How ya doin'?

 So...how ya doin'? You enjoyed/survived/tolerated/rejoiced in/bah humbugged/delighted in Christmas. And you're still here. Good for you. Be proud of you.

If you know anything about me, you know I love Christmas. Yet, like many of you, my Christmases carry loss and sorrow as we mourn those who aren't here with us. I miss my parents so much that it hurts. Not all the time, of course, but sometimes the pain takes my breath away, still so sharp and clear after all these years. And other precious family members and dear friends, all lost now...I remember them, too. Even so, I still rejoice in Christmas. Not because of the gifts or the food or the shopping or the TV specials on PBS, although they are all enjoyable--except the shopping which is the price we pay for wanting to give to those we care about. 

No, I rejoice in Christmas not for any of those things, but for the hope. The idea that the birth of a small child would cause a ripple in history. A child who would grow up and go forth and preach a message of love and acceptance. He would suffer terribly and he would be killed for his words. 

A huge story started then, a story that would change the world and set in motion great times and small things, terrible events, and glorious actions. That's the story of Easter: tragedy and terror, loss and sorrow, murder and miracle, redemption and glory. 

But on Christmas, we remember the beginning, the trembling fear and overwhelming joy every parent feels when they hold their newborn, the expectation of things to come, that moment when it seems the world pauses in expectation, the first lusty breath, and then a baby's first cry rings out in a silent night.

I rejoice in Christmas because it is a reminder of those things. A reminder of hope and how things can change. It's a new beginning. That's what Christmas is for me. I hope it is that for you, too. Whatever you believe, that's what I pray for you.

And now a new year is approaching. There will be new joys and new sorrows, new victories and new defeats, new challenges and more of the same. I'm looking forward to whatever is to come, and I'm glad you're with me on this journey. 

Ordinary Wisdom

There truly are no new sins. It's just the old ones with a bit of paint and better publicity.

Still Believin'

 I still believe in the power of love.

Yeah, I know. I'm a bit backward and loopy, but I still do.

Many people think a relationship with God is basically punishment, guilt, shame, and not getting to have any fun. They're wrong, but it might not be their fault. Plenty of churches have taught the doctrine of crushing, blind obedience, and that you can only get into Heaven by the tips of your desperate fingernails--if that.

I don't know how God has become so mean in our modern times. I read the four Gospels, and all I can see is love, forgiveness, and mercy, but instead of the Bible being a comfort, it has become a club. Stop using it that way! That's not what Jesus wanted. It's not what He commanded. He wanted us to love each other, to feed the poor, to care for the sick, and to comfort other people when they sorrow. He wanted us to be better. To do better.

So let's do that. What do you say?

Ordinary Wisdom #7

Ordinary Wisdom:

It may be impossible for us to love everyone--we're not God--and it may be impossible to like everyone--we're not Oprah--but surely we can at least be kind to each other. Kindness to everyone would go a long way to making this world a decent place to live in. Except for that black truck that ran the stoplight and nearly hit me; it would be hard to be kind to the driver who was probably drinking as he sent naughty messages on his cellphone and ate a double cheeseburger with fries, but I would try.

I would.

Maybe.

Question to you

 So...does Facebook ever suggest a friend to you that maybe broke your heart in college, I mean stomped that sucker flat, and you're so over that person in ways that made Webster's put your picture beside their definition of "moved on," but you find yourself curious upon seeing that suggestion and you wonder how they turned out and if they found happiness or maybe just maybe got body parts eaten off by rabid weasels, and wouldn't that be cool? Sad, of course, but cool.

Does that ever happen to you?

Prosateurs Books: Mysteries!

Friend or Foe 
by Debbie Anderson
Janie is your average college-aged girl with her future ahead of her. Her quirky personality includes her love of old music and movies, she talks to herself, and she often finds herself in unusual situations. She loves her job and has lots of good friends. Life is great! Then she accidentally hits a policeman with a bagel! Romance blossoms. A black truck with tinted windows is following her. She doesn't know who it is, but it continues to stalk her. How can she get her life back? Who is in the truck? Is it Friend or Foe?
Buy on Amazon!

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Murder by the Acre 
by Stephen B. Bagley
The librarian and the reporter are back! This time Bernard and Lisa stumble on the body of a local jeweler and ladies' man in an underground house. As the couple and Chief Donaldson investigate, they find themselves drawn into a confusing mystery of lies and alibis that involves the upper crust of Ryton, Oklahoma. Questions abound: Who killed him and how? Why doesn't the widow care that her husband is dead? Why doesn't his mistress? What does the mysterious Aventura Corporation have to do with the murder? What is the corporation hiding? Soon events spiral out of control as the killer strikes again and again. As the three dig for the truth, they upset powerful, vengeful people. The chief might lose his job, but Bernard and Lisa could lose their lives in this suspenseful sequel to Murder by Dewey Decimal.

Buy on Amazon!

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Murder by Dewey Decimal 
by Stephen B. Bagley
When Assistant Librarian Bernard M. Worthington finds the body of the dreaded Agatha Ryton-Storer, he has no way of knowing her death will begin a series of murders that will stun his small town and reveal secrets hidden for thirty years. He, roving reporter Lisa Trent, and Police Chief Chuck Donaldson must outwit a ruthless, determined murderer. What was stolen from the library safe? What happened to the missing janitor? Why is Lisa a target? Who stole the Ryton jewels? Why did old Eliah Ryton will his hideous mansion to the city? What secrets does it hold and who is killing to hide them? Appealing characters, sly wit, clever plot, and chilling suspense mark this first novel in the Measurements of Murder™ series.
Buy on Amazon!

Guffaw all you want!

Humor

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Floozy and Other Stories 

by Stephen B. Bagley

Got two nuns and a goat? Do you enjoy Sabbath Night Fever? Or own a flying robot monkey army serving our Alien Masters? If you do - and even if you don't - this is the book for you! Enjoy humorist Stephen B. Bagley's views of our world in more than 80 hilarious tales from his decidedly different life.

Buy on Amazon!

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Floozy Comes Back
by Stephen B. Bagley
Humorist Stephen B. Bagley returns with a new collection of wild and wacky tales from his decidedly different life. Enjoy these stories: Spice Boy, A Tale of Two Goldfish, Tanning My Hide, Kindle the Barbarian, The Fine Art of Sighing, Pumpkin Pinterest, Mr. Manners Speaks, Much Ado About Carbs, Congress & Other Monstrous Things, Work in Your Underwear, The Terrible Truth About Women, and many, many more!
Buy on Amazon!

Visit Different worlds!

🌕 Fantasy 🌙  

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Bone Sliver 

by Debra Chandler

The World is Changing.... Maxwell Edison, agent of The Office of Human Protection is given an assignment. Sent to Tulsa, Oklahoma, he's staking out a spreading rash of anomalous activity unprecedented in the world so far. With agents and civilians dying all around him, it’s up to him to find a way to stop the oncoming paranormal cataclysm that has been engineered by a mysterious shadow organization. In the face of unstoppable magic, can he hold on to his humanity?

Buy on Amazon!

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Dawn Before the Dark
by Wendy Blanton
An ancient curse keeps men in fear of dragons, so only women can ride them in Slan—while only men can perform magic. As a necromancer from beyond the edge of the known world threatens invasion, Briant appears—a young man who loves dragons. Wybren Tanwen must decide: Is Briant the dragonborn, the answer to prophecy? Will he save Slan?

Buy on Amazon!

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Nova Wave 
by Debra Chandler
The Office of Human Protection has come to small-town Oklahoma, but the situation is anything but stable. When agents go missing, Maxwell Edison must investigate. When Max goes missing and a coup is staged from within, everything depends on a woman waking up in a changed world. A woman who has suffered a grievous injury, A woman with no training. Can she possibly save him?
Buy on Amazon!

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Rogue Pawn 
by Wendy Blanton AKA Elizabeth Joy
Forced from her home, Sieger faced a long road paved with lies and manipulation. Desperate, she did the only thing she could: She turned the tables on her enemies and forged her own fate.
Buy on Amazon!

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Sword & Scabbard 
by Wendy Blanton
When Nyakas killed his father to protect his wife and son, he wasn't thinking about the consequences. Because Malitor was a Divine Steward, Nyakas had two choices: take Malitor's seat, or defend himself against those who wanted it. Reluctantly, he and Robyn have moved to Mhovan Rosk. He knows that the other Divine Stewards have their own agendas, but it is not until he arrives that he realizes how corrupt the council is. When his advisors discover a hidden prophecy, the solution to the corruption becomes clear, but it may come at a price none of them are able to pay.
Buy on Amazon!

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The Dragon's Lady 
by Wendy Blanton AKA Elizabeth Joy
A young army officer, heading a team in search of missing CIA agents, is captured by intergalactic slave traders. Her team is sold to a man who is much more than he seems.
Buy on Amazon!

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WEATHERED 
by Debra Chandler
A shift in the wind. A change in the air. Weather has the power to affect everything around and inside us. What will the next season bring? Will the wind of change bring joy—sadness—or something darker? The pages of this book contain poems and tales that will leave even the most stalwart souls—WEATHERED.
Buy on Amazon!

Different flavors for different palates!

Anthologies

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Blackbirds First Flight
By Various Authors
⇨ An unhappy wife can't decide what to do about her boorish husband until an uneaten meal gives her a dark idea...
⇨ Something is raising zombies in Tulsa, and Justina Grave is the only one who can stop it...
⇨ When a fat farm promises to make Edyth thin again, her dream comes true. She will never be fat again—or safe...
⇨ Hopping a freight train can be a cheap way to travel. Unless you pick the wrong boxcar...
⇨ One kiss gives Francois immortality, but at a cost he doesn't see coming...
⇨ A woman warrior must choose her fate as the Romans ravage her land...
⇨ Stalked by terrible creatures seeking vengeance, a band of robbers runs for their lives in medieval France...
This anthology will lead you into dark, twisted places filled with mystery and delight. Enjoy thrilling stories and chilling poems by authors Stephen B. Bagley, Kent Bass, Wendy Blanton, Gail Henderson, Tamara Siler Jones, and Jean Schara.
Buy on Amazon

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Blackbirds Second Flight
by Various Authors
Enjoy new dark and twisted stories and poems from Stephen B. Bagley, Wendy Blanton, Gail Henderson, Ken Lewis, Jean Schara, and Heath Stallcup
Buy on Amazon

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Blackbirds Third Flight
by Various Authors
Enjoy these dark fantasies:
✥ A dead girl asks one final question.
✥ A young man rides a forbidden dragon.
✥ With claw and fang, Malone will fight.
✥ Justina Grave battles a dangerous witch.
✥ A father faces his family's terrible secret.
✥ The end of the world begins in a backyard.
✥ A predator prowls on Halloween night.
✥ Thunder Mountain will kill the careless.
✥ Learn the final truth of the Tooth Fairy.
✥ A wolf reveals the face of the true beast.
And much more in this anthology of thrilling tales and poetry from Kathy Akins, Stephen B. Bagley, Wendy Blanton, Michael Canton, D.E. Chandler, Erin Cochran, Gail Henderson, Mariana Llanos, Jean Schara, and Heath Stallcup.
Buy on Amazon

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Prosateurs: Tales & Truth 
by the Prosateurs
Enjoy articles, essays, memoirs, poems, recipes, short stories, and more from members of the Prosateurs writing group, including
➼ 13 Ways to be More Creative in your life.
➼ How NOT to curse like a sailor.

➼ A daughter endures her mother melting away.

➼ What's alive in that garage can?
➼ How to bake a Fruit Cocktail Cake.

➼ Relish a sonnet for Autumn.

➼ Learn the amazing secret of the Thanksgiving Tree.

➼ How do you deal with doubt?
➼ An Air Force wife confronts her future.

➼ Special Bonus: Prosateurs share Writing Tips.

And much more!
Buy on Amazon!

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Yule Tidings
by the Prosateurs
The Prosateurs celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's with articles, devotionals, essays, memoirs, poems, recipes, short stories, including:
Be the Hostess with the Mostest!
Enjoy Tasty Christmas Sausage Balls
Awake Prayer and Thanksgiving!
Marvel at the Ancient Yutetide Origins!
Listen to the Christmas Bells Sing!
Survive the Holidays with Ease!
When Does One Plus One Equal Eleven?
The Other Serving Girl Tells her Tale!
The Turducken Hits the Fan!
Realize You're Not Poor at All!
And much more!
Buy on Amazon!
Buy on Lulu!
Buy on Barnes & Noble!
Buy on BooksAMillion!

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Still

Here it is—Saturday, January 2, 2021—and I've not taken the time to write what I wanted to say to everyone on January 1. I intended to, but things got busy, and I had to complete a few things all of a sudden, and now it's the second day of the year which you've faced bravely and gracefully without reading what I wanted to tell you.

And I'm still in the middle of a project and I can't take the time to truly express what's on my mind, but if I could have, I would have told you this:

Yes, last year was rough on many of us. We got sick. We watched loved ones suffer. We endured losing precious people. We carry wounds of deep sorrow. But still...

We made our grim way through an election that lingers on like sewer gas. Our financial world remains strained. And many lost their jobs through no fault of their own. But still...

Our faith in humanity has been shaken. We fought in ongoing mask debates. We battled in voting wars. We distanced too much or got too close. We watched the experts attack each other. But still...

We've been torn, bent, spindled, and mutilated. But still...

We're here. 

Still. 

Despite all that has been thrown at us, we remain.

We still go to our jobs if we're lucky enough to have them.

We still go to our churches to acknowledge that we are small creatures in a vast universe and aid is always appreciated.

We still go to school or send our children to school or help them in our dining rooms as we remember how much we hated new or old math.

We still donate to food pantries and meal kitchens. We still give to charities, always remembering that there—but for the grace of God—we go.

We still care, still help when able, and still love as best as we can.

Look, if I had time, I would have told you that that is what hope looks like. We're loaded with the stuff. We're filled with determination. We're still the ape reaching for the angel.

That's what I would have said, and then I would ended with my favorite lines from the poem Ulysses by Alfred, Lord Tennyson:

"Tho' much is taken, much abides; and tho'
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."

That's what I would have said if I had been able to find the time to write it properly. I think you would have enjoyed it. 

And maybe you did.

Happy New Year, my friends. God bless and keep you safe.

(Illustration copyright Depositphotos.com)

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to you and yours! May the new year be filled with love, laughter, health, prosperity, peace, and all good things!

Prayer for the New Year

Dear Creator,
Grant us the courage to start again.
Let us find the strength to overcome the problems facing us.
Help us understand that healing ourselves and rebuilding our spirits takes time which only makes such efforts even more precious and vital.
Remind us to be kind to those who have fallen so that they can also heal and grow.
Give peace and comfort to those who have experienced loss and sorrow in the past year and let them experience joy in the days to come.
As the future becomes our present and the present becomes our past, let us be in the here now and savor the blessings small and large of this life.
And let us always remember to be grateful for what we love and for what loves us. In the end, only love matters.
Sincerely,
Us