Happy Christmas

My laptop recently blew up (well close to) and I found myself with just an iPad. I've saved a lot of my writing and related docs to Google Drive, but an iPad is just not meant for lots of typing even with a bluetooth keyboard. I'm also still job hunting so I don't have the money to replace the laptop.

I went on to one of the writing sites I belong just to cry on the shoulders of other writers, because I knew they'd understand my pain. I got a bunch of sympathy and believe me, it helps! One lovely writer offered to send me her old mini laptop, complete with Microsoft Word and Excel (both 2010) and a small mouse. For free. Because I found myself unexpectedly without a good tool for writing and she had one to spare. It arrived two days ago, and I'm so grateful that I wanted to share the story with you peeps.

It's times like this that make me so proud and humble to be part of this community. I feel like once my first book is published, I should simply dedicate it to writers everywhere because we are all bound together. We do not stand alone like we used to. Nowadays we link arms and hearts much more strongly. I simply couldn't function as a true writer without this whole community.

There's my Christmas miracle.

Image ID: 129037523, by Cranach at Shutterstock

Transcend … Purify … Glorious

Sanctus 

Kyrie

Sanctus kyrie 

Kyrie gloria 

Gloria holy, holy

Holy 

Gloria

Anthem, Neil Diamond

HELP THE ELF: I Found Santa’s Missing Nice List!

Hi everyone! As you may remember, a few weeks ago PETE the Elf had a touch too much Eggnog at the Holiday Christmas Party and as he stumbled home, he lost Santa's NICE LIST.

The North Wind scattered the papers to all four corners of the world, and The Bookshelf Muse put out a call to help find them in order to SAVE CHRISTMAS.

Ever since I read about it, I've been on the lookout. And then today, EUREKA!

Yes that's right...I found part of Santa's missing NICE LIST. There it was, fluttering in the wind, half caught under the corner of my welcome mat. And shock of all shocks, I recognized the name, and you might too.

Here it is below:

NAME: Teresa Cypher

LOCATION: western Pennsylvania

NICE LEVEL: 93%

NAUGHTY LEVEL: 7%

OBSERVATIONS: Teresa offers honest opinions as a critiquer and she's never mean about it. She's a writer with a gift for evocative phrases. She lets friends know she appreciates them, she has a sparkly outlook on life, and I'm convinced it's no accident that we became friends.

She bakes and donates gingerbread houses to her local hospice and to kids at local victims' shelters--I kind of think that wipes out that 7% Naughty, Santa.

She helped pull me out of a dark place and helped give me back my confidence as a writer.

Teresa, there's no way to properly thank you for that priceless gift, but I hope you enjoy the token I sent to your inbox.

RECOMMENDATION:     a) Coal                   b) Gift

~ ~ * ~ ~

Because poor Pete is dashing all over the place trying to hunt down the rest of Santa's missing Nice List, I decided to take care of this one myself. Teresa, I feel so blessed to know you! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.

 How about you, Readers? Is there someone you'd like to say Happy Holidays to, or tell them how much they mean to you? JOIN US! There's plenty of days left until Christmas, and sometimes a kind word can lift people up in a way that they really need. It's as easy as sending a free ecard or email note, posting on a Facebook wall or sending out a tweet. So go ahead and spread some kindness and cheer!
Photo credit: assorted gold baubles (christmasstockimages.com) / CC BY 3.0

Operation Help The Elf at Bookshelf Muse!

Angela and Becca have done it again: they've come up with a really fun way to say "thanks" to a writer friend or other person who's been especially inspirational this year. I've got the perfect person in mind, but all I'll say right now is that this person got me to a turning point and helped me avoid falling off a personal cliff.

Hop over to The Bookshelf Muse and read all about poor Pete, who seems to have gotten into the holiday cheer a little early. Sign up to help spread some  holiday awesomeness to people without whom we just couldn't manage.

There are a whole bunch of people who've helped me get back on track with writing so I'll have to put some thought into what I can do to extend the idea. On December 19th, our "thank you" emails or physical gifts will be delivered and we give back some love to a special person (or people). Then we blog hop to read about everybody's selections.

It's events like this that really bring home the meaning of "it's better to give than receive." It's fantastic to let people know what they mean to you.

So don't be shy, go sign up! I'm sure there are people who've not only been instrumental in keeping you on course with your writing, but people who just make your life better. I'm really looking forward to this!