Tag: magic

Christmas Blessings & Memories

karenringalls11 Comments

As is true for everyone, the pandemic changed the traditional Christmas celebrations. Today I am going to share some blessings and memories of Christmases past from which I learned important lessons.

My first memory of the magic walnuts was when I was about 4 or 5 years old. Each year a walnut hung by a red ribbon from the Christmas tree. There was one for my sister and one for me. When we opened the walnut shell, there was a crisply folded one-dollar bill! In the 1940s that was a lot of money. My grandfather watched us with a big smile.

LESSON: It is good for children to believe in magic. It is an opportunity for them to use their imaginations.

When I was 12, I sneaked a peek at a gift when no one was home. I was terribly disappointed to discover it was NOT a cashmere sweater. My mother discovered what I had done and the present disappeared from under the tree.

LESSON: Do not cheat or lie or sneak a peak. You will only hurt yourself and others.

Christmas 2020 has an uninvited guest: Covid-19 virus. Our annual trip to MN to spend a few days with family was canceled. Anger, disappointment, and tears were part of my private pity-party. I decided to put my “big-girl pants on” and celebrate this special holiday with love and gratefulness for all that I do have.

LESSON: Life is not perfect. Adapt and cope. Be a better person by reaching out to others who are not with their families, bake extra cookies, and send cards with meaningful messages.

I have been remiss in keeping up to date with my blog, supporting authors with tweets and reviews, and not commenting on blogs I follow. I have had two priorities that have taken my time away from the above: writing my fifth book and setting up my involvement with ovarian cancer awareness and fundraising more efficiently. I have made strides in both areas, but have more to do.

At a recent Zoom support group, we each shared a favorite Christmas memory. I invite you to do the same in the comment section. Wishing you each a blessed Christmas.

FICTION IN A FLASH CHALLENGE #27 @pursoot #Writing Community #IARTG #ASMSG

karenringalls8 Comments

Suzanne Burke once again has provided an interesting photo prompt from which to write a short story, one-liner, or a poem. This week’s photo was not only beautiful but quickly brought to mind the following Tanka poem. I hope you enjoy it.

 THE MAGICAL FOREST
  
 THE YOUNG PRETTY LASS
 HAD BICYCLED FAR FROM HOME
 SEEKING HAPPINESS
 IN AN ENCHANTED FOREST
 OF MAGIC, FAIRIES, AND ELVES.
  
 HER BIKE STANDS ALONE
 WAITING FOR HER TO RETURN
 BUT EACH DAY PASSES
 WITHOUT THE YOUNG, PRETTY LASS
 EVER TO BE SEEN AGAIN.
  
 LAUGHTER AND MUSIC
 FLOATS AMONG THE TREES SO HIGH
 HEARD BY THOSE WHO PASS
 BY QUICLY WITH STEPS, FEARFUL
 OF THE MAGICAL FOREST.
  
 THE ONLY MAGIC
 IS THE HAPPY BEATING HEARTS
 FILLED WITH LOVE AND JOY
 FROM THE YOUNG AND PRETTY LASS
 WHO LIVES WITH HER PRINCE CHARMING.
  
  

My thanks to Suzanne Burke who provided these Fiction in a Flash Challenges. I invite you to follow her website and join the fun in writing something based on the photo prompt. https://sooozburkeauthor.wordpress.com/ 


	


				
	






	
	

		
FICTION IN A FLASH CHALLENGE #13
	


	
					

			 karenringalls12 Comments		

	
	


		

Welcome to today’s blog. Once again, author, Suzanne Burke offers a flash fiction challenge based on a photo prompt. Everyone is welcome to participate. https://sooozburkeauthor.wordpress.com/





This week’s photo prompt created many stories and poems in my mind, but I finally chose to write a Tanka poem about magic, healing, and the beauty of nature. A Tanka poem is one flowing, unbroken line with 31 syllables separated into 5/7/5/7/7 parts. The actual photo prompt is nestled in the lower right corner of  the larger photo.










WALKING IN THE WOODS





I SEE A MAGICAL KEY





 ON THE FOREST FLOOR





THAT WHEN MY FINGERS TOUCHED IT





MY DISEASED BODY WAS HEALED.





I always enjoy reading your comments from which I find encouragement and support. In this time of world troubles, I rely on positivity, faith, and magic. How do you cope during these days? If you found a key, would it bringing healing, love, or would it just be a key?





My thanks to Suzanne Burke, who provides these flash fiction opportunities on a regular basis. She is an award-winning author of several books. https://sooozburkeauthor.wordpress.com/