THE HOLIDAYS ARE UPON US

Post by Doris McCraw (c)

December is a time of snow and cold in the Northern hemisphere, sun and rain in the Southern. It is the month of Christmas and New Year’s Eve. A time of gifts and celebrations.

The gift giving of the three wise men in the Bible are part of the tradition. However the idea of gift giving is a much older one. Ancient Rome, and early Pagan religions had celebrations with gift giving during the winter months, usually starting on what would now be December 17^th.

The decorated Christmas tree is credited as having started in Germany in the 16^th century, when early Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. They were not the first, however to celebrate with greenery. Most early societies believed the ‘evergreen’ plants were special, especially so during the cold winter months of the Northern Hemisphere. In my story, “Lost Knight, Out of Time” I fudged a bit and brought the decorated tree into the story. But if you read it, the concept fits.

New Year’s celebrations of January 1 began in Rome in 153 BC, because that was the beginning of the civil year when newly elected Roman Consuls took office. In fact January and February were not even part of the calendar until around 700 BC. Prior to that, New Year’s was celebrated in March.

From Authors (C) collection

So as we get ready to share our imagination, our stories and ourselves this season, think back to the rich history that comes with this time of year. The many authors here and elsewhere have spent time creating stories for you and your reading friends.

It is with joy and sadness I prepare to read Sara Barnard’s final ‘Everlasting Hearts’ story. The two wonderful Christmas anthologies PRP “One Winter Knight”, and “Cowboy Under the Mistletoe” are sure to please many. Zina Abbott’s “Bridgeport Holiday Brides” is out and my own “Gift of Forgiveness” is coming soon. Painted Pony Books has “A Christmas Spider” by Randy Lee Eickhoff. Watch for these and so many more stories for the Holidays, and don't forget all the other greats ones that have come to us throughout the year from Prairie Rose Publications and their imprints. 

I am a firm believer in books as gifts. When you give someone the gift of a book, you are not only sharing your love of reading, but the heart and soul of the author. When you have a book, and you know how to read it, you will always have someone with you. So this Holiday season, whether in the Northern hemisphere, where you bundle up to read and stay warm, on in the Southern where the beach is calling., you can’t go wrong with books.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, and remember, these traditions go back many centuries! (And yes, I do enjoy Alice Cooper's music, just not his stage shows *grin*)

Angela Raines is the pen name for Doris McCraw. Doris also writes haiku posted five days a week at – http://fivesevenfivepage.blogspot.com and has now passed one thousand haiku and photos posted on this blog. Check out her other work or like her Amazon author page:  http://amzn.to/1I0YoeL

NEW YEAR, NEW CHOICES, NEW RESOLUTIONS?

Post by Doris McCraw/Angela Raines-author

New Year, New Choices, New Resolutions?

As we wind down from the hectic time that was the Holidays, many of us are ready to hunker down and get back to work. We write or memorize our resolutions for making this New Year better than the last. Our list may include that we will write thousands of words, get mentally and physically fit, etc.

These are wonderful dreams. We all need dreams, it is what keeps us young and looking forward to the next day. However, in the midst of all this slow down, this dreaming, is a reality we sometimes forget. This is winter, a time of rest. I personally start cocooning and don't come out of the burrow until Spring. This is my rest time before I push the new growth I have ahead of me.

With the whirlwind of events; work, deadlines and Holidays, I want to take some time to reflect on those weeks between Thanksgiving, or Halloween, and the New Year. I want to savor the friendships I now have in my life. I wish to honor the people I've spent time with, both in person and on-line. To immediately push all that aside to make a list of things I hope to accomplish seems counter productive.

This year, as I told my writing group the Tuesday before New Years, my resolution is: "I will write my resolutions in the Spring, after I've had time to reflect and really know what I want." Don't get me wrong, I'll be thinking of these intentions between now and Spring, but I won't be putting them in 'stone' until I've had the time to think them through. My energy is lower this time of year. I'm exhausted from the Holidays. It just seems I am dooming myself to failure by rushing the process. My journal for this year is filling up with ideas, new ways of doing things, etc. When I've filtered it down, then... I think you get the idea.



I'm not opposed to anyone who uses the New Year to start fresh,  who write those resolutions down and carry them through. I'm behind you all the way. I will be your cheerleader, I'll shout for joy when you succeed. For myself, I'll see you on April 1, with my April Fool/Spring resolutions! I might be a late starter, but I believe, for me, I have a better chance of succeeding.

Here's my wish for everyone: Have a wonderful, happy and successful 2016! I know in my heart you will succeed.

Angela Raines is the pen name for Doris McCraw. Doris also writes haiku posted five days a week at - http://fivesevenfivepage.blogspot.com and has now passed one thousand haiku and photos posted on this blog. Check out her other work or like her Amazon author page:  http://amzn.to/1I0YoeL

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"A COWBOY CELEBRATION"
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HOME FOR HIS HEART
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