December 31 New Year’s Eve Finishing Strong Ted Williams is generally considered the greatest hitter in the history of major league baseball. Two events from his career speak about the concept of “finishing strong.” In 1941, Williams entered the last day of the season with a batting average of .3995. This would qualify him for a rounded off …
Read More »Yearly Archives: 2019
December 30 Moving Out
A Word from Curt Grateful. Gratitude is one of my 6+ words for 2016. I’m thankful for the wonderful gifts in my life. Today I’m thankful to have the calling of writing. It’s what I do. Who I am. I’m thankful that you have chosen to read this blog and allow my heart to hopefully …
Read More »Dec. 26. . . and now it begins: Bah Humbug Week
For the next week, through January 1, I’ll share a daily short short story with thoughts to help us all navigate that wonderful week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. I lovingly call it “Bah Humbug” Week. It can be the most difficult week of the year. Stay tuned daily for a story, thought, or insight that hopefully will make …
Read More »Dec. 25 Christmas Day My Favorite: My Grandpas’ Boots
A Story for Christmas During December we’re featuring one short story per day from my latest book, Christmas Jelly. Today’s story is my favourite from the thirty-two stories.* Enjoy! Christmas Jelly contains thirty-two chapters– 0ne for each day in December plus January 1. MY GRANDPAS’ BOOTS CURT ILES My name is Abe and this …
Read More »Dec. 24 Christmas Eve: “Thoughts on ‘Easy Marks.’ “
An Easy Mark “I’m a thousand miles from anywhere, waiting for a train.” -Jimmy Rodgers “Waiting for a Train” Calling someone an “easy mark” is normally not a compliment. We use it in the context of taking advantage of someone and associate it with weakness. I have a story that explains the term’s origin. I’ll let you—the reader—decide …
Read More »Dec. 23: Christmas Eve-Eve
The Hay’s in the Barn It’s “Christmas Eve-Eve.” Two days until Christmas. It’s close but there’s still time for planning and dreaming. A strong cold front is blowing in as I arrive at Foreman’s Meat Market. Last night we were in shirtsleeves. By tonight it will be freezing. Long vee formations of geese have been flying over all morning. They’re …
Read More »Dec. 22 A New Christmas Story: A Soldier Comes Home
Another Soldier Comes Home for Christmas I wonder when they finally took his Christmas stocking down. What year did the family remove his vacant chair from the Christmas dining room table? His name was Lt. Commander James R. Bauder. The date was September 21, 1966. Bauder and his fellow pilot , Lt. …
Read More »Dec. 21: Lazarus’ Second Funeral from “Christmas Jelly”
Lazarus’ Second Funeral I guess I’m only one who attended both of Boaz Lazurus’ funerals. The second one was yesterday. The first one was thirty-one years ago. I remember the first funeral well. I was a young rabbi, only recently assigned to the Bethany synagogue. I’ll never forget the raw grief of his two sisters, Mary and Martha. I had …
Read More »December 20: A Danish Christmas
Christmas Jelly. Learn more at www.creekbank.net This is chapter 20 from Christmas Jelly. It’s written by one of my favorite people, Erik Pederson. Mr. Erik touched all of us with his love, humor, and smile. He’ll always be missed in Dry Creek. I encouraged him to write this story and …
Read More »December 19: Tractor Time
Christmas Jelly is our latest book of short stories. Learn more at www.creekbank.net Tractor Time When this old world starts getting me down And people are just too much for me to face. I climb way up to the top of the stairs And all my cares just drift right into space. On the roof, it’s peaceful …
Read More »Dec. 18 Christmas Jelly: The Heavenly Choir
The Heavenly Choir Christmas season—The Dry Creek Church choir sings beautifully in a way beyond description. It’s much more than a musical . . . it’s a production . . . replete with drama, stories, and best of all, inspiring music. Joseph and Mary enter the back of our sanctuary. It’s …
Read More »December 17 Christmas Jelly “Too Much?”
Too Much Jesus? As you’ve noticed, many of the stories in Christmas Jelly are about Jesus. He is what Christmas is about. We make no apologies for making him front and center of this book. Once I heard a powerful sermon by one of my favorite preachers, Jason Townley. As the message ended and crowd left, I shook his …
Read More »December 16 An Old Feed Trough
This is chapter 16 from my short story book, Christmas Jelly An Old Feed Trough When Mary birthed Jesus ’twas in a cow’s stall, With wise men and farmers and shepherds and all. – “I Wonder as I Wander” The old barn looks snakey. You may not realize snakey is an adjective. It can mean “overrun with snakes.” …
Read More »December 15 The Hardest Day of the Year
The Hardest Day of the Year Christmas Eve is not when you expect to stand at the cemetery. I’m here with my friend, Julian Campbell. We’re selecting a gravesite for his sister Kathleen, who died yesterday after a brave ten-year battle with cancer. It’s fitting I’m with Julian. He and his family helped bury my dad. Now I’m …
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