The Christmas season is full of hustle and bustle, but if you take some time to relax and unwind, I have a few recommendations for some books, movies and day excursions that just might help you decompress. The late Lillian Smith, a native of Jasper, wrote one of the most poignant and wonderful books set in the Christmas season in early 20th century North Central Florida in her "A Memory of a Large Christmas," available at area public libraries and on Amazon.com. Fanny Flagg wrote a great Christmas story set in coastal Alabama in her "A Redbird Christmas." I loved it. Well-written and great. Truman Capote wrote a great account of Christmas around Monroeville, Ala., in his story "A Christmas Memory." You will love the story about him, his spinster cousin, and their dog Queenie walking to the juke joint owned by Mr. Haha to buy bootleg whiskey to make fruitcakes. Great. Now for movies. I absolutely love "The Homecoming," made in 1971 with Patricia Neal as Olivia Walton. It was the first television special that launched the series "The Waltons." Call me old fashioned, but I still love "A Charlie Brown Christmas," as well as an old black and white movie, "Christmas in Connecticut," with Barbara Stanwyck. I also love "Little Women" with Winona Ryder, as well as the traditional "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. Sit back and enjoy all these great Christmas classics with a cup of hot chocolate, your most comfortable clothes, and some great Christmas cookies, and enjoy. If you are looking for less sedentary activities, come take a walk along the historic Suwannee River at Big Shoals State Park north of White Springs. The scenery is outstanding, and the sight of Florida's only white water rapids is an added plus. Come stroll through historic White Springs. Take a step back in time and stroll through a town distilled in the Victorian era, the site of Florida's first tourist attraction. While there, go inside Suwannee Hardware, the historic Adams Brothers General Store, established in 1865. The store building was constructed in 1893. Go up to Jasper, and if you go on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., don't miss the Hamilton County Historic Museum. It is a cornucopia of the rich history of Hamilton County, which was established in 1827. We have so many Christmas gems in which we can take pride. Visit the Suwannee Lights at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park or the Festival of Lights at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs. Relax, unwind and enjoy the beauty of the Yuletide season around the banks of the Suwannee.
