Spontaneity of Christmas Lights in Our PJ's

All Sorts of Christmas Lights

Sometimes, don't you just feel inspired to do something fun, even when you know it's out of character?

Last night, as usual, Robert and I were in our pj's, seated at our computers, writing and typing for hours, stopping momentarily to share a thought, an idea, or just to smile and say, "I love you."

Suddenly, (around 10:00 p.m.), he turned to me and with a yawn, said, "Hun, let's jump in the golf cart and go see the Christmas lights and decorations around town!"

'Vanity, thy name is woman' suddenly came to mind as I looked down at my comfy pj's and fuzzy slippers ...

Feeling not only burnt out, but tired, and not just a little bit cranky, I whined, "Awww, hun, we'll have to go change again, and I'll have to put my contacts in, brush my hair, put on my socks and sneaks and ..."

"No, Cath', let's just go, just like we are -- pj's, slippers, glasses and all.  We can throw on a hat, some sandals, and just get in the golf cart and go. C'mon, hun, it'll be fun!  We need a little Christmas, now."

I have to admit, the prospect of being out and about in my pj's tickled my inner child, who always loved being spontaneous and daring ... and that is exactly what we did and I'm glad.

The lights and decorations were beautiful!

For nearly two hours, we felt like kids again. We even went through a Dunkin' Donut's drive-through, pj's and all, and got hot chocolate to sip while winding up and down the streets. It was perfect and only added to the magic of the night.

From CJ in The Villages FL

To all my friends ... with love,









“A writer soon learns that easy to read is hard to write.” ~CJ Heck

Short Story: For the Man Who Hated Christmas

White Envelope in the Tree

by Nancy W. Gavin

It’s just a small, white envelope stuck among the branches of our Christmas tree. No name, no identification, no inscription. It has peeked through the branches of our tree for the past ten years or so.

It all began because my husband Mike hated Christmas – oh, not the true meaning of Christmas, but the commercial aspects of it – the overspending … the frantic running around at the last minute to get a tie for Uncle Harry and the dusting powder for Grandma — and the gifts given in desperation, because you couldn’t think of anything else.

Knowing he felt this way, I decided one year to bypass the usual shirts, sweaters, ties and so forth. I reached for something special just for Mike. The inspiration came in an unusual way.

Our son Kevin, who was 12 that year, was wrestling at the junior level at the school he attended; and shortly before Christmas, there was a non-league match against a team sponsored by an inner-city church. 

These youngsters, dressed in sneakers so ragged that shoestrings seemed to be the only thing holding them together, presented a sharp contrast to our boys in their spiffy blue and gold uniforms and sparkling new wrestling shoes. 

As the match began, I was alarmed to see that the other team was wrestling without headgear, a kind of light helmet designed to protect a wrestler’s ears.

It was a luxury the ragtag team obviously could not afford. Well, we ended up walloping them. We took every weight class. And as each of their boys got up from the mat, he swaggered around in his tatters with false bravado, a kind of street pride that couldn’t acknowledge defeat.

Mike, seated beside me, shook his head sadly, “I wish just one of them could have won,” he said. “They have a lot of potential, but losing like this could take the heart right out of them.” 

Mike loved kids – all kids – and he knew them, having coached little league football, baseball and lacrosse. That’s when the idea for his present came. 

That afternoon, I went to a local sporting goods store and bought an assortment of wrestling headgear and shoes and sent them anonymously to the inner-city church. On Christmas Eve, I placed the envelope on the tree, the note inside telling Mike what I had done and that this was his gift from me. His smile was the brightest thing about Christmas that year and in succeeding years. 

For each Christmas, I followed the tradition–one year sending a group of mentally handicapped youngsters to a hockey game, another year a check to a pair of elderly brothers whose home had burned to the ground the week before Christmas, and on and on.

The envelope became the highlight of our Christmas. It was always the last thing opened on Christmas morning and our children, ignoring their new toys, would stand with wide-eyed anticipation as their dad lifted the envelope from the tree to reveal its contents.

As the children grew, the toys gave way to more practical presents, but the envelope never lost its allure. The story doesn’t end there.

You see, we lost Mike last year due to dreaded cancer. When Christmas rolled around, I was still so wrapped in grief that I barely got the tree up. But Christmas Eve found me placing an envelope on the tree, and in the morning, it was joined by three more.

Each of our children, unbeknownst to the others, had placed an envelope on the tree for their dad. The tradition has grown and someday will expand even further with our grandchildren standing to take down the envelope.

Mike’s spirit, like the Christmas spirit will always be with us.

Editor’s Note: This true story was originally published in the December 14, 1982 issue of Woman’s Day magazine. It was the first place winner out of thousands of entries in the magazine’s “My Most Moving Holiday Tradition” contest in which readers were asked to share their favorite holiday tradition and the story behind it. 

The story inspired a family from Atlanta, Georgia to start The White Envelope Project and Giving101, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating youth about the importance of giving.

“A writer soon learns that easy to read is hard to write.” ~CJ Heck

Poem: "The Adonis": by CJ Heck

Loaded Birthday Cake

"Beautiful young people are accidents of nature; beautiful old people are works of art." ~Eleanor Roosevelt

How strange this whole aging thing is.

Every year we celebrate a birthday, then another, then one day, we are suddenly my age.

It seems like it all happened so fast, but the truth is, "life" happens.

Between the birthdays, life captures all of our attention, moment to moment, day by day, and in its grip, we are so emotionally invested, we are unaware of time passing.

I can't say I ever think of myself as "old".  The mind, which is supposed to be the smartest part of us, takes a lot longer to wise up.

I still feel the same age in my mind as I did at eighteen; however, a word of caution:  Avoid Mirrors!  Mother Truth hides in them.

Jimmy Buffett put this line in one of his songs:

"... wrinkles only go where the smiles have been ..."  

Smart man.  I must be a happy lady ...

Here is my new outlook on getting even older ...

An Adonis-Type of Guy

The Adonis

Young god,
head held high,
proud mane blowing
in the city's dirty breeze,
clothes just enough wrinkled
to make a woman believe
you just climbed out of a quickie
or stepped off of page 42
in this month's GQ.

Do you mind
that I turn and look
as you walk by?

No, of course not.
You don't see me as a threat.
You don't even see me at all.

But just give me
another ten years ...
by then, I'll be old enough
to reach over,
give your butt a squeeze
and say, "Mmmm ... nice buns."


... life is good.

(From the book, "Anatomy of a Poet", by CJ Heck)

Read a Preview of Anatomy of a Poet

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“A writer soon learns that easy to read is hard to write.” ~CJ Heck

Children's Poem: "To a Snowflake ..."

To a Snowflake ...

by CJ Heck

Hello there, little snowflake.
Where are all your friends?
Should I expect a lot of them
before the morning ends?

I love it when you visit me
and you all fall down together.
I get dressed to visit you,
toasty warm in cold, cold weather.

It's fun the way you all pile up
outside in my back yard.
I like to roll you in a ball
and make a snowman -- it's not hard.

Or maybe, I will build a fort.
All my friends will come and play,
and if you plan to stay awhile,
we'll come see you every day!

Sometimes, I make snow angels
and their arms and legs look puffy,
but I can only do that IF
you come down light and fluffy.

Could I ask you guys a favor?
White is nice, but nothing's duller ...
Could you all please -- just one time --
come down in hearts, or colors?

[from the book, "Barking Spiders 2", by CJ Heck]

Read More Poems from the Book

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“A writer soon learns that easy to read is hard to write.” ~CJ Heck

Billy Crystal's Touching Tribute to Robin Williams

Robin Williams and Billy Crystal

“If heaven exists, to know that there’s laughs, that would be a great thing…” 
 --Robin Williams, Inside the Actors Studio 

When the world suddenly lost Robin Williams in August at the age of 63, friends and fans of the comedian were heartbroken. So was Billy Crystal, his longtime pal and comic cohort. 

Here, Crystal bids farewell to his dear friend by imagining Williams doing stand-up for the most heavenly audience of all ...

Billy Crystal's script of Robin Williams' first night in heaven:

For you, Robin. —Billy Crystal

FADE IN; HEAVEN IN ALL ITS BEAUTY. WE ARE MOVING THROUGH CLOUDS AND STARS AS WE HEAR THE SOUNDS OF SOME SORT OF ROCK MUSIC AND THE MURMUR OF AN EXCITED AUDIENCE GETTING LOUDER. AS THE CLOUDS PART WE PUSH IN ON A DOOR THAT SAYS “THE BIG ROOM.” IT OPENS, A MAN (STEVE RUBELL) MOTIONS FOR US TO COME IN.

INT. NIGHTCLUB

Beautifully decorated, a celestial theme dominates. The ceiling is a mass of twinkling stars. The room is jammed, anybody who was anybody is there filling tables and banquettes and a balcony: Waiters and waitresses with small wings scurry to tables bringing libations. Excitement, anticipation…the lights dim…
The crowd goes crazy…..DRUM ROLL.

DON PARDO (V.O.): Please welcome to the Big Room making his heavenly debut, Robin Williams!

Huge ovation from the enormous crowd that seems to go on forever. A spotlight finds Robin as he enters. He strikes many poses as he runs across the stage, at times grabbing himself. He looks at the enormous crowd…

ROBIN: Oh my, please stop hovering and sit down! Amazing, it’s Woodstock with wings! (in a child’s voice) I don’t think I’m in Kansas anymore! (as John Wayne) Well, Pilgrims, as the frontier gynecologist said to the pretty lady, “You got a nice spread.”… Please don’t be afraid.

Crowd is already his. He roams the stage looking at the folks sitting ringside.

ROBIN (CONT’D): (as Bob Hope) This is wild…you kids here with the wings and the halos…this is like Da Nang meets Lady Gaga! (now in his own voice) Look at all of you, who’s that sitting in the balcony? Oh, Mr. Lincoln?

Abraham Lincoln, sitting in an opera box, smiles and waves.

ROBIN (CONT’D): Wanna know how the play ended? Spoiler alert!  Spoiler alert!

Lincoln doubles over, the crowd roars.

ROBIN (CONT’D): Oh my, he’s sitting with Lena Horne!  Honest, Abe, (quickly) I know, cheap but effective, you did pretty good for yourself. First the penny, now Ms. Horne, (singing) “Stormy Weather”… wow, you are so beautiful… (grabbing himself) The Emancipation Ejaculation. Don’t be afraid, so this is heaven?

VOICE: Well, it sure ain’t Iowa!

Big laugh from the audience. Robin peers through the spotlight.

ROBIN: Oh my, is that Burt Lancaster?

He rushes over and shakes Burt’s extended hand.

ROBIN (CONT’D): Man, when Burt Lancaster gets laughs, it must be heaven…I know what you’re thinking, Burt, but Kirk isn’t ready yet. What a night, how much money have we raised so far???

He moves around the stage searching the crowd. He finds a stoic-looking couple.

ROBIN (CONT’D): Oh, sad faces, there’s always a few. Let me guess: comedy development at CBS? I know you’re not the Rosenbergs.

Big laugh as he moves on and finds a young girl.

ROBIN (CONT’D): OH MY GOD. You’re…

GIRL: Anne Frank.

Applause

ROBIN: Good to get out, isn’t it?  Anne, is it true that being Jews, on Sunday nights you would get Chinese food…takeout? (whispering as Otto Frank making a phone call with a German accent) Yes, kung pao chicken, spare ribs, and fried rice for eight…and leave it by the bookcase…

Huge laugh: He reaches out to her, they hold hands for a second, and she blows him a kiss. He moves on to a white-haired man.

ROBIN (CONT’D): Oh no, it can’t be…you are my hero. Greatest mind of the 20th century and I can’t remember your name…

Big laugh, he’s rolling…

MAN: Albert Einstein.

ROBIN: Al, wanna know my theory of relativity? Never lend relatives money ’cause you won’t get it back.

They shake hands as Einstein laughs and shakes his head as if to say, “He’s right.” Robin is in the audience now, someone comes up behind him, puts his hands over his eyes.

JONATHAN WINTERS: (as Maude Frickert) Guess who, baby boy?

ROBIN: Elaine Stritch?

Robin turns and throws himself at Jonathan.

ROBIN (CONT’D): Jon! Oh, Jon, you’re the first one I wanted to see…(Southern voice) ‘Cuz, Clem, that truck you sold me had a squirrel in the gas tank…

JONATHAN WINTERS: (Southern voice) Just marinatin’ him for lunch. We’ll talk later, my fuzzy friend.

They hug, Robin grabs Jonathan’s ass, Winters does a great take, the audience loves it.

ROBIN: (as a stereotypical American Indian) Many moons come. Me wonder what is in heaven. Now me know. Big crowds and no fire water.

MAN: Hi, Yo!

ROBIN: Except for this guy. Ed McMahon, everyone. Where’s my check?

Ed McMahon is laughing that huge belly laugh and then…

JOHNNY CARSON: Hey, kid…just taping across the hall?

ROBIN: Oh, yeah! The silver fox! This is amazing, I am so happy to see you, Johnny…(holds up his hand and talks with it like Señor Wences with a high-pitched voice) “and I am so happy too, let me say hi…you told me Johnny was God”…

Big laugh…

ROBIN (CONT’D): Well, he is to me, (looking around and skyward) I hope “You Know Who” didn’t hear that or I’ll be audited…

He heads back to the stage shaking hands, getting hugs. It is pure joy as he meets an African-American man. He puts his arm around him. Then as if he’s making an announcement…

ROBIN (CONT’D): Martin Luther King, white courtesy phone, Martin Luther King, white courtesy phone…

They hug and Dr. King extends his hand to a man sitting next to him…

ROBIN (CONT’D): Mr. Mandela, don’t be afraid, “I am a Yankee”…

Big laugh. Mandela is all smiles. Robin makes his way to the stage, crowd is loving every second, so is he…

ROBIN: This is amazing, thank you for being so great, I was nervous, sort of like a hemophiliac working in a razor blade factory, but this is beautiful, more than I could hope for, I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it.

VOICE: Robin?

ROBIN: Hecklers, even in heaven, but they mean no harm, not like those dopes on Twitter…

No response; he continues…

ROBIN (CONT’D): Twitter?

VOICE: What’s that?

ROBIN: OH MY GOD, THIS IS HEAVEN!!!!  I can’t see you, what is your name?

VOICE: Robin, it’s me, Richard Pryor…

Robin jumps off the stage to embrace Pryor. It is long and emotional.

ROBIN: RICHARD! YOU’RE NOT STILL SMOKING!

RICHARD: Hey, man, say hello to Lenny Bruce. George Carlin, you know…sit with us. Sinatra’s on next…

They all hug and Robin jumps on the stage, turns to the crowd.

ROBIN: Be good to your waitress, I’ll be here all week. Wait ... I’ll be here period!

The audience stands and cheers. He looks around at the beautiful sight, gazes at the starry sky, his eyes glisten.

ROBIN (CONT’D): Heaven, what a concept!

Robin makes his way back and sits with Pryor, Lenny Bruce, and George Carlin; they pat him on the back. He looks around and George Burns nods, as does Groucho. Gilda Radner blows a kiss, and Chaplin tips his derby in respect.

FRANK SINATRA (O.C.): Wow, that cat is something else, baby… Hit it, Jack… (music) “Start spreading the news…”

WE PUSH IN ON ROBIN. HE SEEMS AT PEACE…HE SMILES….

FADE OUT


“A writer soon learns that easy to read is hard to write.” ~CJ Heck

Santa Claus Loves Books ...

A Whole Tree of Books!

Ho! Ho! Ho! 

Merry Christmas!

I know you're busy, but I want to tell you a secret.

Shhhhh ... I know Santa Claus.  

Santa told me he loves to read and he loves filling his sleigh with books for gifts and stocking stuffers.

Hey!  How about my books?  I have one for every age.

A book is the perfect gift for children, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, teachers, sisters and brothers, and friends  ... 

Children’s Books:  [Paperback or Kindle]

Barking Spiders and Other Such Stuff

Read a Preview

Buy at Amazon

Barking Spiders 2 (the sequel)

Read a Preview

Buy at Amazon

Me Too! Preschool Poetry

Read a Preview

Buy at Amazon 

Adult Books:  [Paperback or Kindle]

Anatomy of a Poet

Read a Preview

Buy at Amazon

Bits and Pieces from a Writer's Soul

Read an Excerpt

Buy at Amazon

Merry Christmas!  

~Hugs from CJ


“A writer soon learns that easy to read is hard to write.” ~CJ Heck

The Night Before Nuptials: by Rick Turton

The Night Before Nuptials

The Night Before Nuptials

by Rick Turton

‘Twas the night before Nuptials,

And all through the house;

There was cursing and screaming

And fires to douse.

The tuxes were hung

In the closet with care;

In hopes of no wrinkles

And the dog sheds no hair.

The couple was nestled

All snuggled together;

Now, stop that you two!

[There’s time for that later].

The children were debating

This much is true;

Do we really have to do this?

So much left to do.

Should we elope or

Perhaps run away?

There’s much left to do;

For THIS wedding day!

With skinny ‘ol Mama

All dressed to the nines

And pudgy ‘ol Papa

Just waiting to dine.

Away from our TV‘s

We flew like a flash!

We should be getting ready

For our big bash!

When out on the lawn,

There arose such a clatter!

I sprang from my chair;

Lost control of my bladder!

When what to my wondering

Eyes should appear?

But family and friends

From far and from near.

There’s Steve & Mary Ann and

There’s Guido, you see.

Their presence would be missed

On that we agree.

Margo and Hanna,

And oh, look! There is Marty!

Came to join us

At this here massive party!

David, & Carolyn,

Scott & Jason too!

Cousin Margaret and Nathan

They know what to do!

There’s Ray, & there’s Hugh,

Shirley, Mike & Aunt Ellen!

All come to see,

What it is that we’re sellin’!

Veggie plates they’re making,

And dips just for you!

More rapid that eagles,

Their knives how they flew!

They went right to work

This I could not dread

Everything’s getting done…

So I’m off to bed!

The party winds down,

Like logs on the fire

But our only hope, is that your

Love will get brighter.

There are just two more thoughts

I’d like to leave with you.

Two pearls of wisdom,

In sight of this crew.

If you work real hard and

Love one another,

You two can be married

For as long as his Mother!

The next time we visit,

This much will be true:

We’ll be the feared in-laws…

But then ... so will you!

Rick Turton

Rick Turton
Vietnam 1970-1971

Other posts by Rick:

Poetry: by Vietnam Vet Rick Turton






“A writer soon learns that easy to read is hard to write.” ~CJ Heck

A Senior Christmas Poem

Christmas at Rock-Away-Rest

I'm not making fun of seniors ...

I AM a senior.






A SENIOR CHRISTMAS POEM

~Author Unknown~

T'was the night before Christmas at Rock-A-Way Rest,
and all of us seniors were looking our best.
Our glasses, how sparkly, our smiles, oh how merry;
our punch bowl held prune juice, plus three drops of sherry.

Support hose were taped to our walkers in hope,
that Santa would bring us soft candies and soap.
We surely were lucky to be there with friends,
secure in our residence and our Depends.

Some of our grandkids sent Christmassy crafts,
like angels in snowsuits or penguins on rafts.
The dental assistant here borrowed our teeth.
From them she crafted our holiday wreath.

The bed pans, so shiny, all stood in a row,
reflecting our candles in a magnificent glow.
Our supper was festive, the joy wouldn't stop,
with creamy warm oatmeal with sprinkles on top.

Fruit salad with Jello, all jiggly and great,
and puree of fruitcake was spooned on each plate.
The social director then let us play games,
like "Where do You Live?" and "What Are Your Names?"

Old Mr. Looper was feeling his oats,
proclaiming that reindeer were just fancy goats.
Our resident wanderer was tied to her chair,
with hopes that at bedtime she still would be there.

Security lights on the new fallen snow
made night look like day to us old folks below.
Then out on the porch there arose quite a clatter
(But we're all so deaf that it just didn't matter).

A strange little fellow then flew through the door.
He tripped on the sill and fell flat on the floor.
T'was just the director, all togged out in red,
who giggled and chuckled and patted each head.

We knew from the way that he strutted and jived
that our social security checks had arrived.
We sang and we hummed in our monotone croak,
till finally the clock chimed its 8 p.m. stroke.

And soon we were snuggled again in our beds,
while the nurses distributed our nocturnal meds.
And so ends our Christmas at Rock-A-Way Rest.
'fore long you'll be with us ... we wish you the best!

“A writer soon learns that easy to read is hard to write.” ~CJ Heck

"All About That Bass": by Meghan Trainor

This post is dedicated to (all of us) women who have been conditioned by society since childhood to strive for a Barbie Doll body ... and feel like failures over a few extra pounds ... enjoy! ~CJ

"All About That Bass" (Lyrics)

by Meghan Trainor

Because you know
I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass, no treble
I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass, no treble
I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass, no treble
I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass

Yeah, it's pretty clear, I ain't no size two
But I can shake it, shake it
Like I'm supposed to do
'Cause I got that boom boom that all the boys chase
And all the right junk in all the right places

I see the magazine workin' that Photoshop
We know that shit ain't real
C'mon now, make it stop
If you got beauty, beauty, just raise 'em up
'Cause every inch of you is perfect
From the bottom to the top

Yeah, my mama she told me don't worry about your size
She says, "Boys like a little more booty to hold at night."
You know I won't be no stick figure silicone Barbie doll
So if that's what you're into then go ahead and move along

Because you know I'm
All about that bass
'Bout that bass, no treble
I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass, no treble
I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass, no treble
I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass
Hey!

I'm bringing booty back
Go ahead and tell them skinny bitches that
No, I'm just playing. I know you think you're fat
But I'm here to tell ya
Every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top

Yeah my mama she told me don't worry about your size
She says, "Boys like a little more booty to hold at night."
You know I won't be no stick figure silicone Barbie doll
So if that's what you're into then go ahead and move along

Because you know I'm
All about that bass
'Bout that bass, no treble
I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass, no treble
I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass, no treble
I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass

Because you know I'm
All about that bass
'Bout that bass, no treble
I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass, no treble
I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass, no treble
I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass

Because you know I'm
All about that bass
'Bout that bass, no treble
I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass, no treble
I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass, no treble
I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass
'Bout that bass, 'bout that bass
Hey, hey, ooh
You know you like this bass

“A writer soon learns that easy to read is hard to write.” ~CJ Heck

Children's Christmas Poem: "Dear Santa ..."

Santa Checking his List ...

Here we are, with three weeks left until Christmas and yet it has been here since Halloween ...

Will Christmas and everything surrounding it be stale for children by the 25th of December?

As I was out grocery shopping the other day, I was hit by the sheer commercialism Christmas has become.

How sad for the children. Can they still believe in Christmas when they've had trees, lights, sales, decorations, and Santas everywhere for two long months? How can they remain excited?  Where has all the magic gone?

It was so much simpler for children years ago, when the Christmas season didn't actually arrive until around December 1.

The excitement built in a steady crescendo:  school vacation, snow and sledding, to the magical Christmas Eve, with the reading of "The Night Before Christmas", hanging stockings, and setting out the traditional cookies and milk for Santa ... oh, and I almost forgot!  A plate of carrots for the reindeer.

I remember being urged at the beginning of December to make my wish list and Mama would send it to Santa at the North Pole. Then as a family, we would begin shopping for gifts.

I remember the whole family would pile in the station wagon to head to the woods so we could cut down our tree -- and everyone helped to decorate it, because there were ONLY a couple of weeks left until Christmas.

There was never time for Christmas to become stale. Heck, we always had just enough time to get everything done ... if we hurried.

I dedicate this poem to children who wonder about the commercialism and who still think of others first ...

Dear Santa ...

by CJ Heck

Dear Santa,
You always bring me many things,
my little sister, too,
things we love to play with,
so many things to do.

I see you in big limos
waving at us in parades.
I see you in the shopping malls
and even in arcades.

I see you on the corners
where you're ringing little bells.
I see you talking on TV
advertising big hotels.

It makes me start to wonder
if you're really, really there,
or are you just too busy now
with all those things to care?

See, I have a best friend, Tommy,
and I'm sending his address,
so this year you won't miss his house,
'cause Tommy, he's the best.

Please, Santa, take some time off
from those other things you do
and this year visit Tommy's house?
He needs some presents, too.


[From the book, "Barking Spiders and Other Such Stuff", by CJ Heck]

“A writer soon learns that easy to read is hard to write.” ~CJ Heck

Christmas Short Story: "Christmas at Mel's"

Mel's

by CJ Heck

"How beautiful a day can be when kindness touches it." ~George Elliston

A broken neon sign flashed "Mel’s" on top of a small seedy bar on the edge of town.

The air inside was heavy with stale smoke and beer, blending faintly with the odor of dried spit on unclean bodies.

Sadie sat at a small table alone pondering the world and its problems, two drinks past actually seeing beyond the unkempt nails she drummed nervously on the chipped Formica in front of her. The lines in her face were knit as if by a palsied hand dropping stitches here and there, where a pox scar decided to roost.

For Sadie, this was home -- at least until tonight’s john, (with an empty glass and full libido), swaggered up and invited her to the nearest no-tell motel.

Life sucks -- but it was her life.

Feeling in control, a spider in her web, Sadie threw back another drink and waited.

The hours passed and Sadie slumped in the chair at her favorite table at Mel's.

Sadie

With each drink, the world's problems faded further and she was finally only mildly aware that she had more than enough of her own.

Merry Christmas. Yeah, yeah, so what? Sadie asked indignantly, as she counted the empty glasses lined up in front of her on the table.

Seven. Nice. Rhymes with heaven. How 'bout that -- as if I'll ever be there.  They prob'ly don't let people like me in a ritzy place like that.

Sadie pushed the thought away as she studied the half empty glass that was still in her hand with the same intensity a demented gypsy might, upon watching her favorite crystal ball suddenly deflate.

It was late and she was tired.  The lines in her face met in an intricate pattern just above her penciled brows as she pondered her situation through the booze fog.

Damn Mel -- and damn his twinkle lights. The damn things hurt my eyes. Friggin' barkeep had to put twinkle lights in here, as if anyone wants to see the graffiti better, she cackled to herself.

Sadie watched as the room with its new holiday lights blinked first red, then green, then yellow through the gently swirling smoke.

She threw back the rest of her drink. It made her want to puke, that's what it did. Who the hell cares if it's Christmas Eve?  Every day's the same to me, she thought. I'm just a workin' girl tryin' to make a buck.

Bad enough, everywhere you go, bells are ringin' on every corner, music blastin' outta radios, snow and slush in every step you take, and all that fancy decoratin' to remind you, you're friggin' alone.

Merry Christmas ... yeah, Mer-ry Christ-my-ass!  Cash registers are ringin' big time, too, Sadie thought, with a bitter smile.

Damn, business was slow this time of year. Every john she knew was prob'ly home playing Santy Claus with the kiddies and Husband Of The Year with the wife. What a joke, she thought.

What they really want, I give 'em.  What they really need, I give 'em. They're all the same. What a friggin' joke, she thought ... yeah, only the joke's on me.  I'm the one sittin' and waitin' in a blinkin-stinkin' hellhole by m'self.

Sadie set empty glass number eight at the end of the line on the table and raised a finger at the barkeep for another. Waiting was a bitch.

Just then, a shadow fell through the swirling smoke to settle eerily on Sadie's table. It was strangely blinking in mixed colors through the empty glasses in front of her.

Surprised, she looked up to see one of her regulars standing there. (Finally, she thought to herself, and 'bout time, too). Already a plan had formed in her mind to do him fast and then get some shut-eye. She gave the john her best crimson smile.

The man leaned down, handed Sadie a folded bill, and with a sad smile he said, "Go home, Sadie. This one's on me, and ... and well, M-Merry Christmas to you."

Then he turned and walked back through the swirled, blinking smoke to the door and the street beyond, with Sadie staring slack-jawed at the door closing slowly behind him.

Damn, if that don't beat all, Sadie thought, as she unfolded the fifty dollar bill.

Then she scooted her chair back, pushed herself away from the table, and for the first time in years, Sadie's face softened into a genuine smile.


(From the Book, "Bits and Pieces", by CJ Heck)



“A writer soon learns that easy to read is hard to write.” ~CJ Heck

Ben Stein's Commentary on Christmas

Ben Stein

Apparently the White House referred to Christmas Trees as "Holiday" Trees for the first time this year, which prompted CBS presenter, Ben Stein, to present this piece which I would like to share with you.

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary:



My confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejewelled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are, Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a nativity scene, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her, 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Hurricane Katrina).

Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives.And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'

In light of recent events... terrorist attacks, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said okay.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.

Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.

Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.

Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

[Are you laughing yet?]

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.

Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.

Pass it on if you think it has merit.

If not, then just discard it.... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what a bad shape the world is in.

My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,
Ben Stein

[I couldn't agree more, Ben Stein.  Thank you! ~CJ Heck]



“A writer soon learns that easy to read is hard to write.” ~CJ Heck

Christmas - An "Over" Time...

Christmas "Over" Time ...

I've found that time has a way of getting away from me, the older I get.

It seems like only yesterday I carefully packed away the Christmas ornaments and decorations, the outside wreaths, and swept up the last of the pine needles.

Is it just me, or do you feel it, too?

I've only just turned the calendar page to December and yesterday I saw Santa Claus in front of the grocery, houses with outdoor Christmas lights ... and Robert and I still have pumpkin pie from Thanksgiving in our fridge.

I don't know.  These last few years, the Christmas season seems to arrive on, or about, the day after Halloween.

It's almost scary how the malls put up their Christmas lights and decorations increasingly early to entice us, knowing full well our propensity for holiday nostalgia and overindulgence.  The stores all order abundantly, striving for hefty holiday sales -- and an even heftier bottom line at year’s end.

It's sad that Christmas has become such an “over” time. We over-spend, over-eat, over-party, and end up trying to fit God -- the reason there IS Christmas -- in between over-abundant holiday schedules and over-long gift lists.

Seems the only thing we don’t overdo is helping the less fortunate by dropping a few extra coins in the bucket when we see Santa’s helpers ringing bells around town.

Please don’t misunderstand. Anyone who knows me, knows Christmas is my favorite time of year. I get all swept up in the nostalgia and the warm and fuzzies -- I just can’t help myself.

Every year, I watch the classic Christmas movies.  I cry as I watch The Gathering.  I laugh (until I cry) at Chevy Chase in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and I think Barbara Stanwyck is hilarious in Christmas in Connecticut.  We all love Jimmy Stewart in It‘s a Wonderful Life, and Christmas just wouldn’t be complete without Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. 

However, this year, I vow to try even harder to remember and celebrate Christmas for it’s true meaning.

I’m going to focus my ‘over’ time on the people I care most about, those who care most about me, and those who have never had a visit from Santa Claus.

Oh, and the only bottom line I’m going to be concerned with is the one I sit on ... and I sure as heck don’t want that one to get any bigger ...


“A writer soon learns that easy to read is hard to write.” ~CJ Heck

Conversations with the Past: by John D. L. Brooke

John David Lionel Brooke

Conversations with the Past

by John David Lionel Brooke

Time - dotted with the connect the dots
Of events, and actions, and crisscrossed space
Each tiny fragment of an instant lingering
Like a hole

- or a kiss

Imprints on the mantel of life, reflecting back
The feelings and passions and hopes of lost moments
Where we moved on and something else moved in
Like a thief

- or a vision

Interconnection of living breathing matter
We revolve around each other - thinking only ourself
Egocentric and strange and important and meaningful
Like a Pulitzer

- or Nobel Prize

Here in the quiet webs of us we feel the vibrations
And sensations of long lost happenings that still
Cause panging and desire and regret and sorrow
Like a sin

- or a smile

We sit in the dark having conversations with the past
Social in every way but reality - and we listen
To lessons that at the time we were too deaf to hear
Like those from parents

- or children

We look back to each junction of streaming lines
We trace the static realism and dynamic repercussions
We think back to smiles, tears, soft voices and hard
Like sand

- or screams

Our conversations with the past are so often one-sided
No other blimp on our chronology seems to care
So we reflect on our own thoughts - try to find sense
Like school

- or religion

We find answers that only stick to our own reason
We answer questions that nobody else knows or hears
We find truths that never last in the real world
Like faith

- or science

Perpetual repetition - doomed to repeat history
Forever and ever in the hell of a mind rent by regret
And the conversations with the past are hollow
Like wood

- or souls

Do we learn from this?
Or drive ourselves to the brink of loss?

Do we ascend to new heights from this?
Or do we sink under the weight of history?

Do we continue this?
Or are we doomed to talk over finished moments?

Conversations with the past - lessons in reverse
And we find ourselves still talking in black rooms

- To ourselves.

John, the Author and Poet

About the Author

John David Lionel Brooke an expat Canadian who lives a simple, happy life by the Sea of Cortez, in Baja California Sur, Mexico.

"MOTHER LODE" is the first memoir in a trilogy. It follows his hazardious tongue-tied childhood up to his fateful marriage. 

His second novel in the trilogy, "SHUT UP MOTHER", follows his haunted journey into adulthood. 

"MY MAD MOTHER", the final work, follows soul searching battles as he journeys to reach the fulfillment of his life. He ruminates on historical evidence that may answer why his Mother became "mad". 

His books are all available in eBook and Paperback formats at Amazon.

In addition to writing novels, John writes poetry, prose, flash fiction, drabbles, articles, and short stories. His work has appeared in many publications online and in print. 

His published 3 chapbooks are also available on Amazon. "INTO PURE BLUE AIR," "PONDERING IMPONDERABLES" and "SPARKLES."

He reads therefore he writes.

John's Books:

My Mad Mother
Mother Lode
Shut Up Mother
Sparkles
Into Pure Blue Air
Pondering Imponderables

“A writer soon learns that easy to read is hard to write.” ~CJ Heck