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Holiday Vacation Butler: Movies, Videos, Books and Stories To Divert You While I Go Quiet Until January
By
Published: Dec 20, 2023
Category:
Holiday
SUPPORTING BUTLER: Since the start of 2023, Amazon seems to have gone on a quiet campaign to rid itself of small sites that, collectively, generate revenue worth noticing — and Head Butler no longer gets a commission on your Amazon purchases. Although this site was never designed to be a moneymaker, it was always key that it pay its production costs. And now it doesn’t. Did I appeal? Of course. But Amazon is a walled fortress; you can appeal its decisions, but it won’t respond.
So…. the only way you can contribute to Head Butler’s bottom line is to become a patron of this site, and automatically donate any amount you please — starting with $1 — each month. The service that enables this is Patreon, and to go there, just click here. Again, thank you.
THE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDES: The Complete Holiday Gift Guide. Holiday Gift Guide: Health.
With this issue, Butler begins his holiday break, returning January 2, 2024. Looking back, I could say: Tough year, I won’t miss it. Looking forward, I see a tougher year. You know why: the election, sure to be crazy-making, spirit-and-soul challenging. I’ve stocked this end-of-the-year issue with 100% high-quality, emotionally positive links. Whatever is ahead, all best to you and yours….
THE BEST STORY OF THE YEAR
I found this true story, from a pediatrician, on Twitter. Because… “the feels.”
I said goodbye to a patient a few years ago. She didn’t die, she just got old. I treat patients to age 21 and they move on. When they do, I joke, “Well, I did my job! I kept you alive until adulthood!” With this kid, it was not a joke.
I met her as a preteen. She had a tough situation. Chronic illness since birth, multiple surgeries, depression and anxiety. In high school, there was a brief period of disordered eating. She attempted to take her own life twice. She hated doctors and would hide from me.
We booked her at the end of the day so I could take my time. Once I took her history through a closed door until she cracked it open. Another, I sat with her on the floor under the exam table. Once, she had a book with her. “I’ll Give You the Sun,” by Jandy Nelson. I’d read it.
“Oh,” I sighed. “That book made me feel things.” She glared at me to see if I was faking it. Kids can always tell when adults are lying, especially to build fake rapport.
So I asked, “Do you relate more to Jude or Noah?”
She eyed me again and said, “Jude. No one gets her.”
I told her, “I want to get you. I’m really trying.”
She waited a long time and then she mumbled “I know” before she walked out of the office. And I thought I’d lost her.
But at her next visit, she didn’t hide. She asked me if I read “Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda.” I hadn’t but I told her I would take it out from the library that day. We started to talk books at every visit. She opened up. She started seeing a therapist. She thrived.
So why am I telling this whole story now? Last weekend, I stopped into B&N and there she was, working at the checkout! We hadn’t seen each other in years. She looked great. Healthy. Happy. She’s dating, taking classes at night, wants to teach. She made it.
“Well,” I said. “It’s so good to see you!”
There was no one in line. She leaned in, her eyes shining, “I got into verse novels. Have you read “Me(Moth)?”
“Yes! Fantastic! And “Red, White and Whole.”
She nods. And “Starfish.”
“’Starfish?’ Are you kidding me?”
She takes a step back, slides her feet apart and stretches her arms high and wide. “Look at me! I’m alive!”
“Look at you,” I marvel, softly. “Alive.”
I lean across the counter to give her a hug.
A line is forming and the person in front clears her throat. I glance behind me.
“Ok,” I whisper. “Be well.”
I hear her welcome the next customer. “I’m sorry for your wait. That was a good friend who helped me through a hard time. Oh wow, wonderful title! Have you read…”
BEST HOLIDAY SONG
“River,” the Joni Mitchell song, by Flyte, an English duo. Click to watch and listen..
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FILM I SAW THIS YEAR AND LAST YEAR AND THE YEAR BEFORE THAT
It’s a 12-year-old VW commercial, music by Nick Drake. Click to watch and listen.
STREAMING MOVIES I WATCHED THIS YEAR AND COULD WATCH AGAIN
Most are available on Amazon Prime.
“The Worst Person in the World.” Love and commitment in Denmark.
“Maestro” In theaters and on Netflix. The trailer. The NY Times rave. David Remnick of the New Yorker’s brilliant interview with Bradley Cooper.
“Barbie.” I saw it. “A” for choreography and music and production values. The moralizing — which resonates with me — got repetitive, even tiresome. The trailer.
“At Eternity’s Gate.” Julian Schnabel’s film about Van Gogh makes me think he’s a better director than painter. Previews here and here.
“Air” This film about Nike’s quest to sign Michael Jordan is so much better than you expect. Watch the trailer.
“SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME”
Doc Pomus was paralyzed. And yet he persuaded a virginal blond actress to marry him. A few years later, he chanced upon their wedding invitation, and he remembered what it was like to sit on the sidelines while other men danced with his wife. He picked up a pen and watched the words flow:
You can dance
Every dance with the guy
Who gives you the eye
Let him hold you tight
You can smile
Every smile for the man who held your hand
‘Neath the pale moonlight
But don’t forget who’s taking you home
And in whose arms you’re gonna be
So darlin’, save the last dance for me…
Before Ben E. King recorded that song, Ahmet Ertegun told him the back story. King’s eyes misted. And, as you know, he and the Drifters delivered a record they’ll be playing as long as there are lovers. Watch the video. Read my review.
WEEKEND POEM: MARY OLIVER
I know, you never intended to be in this world.
But you’re in it all the same.
So why not get started immediately.
I mean, belonging to it.
There is so much to admire, to weep over.
And to write music or poems about.
Bless the feet that take you to and fro.
Bless the eyes and the listening ears.
Bless the tongue, the marvel of taste.
Bless touching.
You could live a hundred years, it’s happened.
Or not.
I am speaking from the fortunate platform
of many years,
none of which, I think, I ever wasted.
Do you need a prod?
Do you need a little darkness to get you going?
Let me be as urgent as a knife, then,
and remind you of Keats,
so single of purpose and thinking, for a while,
he had a lifetime.
COMFORTING WINTER RECIPE
Roast Chicken With Maple Butter and Rosemary
From the Times: This simple roast chicken combines the classic fall flavors of maple and rosemary with melted butter, which is basted over the bird as it cooks to keep it juicy. The butter browns slightly and helps caramelize the outside thanks to the sugars in the maple syrup. The result is a fragrant, sweet-and-salty chicken that makes the house smell great. There will be plenty of buttery pan juices left over, which you should most certainly pass around the table, but they would also be delicious spooned over rice pilaf.
Serves 4
1(3½-pound) whole chicken
Kosher salt and black pepper
2 to 3 rosemary sprigs, plus 2½ teaspoons finely chopped rosemary
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons maple syrup
Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Pat the chicken dry and season it well with salt and pepper, both inside and out. Place the chicken breast-side up in a 10-inch cast-iron or ovenproof skillet and stuff the rosemary sprigs into the bird’s cavity.
In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the chopped rosemary and the maple syrup, and cook together until the rosemary is fragrant and the mixture has thickened slightly, about 1 to 2 minutes. Spoon all of the mixture over the chicken, making sure it is evenly covered. A decent amount will end up on the bottom of the pan, and that’s O.K.
Roast the chicken, basting with the pan juices every 15 to 20 minutes or so, until the chicken is glossy and golden brown and registers 165 degrees with an instant thermometer in the thickest part of the thigh, about 55 to 60 minutes. Remove from the oven and baste an additional time, if desired. Allow the chicken to rest for 10 minutes before carving. Whisk remaining juice and pass at the table.
