Ruminations on Christmas and Christmas’ Past

Writer Zen Garden Posted on by

It’s officially December, and do you know that means for all the gentiles, materialists, and people who simply listen to the radio or watch television? That’s right, the Christmas season started over a month ago.

When I was younger, Christmas was probably my favorite time of year. I suppose, like every other kid my age, I was simply materialistic, and really liked getting all those presents (the dollar went a lot farther back then and there would always be a big stack of presents under the trees). It’s not really the same any more, to be honest. I’m still materialistic, I won’t lie, but there are also fewer items for me to covet. My Christmas list, or lack thereof, isn’t really the focus of this post, however.

Back in the day, Christmas had a clear feeling. I can’t really describe it, I can barely even remember the feeling itself, to be honest. But, I do recall the feeling being there. A type of awe, or jubilation perhaps, in the pit of my stomach, exemplified with everything else that comes with the Christmas season: lights, the tree, music (sing it with me, everyone: “Grandma got run over by a reindeer…”), the cold and the snow. Making snowmen, playing outside, shoveling snow and making tunnels out of the huge piles of snow that would accumulate on the side of the drive (we may have only done that one year, but it’s a fond memory) all helped. All of that led up to the day itself.

I remember waking up at ungodly hours of the morning on Christmas day (times where I would probably still be awake recently) and having to wait until the stroke of… I think it was 7… to wake up anybody else. It would still be dark and we would open our presents after eating a quick breakfast of cinnamon rolls. All of that in my pajamas.

All that changed, however, when I hit high school and started working at the family jewelry store during the holiday season. I’m not sure if it was work or the “maturity” I reached in high school that did it, or some other factor.

Now, that feeling is gone. Like I said, I’m up until 2 a.m. even on the 24, and sleep in until around 11-12 on Christmas, shower and then join my family, waiting for my brother to finally wake up.

Being a sucker for nostalgia, I tried desperately last year to rekindle that feeling I had as a kid. The best way I thought of doing this, was to watch the old video tape we have with all the Christmas specials on it (Garfield, Rudolph, probably the Grinch, etc.). I found the tape I thought it was (clearly labeled “X-mas cartoons)… it was the wrong tape. It still had a couple of the specials from the old Nicktoons that I loved as a child (I recall Doug and Rugrats… don’t think there was anything else). The thought had crossed my mind to borrow my friend’s DVDs of the specials I was looking for, but the vintage commercials on the tape had as much to do with the memories/feelings as the program itself. Needless to say, I don’t think I ever really got that feeling back.

All things change, sometimes for the better, sometimes not. I’m still undecided on which this is.

I no longer have the same feeling I had as a child, but Christmas has a new feeling, now. Again, it’s hard to describe (can you ever really describe a feeling exactly?). It now has to do with all that comes along with Christmas in this time. Working until dark, the cold and the snow (still in Ohio, still have the cold, and occassionally some snow), coming home and playing video games with just the light from the television and Christmas lights.

The world always changes, and there’s not a damn thing you can do about it. But it’s not so bad. A quote from Escape from L.A. comes to mind:

“The more things change, the more they stay the same.”

Flash Fiction Fridays!

Writer Zen Garden Posted on by

Each Friday, the writers of the Writer’s Retreat reflect on their favorite flash fiction ficlets created over the course of the week, or sometimes even farther back, or maybe even something brand-spanking new. While we never know quite what we’ll share, we can guarantee that it will entertain! Join us!

A. Catherine Noon: “Succession”

Darla M. Sands: “More Than Meets the Eye”

Lucius Antony: “The First Assignment”

From the Journal of Shawn Talric concerning the Dar’ny’uil Insurrection

I wanted action, how foolish.

After a year of training, they gave me my first assignment. After learning to use my new powers, they told me to ride a train to the destination. Not only was I to ride a train, but I was also only suppose to apprehend a rogue who was not expected to put up much resistance.

I played with lightning in my hands as I sat in the almost empty cargo car of the train. I thought about the day this all started and that woman, Jamie, who tried to keep me away from Ibarra and failed.

As I thought of the possibilities of what would’ve happened if she had succeeded, I felt a familiar pull, and mental sensation.

He was outside.

There was a flash of light from my body as I transported outside, in front of the rogue who had felt me coming, and waited for me.

He had dark hair and blue eyes that twinkled like the sea at sunset. His loose clothing was a better choice for the hot, arid climate than my leather coat, but I didn’t choose the setting.

“You’re new. What’s your name?” he asked. His voice was coarse, probably from years of heavy smoking.

“Ibarra sent me. I’m supposed to take you back to New York.”

“Tell Ibarra to go fuck himself.”

He turned away from me. In another small flash of green light I appeared in front of him, the ground beneath my feet black and sizzling. I lifted my hand and conducted some lightning with it, threatening him.

“Tell him yourself,” I replied.

He changed his form: his skin melting off of his body to reveal a pure white form with a blue aura surrounding him. His pupils and irises disappeared and his hair became unruly and changed to same shade of blue as his aura.

He attacked first, throwing a fireball. I extended my hand, forming a shield of nearly pure energy to protect myself. The fire dissipated against my shield, and retaliated with striking at him with lightning from my left hand.

I noticed his disappearance in the same instant that his foot connected with the back of my neck. I fell to the ground as a sharp, searing pain racked my body. I cut off the sensation of pain, a handy trick I had learned during my training, and caught his fist in my palm.

I saw the skin on my hand begin to crack and break off, revealing the same pure white, luminescent skin and green aura. I began to encase his arm in ice while he struggled to free himself from my grip. He forcible cut his own arm off at the elbow, and flew into the air.

At a safe distance, he held out his good arm and shot three sharp crags of ice in my direction. I played into scheme and created a shield to protect myself. His attacks shattered and I retaliated with a wave of white fire. He emerged from the attack unscathed; I’m ashamed to admit that I don’t know how.

He landed, and I started to feel sick. It had started with a slight headache as I was freezing his arm, and had escalated to a migraine and a terrible contortion within my stomach. He started laughing and walking towards me as my vision started to blur.

I fell to my knees and retched. My skin and hair slowly dimmed and faded to their normal complexion, and my aura had disappeared completely. My breath came in heaves and my sweat dripped onto the ground below.

“Young fool!” he laughed as he powered down. “You used too much energy, and now you’re completely helpless. Killing you would leave a bad taste in my mouth, just leave me alone. And tell Ibarra to do the same.”

He turned his back and I shot him. They could fix him when I get back to headquarters.

Thursday 13

Writer Zen Garden Posted on by

Every Thursday, the writers of the Writer’s Retreat participate in the Thursday 13 meme and this Thursday is no exception.

A. Catherine Noon

Darla M. Sands

And from a brand-new entrant:
Debbie Cairo

Tess Miller

And from another brand-new entrant, Lucius Antony!

Thursday 13 – December 3, 2009: Thirteen Reasons Conan of Cimmeria is a Badass

Ok, if you didn’t know, my favorite author is Robert E. Howard. I like his writing style and I like his characters. The first character of his I was introduced to (that made me fall in love with the author) was Conan. So, here are thirteen reasons why everyone should agree that he is probably the ultimate badass.

1. He has his priorities straight. In the first Conan story (Phoenix on the Sword), Conan is already a king, and has to face a revolt of maybe around a dozen men, give or take. So, what does he do? He kills them, is then assaulted by a supernatural creature (which he kills) before anyone loyal to him arrives. At this point, he very injured and probably near death, so what does he want after all this? Wine. Why? Because “Slaying is cursed dry work.”

2. The man won’t give up when he finds something that he wants. In The Frost Giant’s Daughter, Conan is the last surviving man on the battlefield, on either side, and even takes a pretty bad hit to the head. Instead of waiting around or going to find the reinforcements that were suppose to arrive before the battle, he decides to wander off (this is winter in a very snowy land, under the easily seeable conditions he could get lost and freeze to death). Why does he risk death yet again? For sex. He chases after a woman, not stopping when she calls on her ice giant brothers to stop him… nor does he stop when she says “no” but his morals aren’t exactly what I’m looking at the moment.

3. He kills a man by throwing a chair at him. Need I say more?

4. In another story, he’s crucified. After the cross is cut to the ground, and the nails from his hands removed by tongs used for shoeing horses, he grabs the instrument from the man and pulls the nail out of his feet himself. He then proceeds to ride for at least the rest of the day before seeking medical attention.

5. Conan is not afraid to incite a rage from you by calling into question your parentage… even you’re a DRAGON.

6. As mentioned earlier, this barbarian from Cimmeria becomes king of a different country called Aquilonia. How? He chokes the previous king with his bare hands and takes the crown. ‘Nuff said.

7. The man is chivalrous. He always, always, saves the girl… even if “saving” the girl is more along the lines of “saving the girl the torture of walking through a desert with no water by quickly and painlessly killing her.” Just a note, he never actually DOES it, the thought just crossed his mind before they found a city that stands in the middle of the desert inhabited by people who are always sleeping. If it’s any consolation, he DID give her the last of the water first.

8. He’s so badass that the women love him enough to find a way to come back from the grave to save him.

9. He always pays back his debts. I’m fairly certain he married the woman that rescued him from prison, once… It’s never actually mentioned in Howard’s stories, but I believe it brought up in one of the pastiches. Either way, he doesn’t forget his debt to her at the end of the novel, which is probably several months after his rescue.

10. Loyalty. When a friend of his killed a guard for making a rude comment to his woman and fled the town, Conan didn’t rat him out to the judge, even under penalty of staying in a dungeon for the rest of his life. In fact, he did the town a favor by killing said judge because the judge was clearly mad.

11. The man is also a poet. Can you imagine how much more badass people would be if they could make poetry about your death after they kill you? Just imagine how much better The Iliad would be if Achilles had written it himself. If you doubt me, try finding a copy of The Road of Kings on the internet that was clearly meant to be written by Conan.

12. One of the things he does as king is correct the maps in the royal… map keeping place. .. because he knows from experience that they are wrong. Ok, I can’t really tell if this is really badass or not. My list topped out at 11 and there wasn’t anything I could do short of going straight to the tomes to find more.

13. Conan laughs at you for using the internet when there are battles to fight! Seriously, I procrastinated too long.

Poetry

Writer Zen Garden Posted on by

Intimacy, love and friendship – wonderful to have, horrible to lose and in all the ways these emotions can be experienced, sometimes very hard to understand.

My poetry is most often about relationship and the different forms it takes. I think it would be possible to write about the many faces of love every day, forever, and never come to the end of it. One of the most fascinating subjects to ponder, meditate on and write about.

Through Time

Transported by a tympani of steadily falling
rain sluicing from the roof; I sit, watching you
dance in the deluge, cold droplets
dripping from your chin.

You haven’t yet sensed my intent study of
your eyes searching a distant view with
focused intensity, turning the whiskey color
a different hue.

Raspberry colored lips twist wistfully
into a smile, whispering indiscernible
words–a name, a prayer, lover’s thoughts
drifting away on the air;

In the blink of an eye, I wonder: was I
really there?

Evilynne’s TTT

Writer Zen Garden Posted on by

I posted this on my own blog as well-tesswriteswell.blogspot.com

For this week’s Thursday Thirteen I thought I’d list the reasons why I should go to the gym. I was a good girl this week, been there twice! I’d love to get back to where it’s a habit, not something I forget.
1. Exercise has been proven to relieve depression and I so don’t want to go back on the Paxil.
2. Exercise releases endorphins, nature’s own pain relievers. Helps with the arthritis the cold weather brings on.
3. Increased flexibility can never be a bad thing.
4. Better quality sleep, not that I’ve ever had trouble sleeping. 
5. Increased lung capacity. As an asthmatic it’s the next best thing to a lung transplant.
6. Improved self image and sense of well being. That’s right, I work out! Bragging rights galore.
7. Nice excuse for some more ‘me’ time. No phones, nagging kids or chores to do while I’m there.
8. Better memory recall. No sense in learning all the things I have and not being able to use them. Now, what was I saying? I’ve lost my train of thought. Oh, yeah; list. Right.
9. Longer life expectancy. Good reason!
10. Improved bone density. No broken hips for me in my old age. (Note to self, this doesn’t negate the bad effects of Diet Coke on Calcium absorption! Keep the Big Gulps to one a day.)
11. More resistance to infection and in flu season that can’t be over rated!
12. Weight Loss, need I say more?
13. I already paid for it! I pay my monthly dues whether I use the facilities or not and I hate to waste money!

Nikki’s Thursday 13 for 11/19/09

Writer Zen Garden Posted on by

I was at the library today reserving a copy of a book I haven’t read in a while and started thinking about the books that, despite being innundated with new material all the time, I read religiously every year.

So, here are Nikki’s 13 “Read-it-every-year” books:

1. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. – This one just never gets old for me. I still have the copy I bought at a book fair in the 3rd grade, and I read it at least once a year. I can’t wait to share it with my cousin Christopher (he’s 5).

2. The Elenium by David Eddings – I was an idiot in 1988 and passed up the opportunity to buy The Diamond Throne new in hardcover, because for some reason I had decided I would hate it. By the time I read it and fell in love with it (It’s my *favorite* David Eddings book), it was only in paperback. I eventually loaned that copy to my brother and got it back with the spine doctored in masking tape. By coincidence, after reading news of David Eddings’ passing I was able to find a hardcover copy in a used bookstore in great condition. I admit to being pleased about this find on two levels – one, this copy should hold up much better than the paperback, and now I have the entire Elenium and The Tamuli in hardcover so they match.

3. The First Two Lives of Lukas-Kasha by Lloyd Alexander – My elementary librarian recommended this to me, and it’s one of my favorites. I love the adventures they take, and the impact it has on the characters in the end.

4. Practice to Deceive by Patricia Veryan – This is the book I went to reserve today. It was out of print by the time I read it the first time, and for some reason I have never made a serious attempt to find a used copy. Even though I am no longer reading historicals as a rule, I am drawn to this book over and over again. The Golden Chronicles series is good, but Practice to Deceive is my favorite.

5. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Another book I discovered in elementary school that I still get the itch to at least once a year.

6. Divided in Death by J. D. Robb – I am past the phase where I would read the In Death series from start to finish and then start over again, but I still love them, and Divided in Death is my favorite. I love it when Eve and Roarke’s relationship works, but really enjoy watching them struggle to come to a meeting of minds and hearts in this book.

7. Running Scared and Moving Target by Elizabeth Lowell. Well, the truth is I probably read my entire Elizabeth Lowell collection at least once a year, but these two are probably the ones I pick up the most frequently. I love the characters and the stories.

8. The Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J. R. Ward – I read these last year for the first time, and I am completely hooked. I can’t believe I almost didn’t even reserve them at the library when Amazon recommended them to me. (It’s amazing what they think you like when you start buying a ton of Sherrilyn Kenyon, lol). The universe is so engaging, and the characters suck me in every single time. Love these books.

9. Ransom by Julie Garwood – I am not the Julie Garwood fan right now that I was back in the day, but I still love Ransom. It has all the essence of a good Julie Garwood historical, without being too much.

10. Roselynde by Roberta Gellis – I think Alinor was actually the first romance novel I was ever brave enough to check out and take home (on a 6th grade field trip to the library, no less) but Roselynde was the book I found at Goodwill for $1, and I love it just as much. Every now and then I reserve the whole series in a fit of nostalgia.

11. All right, it has to be said – The Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter and Meredith Gentry series by Laurell K Hamilton. I read Merry more often, but I do read both series a couple of times a year.

12. Anything by Jayne Ann Krentz, Amanda Quick, or Jayne Castle – Like Elizabeth Lowell, this is another author where I get on a kick and I just read it all in a big bunch, at least once a year. So nice to have so many variations on a theme 🙂

13. The Tairen Soul series by C. L. Wilson. I just finished Queen of Song and Souls and am now forced to wait until the 5th book comes out to see how she wraps everything up. Best random-book-at-the-library surprise in the last couple of years. I’ll be reading this for a long time. I love how Rain and Elysetta interact, and how their relationship is built over the books. Just lovely.

Heaven knows there are a ton of others I could have listed here, lol, but I’m limiting myself to 13.

Have a wonderful day, everyone!

My TT

Writer Zen Garden Posted on by

Thirteen things I could make for dinner.

1. French Toast-fast and warm, it’s cold outside.
2. Omelet’s-same as above, seems I’ve got breakfast on my mind.
3. Burritos-already got the grated cheese, heat the beans and voila.
4. Spaghetti-got some homemade sauce made from my garden in the freezer.
5. Toasted cheese sandwiches and tomato soup-mom always made this for me as a child when it was raining outside.
6. Ham sandwiches-Got some awesome eight grain bread, Swiss cheese and fresh tomatoes
7. Hot dogs-extremely fast, kids can heat them up while I get ready for work.
8. Sloppy Joes-Take some time, but always good.
9. Macaroni and Cheese-oldie but a goodie
10. Chicken Noodle Soup and Tuna Sandwiches-yummy.
11. Pork chops and stuffing-time consuming but more like a real meal.
12. Cold cereal-a mommy cop out-but I could squeeze in a nap before work.
13. Shepherd’s Pie-frozen will take an hour or more to heat up.

So, what will it be?

Thursday 13: We’re BAAAAACK!

Writer Zen Garden Posted on by

After a long hiatus in which our writing team went on Safari to Africa and photographed the vanishing elephant populations along the Niger River delta, we have returned.

Every Thursday, there is a Meme called Thursday 13. Its purpose is two-fold: to share thirteen things that catch our attention, and to visit each others’ blogs and see what others are noticing. While we can’t guarantee what you’ll find, we can guarantee it will be interesting!

Here at the Writer’s Retreat, we feature a smorgasbord of our writers’ creations. Some of them are posted here, and some are linked to individual blogs. Please leave comments, since we writers are a narcissistic bunch! 🙂

Our contributions for this week:

A. Catherine Noon

Darla M. Sands:

Thirteen things I can do without:

excessive riches
pimples
gum on my shoe
lyrics I can’t understand
dill pickles
excessively talkative truck drivers
dandruff
mean people
hairballs on the carpet
slow drivers
a runny nose
writing interruptions
housework

Nikki Memmott:

Nikki’s 13 muse-iest songs circa the year 2000…

1. Faster Faster by Bree Sharp – did an AU Highlander fic inspired by this song. Supposed to be a PWP for a girl who liked Richie a little on the rougher side, and 6 mos later was a lot more than that. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3RyJAdeIDw – video’s actually Farscape clips, but it’s the right song)

2. Saturate Me by Mandy Moore – I know, Mandy Moore, right? Still, I just could not get enough of this song. No stories directly inspired by this one, but it definitely got the writing juices flowing. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4143g-ZXI-Y)

3. Breathe by Faith Hill – Made the mistake of listening to this song one morning after writing a smutty story the day before. Turned into a morning after story Smile (Found a cool video of Faith with Carlos Santana doing this song. Have to get through the Faith-as-fangirl stuff at the beginning, but it’s nice – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ1RqPqF9O4)

4. Good Morning, Beautiful by Steve Holy – Ok, so my Richie and Methos muses were sappy, lol. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHUxogmXob4)

5. Now We Are Free (Maximus Mix) from the More Gladiator soundtrack – I write best when I have background music that’s enough to set the mood but not intrusive. Wrote a heck of a lot of R/M listening to this song.

6. Saints and Angels by Sara Evans – Methos finally had to give in and tell Richie some of the stuff he reeeally didn’t want to tell Richie about his past. I still love this song. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQ1DRUu1L…e=related)

7. The Last Thing on My Mind by Patti Loveless – Never got a whole HL story out of this, but might get an ABVH one. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQ1DRUu1L…e=related)

8. I Guess You Get Used to Somebody by Tim McGraw – Damn, I forgot how much I love this song. The CD also has Angry All the Time which is, oddly enough, my favorite Tim and Faith duet. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWCEc2yuzko)

9. Burn by JoDee Messina – I have no idea why this is Richie’s song according to my Methos muse, but there you go. Never got around to the directly inspired fic, but I was all about this song back in the day. (Think it sounds like a Jason and Nathaniel song, Darla?? 🙂 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcPad0WFehk)

10. Empty by Terri Clark – I’m not sure how this made it on to the musey song mix. The story idea for this one is long gone, I guess. I still fricking love the song, though. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jM-SvX6KmU8)

11. Save Yourself by Sense Field – I know there was a story in here somewhere. The Ride Alone sequel, maybe. It was nice to listen to it again. I haven’t heard it for a long time. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Und_fe6XSI)

12. Space Between by Dave Matthews Band – This song has a lot of strong images about relationships that often helps me when I’m trying to wrangle the muses. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9DMdyrmb2k)

13. What I Need by Julie Reeves – Again, sort of mood music since most of my stories are internal, rather than external plots. And a good song. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7-rhE3oosw)

OK, I’m done rambling now 🙂