The exercise:
The 2013 edition of the Christmas week countdown concludes with writing that begins: Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Mine:
Have yourself a
Merry little Christmas,
With loved ones and
Dearest friends close at hand.
May Santa Claus
Bring you the gifts you need,
And maybe one
Or two that are more grand.
Let the spirit
Of the holidays in;
Take a moment
Or three to soak it up.
And may dinner
Find plenty of food tabled,
And the finest
Drinks swirling in your cup.
Showing posts with label Christmas Week 2013. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas Week 2013. Show all posts
Tuesday December 24th, 2013
The exercise:
Twas the night before Christmas, but Two Haiku Tuesday is still Two Haiku Tuesday, so your haiku shall begin with: O Christmas Tree
I've been doing my best to choose opening lines that wouldn't make it excessively hard for Greg to continue his story, but this one was a challenge. I think it's workable though, and I'll even offer this little compromise: if you want to join your two haiku into one, six line mega-haiku, then only your very first line has to be the carol's opening line.
Me? Aside from the continuation/connection of the previous two days, I haven't been able to tell a continuous story this week, so I'm just going to do two separate haiku.
Also: I've found it rather remarkable that so many carols seem to be named after their opening line. It's gotten to the point that I can't be bothered repeating the title anymore, as you may have noticed.
Mine:
O Christmas Tree so
tall and fine, please tell me the
biggest gift is mine
* * *
O Christmas Tree, do
you ever wish that Christmas
lasted all year long?
Twas the night before Christmas, but Two Haiku Tuesday is still Two Haiku Tuesday, so your haiku shall begin with: O Christmas Tree
I've been doing my best to choose opening lines that wouldn't make it excessively hard for Greg to continue his story, but this one was a challenge. I think it's workable though, and I'll even offer this little compromise: if you want to join your two haiku into one, six line mega-haiku, then only your very first line has to be the carol's opening line.
Me? Aside from the continuation/connection of the previous two days, I haven't been able to tell a continuous story this week, so I'm just going to do two separate haiku.
Also: I've found it rather remarkable that so many carols seem to be named after their opening line. It's gotten to the point that I can't be bothered repeating the title anymore, as you may have noticed.
Mine:
O Christmas Tree so
tall and fine, please tell me the
biggest gift is mine
* * *
O Christmas Tree, do
you ever wish that Christmas
lasted all year long?
Monday December 23rd, 2013
The exercise:
On the eve of Christmas Eve, our writing shall begin with the first line from the Little Drummer Boy: Come they told me
Max has very definitely caught himself a cold. We're doing everything we can for him and he's basically fine during the day. It's just the struggle of sleeping with a congested nose that's the main problem.
On the plus side temperatures were above zero today and I had the chance to play a couple games of Scrabble with my mom tonight. I won the first one by a narrow margin, and then... well, let me just say that she took her revenge in the second.
Mine:
Come they told me. There is glory and fortune to be found at the end of our blades. More drink and food than I could ever imagine. I would have my pick of the finest women in the land.
They made it all sound so grand. Fascinating, isn't it, what can be accomplished through omission.
There was no talk of sleeping outdoors on rainy nights. No word of enemies who struck from unseen locations at unexpected hours, leaving nerves wrecked. I heard nothing about the open wounds, the death of comrades, the nightmares.
The endless nightmares.
Now, here I stand, in some godforsaken meadow, watching the sun rise above the horizon with only dead men and terrified horses for company. Not knowing what happened by the light of the moon. With no direction or destination to guide me from this place.
There was definitely no mention of this.
On the eve of Christmas Eve, our writing shall begin with the first line from the Little Drummer Boy: Come they told me
Max has very definitely caught himself a cold. We're doing everything we can for him and he's basically fine during the day. It's just the struggle of sleeping with a congested nose that's the main problem.
On the plus side temperatures were above zero today and I had the chance to play a couple games of Scrabble with my mom tonight. I won the first one by a narrow margin, and then... well, let me just say that she took her revenge in the second.
Mine:
Come they told me. There is glory and fortune to be found at the end of our blades. More drink and food than I could ever imagine. I would have my pick of the finest women in the land.
They made it all sound so grand. Fascinating, isn't it, what can be accomplished through omission.
There was no talk of sleeping outdoors on rainy nights. No word of enemies who struck from unseen locations at unexpected hours, leaving nerves wrecked. I heard nothing about the open wounds, the death of comrades, the nightmares.
The endless nightmares.
Now, here I stand, in some godforsaken meadow, watching the sun rise above the horizon with only dead men and terrified horses for company. Not knowing what happened by the light of the moon. With no direction or destination to guide me from this place.
There was definitely no mention of this.
Sunday December 22nd, 2013
The exercise:
We're just three days away now. So start today's writing with the opening line from It Came Upon The Midnight Clear which, fittingly enough, is: It came upon the midnight clear
My parents arrived safely this afternoon, so now all of the gang that shall be here is here now. Max had a very busy day of throwing balls around the house and visiting Calgary's indoor farmers market, but unfortunately he seems to be coming down with a cold.
We're all hoping that a decent night's sleep will set him right again.
Mine:
It came upon the midnight clear, emerging from the darkness of the surrounding woods like oil spilling from a punctured barrel. Slithering toward the encampment in the meadow, it blinded the men on guard duty before smothering those who thought themselves watched over. Considered themselves protected. Safe.
The horses stamped their hooves, an action usually resulting in clouds of dust. But none appeared. They swished their tails as they turned their heads this way and that. There can be a sad difference between knowing something is wrong and being able to pinpoint that problem.
They were spared, at least. Unlike all of their masters. Well, not quite all of them.
I do not understand why I was allowed to live.
We're just three days away now. So start today's writing with the opening line from It Came Upon The Midnight Clear which, fittingly enough, is: It came upon the midnight clear
My parents arrived safely this afternoon, so now all of the gang that shall be here is here now. Max had a very busy day of throwing balls around the house and visiting Calgary's indoor farmers market, but unfortunately he seems to be coming down with a cold.
We're all hoping that a decent night's sleep will set him right again.
Mine:
It came upon the midnight clear, emerging from the darkness of the surrounding woods like oil spilling from a punctured barrel. Slithering toward the encampment in the meadow, it blinded the men on guard duty before smothering those who thought themselves watched over. Considered themselves protected. Safe.
The horses stamped their hooves, an action usually resulting in clouds of dust. But none appeared. They swished their tails as they turned their heads this way and that. There can be a sad difference between knowing something is wrong and being able to pinpoint that problem.
They were spared, at least. Unlike all of their masters. Well, not quite all of them.
I do not understand why I was allowed to live.
Saturday December 21st, 2013
The exercise:
Just because it's Four Line Poem Saturday, don't expect the countdown to Christmas to take a day off. Your first line will still begin with the opening line of a carol, in this case Silent Night.
So we're all starting with: Silent night, holy night
Here's a picture I took of Max this morning in the backyard:
He's not too sure about all this snow, but he does enjoy walking along the cleared sidewalks. I just have to carry him across the intersections, as well as any uneven bits on the sidewalks.
Though I don't always see those coming in time.
My parents are arriving tomorrow. I can't wait for them to see their grandson again.
Mine:
Silent night, holey night.
All is calm, all is bright -
Which is why I like to
Practice golfing at night.
Just because it's Four Line Poem Saturday, don't expect the countdown to Christmas to take a day off. Your first line will still begin with the opening line of a carol, in this case Silent Night.
So we're all starting with: Silent night, holy night
Here's a picture I took of Max this morning in the backyard:
He's not too sure about all this snow, but he does enjoy walking along the cleared sidewalks. I just have to carry him across the intersections, as well as any uneven bits on the sidewalks.
Though I don't always see those coming in time.
My parents are arriving tomorrow. I can't wait for them to see their grandson again.
Mine:
Silent night, holey night.
All is calm, all is bright -
Which is why I like to
Practice golfing at night.
Friday December 20th, 2013
The exercise:
The countdown to Christmas continues with Four Lines of Prose Friday requesting four lines, the first of which must begin with: I really can't stay
That would be the opening from Baby, It's Cold Outside.
We are safe and sound here in Calgary, where there is a whole lot of snow. Getting here was mostly good, as Max was awesome on his first plane ride. No real fussing, making friends, lots of laughs.
The worst part of the whole trip was the drive here from the airport, as it was getting late and he was tired and hungry and very much not wanting to be in a car seat. But we survived and he's settling in quite nicely.
Will try to share some pictures tomorrow.
Mine:
I really can't stay hidden here for much longer. Crouched down like this for so long... I'm fairly certain my legs are about to atrophy. My thoughts are drifting, my focus is shifting like grains of sand in a desert tornado... wait, do deserts even get tornadoes?
But I don't dare move, not with Santa Claus due to arrive at any moment.
The countdown to Christmas continues with Four Lines of Prose Friday requesting four lines, the first of which must begin with: I really can't stay
That would be the opening from Baby, It's Cold Outside.
We are safe and sound here in Calgary, where there is a whole lot of snow. Getting here was mostly good, as Max was awesome on his first plane ride. No real fussing, making friends, lots of laughs.
The worst part of the whole trip was the drive here from the airport, as it was getting late and he was tired and hungry and very much not wanting to be in a car seat. But we survived and he's settling in quite nicely.
Will try to share some pictures tomorrow.
Mine:
I really can't stay hidden here for much longer. Crouched down like this for so long... I'm fairly certain my legs are about to atrophy. My thoughts are drifting, my focus is shifting like grains of sand in a desert tornado... wait, do deserts even get tornadoes?
But I don't dare move, not with Santa Claus due to arrive at any moment.
Thursday December 19th, 2013
The exercise:
Christmas Week, the 2013 version, continues today by requesting that you use the first line of White Christmas as your own. After that you get to take it from there, either in poetry or prose.
As a reminder, in case you need it, the line goes a little something like: I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
We're off to Calgary today to spend the holidays with my sister and her husband. My parents will be joining us on Sunday, at which point I don't expect to see Max again until it's time to come back to Osoyoos.
Speaking of the little man, this will be his very first plane ride. Fingers and toes and all that crossed in the hopes that it is a good one. At least it's only an hour from Kelowna to Calgary, so even if it's rough it won't be excessively long.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention: this is a scheduled post, written Wednesday night. I should be back live on Friday.
Mine:
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas...
"All of the indications we're seeing now are pointing toward snow beginning to fall on the 22nd of December..."
Yes! Perfect!
"... and continuing to whiten our lives, without a single break, until well after the big day!"
Okay, that seems a little much.
"All told, we can expect approximately five feet of snow between now and Christmas."
Um... maybe not quite that white.
Christmas Week, the 2013 version, continues today by requesting that you use the first line of White Christmas as your own. After that you get to take it from there, either in poetry or prose.
As a reminder, in case you need it, the line goes a little something like: I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
We're off to Calgary today to spend the holidays with my sister and her husband. My parents will be joining us on Sunday, at which point I don't expect to see Max again until it's time to come back to Osoyoos.
Speaking of the little man, this will be his very first plane ride. Fingers and toes and all that crossed in the hopes that it is a good one. At least it's only an hour from Kelowna to Calgary, so even if it's rough it won't be excessively long.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention: this is a scheduled post, written Wednesday night. I should be back live on Friday.
Mine:
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas...
"All of the indications we're seeing now are pointing toward snow beginning to fall on the 22nd of December..."
Yes! Perfect!
"... and continuing to whiten our lives, without a single break, until well after the big day!"
Okay, that seems a little much.
"All told, we can expect approximately five feet of snow between now and Christmas."
Um... maybe not quite that white.
Wednesday December 18th, 2013
The exercise:
Now that we're down to just a week left before Christmas, I figured it's time for my nearly yearly countdown to the big day. Back in 2009 I used the title of various Christmas songs and I thought I'd tinker with that just a little bit.
This time around, we're going to be using the first line of my chosen Christmas songs as our prompts. You can connect each day's writing to the next if you wish, but I think I'll have to pass on that again this year. Disappointing, as I've always enjoyed those week long stories. Perhaps I'll make up for it by doing a theme week early in the new year.
Either way, the first opening line for us to use as our own comes from Silver Bells:
Silver bells, silver bells, it's Christmas time in the city
Mine:
Silver bells, silver bells, it's Christmas time in the city. The copper chimes have been covered up and put away, the golden gongs retired for this year. Silver notes alone fill these streets, echoing from house to house.
All day and all night, in the warmth of the sun and mirroring the moon, the bells ring on. Relentless and unstoppable, the church towers vibrating with their music. Spreading Christmas spirit to every corner of this town, from richest to poorest and back again.
Or so they claim.
Me? I say we'll all be completely mad by the time they finally silence the silver bells once more.
Now that we're down to just a week left before Christmas, I figured it's time for my nearly yearly countdown to the big day. Back in 2009 I used the title of various Christmas songs and I thought I'd tinker with that just a little bit.
This time around, we're going to be using the first line of my chosen Christmas songs as our prompts. You can connect each day's writing to the next if you wish, but I think I'll have to pass on that again this year. Disappointing, as I've always enjoyed those week long stories. Perhaps I'll make up for it by doing a theme week early in the new year.
Either way, the first opening line for us to use as our own comes from Silver Bells:
Silver bells, silver bells, it's Christmas time in the city
Mine:
Silver bells, silver bells, it's Christmas time in the city. The copper chimes have been covered up and put away, the golden gongs retired for this year. Silver notes alone fill these streets, echoing from house to house.
All day and all night, in the warmth of the sun and mirroring the moon, the bells ring on. Relentless and unstoppable, the church towers vibrating with their music. Spreading Christmas spirit to every corner of this town, from richest to poorest and back again.
Or so they claim.
Me? I say we'll all be completely mad by the time they finally silence the silver bells once more.
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