May All the Lights of the Season Shine upon You
by Michelle Hutchinson
Photo credit: Nigel Wedge, http://bit.ly/ucDeqn
Several years ago, my kids told me they were cashews. That’s right—cashews: children born of one Catholic and one Jewish parent.
In our house, we celebrate Christian and Jewish holidays, so when Hanukkah falls in December, as it often does, our home is overrun with lights, those from the electric menorah on the windowsill, the Christmas tree in the living room, and the outdoor Christmas decorations hung along the shrubs.
Of course, we celebrate reading too, so in the spirit of the season, I thought I’d share the holiday symbols below, all of which were made from books.
Photo credit: Shawn Calhoun, http://bit.ly/spDKRT
This year’s Christmas tree in the Gleeson Library at the University of San Francisco is made from 700 books. The tree is about 9′ 9″ and weighs about 3,750 lbs.
Photo credit: Juniper Books, http://bit.ly/s4CtDB
Thatcher Wine recycled this book to make a menorah. (I sure hope he didn’t use a rare book). Yes, Thatcher says he kept a fire extinguisher nearby.
Photo credit: IJM Studio, http://www.ijm.nl/
This tree isn’t quite as bright as the one above, but I sure admire the time the artist took to arrange the books in a Christmas pattern.
Photo credit: Juniper Books, http://bit.ly/s4CtDB
Before making this menorah, Thatcher Wine treated the books with a fire retardant. Still, he warns, “I am a professional. Do not try this at home!”
Whether or not you celebrate the holidays, I hope all the lights of the season shine upon you. Readers, what are some of your favorite holiday memories?
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