How Santa Claus was born

Almost every child knows either Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, St. Nick, or Sinterklaas. A long list with different names for every country and they all look the same, or similar. Red coat, black boots, poodle cap, and a long, white beard.

What did you do to Santa?

He looked at the Santa’s costume, which was displayed right at the front door, and when I saw my husband’s face I knew we would not leave the estate sale without it. It was a nicely made outfit. Red fur jacket, and pants, a matching hat, a black belt which later on would hold a fake belly in place, white gloves, and even gold-colored glasses without the lenses.

Categories! Going Once, Twice…Sold

I have used the same old boring categories on my blog for many years, five years to be exact. I never thought about changing them until I started writing “Losing is all.” It didn’t fit into any of the rubrics I had used for so long, and that’s when I found out how outdated my blog and its structure really were.

Are we peaceful by nature? Are we basically good?

A blogger I have never met and hardly know, made me cry. Silent, happy tears rolled down my cheeks. My heart was overflowing with gratitude, my mind puzzled by the kindness of a stranger. Sometimes it’s not just the gift itself, but the thought that counts.

Vincent van Gogh’s Family Tree

After much careful research, it has been discovered that the artist Vincent van Gogh had many relatives.

Alexa! How Old Are You?

I never wanted an Alexa or a Siri, they come with our phones and with Amazon Fire TV, yet they have be shunned by us to live in silence, waiting forever to hear our voice allowing them to come to live, doomed to wait for whatever short-lived life they -and we- might have.

9/11 Rescue Dogs Remembered

If you ever worked with rescue dogs, you will know that they are doing hard work. Searching for survivors after disasters like 9/11, it’s what they are trained for. Their goal is to find as many as possible, as quickly as possible. It’s a race against time. When they can’t find any more survivors, that’s when they continue to search for the remains of victims. It’s hard on them and on their handlers and owners, you can see it in their eyes. 

No Pay! No Stay!

On Thursday, the now conservative supreme court in the United States has blocked President Biden’s COVID moratorium, which means Millions of people will now face eviction. I have mixed feelings about it. I once was a landlord. I once was a homeowner. I once came close to being homeless. I once was houseless. I lost it all, not just once but three times. (Yes, I promise, will start writing about it.)

Author, Writer, Poet or Blogger?

“Put down everything that comes into your head and then you’re a writer. But an author is one who can judge his own stuff’s worth, without pity, and destroy most of it.”

(Casual Chance, 1964)”
― Colette

Author or writer, which is the right title? Is an author also a writer and if so, is a writer also an author? And in which category does a poet belong? And what about the blogger?

An Old Wiener Dog

Last week I met an older lady and her senior Wiener dog. She had brought the dog with her, “He doesn’t like waiting in the car,” she informed me and I told her it was fine with me. Our dogs were sleeping somewhere in the house.

“What’s his name,” I asked her and started padding the dog.

“Martini.”