In ancient days, people feared the sun had lost its way when the shortest day of the year approached, and that they would live in darkness forevermore, But Santa Lucia, the Queen of Light, led the sun back, bringing with it the promise of longer days. So Sweden celebrates Santa Lucia Day every Dec. 13.

Alderson and her siblings followed that tradition as children, just as their Swedish-born mother had. Every Dec. 13 friends and family would gather well before dawn while traditional Swedish music played. Alderson would enter the darkened living room wearing a white robe and a crown of flaming candles.

"More concerned with keeping my neck straight and the melting wax from burning my scalp, I ignored my sniggering classmates and their cooing parents as I hurried, though carefully, through the ritual of serving them coffee and saffron colored rolls to symbolize the sun," Alderson recalls.

"I hadn't before wondered why I thought of my book as a ball of light. Now I know." She and her mother, Gertrud Stockton, hosted a Santa Lucia tea at Alderson's home for friends and family this season.

Blockbuster Plots was recently listed on the Writer's Store website and the response has been astounding. The website had never posted such numbers before, the owner said. Alderson also wrote an article which was published in the October issue of Writers Digest called "Writing the Historical Novel."

Sounds like she's on her way.

PAPER SPLENDOR: In the right hands, paper lace cutouts can become an amazing source of sanctuary splendor: and that's exactly what's happened at the Los Gatos First United Methodist Church this Advent season. Over the altar is a replica of Michaelangelo's Sistine Chapel rendition of God's hands reaching out to Adam.

The background could be considered a grid of the sphere of the world or a spider web. Since the Advent theme is blessed relationships, either analogy could work. The hands are, of course, the symbol of God reaching out to man--and vice versa. On either side of the altar are angel wings, indicating messages from God.

Panels of faces of all ages and ethnicities hang above the congregation, signifying people to people relationships. Smaller replicas of these face designs are on the altar and are backlit, creating something of a glow. The whole montage was designed by Becky Schmitt and Carol Baker.

The Divine Design Ministry Team did the cutting--1,000 hours of labor, it was estimated. All this scissors wielding was led by chairman Elaine Bondonno.

MORNING CLUB HONORS: Los Gatos Morning Rotary Club cleared close to $5,500 selling Thomas Kinkade paintings at the Children's Holiday Parade. Another plus was the morning club's winning first place in the amateur adult float category. The float was a jazzy cool cat, wearing sun glasses, who appeared to be popping out of a Christmas box.

Dave Tripp designed the cat, which was constructed by a Rotary team led by Tim Lundell. The mammoth feline weighed more than 600 pounds and was near the maximum parade height of 13 feet. Gallons of liquid foam helped sculpt the cat. Penny Tripp, Tim's wife, was main technician for the Santa Claus hat and tuxedo collar.

RED CROSS & REALTORS TOY DRIVE: Area Realtors and the Red Cross are operating in league again this season to bring food, toys, gifts and clothing to those in need. Those in charge are Don Newhall of the Red Cross and Sharon Butler of SILVAR, the realty association.

A total of 165 children and 104 adults from 62 families will be recipients of local Realtor generosity. Some 20 seniors will be served, as well as 20 homeless people, identified by Jo Griner of St. Luke's Episcopal Church. In addition, 30 children from Eastfield Ming Quong will receive gifts. Saratoga Fire Station is the collection point.

SANTA THE GREEK: Los Gatos Rotary Club treated five families to holiday gifts and food. Mike Frangadakis played Santa, and gave out the presents. When his SUV sleigh slid into each neighborhood, kids from blocks around showed up. For good reason: Rotarians handed out treats.

TURDUCKEN? YES, TURDUCKEN: When you sit down to a scrumptious Christmas meal this week you can think, perhaps scornfully, of my table. It will be groaning under turducken. That's a turkey, stuffed with a duck, stuffed with a chicken, stuffed with sausage and cornbread stuffing.

I'm not sure how all these different birds can cook successfully at the same time, but I'll let you know.

Bon Appetit and Happy Holidays to all.

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