Rain, Wind, sunshine, snow, ice–we’ve had them all in the past week. With morning temperatures hovering around freezing, the days have struggled to climb above 44F/7C. At least there hasn’t been any accumulation of snow–from flurries to a light dusting.
We had the opportunity to join a Christmas market on Friday in a nearby village. It was there first one. While it was slow, we did manage a few book and poetry sheet sales. The big Christmas market sponsored by the small business market, begins tomorrow in the local mall and runs through the 24th. Looking forward to this!
Although the game wasn’t televised locally, I was delighted to find out Michigan (2) beat Iowa (13) convincingly, 42-3, to take their first Big Ten Football Conference title since 2003. Now we’re just waiting to see if they make it into the College Football Championship.
Here’s this week’s quote (Compliments of http://www.wisdomquotesandstories.com/): “Look for something positive in each day, even if some days you have to look a little harder. Let the challenges makes you strong.” Don’t worry about yesterday or tomorrow, there is only today. Be fearless. Listen to your heart. Envision your perfect day and go out there and live it. You have many smiles to share with those around you–and they with you. Radiate your love and feel that loving energy return to you. ~ Creig Crippen © Wisdom Quotes & Stories
So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on December 5th, the first Sunday of the month. (Compliments of http://www.onthisday.com/today/birthdays):
Nicolas Cleynaerts, Flemish grammarian; Ubbo Emmius [van Embden], Dutch-Frisian humanist and historian; Fyodor Tyutchev, Russian poet and statesman; Afanasy Fet, Russian poet; Christina Rossetti, English poet (Winter Rain, Passing Away); Ellis Parker Butler, American author (Pigs is Pigs); Fritz Lang, Austrian-German-American filmmaker and screenwriter (Metropolis); Lady Huxley [Marie Juliette Baillot], Swiss sculptor and author; Nunnally Johnson, American screenwriter and producer; Josh Malihabadi, Urdu poet of India and Pakistan; Abraham Polonsky, American writer and director (Tell them Willie Boy is Here); Maisie Fitter, editor and conservationist; Hans Hellmut Kirst, German author (The Lieutenant Must Be Mad); Simone Gallimard, French editor and publisher; Vladimir Tendryakov, Russian writer (Three, Seven, Ace); Fazu Aliyeva, Russian poet, novelist and journalist who helped develop Dagestani in Russian literature; Joan Didion, American author and journalist (The year of Magical Thinking); Calvin Trillin, American author (New Yorker); Yury Vlasov, Soviet weightlifter and writer; James Lee Burke, American writer (Dave Robicheaux series); Horst Bastian, German writer and screenwriter; Peter Pohl, Swedish writer; and Neil Druckmann, Israeli-American writer & co-president Naughty Dog.
Any names familiar to you? I knew one–James Lee Burke. Whether you recognize anyone on the list or not, if today’s your special day I hope you had a great one!
New Release
Sylvia Grace’s debut book, Colours Of My Life, has now been released. If you enjoy poetry, prose, and short stories, there’s bound to be something you can relate to.
This is from the intro:
The time has come to share my writing after many years of hiding my light under a bushel. Enjoy!
Colours of My Life is a collection of poetry and prose inspired by my experiences and the world around me—people, animals, nature. Some poems will make you smile, others may touch your emotions and bring tears—embrace them. Gather your inner strength and enjoy the moment. Awaken your feelings and you, too, can rise again.
My Published Work
All of my novels are participating in a Thrilling Christmas promotion, running from now through Christmas Day. With ninety novels available, there’s bound to me something for that special someone on your Christmas list or even for yourself!
My Work in Progress
When time permitted, work continued this week on Ultimate Escalation. Chapter twenty-one is almost completed. A total of thirteen chapter reviews came in this week, bringing the total to 425. Definitely some great comments to enhance my writing.
Here’s another snippet:
Willie glanced around and spoke in a low voice. “Anything from the Russians?” He raised his sunglasses as two foreign women passed.
Alfie chuckled. “Yeah, mate. Seems like we missed Nikolaev and an associate.”
Nate nodded. “That’s what we found out through Dakila. Could have saved our money.”
Willie rubbed the side of his face. “Did you get the names of the two guys who were by the pool?”
“Only the first names—Fedor and Eduard.”
Willie pulled an iPad out of his pack and connected to the internet. He typed and sent an encrypted message.
To: Bedlam, Alpha, Bravo, Charlie
From: Rebel
Target departed before our arrival. Two of his associates are leaving this evening for Pakistan. Please advise whether we follow them or return to Conus.
***
As dusk deepened, spotlights snapped on. CC, Trevor, and Evelyn stood in adjacent firing lanes and aimed their SIG Sauers downrange.
Blam! Blam! Blam!
They fired in unison, mimicking one another’s actions—left-handed, righted-handed, and both hands.
Emptying their magazines, they hit the eject buttons, dropping canisters to the ground. As they slapped new ones into place, they edged forward, shots rattling against their targets with each step.
Once again, they emptied their magazines. After reloading, CC, Trevor, and Evelyn resumed firing, moving backward with each step.
“Clear! Clear! Clear!”
CC glanced toward Evelyn on his left and nodded. He turned to his right. Time to police our lines.”
After they finished, the three Bedlam team leaders met at the loading table and began filling their magazines.
Trevor slotted a round on top of the magazine’s spring and pushed. “So, CC. When are you heading back to Scotland for a holiday?”
“If things remain quiet, it’ll be later this year. The clan’s having a ceilidh at Loch Lomond—plenty of music, food, and drink—not necessarily in that order.”
“A grand place to go—at least when it’s not raining.”
“Aye.” CC shoved the last round into a magazine and reached for another.
“When you come over, pop down to London, CC. Sir Alex and I would love to have you stay with us.”
“Aye, Evelyn. I’ll do that.” He grinned at her.
Once they reloaded, CC, Trevor, and Evelyn repeated their runs on the firing line.
After they cleaned up, Trevor slapped CC and Evelyn on the shoulder. “Enough work for today. Care to join me in the manor house for a nightcap?”
Evelyn nodded. “I’ll be there, but I want to eat first. I understand the cooks are serving ribeyes cooked to order, baked potatoes, and mixed salad tonight.”
‘Aye. I could go for a good steak. As long as the Murphy’s is flowing, I’ll join you, Trevor. Of course, a wee dram or two of a good single malt would suffice.”
More next time.
This brings us to an end for another week. I hope you found something of interest. If you have any suggestions for a topic you’d like to read about, please let me know. Until the next time, thank you for reading and hope you drop in again.
© Copyright 2021 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved
