PRICKLE FORREST CHRONICLES

December 2019 (Posted 12/26/2019)

By Chrissy Hartmann

 

A winter wonderland arrives…Jack Frost’s job is complete. No more nips to the nose. Below freezing temperatures settle in. Abundant artic gusts curl the toes. A Black silk top hat, knit scarf, eyes of coal, and carrot nose patiently wait for falling snow. Mother Nature’s icicle wand swirls overhead. Stockings warm near a cozy fireplace. Christmas trees twinkle in the night. Ribbons and bows with colorful wrapping paper entice the onlookers. Merriness and good cheer fill the hearts. Jingle bells and carols sing aloud. Cookies and candies baked without guilt. And all for a season of holiday traditions. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

 

 

THE TOP 5

1. Christmas Romance.
2. Snowmen.
3. Minglewood Cinnamon Whiskey.
4. Holiday Parties.
5. Classic Christmas Songs.

 

 

WIP (Work In Progress):

Turned in short story for the University of Akron Regional Writers Contest. Woohoo!

TAGS…Because Everything Has A Price© on hold for now until complete the edit changes for Rescuing Whiskey’s Salvation©. Bummed! But will resume TAGS©. writing before February 2020.

 

 

QUERYING:

Finally heard back from the one publisher after they asked for more time to review it. They said not quite the right fit for them, but if I made some edits with the suggestions they made as in strengthening the tone of the MC and going a little deeper to get rid of the emotional distance they’d like me to send it back to them June 1st. Plus they want anything else I’ve written.

Woohoo! Not too difficult to do. Already working on it and like the changes. Just wish the finger tappers typed faster.

Ha! Ha! Ha!

 

 

THE CRAFT

This month’s writing tip…

Find the type of book you like to read and go from there. Don’t copy their style but come up with your own.

 

 

THE HOLIDAYS:

Christmas time and New Year’s Eve. Wow! Double whammie! Have you done your shopping yet? Most gifts purchased, but do need to shop for stocking stuffers…and maybe run by the liquor store for some bubbly. Found some great suggestions for gifts for writing friends looking on the internet and even found a few bottles of wine with writing themes. Love it!

 

 

MY BOOKSHELF:

1. Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding.
2. This Side of Hell by Bob Adamov.
3. Cast Iron by Marilyn Todd.

 

 

ALL-TIME FAVORITES:

SEASON: Autumn!

SPORTS TEAM: The OSU Buckeyes (13 – 0) Big Ten Champs! Ranked #2, playing #3 Clemson December 28th in Fiesta Bowl. Go Buckeyes!

COLOR: Dark Brown

CAUSE: The Seeing Eye www.theseeingeye.org

SONG: Truly Madly Deeply by Savage Garden

FOOD: Salads and Apples

HOT DRINK: Pumpkin Spice Latte with or without Rum, preferably with!

FLOWER: Daisies and roses…better yet…both!

 

 

DID YOU KNOW…

Jingle Bells…

• Centuries ago, sleigh owners fastened bells to horses to signal the approach of someone important or to warn pedestrians of an approaching vehicle.
• Sleighs could not stop quickly enough so they needed a warning sound.
• William Barton opened the first US sleigh bell company in East Hampton, Connecticut in 1810.
• Gemini 6 astronauts played jingle bells and a harmonica in 1965 making them one of the first instruments ever played in space.
• The song Jingle Bells composed in 1857 written by James Lord Pierpont and intended to be a Thanksgiving song is still one of the most popular Christmas songs today.

 

 

PRICKLERS OF THE MONTH…

• Impeachment.
• Christmas without snow.
• Gaining weight.
• Work slowdown.

 

 

THEY SAID…

This month’s quote is by J.B. Priestley

“the first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of world, and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment, where is it to be found?”

 

 

HOMETOWN UPDATE:

• Donate aluminum cans at city hall and Buehler’s Milltown. All proceeds benefit NE Ohio ACB.
• Wooster City Schools go on Winter break December 23rd to January 3rd and return to school January 6th, 2020.
• The cold season lasts for 23.1 months from December 2nd to March 5th with an average high temperature below 44 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

 

CHECK THIS OUT…

For making your holiday festivities fun try these cocktails

• Tequila Mockingbird: Cocktails with a literary twist
• Gone with the Gin: Cocktails with a Hollywood Twist
• Are You There God? It’s Me, Margarita: More Cocktails with a Literary Twist

 

 

GOOSING OFF>…

Goosie & Gander have had many outfit changes

• Poinseta

• Snowman
• Snowflake coat
• Gift package
• Christmas tree
• Reindeer
• Santa
• Elf

I think their favorite is the Poinseta dress and Snowman. Check out my twitter link below for pics.

 

 

FIND ME…

Twitter: Chrissy Hartmann @USAWriter355

 

Facebook: Author Chrissy Hartmann https://www.facebook.com/pg/USAWriter355/ads/?ref=page_internal

 

Prickle Forrest Creations December 2019