When The Words Don't Come

I can always look to Bob to inspire me.

Hemingway and Foxes
by Bob Church

"I’m sitting here this morning, bemoaning my dual shortfalls of inspiration and industry. Actually, I’m not even sure why I feel it necessary to include the time of day as a necessary pronouncement; it matters little, all things considered. It could just as easily be midday, evening’s prime time or perhaps those heavy, dark hours of late night, those erstwhile wellsprings of all things creative, those portals through which enter the monsters and fairies, the demons and the angels, and all the greater and lesser tools of innovation once offered by a mind troubled with humankind’s vagaries and nature’s duality of cruelty and majesty." Continue reading Hemingway and Foxes

Poets' Christmas

I thought it about time I post some links to other poets and what they're doing for the holidaze so I thought I should begin with links to each of the poets featured in Sara's 12 Days of Poetry Project.

Day 1. 12 Days of Poetry by Qualcosa di Bello
Day 2. Untitled by Brian
Day 3. Seasonal by Jack
Day 4. 12 Days of Christmas Senryu by Black-eyed Susan
Day 5. The Weatherman by Skakir Hasnain
Day 6. This Christmas Day by Daydreamer
Day 7. A Christmas gift from Anna
Day 8. The Reason for the Season by Scott Clawson
Day 9. A Guide for Winter by Jodi Barone
Day 10. Christmas In Nashville by Billy Jones
Day 11.Winter Solstice by Mariacristina
Day 12.Beauty of a Kind by UL

Thanks go out to Sara and all who helped with this project.

Check Out Don's Mobile Home Christmas Lights

That's right, Christmas light show on a travel trailer. Talk about an Airstream!

A Christmas Story Quiz

Like most of us you probably remember the movie, A Christmas Story and for those of you who don't the story will probably be on your television sometime today.

Jo Ann sends a link to a Christmas Story Quiz for those of you who are the biggest fans of A Christmas Story. Me, I like the story but got every answer wrong. Musta' shot my eye out.

Update: More links via Jo Ann:

"How old is Santa Claus, and where does he keep? And why does he come when I am asleep?

His hair is so white from the pictures I know, that he must stay out all the time in the snow.

And if he does that, why don't he catch cold? For I know he is all of 21 years old.

I'd just like to see him stand on his head and climb down the chimney like grandmother said.

And if he does that, why don't he get black? And if he comes head first, how does he get back?

Grandma knows all about him, but she won't tell me.

I begged her and teased her but still she won't. I'll find out Christmas Eve, you see if I don't." Continue reading 'O Holy Night' in the belly of war

And to answer the myth, Does Coca-Cola have something to do with Santa's suit?

Operation Christmas Tree

Operation Christmas Tree shipped 5000 decorated Christmas trees to American Military personnel stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan this year and they are already accepting donations of money and decorations for 2008. If you get in early enough you can even specify who gets the tree you send.

I'm Getting A New Office For Christmas

As many of my readers know when my father died in 2004 I was only 5 days out of the hospital having suffered a stroke and staying with my parents as I was not yet ready to go back to living alone. After my recovery it was decided that it would be best that my mother not live alone an elderly woman in a bad neighborhood, so I decided to remain under her roof.

It's had its ups and downs with the downer being that since that time my office has been located in the same tiny room in which I sleep and to say I feel crowded is an understatement. Look around at everything you have in your office and imagine having to sleep there as well.

I'm happy to say that as soon as the Christmas holiday is over I'll be moving my office out of my bedroom and into another room in Momma's house. It's taken me a while but I've finally convinced her that I cannot succeed while running a publishing business from my bedroom and that after having spent the last 11 years pursuing this goal it is not a passing short term interest. Finally I can invite potential partners and customers into my office without them thinking I'm trying to invite them to bed.

I look forward to the upcoming move and finally being able to sleep in a bed that I don't have to share with office supplies. Looks like I'll be painting soon.

More presents.

Ever Wonder How Traditions Get Started?

The Little Angel on the Top of the Christmas Tree
by Unknown Author

One particular Christmas season a long time ago, Santa was getting ready for his annual trip but there were problems everywhere. Four of his elves got sick, and the trainee elves did not produce the toys as fast as the regular ones so Santa was beginning to feel the pressure of being behind schedule. Then Mrs. Claus told Santa that her Mom was coming to visit; this stressed Santa even more.When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two had jumped the fence and were out at heaven knows where. More stress.

Then when he began to load the sleigh one of the boards cracked and the toy bag fell to the ground and scattered the toys. So, frustrated, Santa went into the house for a cup of cider and a shot of whiskey. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered that the elves had hid the liquor and there was nothing to drink.

In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the cider jug and it broke into hundreds of little pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found that mice had eaten the straw it was made of. Just then the doorbell rang and Santa cussed on his way to the door. He opened the door and there was a little angel with a great big Christmas tree.

The angel said, very cheerfully, “Merry Christmas Santa. Isn’t it just a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Isn’t it just a lovely tree? Where would you like me to stick it?

Thus began the tradition of the little angel on top of the tree.

Sent to me via e-mail forward from Songbear. If anyone out there can verify the author I would love to know who it was.

Under The Mistletoe

Here's a video sent to me by my longtime friend, Songbear. I think you'll get a laugh out of it.

So Who Are The Real Grinches?

Every year about this time it seems as if there's a Conservative outcry to "Save Christmas from the Liberals who are trying to destroy Christmas." Rest assured this is nothing more than a ploy on their part to cover up their real intentions as Conservatives have a long history of trying to bring a stop to Christmas. Don't believe me? Then let's take a look at history.

1649 Oliver Cromwell bans Christmas celebrations in England.

1659-1681 The Pilgrims banned Christmas in Boston.

1905 United States President Theodore Roosevelt, a Republican, banned Christmas trees.

1957 Conservatives in the United States and Canada ban Elvis Presley's Christmas album.

Jehovah's Witnesses still ban Christmas and who is more conservative than the Jehovah's Witnesses?

And finally, the Landover Baptist Church list of Banned Christmas Toys. What's up with that?

Why are the most conservative of the Conservatives trying to ban Christmas? I haven't a clue as to their motives but at least now we know who the real grinches are?

This post was made possible by readers like Woody and his Woody.

A Patriotic Christmas

To Those Who Serve
By Shirley Allard

The lights are on and all is in full swing
As Hark, The Herald Angels we all sing
The child is at the door to try and sneak
A look at Santa’s cache - the slightest peek!
The tree is standing tall beneath its star
With trim and glitz and toys and gifts bizarre
Yes all is well because of what you do
Our special ‘thanks’ go out to all of you.
For someone, somewhere, surely will be missed

Please continue reading.