Advent Fiction 2024

 Both Cindy and I love decorating for Christmas! Her specialty is decorating the mantel over our fireplace while I concentrate on the outside lighting. While I don't go full Clark Griswold mode, I'm not averse to lots of flashing lights and yard decorations. Many of our Christmas tree ornaments come from our travels, and each tells a story. Earlier this year, when we did our Italy tour, I bought the coolest ornament while we were in Firenze. Annnnnd I have no idea where I stored it! It just disappeared like a ghost.

And speaking of ghosts.....

image from Google search

Now that our house is decorated, sans the missing ornament, I can devote quality time to one of my favorite activities at this most wonderful time of the year. I'll fix a cup of hot chocolate and let my mind conjure some, hopefully, entertaining Advent fiction. I'm forever grateful that my friend Loren Eaton hosts this event on his site I Saw Lightning Fall. Thank you, Loren! I hope you know just how much I appreciate you doing this. Loren opens this event to anyone who wants to participate, with just one requirement: The story must be exactly 100 words, no more, no less. The title, though, is excluded from this requirement.

This year's event can be found here. I urge you to read the other submissions, as there are some really talented writers submitting their work.

A quick reminder to my readers: Any links in blue will open in a new window. You won't lose your place here. Clicking on any photo will display a large format of it.

Here, then, are my humble offerings for this year.

Enjoy...

Mark and Harold, angels sing!

Mark and Harold loved being identical twins. Their capacity for mischief was legendary among family and friends. Inseparable from birth to their untimely demise, they did everything with gusto. The accident that took their lives was made even worse, given the circumstances. They weren’t drinking or being careless, just in the wrong place at the wrong time. The toys they collected for the homeless shelter were donated in their name.

From the other side of the veil, they delighted in singing their favorite Christmas carols to the gathered angels in perfect harmony. Their angelic voices rang in their families’ hearts.

image from Google search

Have Your Elf a Merry Little Christmas

I’m baaaack!

That’s right, Stumpy Curlyshoe is in the house!

Missed me? I bet you did! How can anyone not miss “the life of the party?”

Arrogant? Maybe.

Or maybe not.

I just like having a good time with my peeps.

Wait, what do you mean you don’t know who I am?

I’m Stumpy, of the Christmas Clan!

You wanna hang out and have a good time?

It’s easy, just believe in the joy and spirit of Christmas.

You’ll be partying with The Stumpster in no time.

Hoist that drink and eat those cookies!

Spread the cheer!

Merry Christmas, y’all!

Do You Hear What I Hear?

“Shush, be quiet!”

“What is it”

“Didn’t you hear it? Someone is creeping around the house!”

“But who is it? Which one?”

“I don’t know, but let’s hope for the best.”

“Hope for the best? I’ve been good all year!”

“Have you?”

“Well, mostly…..a little. Hey, I tried!”

“Me, too. Let’s hope our good counted more against the naughty.”

Footsteps grew louder in the room. Both tried to breathe as quietly as possible, hoping that the “good one” was in the house.

It felt like an eternity before the footsteps faded.

Naughty or nice?

I’ll let you figure it out.

image from Google search

And here is my contribution to this year's Advent Fiction event. I hope you enjoyed reading these as much as I enjoyed writing them. 

If Stumpy seems familiar, it's because I've written about him in a previous Advent Fiction event, and I've had several requests to hear about Stumpy again.

So, did the hiding kids meet Santa or Krampus? I'd love to hear your thoughts. 

To all reading this, I wish you a very merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years. Remember to have fun and enjoy the season.

Until next time.....

carpe cerevisi