Just popped in to get some tea, but I'll brew up some Costa Rican dark coffee, and leave pots of Orange Pekoe and Darjeeling teas on the side for folks. Hot water for hot chocolate or other teas, of course.

Sorry – don't have any goodies to offer – other than my enchanting personality, I mean.

'Bye! Sunny day here today, cooler after yesterday's rain. I think it's about 16 or 17C – a long way from -8-10 at home!

I wonder if our snow service found our house under all the snow?

We'll find out later this month!

Yes, folks, it's true – here I am, back from vacation, just to enter the comp!

It's called:

A Chip Off the Writer's Block

Hope you like it!

(walks in and looks around)

Anyone got a cannon I can fire off in here?

Oh, well – it's Friday. Maybe everyone's out making plans.

I've got some fine Guatemalan dark roast coffee in the pot, plus Darjeeling and Matcha green teas on the side.

Didn't bring any cookies today – anyone got any goodies? Since Sara departed for parts unknown, we've been kinda hit or miss in that department.

Gillian, of course you can count on our vibes and support. We all go through hard times on occasion.

I've put Lavazza beans in the coffee maker, and we've got Orange Pekoe and English Breakfast teas on the sideboard.

(checks cookie jars) Hmmmm… gettin' a little thin on the ground here. I'm not a baker, but I'll see what I can scare up for baked goods.

There. Sugar cookies, and cream-filled cup cakes. That should hold most people's sweet teeth (sweet tooths?) for a while!

Yeah, well Lady Jay gave me a sign for my office door this Christmas. It says, "I think I seized the wrong day!"

Ha ha.

Anyway, I've cleaned out the coffee urn, and loaded it up with fresh Spring water, from the fresh Spring that runs through Jeff's story (I think) in the warmer months, plus some nice Costa Rican Gold, dark roast coffee.

We've got Oolong and Darjeeling teas on the sideboard, plus hot water galore for them what wants hot chocolate.

"Leave the story, take the …"

Jeez Louise.

OK, well we've got Café Roulade with cannoli cream. Take it or else.

How's everyone doing this fine, frosty Friday?

Good news for those of us who live around the Great Lakes: The recent Artic Vortex has frozen over about half of the lakes, which you will recall were unseasonably warm, with the result that there won't be as much lake-effect snow for the balance of the winter.

I'll take the silver linings when I can get 'em.

Quote by Mendalla

So we are back on the ship trying to relax on Serenity, the adults only deck, but there's a band playing loud on the ship across the pier from us. Right now they are covering Bon Jovi, which I can live with but it's not really what I want right now. Playing black metal at full volume can't drown it out. Are full broadside cannon volleys still legal in the Caribbean? ☠️😄

Absolutely cannon broadsides are legal in the Caribbean – provided you don't get caught!

Sounds like, music aside, you're having fun, Mendalla! Enjoy a cocktail for us, eh?

We've got Columbian medium-roast in the pot, and Darjeeling and Buddha's Blend teas on the sideboard, and some cream-filled cannoli that I picked up this morning on the way in.

Still cold today – like -25C with wind chill this morning, which is about -13F, so – cold however you count it!

Oh well. I've only got to go out and pick up groceries. I'm glad I had the Bear-mobile battery replaced earlier! It's all good now.

Quote by Mendalla

Hello from Barbados!! Actually, we are pulling out soon. Had a lovely sunset. Fifth of eight islands. Tomorrow we are at sea, then the last three. Too many islands, really. I am getting some reading in, though, mostly history stuff. Late classical to early medieval.

Hurry back from those hot, humid climes, Mendalla, or you'll miss the Artic Vortex! It's currently -19C with windchill to -23, and you wouldn't want to miss that, would you? Never mind – it's going to warm all the way up to a high of -11 on Wednesday, then SOAR to -6 on Thursday!

You wouldn't want us to have ALL the fun, would you?

We've got Sumatran dark roast for coffee today, and Orange Pekoe and Buddha's Blend teas.

Plenty of hot water, plus a tin of condensed milk to make hot chocolate, and some peanut butter cookies what Lady Jay made yesterday. Most of them vanished overnight, so she told me to get them out of the house before SOMEBODY blows their January resolutions to hell and back!

Stay warm – snuggle with a friend!

I'm late to the fair – I lost track of the date, somehow!

Congratulations to everyone who entered, but particularly to Jeff, Jason (who seems to be taking up residence on podia these days), and Anna!

And applause to the other 7 honourable mentions! Well deserved, all!

It was a fun comp, and I enjoyed the entries!

Glad to hear you're having fun, Mendalla on your cruise! We've been to the USVI as well as the BVI, and enjoyed both, although truth to tell, we prefer being at sea to all these annoying hop-and-stop cruises.

Our favourite cruise was a Panama Canal transit, from San Diego to Port Canaveral in Florida. It was a 14-day cruise, with what was supposed to be 4 stops, including the tip of the Baja Peninsula, and Puerta Vallarta. However, instead we went through two Pacific hurricanes and a tropical depression. One of the hurricanes hit both Baja and Puerta Vallarta, so both of those port visits were canceled. Instead, we had 9 straight sea days – and loved it.

Well, on one of the days, the waves were kinda rough, which didn't bother me, but Lady Jay, just that once, stayed in our cabin when I went to dinner. Only about half of the passengers wanted to eat, for some reason.

I had no trouble because I worked on a ship for a year between high school and university. I've been sea sick once, on the second day of that year, and never since.

It was a wonderful cruise, and we truly enjoyed the Canal transit.

I've put on some Columbian dark roast beans for coffee, and we have Darjeeling and Lapsong Souchow teas available in the pots on the sideboard.

(checks cookie jars) Hmmm… we're running a little thin. I'm not much of a baker – anyone got any ideas? I miss having Sara refill the cookie jars.

Glad to hear you're having fun, Mendalla! We've been to the USVI as well as the BVI, and enjoyed both, although truth to tell, we prefer being at sea to all these annoying hop-and-stop cruises.

Our favourite cruise was a Panama Canal transit, from San Diego to Port Canaveral in Florida. It was a 14-day cruise, with what was supposed to be 4 stops, including the tip of the Baja Peninsula, and Puerta Vallarta. However, instead we went through two Pacific hurricanes and a tropical depression. One of the hurricanes hit both Baja and Puerta Vallarta, so both of those port visits were canceled. Instead, we had 9 straight sea days – and loved it.

Well, on one of the days, the waves were kinda rough, which didn't bother me, but Lady Jay, just that once, stayed in our cabin when I went to dinner. Only about half of the passengers wanted to eat, for some reason.

I had no trouble because I worked on a ship for a year between high school and university. I've been sea sick once, on the second day of that year, and never since.

It was a wonderful cruise, and we truly enjoyed the Canal transit.

(wanders in, looks around) Hunh. I know that Mendalla is off on vacation, but …

OK, let's get things rolling.

Guatemalan dark roast beans for coffee, Orange Pekoe and Darjeeling teas in pots on the side, and cold drinks in the cooler. I brought some goodies – spice bars – not up to the standards of the homemade goodies Gillian and Cora bring, but the best a poor Bear can do.

The comp certainly finished up with a bang, with 16 entries, all of them well-written. Well, maybe excepting the first one. Let's see what the judges think – and all the best of British luck to them! I wouldn't want to have to pick winners from that bunch!

I hope Mendalla has recovered from the screw-up by Delta on his flights down, and is somewhere warm, sipping a cool, frosty drink while conspicuously not thinking about us!

Quote by Mendalla

Good snowy morning. Maybe I'm getting the storm verbs was talking about yesterday. Took maybe 18 inches off my driveway already and it is still coming down on and off. Winter in Ontario, you know I ... well, I sometimes love it. Oh well, the Caribbean beckons. Three days to go.

Putting on some Fire Roasted Holiday Blend because, hey, we've lots left over and it's not that far past the holidays yet. For teas, there's Earl Grey and Raspberry Royale, both from Bigelows. Hot water is ready and sodas are stocked.

How's things?

.

Which cruise line are you going with, and what island stops are you making, Mendalla? Lady Jay and I have been on several cruises, including the Bahamas and the Caribbean. We actually prefer being at sea to doing this one-port-stop-every-day shit. After a while, the ports start to look the same, and the only differences are what's printed on the t-shirts.

But if I can make a recommendation, get out of the main port areas. They've been bought up by the cruise lines, and the same luxury good vendors, and jewelry sellers occupy those parts of every stop. But if you get out into the back streets, you can find some real stores by local people. Lady Jay and I found an outstanding linen and fabric tableware shop that way. We would also seek out a good coffee shop, often asking one of the locals. That not only got us wifi access, but we got to chat with some people who WEREN'T owned by the cruise companies. Just be sure to use a condom – I mean a VPN – if you're using a public wifi system, including those in the coffee shops!

I was particularly struck by Dreamweaver's story. Reminds me of a friend of mine who is of that persuasion.

The Winter Solstice Releases Lunar Magics

One swell coffee, coming up!

Since Mendalla hasn't swung by yet, I'll get things going.

We've got some nice Costa Rican dark roast beans for coffee, plus Lemon Zinger and Earl Grey teas, as well as hot water for all the usual other warm beverages.

(checks the fridge) Reasonable number of soft drinks, but I'll leave a note to Mendalla to stock up soon. We're getting a little thin on colas.

Competition seems to be going well. Thirteen entries, all of which are good, and in very different ways!

Shaping up nicely – who's next?

And Happy New Year's Day! Every one bright and eager this morning?

I didn't think so…

Oh well. There's Columbian medium roast beans for coffee, and Buddha's Blend and Earl Grey for tea – plus hot water for them what want to make their own choices.

I think there are some goodies left over from 2024, but since I'm no baker, check it for yourselves.

And may 2025 be a year you all remember with fondness!

A quiet day in the midst of all the holiday hoo-rah. Lady Jay is doing one of the three jigsaw puzzles she got for Christmas, which is keeping her well-occupied. I've been on a bit of a writing jag, and am torn between writing, or working on one of the MS I'm editing for publication. That latter is easier, so maybe I'll go with that.

Unless a story rears up and demands to be told, in which case the decision is made for me.

Meanwhile, I'll put on some Guatamalan dark roast, with Earl Grey and Darjeeling teas, plus hot water for them what wants something else.

I'm gonna take a big mug of Earl Grey – and I'll see if there are any goodies around.

Well hello out there! I trust you all had a white and wonderful Christmas! It certainly was here.

Nice crop of comp entries growing – glad I slipped mine in early, although, like Mendalla, I suspect that new kid – WriterGirl is it? – is gonna take the brass ring.

We had a happy day, although I seemed to have spent much of the day washing dishes. I guess that comes of being the least talented chef in the family. I don't actually mind it, much, although our son seems to create bomb sites when he cooks. He figured out in university that if you cook, you don't have to clean up. As a result, it sometimes seems when he is finished, he's somehow managed to use every pot, pan, bowl, dish, and plate in the place!

Fortunately, since a blow-up several Christmases ago, he's started cleaning up a bit as he goes. Now every pot, pan, bowl, dish, and plate in the place has been used – but is at least placed in the sink with water so food doesn't get crusted on.

I've been doing a bit of writing, some of it here, some elsewhere, as well as trying to promote Bear and Girl, I'm also editing the MS of another book, which I co-authored, and have two other MS waiting in the wings for the time to get punched into shape for publication.

Geez, now that I read all that, I realize what a wordy bloke I am!

Anyway, hope you're all well. Anna, so sorry to hear about your niece. Way too early. I had a younger cousin die this year – he drank himself to death – and we all felt sorry because he was non-social due to being so painfully shy.

Tragedy is part of life, but we don't have to enjoy it. 😕

Coffee we can manage, Jeff. I've got some of Peet's special Celebration Blend coffee for y'all. Teas are Black and Darjeeling, hot water for cocoa, and some nifty Christmas-y donuts!

I'm gonna have to get to present wrapping soon, or Lady Jay will not be happy!

Still, I think she'll like some of the goodies I got for her. Not much longer to wait!

OK, so somehow, with coaxing (for which I offer my thanks), my story has been approved.

Find it here:

Nature's Catherdral

And here it is…

Nature's Cathedral

And I got it in by the skin of my teeth – plus some creative help from the moderator, for which I offer thanks!

And I've submitted my entry. Let's see if it sneaks by the moderators!

It's a true story, and I've titled it Nature's Cathedral.

Ollie-ollie-in-come-free!

Come on in!

I'll make myself a cuppa Earl Grey, then try one of those potato candies – never heard of such a thing, but I'm game.

Wait … that's the wrong thing for a Bear to say, isn't it?

Both of my parents managed their exits about as gracefully as I've seen it done. I should be so good!

Dad died on Boxing Day (the day after Christmas) at age 89, after playing golf with my brother, who was visiting, and birdying the last hole he ever played on a magnificent chip onto the green from the rough. He died of a heart attack at 11:15 that night – no hospitals, fuss, or lingering effects.

Mom slipped away at age 94 a few years later. I'm convinced she knew what she was doing – just ate less and less until she just stopped. She was in hospice for three days after refusing further treatment for UTIs, with our daughter, her granddaughter, sitting by her bedside.

I still miss both of them, but can feel them with me, especially at Christmas.

Great theme, and I know exactly what I'm going to write, based on something that happened to me.

Now all I need to do is find some words, tumble them together, and see if I can keep it under 1,000 words!

I'm a wordy SOB (which stands for "Son of a Bear")!

Quote by gillianleeza

I am way behind on Christmas stuff. Part of it is because none of my kids will be here. They were all here for Thanksgiving, so I really can't complain. My brother and I are trying to figure out how we handle the holiday with my Dad. We will probably spend part of the day with him and take him out to eat. Currently, COVID-19 is circulating among the residents in his memory care unit. Three people are hospitalized with complications. I came home today and tried to disinfect myself, lol. I do not need Covid again.

I hope Monday is being kind to everyone. Take care of yourselves and stay healthy. Cheers.

No, COVID is not the kind of Christmas present you – or anyone – wants. I trust you've had the most recent vaccination. Lady Jay and I have had seven vaxxes against COVID so far, plus wearing masks almost everywhere we go, but with a 4-year-old granddaughter in school, we're likely to get anything that's going around as she visits here most days.

Treat yourself gently is the only other thing I can suggest, Gillian. And take care.

Let's get some Guatemalan coffee going, along with Darjeeling and Orange Pekoe (black) teas, to nestle alongside Cora's goodies.

.

Quote by Cora

Hey everyone.

I hope you all have been well. I will scroll through past posts later to learn of what I missed. I just wanted to stop by for a greeting.

verbal, I am very sorry to hear you are limping. I hope things improve.

My book club started up again. I have been spending much time reading and learning. We meet once a month for book club, dinner and dessert, wonderful conversation, and pray the Rosary together.

I hope everyone had a beautiful Thanksgiving. I certainly did. I learned how to play chess. I very much enjoy the game.

Tomorrow marks the first of 12 Days of Christmas. And December 23 is my birthday! I am very excited; for the season and my birthday.

I will try to come around more often but I am not sure if it will be on a daily basis, especially when I have to read and during the Holiday Season.

.

Delicious-looking treats, Cora!

I've always thought that the 12 days of Christmas started on Christmas Day and ran through to the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6th. But what do I know?

Cora, may I humbly suggest my book, Bear and Girl, for your book club? I would be pleased to send you a complimentary copy to consider if you could PM me a mailing address. It will take some time as it comes from Amazon, but not by express courier.

Jeff, sorry to hear of your continuing problems. But, as they tell struggling actors – use it! Write a story about it. That way at least you get some value out of it.

We have our tree up, all the tree lights festooned, and the first decorations have found their way onto the tree. We have a traditional first decoration – The Pink Pig – which is a particularly ugly pink felt decoration given to Lady Jay by her (now deceased) aunt in England. We feel duty-bound to put it on the tree – but always at the back where it won't be seen. Then, next, our son and 4-year-old granddaughter hide The (glass) Pickle on the tree, which we are supposed to find once the tree is completely decorated.

All part of our Christmas traditions, of which there are a-plenty.

Here's a photo of this year's edition of The Village…

It started with a relatively modest set that Jay had before she met me. I was so entranced with it, that she kept adding to it. Then it became a travel thing. We have houses or buildings that come from several countries, including the US, Portugal, Australia, England, and so on.

I doubt if there is a real village anywhere that's like this, but it's a reminder of lovely times and visits past. And isn't Christmas about nostalgia?

Incidentally, the lowest level, at the bottom left, is there to allow the 4-year-old granddaughter to arrange things as she pleases. All the items there are non-breakable, so she gets to feel that she's part of it.

Good morning everybody!

I see that the coffee urn is waiting to go, so I'll get things started.

We've got some nice Costa Rican medium-roast in the urn, and some Darjeeling from Sri Lanka for the tea.

I can see that there are some leftover Thanksgiving cupcakes, and some fresh-made spice bars, so that should tide folks over until someone with more talent arrives with goodies.

Lady Jay has many of the Christmas decorations up. She used to play a game where she would put up a few a day, and then, when I got home from work, I had to see if I could pick out the new ones.

"This one?"

"No – that's been up for a week."

"Oh. THIS one!"

"No, that went up yesterday."

…and so on. The kids always got a giggle at Dad's expense because I was so bad at it.

Now that our kids have their own kids, she has the 16 or so big Rubbermaid tubs of decorations labeled by kind.

"Bring up the Santas box…Now bring up the Angels box…now bring up the forest and lights…"

Then, the Big One … "OK, we're ready for the three Christmas Village boxes!"

We have a big bookshelf in the sitting room, and she clears three levels off, then carefully builds up the infrastructure so that our son and DIL can actually lay out the village – from photos taken last year.

It's a big production. And I'm an integral part of it. I'm the BFI – Brute Force, and Ignorance.

Just call me "Fetch".

And since it's not Canadian Thanksgiving, merely American, I'll get things started.

I think that's what they call a "non sequitur" in the trade.

We have a special coffee blend today – Peet's Holiday Blend dark roast coffee.

There are Twinings English Breakfast and Lemon Ginger teas brewed up and ready.

And some Thanksgiving-like treats.

Hope everyone has a safe and sane Thanksgiving – and Gillian, all the best. ❤️ Missing your mom for the first major holiday has to be difficult, especially with your dad having problems.

Oh well – it's Monday. Let's get some caffeine going.

Let's go with Black Bear dark roast coffee from Muskoka Coffee Roasters, Tetley's Orange Pekoe and Oolong teas.

Plenty of sodas in the fridge, plus hot water and condensed milk for those who want to make hot chocolate. You can also use the frother to heat the milk if you wanna.

And I've got some peanut butter cookies and spice bars to go with the caffeine.

How's everybody doing this (American) Thanksgiving week?

From the reports, the Left Coast is getting socked. Power outages, power lines down, trees down, cars crushed, roofs caved in… all worrisome.

I hate to think what will happen to the blue coastal states once a certain thing becomes president. "FEMA funds? For YOU? Ferget it - and next time vote for me in 2028"

We've got some Kick Ass Coffee from Kicking Horse Coffee Roasters today, plus Earl Grey Cream and Matcha Green teas for everyone.

Soda/pop coolers are full, lots of Coke Zero for those who want to avoid poisoning themselves with sugar and prefer other chemicals instead.

And we've got hot chocolate sachets for those who want it.

Folks, if you're on the West Coast, please help your neighbours. I have a feeling the authorities are going to have their hands full for a while.