Spreading the Magic
Not All Christmas Celebrations Are Equal21 total reviews
Comment from Elizabeth Emerald
Earl--Congrats on your prize for this charming true tale, peppered with wry humor--"voluntold"--apt for the circumstances. First I've heard the term, not sure how long in use; wish I'd invented it!) Cheers. LIZ
reply by the author on 04-Jan-2021
Earl--Congrats on your prize for this charming true tale, peppered with wry humor--"voluntold"--apt for the circumstances. First I've heard the term, not sure how long in use; wish I'd invented it!) Cheers. LIZ
Comment Written 03-Jan-2021
reply by the author on 04-Jan-2021
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Thanks Liz, the term is at least 35 years old we used it when I was in. I appreciate you taking the time to read and review my work
Comment from Father Flaps
Hi Earl,
I enjoyed your Christmas memories overseas. I really enjoyed the part about the contraband cookies, and that you had to give half the chocolate chip cookies to your roommate to keep him quiet, a Christmas bribe. Joy to the world! My father loved mincemeat pies or tarts at Christmas. I preferred pumpkin pie and cherry bread.
I bet you'll never forget playing Santa Claus that year.
Nicely penned! I hope you enjoyed your Christmas last week, and that you'll boil down the turkey rack for a healthy turkey soup! That's my specialty, happening tomorrow.
Happy New Year!
Cheers,
Kimbob
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2020
Hi Earl,
I enjoyed your Christmas memories overseas. I really enjoyed the part about the contraband cookies, and that you had to give half the chocolate chip cookies to your roommate to keep him quiet, a Christmas bribe. Joy to the world! My father loved mincemeat pies or tarts at Christmas. I preferred pumpkin pie and cherry bread.
I bet you'll never forget playing Santa Claus that year.
Nicely penned! I hope you enjoyed your Christmas last week, and that you'll boil down the turkey rack for a healthy turkey soup! That's my specialty, happening tomorrow.
Happy New Year!
Cheers,
Kimbob
Comment Written 28-Dec-2020
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2020
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Thank you Kimbob. We got snowed in for Christmas, but we had ham not turkey. I appreciate you reading and reviewing my story.
Comment from Sandra du Plessis
A very well-written Christmas story. There are many things that can make a Christmas special. Especially when the Christmas spirit is within us no one can take it away from us under any circumstances.
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2020
A very well-written Christmas story. There are many things that can make a Christmas special. Especially when the Christmas spirit is within us no one can take it away from us under any circumstances.
Comment Written 28-Dec-2020
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2020
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Thank you very much. I appreciate you reading and reviewing my story.
Comment from Wendy G
This story contained interesting reminiscences from the past as well as an up to date wish for Christmas this year. The happiness of Christmas can be cherished as each person seeks to show it to others in whatever ways are possible.
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2020
This story contained interesting reminiscences from the past as well as an up to date wish for Christmas this year. The happiness of Christmas can be cherished as each person seeks to show it to others in whatever ways are possible.
Comment Written 28-Dec-2020
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2020
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Thank you very much. I appreciate you reading and reviewing my story.
Comment from karenina
MY brother and our grandmother were the dynamic duo (and only ones) who loved mincemeat pies! She's make one from scratch and have maybe one slice and the rest was for Kev--who acted like the angels on high were conspiring to make him the most joyful child, boy, young adult and man--as each Christmas came and went. I hadn't thought of that since Grandma passed two decades ago! Your Christmas story has the genuine old time ring of truth to it and so warms my heart. Speaking of hearts--mine about broke this year when on Christmas day my youngest grandchild, Max, age six called me... He was quiet and reticent. I asked him what was wrong and he thanked me for the gifts Grandpa and I had dropped off at proper social distancing. Then he said..."I don't understand why Baby Jesus would make a germ strong enough to keep you away from me." I stumble don my words trying to explain that God was not to blame, but Max was inconsolable... Finally he said "AND what is this? I have to ZOOM Santa now to share my Christmas list?" -- I saw then that as tough as it's been for we grandparents, it is the children that have to clue how to grapple with all of what's happening. SO merry Christmas Earl...you warmed a heart with your mincemeat story and your wishes were sorely needed! Jesus has a name for such as you...angel, I think it is... Karenina
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2020
MY brother and our grandmother were the dynamic duo (and only ones) who loved mincemeat pies! She's make one from scratch and have maybe one slice and the rest was for Kev--who acted like the angels on high were conspiring to make him the most joyful child, boy, young adult and man--as each Christmas came and went. I hadn't thought of that since Grandma passed two decades ago! Your Christmas story has the genuine old time ring of truth to it and so warms my heart. Speaking of hearts--mine about broke this year when on Christmas day my youngest grandchild, Max, age six called me... He was quiet and reticent. I asked him what was wrong and he thanked me for the gifts Grandpa and I had dropped off at proper social distancing. Then he said..."I don't understand why Baby Jesus would make a germ strong enough to keep you away from me." I stumble don my words trying to explain that God was not to blame, but Max was inconsolable... Finally he said "AND what is this? I have to ZOOM Santa now to share my Christmas list?" -- I saw then that as tough as it's been for we grandparents, it is the children that have to clue how to grapple with all of what's happening. SO merry Christmas Earl...you warmed a heart with your mincemeat story and your wishes were sorely needed! Jesus has a name for such as you...angel, I think it is... Karenina
Comment Written 27-Dec-2020
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2020
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Thank you very much Karenina. I wouldn't say angel, maybe a herald. I appreciate you reading and reviewing my story. Merry Christmas right back atcha.
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You say TOW-MAY-TOW and I say TOW-MAH-Tow! (smile)---Karenina
Comment from poetwatch
Thanks, Earl, that was a good story for the Christmas story contest. I don't know if you won, but you should have. There was not much Christmas spirit for my wife and me. It seems that satan claws got my dog on the 22 and that brought us down, farther than covid. We shared tears not smiles. I'll cheer up once this passes. Thank you for sharing your 9 Christmas tours overseas. I only did two.
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2020
Thanks, Earl, that was a good story for the Christmas story contest. I don't know if you won, but you should have. There was not much Christmas spirit for my wife and me. It seems that satan claws got my dog on the 22 and that brought us down, farther than covid. We shared tears not smiles. I'll cheer up once this passes. Thank you for sharing your 9 Christmas tours overseas. I only did two.
Comment Written 27-Dec-2020
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2020
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Thank you very much and I'm sorry for your loss. I appreciate you reading and reviewing my story.
Comment from Ric Myworld
Well, as a real fan of Mincemeat pie you definitely caught my attention, and now I'll be looking a Mincemeat cookie recipe. For someone else to fix of course, because they wouldn't be eatable if I made them. Thanks for sharing. Happy Holidays!
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2020
Well, as a real fan of Mincemeat pie you definitely caught my attention, and now I'll be looking a Mincemeat cookie recipe. For someone else to fix of course, because they wouldn't be eatable if I made them. Thanks for sharing. Happy Holidays!
Comment Written 27-Dec-2020
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2020
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My mom got it off of the side of a NoneSuch Mincemeat jar.Thank you very much. I appreciate you reading and reviewing my story.
Comment from Ben Colder
I knew you and I had something in common. My mother always made me a mincemeat pie because nobody else in the family like it.
I felt like royalty. Wish I could have gotten in on the deal when I was Germany. But you were much later than I.
Enjoyed your story. It hit home.
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2020
I knew you and I had something in common. My mother always made me a mincemeat pie because nobody else in the family like it.
I felt like royalty. Wish I could have gotten in on the deal when I was Germany. But you were much later than I.
Enjoyed your story. It hit home.
Comment Written 26-Dec-2020
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2020
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Thank you very much Ben. I appreciate you reading and reviewing my story.
Comment from nancy_e_davis
Merry Christmas, Earl. This is a wonderful short story on why you love Christmas. I have never tasted Mincemeat Cookies. I will need to look up the recipe to see why one wouldn't like them. LOL Thank you for sharing your story about a Christmas in your past. Well done. Nancy:)
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2020
Merry Christmas, Earl. This is a wonderful short story on why you love Christmas. I have never tasted Mincemeat Cookies. I will need to look up the recipe to see why one wouldn't like them. LOL Thank you for sharing your story about a Christmas in your past. Well done. Nancy:)
Comment Written 26-Dec-2020
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2020
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I have found that not too many people like mincemeat. Thank you very much Nancy. I appreciate you reading and reviewing my story.
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
I cannot understand anyone not liking Mincemeat pies! I make the individual one, and this year I had to make 50 because both my sons wanted some for their Christmas supper. As the lockdown kept us, they came over and I passed them over at the frontdoor. So sad, I really love Christmas, and it wasn't the same this year. Your story brought back so many other memories, making the pies with my mother and the fun we all had. I really enjoyed your story and I think it is a great entry for the contest. Well done and good luck! :)) Sandra xx
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2020
I cannot understand anyone not liking Mincemeat pies! I make the individual one, and this year I had to make 50 because both my sons wanted some for their Christmas supper. As the lockdown kept us, they came over and I passed them over at the frontdoor. So sad, I really love Christmas, and it wasn't the same this year. Your story brought back so many other memories, making the pies with my mother and the fun we all had. I really enjoyed your story and I think it is a great entry for the contest. Well done and good luck! :)) Sandra xx
Comment Written 26-Dec-2020
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2020
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Thank you very much Sandra, I'm glad I was able to bring back some good memories. I appreciate you reading and reviewing my story.