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Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/2806-.html
For Authors: December 31, 2008 Issue [#2806]

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  Edited by: fyn
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

"Books are the compasses and telescopes and sextants and charts which other men have prepared to help us navigate the dangerous seas of human life."
— Jesse Lee Bennett

"And life is what we make it.
Always has been, always will be."
— Grandma Moses

"Proficiscebamini!"
---enilorac

"Life belongs to the living, and he who lives must be prepared for changes"
— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

"The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ, Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it"
— Omar Khayam (Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam)

"Leonard asks me if there's anything I need to know before he dies, I think about it for a minute, turn to him, say what's the meaning of life, Leonard? He laughs, says that's an easy one, my son, it's whatever you want it to be."
— James Frey (My Friend Leonard)

"If you ask me what I have come to do in this world, I who am an artist, I will reply, 'I am here to live aloud.'"
— Emile Zola


Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

Eleven observations while wrapped in a blanket, sitting in the rocking chair near the front window.

1. There are 107 pieces of 'Christmas Magic' on my living room floor.

"Christmas Magic' are pieces of seasonal confetti scatted upon his appearance in our home by Santa. When my youngest was perhaps ten and at that age where one questions this or ideas such as Santa Clause, she was dragged to the mall for (what we assumed at the time) would be her last photo with Santa. She sat there, whispered something in his ear, hopped off, came back and said most nastily, "There! I've now been embarrassed in front of at least three kids from my class."

My mother and my daughter headed off in one direction and I to the bookstore. A few moments later, I was tapped on the shoulder and turned to see Santa standing there.

"Do you know what 'Christmas Magic' is?" he asked. "Your daughter told me that if I were 'real,' there'd be purple Christmas Magic come Christmas morning. I thought you just might want to know this."

Christmas morning, my daughter came down the stairs, wide-eyed and with an incredulous look on her face. "He really IS real!" she exclaimed seeing purple Christmas Magic everywhere!

He is and will always be. And there will always be 'Christmas Magic' on my living room floor for days afterward.

2. Our touch of spring with temps in the 60's has melted all of the Christmas snow. The cardinals, vivid scarlet against the green of grass and pine, are Christmas Magic on the front lawn.

3. The neighbor from down the street is being taken for a walk by his new puppy. It is all paws and elbows. Both collar and leash are the bright blue of the newly purchased. My neighbor has a smile a mile wide mirrored by the expression of a pup out to discover the world.

4. My blanket, cozy robe and new fuzzy slippers are not keeping me warm. I have a 103 degree temp, I should be roasting.

5. The tree is beginning to have that apre-Christmas droop. It will wait another day or three. It is still the prettiest tree ever. Funny, how every year's tree is always the best. I like that.

6. I can look at the tree and pick out all the 'this year's' ornaments, and the ones from the past that are special. I look at a slightly broken blown glass sailing ship. It is the second ornament he puts on the tree every year since he got it from me twenty years ago. Even in the years I wasn't in the picture anymore, I was.

7. Someone needs to dust. Soon.

8. The contents of our stockings are scattered on the coffee table, along with an errant bow, new movies, and my Christmas *to my wife* card (!) standing tall in the midst of the chaos. I finger my new necklace he bought me that matches my wedding ring, and smile.

9. The puppy has piled all her toys, old and new at my feet. I think she wants to play, but she won't jump into my lap because it is hidden by my laptop.

10. She is now atop the back of the couch looking through the window at a cardinal who is sitting on the window's edge. Both still, they are looking at (and experiencing) each other. I'm wishing my camera were within reach.

11. The few presents for the assorted grandkids we've yet to see sit lonely under the tree. Smiles yet to become.

I see a kaleidoscope of details, of things. I take off my glasses, wiping at fever-sore eyes and see a blur of fuzzy edges and colored lights. Glasses replaced and the room more (or less) in focus it is all the same. A plethora of details, the peaces (!) of our lives and joys.

Wishing everyone joy and a multitude of wondrous details to come as we bid farewell to 2008 and welcome 2009.


Editor's Picks

 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#1462319 by Not Available.


 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#1470949 by Not Available.


 Shattered Pieces of Love  (18+)
1st Place in Poetry Prism is Back . . . Child Abuse
#1508408 by Pat ~ Rejoice always!


 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#1507435 by Not Available.


Proficiscebamini- My favorite Latin word  (E)
A tribute to my favorite latin word and to the Latin language itself in poetry form.
#1433851 by Caroline


 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#1501382 by Not Available.


Red and White Mom  (ASR)
Hope must never give in...
#1182520 by Puppycat



 
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Ask & Answer

sleepy writes: Just simply great newsletter! I love it and your sense of humor! I don't know what else to say except KEEP IT UP! "Well turned ankle" (haha)
Thank you! Hoping you find this one as good!

Adriana Noir says: Great newsletter! Emotions are the driving force both in life and in fiction. Congrats on your upcomming marriage too! *Bigsmile*
Thanks. Emotions and details are both extremely important in keeping the reader's attention!

Golden offers: Congratulations!!!! And I think you're right - happiness is a lot of the time down to how you look at things, not necessarily what you're looking at. In a story that can also be down to how characters (as opposed to the narrator) describe detail: My brother got this a little confused once, starting (quite an interesting story) with the words "It was a f------ sunny day, and Tim was late for work..."

Reminds me of something either Douglas Adams or Lewis Carroll might say! But, indeed, it really all is a matter of perspective and how one chooses to look at things or, as writers, how we choose to have our reader's look at things, keeping in mind all the while, that the reader will still insist upon putting his own perspective on it as well!

spidey says: Good newsletter! And congratulations!!
thank you and thank you! And thank you as well to all the others who wished us well! Your thoughts and wishes are most appreciated!{/}

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