CHRISTMAS/HOLIDAY TRADITIONS: THEN AND NOW By Sheryl Jordan

Each year, as the Christmas season approaches, I find myself reflecting on the traditions of my childhood and how my family celebrates today. While some customs have changed, many cherished traditions continue to bring us together year after year.

Then

As a child, I would feel the excitement for Christmas begin the weekend after Thanksgiving, when our family would assemble and decorate the tree. For many years, we had a beautiful silver tree adorned with blue ornaments. The house—and our neighborhood—sparkled with festive lights and decorations. I loved visiting stores to admire the dazzling ornaments and twinkling lights on the most stunning trees I had ever seen.

The anticipation grew as I participated in school concerts and plays, which helped the days pass more quickly. I was always eager to see what Santa would bring for my family. Of course, my siblings and I received plenty of gifts from Mom and Dad—perhaps too many, some might say!

A few days before Christmas, the house filled with the delicious aromas of holiday cooking. Mom and Dad prepared greens, thawed the turkey, and diced vegetables for the dressing. The Christmas ham waited in the refrigerator, and sweet potato and egg custard pies baked in the oven, making my mouth water.

On Christmas morning, my siblings and I would wake up around four a.m., anxious to see if “Santa” had delivered our wishes. We waited for our parents to join us before opening any presents, savoring the moment together.

Later in the day, friends and family gathered for a festive meal. Our table overflowed with turkey, dressing, ham, macaroni and cheese, mustard greens, cornbread, chitterlings, green bean casserole, and pies. When Aunt Lottie visited, she brought her homemade apple-peach cobbler—a special treat. The day was always filled with laughter, delicious food, and memories that have lasted a lifetime.

As we grew older and started our own families, our children would open their gifts at midnight. Later, we’d visit my parents’ home to celebrate with extended family, followed by visits to cousins and in-laws.

When my husband joined the U.S. Navy, and we moved away from our families, we adapted our traditions. We decorated two weeks before Christmas, and our shopping usually happened the weekend before Christmas Day—sometimes last-minute, but we always found what we needed. On Christmas Eve, we attended church services, and the kids opened presents early Christmas morning. Our holiday meals remained much the same, though I began making Strawberry Pretzel Dessert instead of egg custard pies, and collard greens replaced mustard greens. Turkey eventually disappeared from our menu.

Now

Today, we put up our trees the day after Thanksgiving. The grandchildren take charge of decorating, while I offer guidance (or, as they say, supervise). The main floor tree is adorned with a gold-and-ivory garland and a delicate angel in an ivory dress trimmed with gold. I love gazing at the tree as its twinkling lights fill our living room. In the basement, the grandchildren have full creative freedom, decorating a tree with multicolored lights and a collection of ornaments made or gathered over the years.

We shop throughout the season, mostly online and at local small businesses. Gifts are wrapped as they’re purchased, so we’re not up all night on Christmas Eve—a welcome change from years past.

Throughout the season, I enjoy watching Christmas movies, especially “A Christmas Story” on Christmas Day, as well as all the NFL football games.

Our holiday dinner features the same beloved dishes each year, but now I have wonderful help in the kitchen. One granddaughter makes Strawberry Pretzel Dessert and Banana Pudding, with assistance from her younger sisters. My daughter prepares sweet potato casserole, collard greens, and dinner rolls. I’m in charge of macaroni and cheese and ham. We buy apple and sweet potato pies, since I’ve been told my sweet potato pies are delicious, but not quite like my dad’s!

A new tradition we’ve added is sharing a scripture related to the meaning of Christmas during dinner, with each person explaining why it’s meaningful to them.

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or another special holiday, I encourage you to reflect: How have your traditions changed or stayed the same over the years? The heart of the season is found in the memories we create and the love we share.

The Lonely Hearts Killer by Teresa Inge

As the saying goes, “if it’s too good to be true,” it probably is. The story of Harry F. Powers, the “Lonely Hearts Killer,” is a stark reminder of this caution.

During the 1930s—long before online dating apps—America was gripped by the chilling crimes of Powers, who used “lonely hearts” newspaper ads to lure victims, weaving false promises of wealth and affection to win their trust.

Born in the Netherlands, Powers immigrated to the U.S. and settled in Quiet Dell, West Virginia. Using charm and persuasive letters, he convinced women to travel long distances, believing they’d found love and security during the Great Depression—only for their hopes to end in tragedy.

Among his victims were Asta Eicher, a widowed mother from Illinois, and her three children. Powers corresponded with Eicher, convincing her of his affection and financial stability. Trusting his promises, Eicher traveled with her children to meet him, hoping for a new beginning. Tragically, their journey ended in a soundproof chamber beneath his garage, where he robbed and murdered them.  
Another victim, Dorothy Lemke from Massachusetts, responded to Powers’ ad seeking marriage. After exchanging letters, she traveled to West Virginia, believing she was meeting her future husband. Like Eicher, Lemke was imprisoned and killed, her fate sealed by Powers’ calculated cruelty.

The disappearances of these women and children sparked an investigation in 1932. Police traced their last known contacts to Powers, eventually discovering his property and the soundproof chamber where the crimes occurred. The case shocked the nation, exposing the dangers of personal ads and the vulnerability of those seeking love in desperate times.

Powers’ trial became a media sensation, drawing crowds and headlines suggesting he’d killed over fifty women across the country. He was convicted and executed in 1932. The tragedy of his victims led to greater scrutiny of personal ads and in popular culture of how trust can be manipulated for sinister purposes.  

THE WRITER'S TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS By: Kimberly R. Thorn

 

The Writer’s Twelve Days of Christmas

By: Kimberly R. Thorn

On the first day of Christmas my novel manuscript gave to me one sore neck.

On the second day of Christmas my novel manuscript gave to me two cramped hands.

On the third day of Christmas my novel manuscript gave to me three hours sleep.

On the fourth day of Christmas my novel manuscript gave to me four migraines.

On the fifth day of Christmas my novel manuscript gave to me five panic attacks.

On the sixth day of Christmas my novel manuscript gave to me six hours ‘researching.’

On the seventh day of Christmas my novel manuscript gave to me seven hours of dreaming.

On the eighth day of Christmas my novel manuscript gave to me eight characters not cooperating.

On the ninth day of Christmas my novel manuscript gave to me nine possible plots.

On the tenth day of Christmas my novel manuscript gave to me ten grammar errors.

On the eleventh day of Christmas my novel manuscript gave to me eleven scenes to re-write.

On the twelfth day of Christmas my novel manuscript gave to me twelve rejection letters.

We here at Sand in Our Shorts wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah and a Happy Kwanzaa!

WHICH CHRISTMAS VILLAIN DO YOU LOVE TO HATE? by Yvonne Saxon

The holiday season has officially started. Are you in your ugly sweater or your snowman pj’s yet? Have you donned your “Merry Everything” tank top and beach shorts? Why not? Depending on your hemisphere, go put them on and grab a hot cuppa or icy smoothie and plop down on the couch to pick your favorite Christmas villain.

Writers of Christmas stories and films have been creating bad guys to ruin the holidays for their characters (and us) for a long, long time now. Which “naughty list” character bothers you the most?

GOLDEN ERA OF THE AMERICAN CAR by Ellen Butler

In keeping with the 1950s, for my Ariadne Winter mysteries, today I’m talking about my favorite car era. As a car enthusiast, I did my due diligence when it came to researching vehicles of the decade. While a fan of automobiles from the 20s and 30s, my favorite era has become the 50s. 

The 1950s were a golden era of American automobiles—a decade when chrome gleamed, tailfins soared, and cars weren’t just transportation but rolling expressions of art. Postwar prosperity collided with a culture hungry for style, convenience, and futuristic fantasy, and the result was one of the most iconic periods in automotive history.

Styling That Turned Heads

Design in the 1950s leaned hard into spectacle. Automakers wanted cars that inspired awe the moment they hit the street. Sweeping tailfins—made famous by Cadillac—became the decade’s signature flair. They were bold, aerodynamic-looking (whether or not they truly were), and symbolized progress, speed, and the Jet Age. Two-tone paint schemes, wraparound windshields, chrome bumpers, and interiors that mixed comfort with drama all defined the decade.

Cars like the Chevrolet Bel Air, Ford Fairlane, and Chrysler 300 didn’t just transport families—they made a statement. The look said: America is moving forward, and we’re going in style.

Why all the flash? Because the 1950s were a time of soaring national confidence. The war was over, suburbs were growing, and technology—from jet engines to home appliances—felt miraculous. Designers took cues from rockets, airplanes, and science-fiction dreams.

Automobiles became tied to identity and aspiration. Owning a stylish car wasn’t just owning a machine—it was owning a piece of the American Dream. The country believed in bigger, better, and newer. Automotive design mirrored that optimism with sweeping curves and sparkling chrome.

Price Tags and Accessibility

While some of the most visually dazzling models carried premium price tags, the 1950s also saw a push to make cars widely accessible. A new Chevrolet or Ford might run between $1,500 and $2,500 depending on the model and options—numbers that sound small today but represented an attainable goal for the growing middle class. Luxury brands like Cadillac, Packard, and Lincoln landed in the $3,000–$5,000 range, offering prestige to those who could afford it.

Automakers cleverly marketed optional add-ons—whitewall tires, power steering, radios, and automatic transmissions—turning cars into customizable personal statements. Buyers could start modestly and add flair as their wallet allowed.

The Major American Motor Companies

The “Big Three”—General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler—dominated the 1950s automotive landscape.

• General Motors was the powerhouse, with brands like Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick, and Cadillac. GM’s design chief Harley Earl practically invented the look of the decade, championing tailfins, chrome, and concept cars.
• Ford Motor Company kept pace with vehicles like the Thunderbird and the ever-popular Ford sedan lines. Ford’s focus on affordability and reliability made it a family favorite.
• Chrysler emphasized engineering excellence, featuring powerful engines and sleek “Forward Look” styling from designer Virgil Exner.

Smaller companies—Studebaker, Packard, Nash, and Hudson—added personality and creativity but struggled to survive against the giants.

The cars of the 1950s remain timeless icons. They weren’t just machines; they were symbols of optimism, style, and ambitious imagination. Even today, a glimpse of a finned beauty cruising down the road feels like a trip back to an era when America believed the future had no limits—and designed its cars accordingly.

MIRACLE OF MIRACLES By Jeff Tanner, Guest Blogger

Thunkin Theodore - photo finish

Miracle of miracles, I was scheduled to teach a two-day workshop in San Antonio when I learned my horse, Thunkin Theodore, was running in the 4^th race at Retama Park in Selma, Texas, just outside San Antonio. What a great opportunity! I invited the entire workshop to come out for the race – and a photo in the winner’s circle if we won.

We decided to name him for our oldest son, Ted, and honor Ted’s namesake, my baseball-playing uncle. Hence the name “Thumping Theodore,” also Ted Williams’ nickname. My uncle wasn’t the caliber of Ted Williams, only rising to A ball in the minors. But the Jockey Club couldn’t read my writing on the application so Theo’s official name was Thunkin Theodore.

When he was born, we didn’t know what kind of horse we had. Was he hard-working or lazy? Smart or dumb? Our hearts soared with hope when he raced other foals and yearlings in the pasture, always running through to the end even when he wasn’t first. The road from a race around the fence line to the winner’s circle at the track, though, is long and arduous.

We still weren’t sure about him after his first two races. We first tried him on turf—his sister won twice on the grass. But our big strapping bay tiptoed all the way around the track. That’s not how you win. So this time, we were trying him on the dirt. And this time, the competition was steeper than any he’d faced.

Still, despite the fluttering in my stomach, I’d only promised the workshop’s participants a night’s entertainment, not a victory. The odds-makers agreed, with Theo not among the favorites.

About eight of the participants took me up on my offer, clustering around me, the trainer, and the jockey in the paddock before the race. Tommy Morgan, my trainer, was a laconic West Texan, not prone to talking. The jockey, however, enjoyed chatting up the young blonde in our group.

When the horses broke from the gate, Theo was right there, in fourth a little off the pace, just as Tommy instructed. That way, there’d be juice in the tank at the end.

The horses turned for home with Theo in second. At the 8^th pole, a furlong before the end of the race, he was in first, with a horse coming up on his left and another to his right. Each of the other horses surged forward, both on the inside--between Theo and the rail. Theo responded, running even harder.

He was determined.

You can’t train that into a horse. It’s part of who they are. That’s what separates the winners from trail ponies and yard art.

Theo was so determined that he sprained a ligament just after he crossed the finish line, though we didn’t know it at the time. Our little group posed in the winner’s circle with a triumphant Theo and his smiling jockey. Even Tommy had a small grin, apparently entertained as he watched the jockey talk more with the blonde.

As Tommy said, “It helps when the jockey has a little extra motivation.”

Later, I took the group back to the stables. Theo was enjoying an after-race snack of fresh grass alongside the fence. Another horse was being led by.

Theo saw him, raised up, and trumpeted loudly. “I won! I am the King!”

The other horse lowered his head and slunk past.

Theo’s ligament healed up nicely and he came back to race--and win--again. Over his career, Theo ran in twelve races, posting two wins and two second places. When his racing days were over, he became a jumper, continuing to compete, continuing to give it his all. But that first win – that was special.

Miracle of miracles. 

BEST WRITING ADVICE (PART FOUR) : MURDER YOUR DARLINGS by Penny Hutson

“Murder your darlings,” is a term coined by Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch in the early 1900s. In 2020 Roy Peter Clark titled his book, Murder Your Darlings: And Other Gentle Writing Advice from Aristotle to Zinsser. Others have used the phrase or some version of it in the years between.

In short, it means to cut out any unnecessary writing. In practice it’s revision on steroids.

The concept skyrockets beyond deleting filler words, unnecessary adjectives, and unclear lines. To “murder your darlings” means to mercilessly slash those gorgeously written passages and clever lines you love when they don’t support the main idea, further the story, add to a character’s development, or aid the readers’ understanding. In other words, if it's not serving a specific purpose, cut it out. 

When you do that, something magical happens. A shiny pebble emerges from the rubble, like an ancient gold coin beneath the archaeologist’s brush. Eventually, an entire chest of doubloons is unearthed; hidden until all the dirt and rocks are removed. Like an archaeologist, a writer must eliminate everything that isn’t a necessary part of the main message or story.

When you cut away the excess, your message becomes clearer, focused, and powerful because it’s not mixed in a cloud of extraneous stuff that doesn’t support the overall message or story. Every detail, explanation, dialogue, or description will add to or detract from your piece. There’s nothing in-between - no neutral words, so to speak. If you want to show a character’s cheerful but naïve personality, for example, don’t crowd the page with actions or speech that doesn’t explicitly demonstrate that or appears to contradict it.

All this talk of cutting may leave one with the misunderstanding that shorter is always better or that the goal is to be brief. Nothing could be further from the truth. In one of the most used and iconic books on writing, The Elements of Style, Strunk and White tell us that it is not necessary to “make all sentences short or avoid all detail . . .” but it requires “that every word tell.” That’s the key. Every word must count, and the book’s slim 85 pages illustrate that point.

Thomas Jefferson took this concept a step further to say, “The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.” He’s referring to the gluttony of speech, while demonstrating the economy of words within his own quote.

Often, however, less is truly more. In his book, On Writing, Stephen King shows the reader a passage from one of his novels in which he describes a restaurant/bar using only four details, but it’s enough. He admits he had tons of other details he excluded, writing that, “It will not behoove me (or you) to wander off into thickets of descriptions just because it would be easy to do.” In his opinion, “. . .it’s not about the setting, anyway – it’s about the story.” A perfect example of someone murdering their darlings in service of the story.

But let’s be honest, it’s hard to delete something you’ve spent hours agonizing over – especially when it’s good. I have many perfect comebacks, dazzling descriptions, and clever lines that didn’t further the plot or add to my story. The best and hardest thing I’ve done is to cut them out during the revision process. Truthfully, the more I do it, the easier it becomes; though it’s never easy. I promise it will take your writing to the next level.

So, pick up the sword of revision with gusto and determination to slay the writing that impedes your work as Luke Skywalker clutched his light saber to destroy the dark forces in his world. Good luck, my friends; and may the force be with you.

If you liked “Part Four” in my “Best Writing Advice” series, you may want to read or reread Parts One, Two, or Three. See the links below.

__________________

The Almighty B-I-T-CH https://sandinourshorts.blogspot.com/2025/08/best-writing-advice-part-three-almighty.html

Don’t Look Back! https://sandinourshorts.blogspot.com/2025/06/best-writing-advice-part-two-dont-look.html

The Three Rs – Read, Read, Read https://sandinourshorts.blogspot.com/2025/04/best-writing-advice-part-one-remember.html

Penny Hutson also has a short story in a new anthology Costal Crimes 2 : Death Takes A Vacation available at https://wildsidepress.com/coastal-crimes-2-death-takes-a-holiday-paper/  from Wildside Press