My Writing in 2021

My writing success this year included: “Cosway’s Confidence” winning second place in the short story contest and featured in the Bethlehem Writers’ Group Roundtable; “Hollandaise” receiving honorable mention in the South Carolina Writers Association, Surfside Chapter’s short story contest and appearing in its blog; and three pieces published in the Red Penguin Books Collection (a group of anthologies) (one twice!): “Beloved Husband,” a monologue based on Norman Baskin, Majorie Kinnan Rawlings second spouse, in An Empty Stage;

“The Fairy Godmother’s Christmas” in Once Upon a Time and Stand Out: Volume Two; and

 “No Legs” accepted for The Robot and Me.

 

Celebration of Lights

On December 21^st, the Winter Solstice and shortest day of the year, Reykjavik, Iceland, has only four hours of light. Many holiday traditions focus on light. People bring wreaths of light to cemeteries. The last of the Yule Lads is Candle Snatcher, who originally took candles to eat. The statue of the Yule Cat is lighted in Reykjavik’s mainsquare.

The Northern Lights or aurora borealis are visible outside the city. According to Icelandic tradition, in order to begin the new year, the old one must be burned away. Bonfires and fireworks are part of the New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Lighted Yule Cat Statue

 

The Christmas Yule Book Flood

Iceland has a strong literary tradition. One in ten Icelanders has written and published a book. Jólabókaflóðið, or the Yule book flood, occurs leading up to Christmas in Iceland with a catalogue sent out in the fall.

From: @booksaremybag

Since World War II, books have became a popular gift. During the war, there were fewer restrictions on imported paper and books were not subject to rations. Each year, the number of books purchased has grown. Now, Iceland exceeds all other nations in selling more books per capita. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day often are spent reading books and eating or drinking chocolate.

Continuing Icelandic Traditions

Hangikjot (from Icelandic Monitor)

On December 23^rd, Icelanders complete their shopping and decorating while celebrating Iceland’s patron saint, Thorlak Thorhallsson also known as Þorlákur Þórhallson. On the 24^th, presents (often books and chocolates) are delivered to friends and family, then at 6:00 pm the family gathers for dinner, church services, and a gift exchange. The traditional meal consists of smoked lamb (Hangikjot) with potatoes in Bechamel sauce and green peas. Ptarmigan, a grouse-like bird, may be substituted if lamb is too expensive. For dessert, risalamande, a rice pudding containing a single whole almond is served. The person who finds the almond receives a prize.

The Yule Cat's Fury

 by Paula Gail Benson

As Skeggr placed the candle stub on his grandmother’s tombstone, its melting wax burned his fingers.

“I’m alone without you, Amma,” he said. “I’ll receive no Christmas gift of clothing to save me from the Yule Cat’s fury.”

He heard a low growl from the shadows.

“The thirteen Yule Lads played no tricks on me. Window Watcher saw I had nothing worth stealing.”

A light flickered nearby, illuminating Candle Snatcher, who handed Skeggr a ribbon with attached bell.

Gratefully, Skeggr donned his new apparel before leaving.

Seizing the smoldering stub, Candle Snatcher whispered, “Yule Kitty, follow your collar bell’s ring.”

***

This 100 word story is offered as an entry for the annual Advent Ghosts event hosted by Loren Eaton at I Saw Lightning Fall. See the other entries there. Thanks, Loren, for the opportunity! 

The Yule Cat

From Harry Potter, I learned that a gift of clothing could free a house elf, like Dobby. A parallel exists in Icelandic Christmas folklore. The Yule Cat, a pet of Gryla and her Lads, prowls about looking for people who haven't been given new clothes before Christmas Eve. Like the Lads, the Cat began as a means of encouraging workers to finish processing the autumn wool before Christmas. If completed, the workers would receive clothing as a reward. If they failed, they could be eaten by the Cat. Unlike the Lads, the Cat seems to have retained a monstrous presence.

From: http://petslady.com/article/iceland-s-creepy-christmas-cat-ready-rock-reykjavik

   

The Yule Lads

IcelandAir

Did you know thirteen trolls visit Icelandic children at Christmas? Good boys and girls find gifts in their shoes, while bad ones receive potatoes. The trolls, called the Yule Lads, were children of Gryla and Leppaludi. Originally, they and the monster Yule Cat were used to scare children into good behavior; however, as Santa Claus influenced them, they became more pranksters than mean spirits. Their names indicate how they act: Spoon-Licker, Pot-Scraper, Bowl-Licker, Door-Slammer, Sausage-Swiper, and Doorway-Sniffer, to name a few. Window Peeper looks through windows for items to steal and Candle Beggar takes candles, which used to be edible.

An Icelandic Christmas

Christmas Tree Outside Reykjavik
Wikipedia

I’ve been reading about Christmas in Iceland. Beginning four weeks before Christmas Eve, on December 11, and ending on January 6, a total of twenty-six days are devoted to the holiday. The celebrations include markets, buffets, concerts, and lights. On December 23, people dress up, go into town, greet neighbors, and do some last minute shopping. The stores stay open late and gatherings occur in restaurants and bars. Traditionally, before meeting with others, Icelanders eat a very aromatic fish called “skate.” For the meal, they may dress in old clothes then change in order to leave the stench at home!

 

"Hollandaise" Receives Honorable Mention!

I learned, out of submissions from several states and a foreign country, that my “Hollandaise” received honorable mention in the South Carolina Writers Association, Surfside Chapter’s short story contest. (Theme: isolation) In its blog announcement, the chapter called each story “an adventure.” How wonderful to think that solitude and separation from others could present intriguing avenues! My tale features a retired teacher remembering the first time she tasted hollandaise: the night Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. Although she never shared her experience, she finds a unique opportunity to do so. The stories will be published online at this link.

Food Network: Roasted Asparagus with Hollandaise

Last But Not Leashed

Alexandra Otto

 The Bethlehem Writers Roundtable 2020 third place winner is Alaskan Alexandra Otto’s “Last But Not Leashed” about the House of Showdogs (H.O.S), a dog grooming service and pet spa, which fronts for the world’s greatest known Human Obediance School (H.O.S.). Operative Max, a German Shepherd and former CIA dog, must determine if Labradoodle Shasta’s owner Amy is covertly acquiring a cat. Not only is Max an intrepid investigator, but he has some interesting techniques and tools at his disposal. Is Amy sneaking off to the Cat Palace? Can Max keep Shasta’s life cat-free? Check out the delightful antics at: https://bwgwritersroundtable.com/featured-story/

Cosway's Confidence

 

This quarter, my second place award-winning story, “Cosway’s Confidence,” appears in the Bethlehem Writers’ Group Roundtable. The BWR has an annual short story contest. In 2013, my “Long in the Tooth” won third place (as determined by celebrity judge Hank Phillippi Ryan). 2020’s celebrity judge was Spencer Quinn (also known as Peter Abrahams). My story inspiration came from Maggie, my friends’ ferret, and a small eatery, with a floor brass plate opening to the lower level. What happens when the cafe owner interviews a potential employee with imaginary support ferret while the brass plate is open? Here’s the link: https://bwgwritersroundtable.com/featured-story/