I am a huge gift person. I love getting gifts for my friends to let them know that I was thinking about them. My favorite memories from my teenage years were the random trips to Borders and Barnes & Noble with my parents. I was one of those kids who had my Christmas list separated ...

It’s Thanksgiving week and Christmas is right on its heels. For my family, like many others, this season is about surprises, secrets, and seeing family. However, with increasing restrictions due to spiking COVID-19 numbers, some of our normal plans may have to be postponed. Perhaps you have experienced some of the same. It is disappointing ...

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 Content Warning: Contains allusions to emotional and psychological abuse at the hands of a maternal figure. Recommended 18+ readers.

Glisten, glow, and shine. A winter white snowfall.  A warm silver-white glow of a high moon hangs in the ink-black sky.  You and I covered by the warmth of a plush warm blanket.  glisten, glow, and shine just outside the window.    Glisten, glow, and shine. A winter-white blanket of snow covers the world outside.  ...

The gingerbread cookie realized the sheet beneath his body had cooled to room temperature. He knew it was safe to sit up. His cooled, settled frame meant he was no longer in jeopardy of losing an appendage, or worse yet, his head. He lifted his flat, brown noggin, and looked left then right. His fellow ...

If you are a parent, chances are that you have said something to the effect of: “If you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all.” It’s a lesson that we learn early in life and try to teach our children as soon as they have the ability to string recognizable ...

Granting passage for unseasonal sadness In the midst of Christmas cheer No one sees the tears. Granting Goodwill to all who pass Emptiness like shattered glass Riddled with mixed emotions. Brightness, gaiety, holiday goods, Retailers hawking promotions. Evergreens and decorations Abundant garland and bows unfurled, Delusional visions of a perfect world. Happiness, hurriedness, harried and ...

Lately I’ve been thinking about the concept of traditions and culture in my stories. Culture can make your world building more authentic because even the most modern groups have elements of culture. It’s also December, and I’ve been watching Hallmark Channel like crazy so I’ve seen several different families sitting around a tree , and ...

Dear Santa, Thank you for giving people something to believe in. The excitement, the joy, the magic that people experience year after year is magnificent and memorable. So, Santa, I decided to ask several family members to share a Christmas memory or two and was delighted by their responses. I hope you enjoy them as ...

Can you hear the bells ring so loud and clear? Heralding anticipation. Ghost of the past hover near called back to us this time each year.