Friday, December 8 The parking lot at Daughter of Stars Middle School was full of cars, sleighs, snowmobiles, and carts. Molly maneuvered the Jeep through the chaos of people unloading all sorts of goodies to be sold at the Bake Sale and Craft Fair. What had started as a small fundraiser for the school …
(personal/writing) Why I’m saying goodbye to Patreon
I deleted my Patreon page tonight. I did it because with the new fee structure, and the changes going on in my life currently, I didn’t feel it was fair to my patrons (most of whom were at the $1 a month level) to continue. I don’t disagree with why Patreon did it – …
(advent) December 7
Thursday, December 7 Normally at 1 pm, all four children would have been in school, but instead, they were at CrossWinds Books, waiting impatiently for their ride to the Snow Queen’s palace, and taking bets on who it was who was going to pick them up. “I’ll bet it’s Old Man Winter,” Kaylee said …
(advent) December 6
Wednesday, December 6 The first scent that hit them when they opened the door to the bookstore was cookies. Sweet, buttery deliciousness that welcomed all the children in, beckoning them to the haven that was Molly’s kitchen. “Those aren’t sugar cookies!” Lily said, inhaling deeply. “What are you making, Molly?” “Shortbread!” Molly said, beaming …
(advent) December 5
Tuesday, December 5 “Too bad Molly and Drew didn’t want to come for pizza,” Lily said, picking up another piece from the tray in the middle of the table. “They’re missing out.” Drew said he wanted to have some time alone with Molly, since he doesn’t get that often, Schrodinger said. Especially since he’s going …
(advent) December 4
Monday, December 4 Schrodinger had decided not to mention the conversation he’d had with Pavel to Molly or Drew. The Christmas season was a busy time for them, and there was the added excitement this year of Phoebe, Drew’s faery grandmother, who was coming to visit for the holiday. Molly and Drew both adored her, …
(advent) December 3
Sunday, December 3 When they came into the tea room that afternoon, Lily, Kaylee and Jack found Gideon and Schrodinger waiting for them. But no Zoey or Aurora. “Zoey will be here in a bit,” Molly told them. “She’s running a little late, that’s all.” “Oh good,” Lily said. “I was worried that she …
(advent) December 2
Saturday, December 2 The snow from the night before had continued, a light but steady fall of flakes that looked as if it might never end. Luckily for Molly and Schrodinger, they had a Jeep with winter tires on it, and were used to driving. “I doubt we’ll get a lot of people today, though,” …
(advent) December 1
It’s December 1, and you guys know what that means! A new Advent story! Enjoy! – Val What do you think this year will bring? “I don’t know,” Molly McIntyre admitted, stirring a cup of walnut pieces in to the cranberry bread batter in her bowl. Her kitchen at CrossWinds Books was warm and …
Thinking about changes
Most people think about changes this time of year. It’s the turning of the seasons, I guess: as the world settles down to renew itself during the cold winter months of the Northern Hemisphere, thoughts turn to what we could do better. I’m helping Dad adjust to the new hip (he’s a terrible patient, but …