society, it encourages knitters, crocheters and sewers (the kind with the fabric, not the fumes) to make Snuggles -- security blankets for shelter animals. The Snuggles bring comfort to the animals who are waiting to be adopted. By reducing the animals' stress, crafters help increase their chances of being adopted.  
 
Another bit of good news is that I finished and self-published my second pattern story. Pocketful of Mystery is a cozy mystery short story that includes a mystery knitting pattern, a cat named Baby (who's modeled after my cat), a mystery-loving, Murder, She Wrote-watching coastal Maine antique shop owner named Maya and (wait for it...) a pocketful of mystery!
      
Offer (good through the end of 2019) – Members of knitting ministries (and those who knit regularly for charity) who would like a free copy of “Pocketful of Mystery” can let me know through the Contact form, and I’d be happy to email you a free copy.

Last fall, one of my friends welcomed her second beautiful little boy into the world. Upon hearing the great news, I started knitting him a baby blanket. But I decided to knit it in a different way than the few baby blankets I had made in the past. That was my first mistake. I also decided to use a skein of gorgeous yarn that I had in my stash. That was mistake number two.   
 
When I ran out of yarn, about halfway through the project, I discovered that Puppy Dog Tails had been discontinued. Thankfully, an ebay vendor had some available. But I then messed up the project so badly that I had to rip it off the needles and start over. The baby is now four months old, and I’m really hoping I can finish the blanket before he’s a toddler…or, at least, before he’s 30.
 
Knitters who are much faster and better at knitting blankets might want to visit the website for Project Linus, www.projectlinus.org. With local chapters across the United States, the nonprofit collects new handmade blankets for children in hospitals and shelters. It also gives them to children who are served by social services agencies. Knitting or crocheting a blanket for Project Linus is a wonderful way to bring much-needed cheer to children in need!
 
Although I’ve been singing the baby blanket blues, I’m happy to report that I finally finished adapting my Christmas-themed screenplay into a novella. Since it was published in February, I won’t be marketing it for a while. But when the season comes around again, I hope “Betting on that Christmas Magic” will bring the same type of warmth and cheer to people as Project Linus brings to kids in need and as much comfort and joy as my ongoing baby blanket project will hopefully bring to Baby Cooper…eventually!
      
Offer (good through the end of 2019) – Members of knitting ministries (and those who knit regularly for charity) who would like a free copy of “Betting on that Christmas Magic” can let me know through the Contact form, and I’d be happy to email you a free copy.

The old adage that “little things mean a lot” is as true today as it ever was.  Many people would like to make a positive difference in the world. But not everyone has the time, funds, skills, energy or connections needed to make a big difference by themselves. However, if we work together, all of our little contributions can have a monumental impact on the lives of others.   
 
Warm Up America, the nonprofit that was founded by knitter Evie Rosen in 1992, is a perfect example of how knitters and crocheters can come together to have such an impact. Because of the nonprofit and the multitudes of knitters and crocheters who donate their time and treasures to it, warm, cozy afghans have brightened the lives of people in homeless shelters, hospitals, hospices, veterans’ homes, nursing homes, AIDS facilities, daycare centers, Red Cross chapters and churches. 
 
Because of the organization’s kindness, more than one million afghans and articles of clothing have been donated to people in need. And one of the ways it helps people is by collecting knitted and crocheted 7” by 9” rectangles that are then assembled into beautiful afghans. The rectangles can be knitted using any color yarn and any pattern, but they need to be made with a medium weight yarn that’s machine washable and dryable.
 
The squares can then be mailed to the WUA! headquarters in Texas. But some craft stores, such as Michael’s, also collect squares that are made with a specific pattern. Either way, it’s a fun little activity that makes a big difference!        
 
Speaking of fun projects that are accomplished a little bit at a time, I almost completed the first draft of “Pockets Full of Mystery” just before Advent. But when Advent started, I decided to return to adapting one of my screenplays into a novella. Since it’s a Christmas novella – and it’s still the Christmas season through January 13 – it just seemed right. And since we’re still in the Christmas season, I’m extending the previous offer through Jan. 13, and I wish everyone a blessed, merry Christmas season!
     
Offer (good through Jan. 13, 2019) – Members of knitting ministries (and those who knit regularly for charity) who would like a free PDF copy of “Rosie’s Scarf: A Short Story & Infinity Scarf Pattern” can let me know through the Contact form, and I’d be happy to email you a free copy.
   
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“Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The Road Less Traveled” is the ideal film to wrap up this pop-up blog. From the commercials I had seen on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The commercials seem to have a more serious tone to them. Thankfully, it was one of the best ones in the series, and it’s one that is an absolute blessing. Needless to say, I loved it!
 
Most of us have parts of our souls that are wounded or broken and other pieces that are still filled with love, light and hope. When a writer shares the latter through her work, it’s a blessing to those who experience it. Like George Axelrod, Ernest Lehman, Tyler Perry, Gina Prince-Bythewood and Nia Vardalos, Martha Williamson does that through her work.
 
Like the other ones in the series that really shine, “The Road Less Traveled” evokes tears, laughter and joy in the viewer. In it, the Postables embark on a road trip to try to locate a little boy who appears to be missing. They follow clues that the child sent in an undeveloped instant camera that he found at an 80s-themed party. Since it’s obvious immediately that the boy is safe, it’s easy to enjoy the subplots involving Norman and Rita’s concerns about their upcoming wedding and marriage and Shane’s mysterious texts from someone named Alex. 
 
In the plot and both the subplots, the characters discover the amazing, restorative possibilities that arise from accepting their imperfections and the imperfections of those they love. And there are plenty of truly beautiful, heartfelt moments between Shane and Oliver, Rita and Norman and the boy and his parents.
 
The theme is also nicely summed up in the beginning, when Oliver says “Sometimes, it’s the imperfections in life that make life perfect.” Ironic as it is, that line is perfect. And so is the film.
 
Mission #7: Write Oliver’s quote on an imperfect scrap of paper; a smudged or torn post-it note would be apropos. Hang it somewhere that you can see it. Then, breathe, do your best, and smile!
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Signed, Sealed, Delivered: One in a Million is another one of my favorite SSD films. It’s filled with humor, romance, joy….and singing and dancing!
 
In it, a singing waitress mails a proposal and a lottery ticket to her boyfriend, a singing waiter.  Unfortunately, he breaks up with her just before she learns that the ticket was a winning one.  Desperate to get it back, she enlists the help of the Postables, but her letter was one of many that were seized by Dudley, a disgruntled postal worker preparing to retire. Dudley never received the recognition that Oliver, Oliver’s dad and Oliver’s grandfather received, so he holds the mail until his demands are met.
 
This feel-good film also features what should be Oliver and Shane’s first date at the restaurant where the singing waitress and waiter work. But due to a comment he makes to the waitress, Shane doesn’t believe it’s a date, and the night is awkward. Ramon, a recurring character who’s a local television personality, is there, and he gives Oliver advice. This is the first film in the series where it seems to hint that Ramon is an angel. He mysteriously shows up when the characters need advice.
 
The theme focuses on the importance of second chances, when someone’s true intentions aren’t really known. The twist at the end between the waitress and waiter reflects this in a sweet, wonderful way.  Dudley learns that his hard work and dedication really mattered to people. Shane realizes that Oliver does want their relationship to move forward; he’s just still hesitant due to his past. And when she gives Oliver a second chance at a first date, she does so with a rose – from a rose bush that Oliver planted -- in her hair that finally bloomed after she had almost given up hope.  Great metaphor!
 
Mission #5: If there’s a positive dream you’ve had, but you think you’ve made too many mistakes, give yourself a second chance. It’s not too late to do good things in a world that needs your goodness.    

A week ago, my cousins came to visit. Although I didn't procrastinate as much as usual, I ended up cleaning the bathtub the night they arrived. Of course, the drain clogged...completely. So, I went online and found a natural solution to the problem from Martha Stewart. Even though I'm sure she wouldn't recommend cleaning at 1:00 a.m. after guests arrive, her solution was excellent. Baking soda, vinegar and boiling water did the trick, and everything but the metaphor went down the drain. That metaphor reminded me of Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Lost Without You.  

It's one of the best films in the series. Oliver's "divine delivery theory" that a letter will be delivered at the perfect time (even if it's 20 years later) plays a big role in it. It's also one of the most inspiring films in the series.

​In it, a veteran with PTSD attempts to send a package to a friend who he feels lost without. But because his nephew accidentally drops it, spills something on it and mails it in a mailbox that's only being used for a commercial, the package ends up in the Dead Letter Office. With Shane's encouragement, Oliver goes on a camping trip with his dad. It's then up to Shane, Rita and Norman to track down the intended recipient.

For Rita and Norman, this involves a road trip and a Mexican restaurant crawl that will lead them to the veteran's friend. Meanwhile, Oliver and his dad talk about past troubles, and they end up lost and in crisis.

​When Shane discovers that they're lost, she seeks the help of her rival. She puts aside her jealousy to help Oliver and his dad. By doing so, she ultimately finds faith, hope and love. The crisis also helps Oliver to realize how much past hurts have been holding him back in his relationship with his dad and with Shane. The veteran's friend must even set aside her own past trauma. The film shows how jealousy, pain and trauma of the past can clog up our lives and stop us from moving forward. The ending was so moving and uplifting and shows Oliver's "divine delivery theory" at work.

Mission #4: Find a kind, healthy, positive way to start to clear away some of the junk that's been preventing your life from moving forward in a positive direction.

The film title says it all...but with an exciting twist.  From this post on, we'll focus on five of the best Signed, Sealed, Delivered TV movies in the series so far.  Without a doubt, this is one of them.

​In the film, a love letter that Oliver wrote to his wife, who had abandoned him and started a new life in Paris, turns up in the Dead Letter Office.  But Shane sees it before he does.  Before she decides what to do with it -- but after she finds the address and labels the letter -- Norman unsuspectingly sends it out with express delivery. 

​When Oliver's wife arrives, she unknowingly shakes things up in a way that eventually leads to new beginnings for both Shane and Oliver and Rita and Norman.  Her arrival also reveals more about Oliver, Shane and Rita. 

​Regarding Rita, seeing Shane's fearful reaction to Oliver's reunion with his wife strikes a chord with her.  In trying to explain to Norman why Shane is so upset that she's quitting the department, she's moved to let down her guard and finally tell him how she feels.  When Norman reveals that he feels the same, it's one of the most heartfelt moments and milestones in the series of films.

​As for Shane, the arrival intensifies the feelings she's had for Oliver.  It also reveals her insecurities.  Knowing how rigid and how loyal Oliver is, she believes that he'll get back together with his wife.

​When Oliver finally bends and accepts that his (practically non-existent) marriage is over, he surprises Shane in the most perfect way that remains so true to his character.  When she goes home -- carrying her office belongings in a box -- Oliver is on her porch, putting together a porch swing that he bought her for her birthday, because she casually mentioned a happy childhood memory of one.  It's such a thoughtful, caring gesture. But it's much more than that.  He responds to her final question of what he did when he realized his marriage was over by confidently saying "I went out and bought a porch swing."  Removing the band from his finger is his way of ending the relationship, but buying the porch swing is his way of beginning a new one.  

​So, Oliver's wife unexpectedly brings the promise of love for Shane and Oliver and Rita and Norman.  And the sub-plot about the DLO mission to deliver divorce papers to a couple who aren't divorced and shouldn't end their marriage also has a great, happy twist, and it blends perfectly with the misunderstandings that can result from leaving things unsaid.

​Mission #3: If there's a bad habit or a bad relationship that just ended, find a nice symbolic way of setting off in a new, positive direction.