Holidays

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Veterans Day USA

World War II B-26 And Crew

B-26 and Crew 1944 England

This is my personal  salute to all my fellow veterans, including my father, uncles, and brothers who have served honorably. In the picture above, my dad is bottom row, center. He and his World War II B-26 crew are posing with their plane called “The Deefeater” named for the pilot’s wife, Dee. This crew was ten minutes ahead of the invasion forces at Normandy and can be seen in many documentary films taken at the time of the D-Day Invasion as they completed bombing runs against Nazi positions along the Normandy coast.

What is Veterans Day and why do we celebrate it?

Veterans Day is a federal holiday in the United States observed on November 11th each year dedicated to honoring and expressing gratitude to all military veterans who have served in the United States Armed Forces. It originated as Armistice Day on November 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. It was initially meant to commemorate the armistice (ceasefire) that ended the hostilities on the Western Front of World War I.

In 1954, after World War II and the Korean War, the holiday was renamed Veterans Day to honor all American veterans who have served honorably in any branch of the military.

The holiday is a time for Americans to pay tribute to the courage and sacrifice of veterans. Many communities hold parades, ceremonies, and other events to honor veterans. Schools often organize special programs to educate students about the importance of Veterans Day and the contributions of veterans.

The day is observed with a moment of silence at 11:00 a.m., which coincides with the signing of the armistice that ended World War I. This moment of silence is meant to reflect on the sacrifices made by veterans.

Veterans Day is an opportunity for the nation to recognize and thank veterans for their service, bravery, and dedication to defending the country and preserving its freedoms. It is a federal holiday, which means that federal government offices, banks, and many schools are closed.

Is it the same as Memorial Day? No.

Veterans Day should not be confused with Memorial Day, which is observed on the last Monday of May. Memorial Day specifically honors those who have died in military service, while Veterans Day honors all veterans, living and deceased.

Salute!

 

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Day Of The Dead Holiday

Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a vibrant and meaningful holiday celebrated primarily in Mexico and by people of Mexican descent around the world. It takes place on November 1st and 2nd, coinciding with the Catholic holidays of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

“A blend of Mesoamerican ritual, European religion and Spanish culture, the holiday is celebrated each year from October 31-November 2. While October 31 is Halloween, November 1-2 is All Souls Day or the Day of the Dead. According to tradition, the gates of heaven are opened at midnight on October 31 and the spirits of children can rejoin their families for 24 hours. The spirits of adults can do the same on November 2.”  –History

The holiday marks a joyful and colorful tribute to honor and remember deceased loved ones. Families create ofrendas (altars) adorned with marigolds, candles, sugar skulls, and the favorite foods and possessions of the departed. These ofrendas are placed in homes and cemeteries to welcome the spirits of the deceased back to the world of the living.

During the celebration, families gather to reminisce and share stories about their loved ones, visiting gravesites to clean and decorate them. Parades, traditional music, dancing, and elaborate face-painting are common during Dia de los Muertos. The calavera (skull) makeup, often seen on celebrants, symbolizes the blend of life and death, emphasizing the idea that death is a natural part of the human experience.

Food plays a central role in the festivities, with offerings of pan de muerto (bread of the dead) and favorite dishes of the deceased placed on the ofrendas. Families also enjoy feasting on these foods themselves.

Contrary to what many wrongly believe, Dia de los Muertos is not a morbid or somber occasion but a beautiful celebration of life and death, illustrating the Mexican belief that death is not the end but a continuation of the journey. It serves as a reminder to cherish and remember loved ones who have passed away, celebrating their legacy with love, joy, and respect.

 

Visit my online store for some great seasonal gifts. And if you are interested in Dia De Los Muertos or Day of the Dead holidays motifs, the store has some unique gifts such as my original, intricate design of “Three Skulls” on selected, high-quality clothing and mugs for men and women.

 

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The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury

As Paula Cappa reminded me last week (thank you, Paula), another favorite of Ray Bradbury’s work especially for this time of year, is The Halloween Tree. A quick, fun read.

“A fast-moving, eerie tale set on Halloween night…

Eight costumed boys running to meet their friend Pipkin at the haunted house outside town encounter instead the huge and cadaverous Mr. Moundshroud. As Pipkin scrambles to join them, he is swept away by a dark Something, and Moundshroud leads the boys on the tail of a kite through time and space to search the past for their friend and the meaning of Halloween.” –Goodreads

Happy reading and Happy Halloween!

 

 

Enjoying the Halloween Season? Me, too. Visit my online store for some great Halloween gifts. And you if you are preparing for the upcoming Dia De Los Muertos or Day of the Dead holidays, the store has some unique gifts such as my  original, intricate design of “Three Skulls” on selected, high quality clothing and mugs for men and women.

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Halloween Chocolate Treats

The tradition of giving out chocolate treats–my favorite–during Halloween Trick-0r-Treat celebrations in the United States has its roots in the evolution of Halloween customs and the influence of the candy industry.

Halloween has its origins in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. People believed that during this time, the boundary between the living and the dead was blurred, and offerings were made to appease and honor spirits. These offerings often included food and sweets.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, following World War II when sugar rationing was lifted, Halloween began to take on a more commercialized and modern form. The candy industry played a significant role in promoting the tradition of giving out sweets. Companies started marketing candy specifically for Halloween, and it became increasingly popular to give out pre-packaged candies during Trick-or-Treat.

Chocolate was among the sweets that gained popularity during Halloween celebrations. Its rich and indulgent taste made it a desirable treat. Over time, chocolate bars and individually wrapped chocolates became a staple of Halloween candy offerings.

The association between Halloween and chocolate treats was further solidified by popular culture. Halloween-themed packaging and advertising by chocolate manufacturers reinforced the idea of giving out chocolate during Trick-or-Treat. Characters like Hershey’s Kisses’ “witch” advertisements or Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups’ “two great tastes that taste great together” slogan became iconic parts of Halloween marketing.

As Halloween continued to evolve as a major holiday in the United States, consumer preferences for candy also played a role. Many people began to prefer chocolate over other types of sweets, and chocolate bars and candies became a sought-after prize during Trick-or-Treat.

Today, giving out chocolate treats during Halloween is a widespread tradition in the United States and is deeply ingrained in the holiday’s cultural and commercial aspects. It’s not only a way to satisfy the sweet tooth of trick-or-treaters but also a symbol of the Halloween season itself. The practice of handing out chocolates and other candies has become a fun and cherished part of the Halloween experience for both children and adults.

 

 

Don’t forget to shop my online store for Halloween gifts such as mugs and Halloween Trick-or-Treat Bags to store all your Halloween goodies.

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Writing Isn’t All I Do

Besides my Celtic murder mystery, poetry, and my book of short stories, I’ve managed over the last 40+ years to stay busy creating art. Actually, I’ve been doing some sort of art since I was old enough to hold a crayon but that’s too many years ago now for me to even think about.

It’s been a time-consuming challenge, but I’ve finally opened my online storefront to showcase selected pieces of my artwork on various items including mugs, notebooks, drinkware, clothing, and notebooks, just to name a few. And, since we are nearing the Autumn holidays of Halloween, Day of the Dead, and Día de los Muertos, I would be remiss not to mention many of my motifs concerning these holidays are available for purchase. Come by and take a look.

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National Chocolate Chip Day

Attribution: J.R. Cotner

No, this is not a food blog but today I thought it appropriate to turn it over to a delicious treat, a cookie to be exact. The chocolate chip cookie is a classic American treat that consists of a soft, chewy cookie dough studded with chocolate chips, and today May 15th is National Chocolate Chip Day in the USA. This delicious holiday pays homage to the popular cookie, which is loved by many. It was invented by Ruth Graves Wakefield in the 1930s at the Toll House Inn in Massachusetts. Since then, the chocolate chip cookie has become an iconic dessert enjoyed by people of all ages.

What does this have to do with books and writing, you may ask? Here are three delicious novels that mention the holiday or the chocolate chip cookie:

“Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder” by Joanne Fluke: This cozy mystery is the first book in the Hannah Swensen series. The story revolves around a small-town baker named Hannah Swensen, who finds herself investigating a murder that takes place during the annual Lake Eden Chocolate Chip Cookie Contest.

“The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder” by Joanne Fluke: Another book by Joanne Fluke with a similar title, this is the first book in the Hannah Swensen Mysteries series. Hannah Swensen, the owner of a cookie shop, becomes entangled in a murder investigation after one of her customers turns up dead. The story features delectable descriptions of cookies and includes recipes for chocolate chip treats.

“The Lost Art of Mixing” by Erica Bauermeister: While not solely centered around National Chocolate Chip Day, this novel explores the interconnected lives of various characters, including a pastry chef named Chloe, who bakes a mean chocolate chip cookie. The book delves into themes of love, loss, and the joy of food, with occasional mentions of chocolate chip cookies.

Chocolate chip cookies provide a delightful backdrop in these novels for those who enjoy both literature and delectable treats. Enjoy the celebration!

Enough writing for the moment. I’ve made myself hungry.

Enjoy National Chocolate Chip Day!

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April Fool’s Day

“Work? Why, cert’nly it would work, like rats a-fighting. But it’s too blame’ simple; there ain’t nothing to it. What’s the good of a plan that ain’t no more trouble than that? It’s as mild as goose-milk. Why, Huck, it wouldn’t make no more talk than breaking into a soap factory.” Huck Finn’s friend, Tom, trying to convince him to work for him by painting a fence on April Fool’s Day.

No one seems to know the origin of April Fool’s Day. Some believe it started in ancient Rome, where people celebrated the festival of Hilaria on March 25th, a day of merrymaking and pranks. Other sources suggest it may have originated from the spring equinox, a time of rebirth and renewal, when people would play pranks to celebrate the changing season.

The most popular theory, however, is that April Fool’s Day originated in France in the 16th century. In 1582, King Charles IX of France adopted the Gregorian calendar, which shifted the start of the new year from April 1st to January 1st. Some people resisted this change and continued to celebrate the new year on April 1st. These people were mocked and tricked by others, and the tradition of playing pranks on April 1st became widespread.

As in Huck Finn’s day, modern April Fool’s Day is celebrated around the world, with people playing practical jokes on each other and the media often publishing fake news stories for the occasion.

Here are three popular novels that mention the April Fool’s Day celebration in case you’d like to check them out:

“The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” by Mark Twain, a classic novel.

“To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee: In one scene of this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, the Finch children play an April Fools’ Day prank on their reclusive neighbor, Boo Radley.

“The Da Vinci Code” by Dan Brown: This bestselling thriller features an April Fools’ Day prank played by the antagonist, who uses a fake phone call to lure the protagonist, Robert Langdon, into a trap.

 

 

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Author Event This Saturday

nightbirdbookslogo

I will be attending the latest Local Author Event Day this Saturday, December 5th, 2015 from 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Nightbird Books store, 205 West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Don’t miss this opportunity to meet local authors, purchase great signed edition books for gifts, and support our local small businesses.

From Nightbird Books:

We are inviting our local authors into the store on December 5th to give you a chance to meet writers in our community and pick up some great autographed holiday gifts. Because of smaller space, we will have two shifts. The first is from 10:30 to 1:00 and the second from 1:30 to 4:00. This is always a fun event so I hope you can join us.

Participants include:

Sybil Rosen, John Walsh, Tom McKinnon, Susan Holmes, Jack Cotner, Carolyn Guinzio, Vance Clement, and Edmund Harriss from 10:30 to 1:00

and Denele Campbell, Radine Trees Nehring, JB Hogan, Paul Williams, Alexander Margulis, and Martin Jardon from 1:30 to 4:00

 

I hope to see you there!

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Jack Friday Sales Event!

Happy Holidays colorized Pen and Ink copyright noticed

Forget Black Friday sales events. On this blog it’s Jack Friday.

Actually, it’s a sales event that goes beyond just this Friday featuring the Kindle editions of both my short story collection and my Celtic murder mystery novel. They’re  on sale now through December 5th for just $0.99 each. From December 6th through December 23rd they will be half their usual listed price.

Grab a copy for yourself or purchase for family and friends.

 

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Winter Holiday Lights Are Going Up

FayettevilleSquareHolidayLights

The square in downtown Fayetteville, Arkansas has been cleared of the summer Farmers’ Market and is once again making ready for the annual Lights of the Ozarks, a virtual festival of lights and winter celebrations. It is one of the area’s most popular and colorful holiday events and one I always enjoy attending.

Here’s more on the event from our local online newspaper Fayetteville Flyer:

 

Lights of the Ozarks, the annual holiday light display on the Fayetteville square, kicks off with a parade and lighting ceremony beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20.

Fayetteville Parks and Recreation crews spend over 3,000 hours decorating the Downtown Square each year with nearly a half-million LED lights for the annual Lights of the Ozarks display.

The event will include holiday-themed floats created by area clubs, organizations, and local businesses. The parade will start at the Fayetteville Public Library and make its way up Mountain Street and around the square, and then down Block Avenue and Dickson Street before circling back to the library along West Avenue.

In addition to the over 400,000 LED lights in the display, Lights of the Ozarks also includes nightly carriage rides, camel and pony rides, hot chocolate and coffee vendors, and other activities. The display will remain lit nightly through Dec. 31.