holidays

Do You Know Rudolph Like I Know Rudolph?

Lynette M Burrows

Welcome to the second installment of holiday fun and an interview with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Do You Know Rudolph Like I Know Rudolph?  Rudolf’s Birth In 1939, the Montgomery Ward Company asked their ad man to create a story for a Christmas promotion. The ad man, Robert L. May, wrote catalog copy for the company, but he had a way with limericks and parodies May’s life situation depressed him. He was heavily in debt trying to pay for his dying wife’s medical care.  And his failure to be the novelist he dreamed of haunted him. But May believed in his story. He had a friend illustrate his manuscript. Together, he and his friend convinced his boss to publish the story.  Rudolph’s Q&A 1. Who is your role model? Santa Claus. He’s always jolly and kind. Unlike certain reindeer. Not that I hold a grudge. 2. Who knows you the best? Santa Claus. He knows when I am sleeping. And he knows when I’m awake. He knows when I am bad or good.  3. What would your friends say about you? They used to laugh and call me names. Now they say I’ll go down in history. 4. What is […]

First Lines for the Holidays

Lynette M Burrows

Welcome to First Lines for the Holidays. December has more than just the Christmas holiday. See my posts on December Celebrations for some of the celebrations held this month.   For this First Lines Friday, here are a selection of first lines from science fiction and fantasy books that include or are about the holidays. I hope you find at least one you will enjoy. Have you heard of the great Forest of Burzee? The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum There was a Christmas tree in the lobby when Lauren got to work, and the receptionist was sitting with her chin in her hand, watching the security monitor. A Lot Like Christmas: Stories by Connie Willis The Reverend Lizzie Blackmore slowly blinked awake, and found, to her surprise, that she was already furious. The Lost Child of Lychford by Paul Cornell Once there was a boy who lived in a cabin in the deep woods with no one for company but an old woman and an old man. Hiddensee: A Tale of the Once and Future Nutcracker by Gregory Maguire Santa Claus… How vile your name upon my tongue. Like acid, hard to utter without spitting. Krampus: The […]

Depressed for the Holidays

Lynette M Burrows

The holidays can be a time of joy or a time of sorrow and depression. Believe me, I know. I’ve struggled through more than one holiday. But for me, Christmas is the holiday that can bring me the most joy or the most depression. And no matter how prepared I think I am, or how many strategies I use, being depressed for the holidays sucks. The common response is to count your blessings, but how do you do that when everything seems like it adds to your burdens? Acknowledge Your Feelings For me, for a very long time, I was in denial because when you say you’re sad or you’re overwhelmed; we consider it whining or complaining. People say, ‘Count your blessings,’ and it’s like, ‘Yeah, I am, but I’m still sad…’ Karen Civil It’s okay to be sad or overwhelmed or depressed at the holidays. If it’s your first holiday without a loved one, it’s particularly difficult.   No matter the why of your depression or sadness or overwhelm, say it aloud. I’m sad. Say it when you’re alone at first. Other people often get uncomfortable when you tell them you’re sad. So until YOU are comfortable saying it aloud, […]