In response to many requests, we are rerunning our popular Thanksgiving post, Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving.
Twas the night before Thanksgiving and all through the store,
Not an employee was stirring. They could give no more
Their stockings were torn but they did not care.
They just hoped that closing time soon would be there.
The children’s department was completely a wreck
While the staff glared at shoppers and wished them to heck.
The managers were tired, the employees were pooped
And all wished with fervor they could go and get looped.
When out in the aisles there arose such a clatter
They all started swearing. Now what was the matter?
Away to the noises they wearily trooped
With heads that were bent and shoulders all stooped.
The overhead lights did glaringly glow
Like the rage of a fire from someplace below.
When what to their overworked eyes did appear
But a nut in a sleigh full of holiday gear.
And the little old driver was so peppy and sleek
They knew in a moment they were all up shit’s creek.
A man from corporate to the staff came
And he whistled and shouted and called them all names.
“Now, Dumbass! now, Birdbrain! Now, Stooper and Bonehead!
On, Cranky! on, Stupid! on, Leadass and Meathead!
“I want top profit stores, I want top profit malls!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”
As dry leaves that before a wild hurricane fly
The staff looked at each other and let out a sigh.
So up to the man, the staff they did drag
To see what new horrors he had in his bag.
And then, in a twinkling, he loudly did yell
“I want you all to sell, sell, sell, sell!”
The staff bowed their heads and were turning around
When out of the sleigh he came in a bound.
He was dressed all in Gucci from his head to his feet
His tie cost more than they all made in a week.
A bundle of sale signs he had flung on the floor
But then he said, “Wait! I have even more!”
His eyes, how they twinkled! his smile, how scary!
His cheeks were like roses, (from drinking some sherry).
His cruel little mouth was drawn up in a grin
He had the air of man who knew he would win.
The plan from corporate, he held tight in his fist.
And when he unrolled it, the staff got quite pissed.
He had a girl on each arm and a group of kiss-asses
(Who were really accountants with bow-ties and glasses.)
He was greedy and dumb, a corporate kook
And the staff when they saw him, all wanted to puke.
A wink of his eye, and a twist of his head
Soon gave them to know they had something to dread.
He spoke no more words but went straight to his work
He changed the whole store plan (because he’s a jerk).
And giving the finger to all of the staff
He then strode away with a soft evil laugh.
He sprang to his sleigh, and his suck-ups he hailed
“Let’s get out of here, boys, before we are flailed.”
But they heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight
“You had better make plan before Christmas night!”
A few readers have asked what our favorite quotes about time are — from our own books! We debated and argued and wrangled over some of them but managed to come up with a list of ten. So, for posterity, here are our favorite quotes about time from the Time’s Edge series:
1. Time exists in cosmic strings that run parallel to each other, each with a slightly different frequency and, hence, a slightly different reality. (Time’s Edge)
2. We create the illusion of time, but time, as most beings define it, doesn’t really exist. (Time’s Secret)
3. Time is infinite. If you’re a molecule. (Time’s Secret)
4. Most answers are revealed by Time. (Time’s Secret)
5. Play your part in time but do not try to alter time. (Time’s Illusion) 
6. Time takes no prisoners. (Time’s Warriors)
7. It is better to be warned and act at the proper time then to try and change the order of time. (Time’s Warriors)
8. Time heals most errors. (Time’s Guardians)
9. Time has a way of righting itself. (Time’s Guardians)
10. Time is ours. (Time’s Illusion)
Turns out reading fiction is great for your brain! It’s the cognitive equivalent of taking your brain for a jog. So exercise daily with a good book.
We purchased this handmade card many years ago. It always has a prominent spot on our Christmas tree where Santa can easily spot it.
Happy Holidays from Joe and Mary
We’re both sitting here at our computers staring, not at the screens, but out the window. Blizzard Nemo is approaching and we are waiting for the first snowflakes to begin falling.
Ironically, we have just started a new book (Time’s Warriors, #5 in the Time’s Edge science fiction series) which opens with a big snow storm. Our hero is standing up to his knees in snow trying to prevent two other characters from killing each other. (It’s been a long, dark winter on the planet where they are.)
We are experiencing a strange sense of deja vu. Why do we have the feeling this is going to be us in a few hours?
In response to many requests, we are rerunning our popular Thanksgiving post, Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving.
Twas the night before Thanksgiving and all through the store,
Not an employee was stirring. They could give no more
Their stockings were torn but they did not care.
They just hoped that closing time soon would be there.
The children’s department was completely a wreck
While the staff glared at shoppers and wished them to heck.
The managers were tired, the employees were pooped
And all wished with fervor they could go and get looped.
When out in the aisles there arose such a clatter
They all started swearing. Now what was the matter?
Away to the noises they wearily trooped
With heads that were bent and shoulders all stooped.
The overhead lights did glaringly glow
Like the rage of a fire from someplace below.
When what to their overworked eyes did appear
But a nut in a sleigh full of holiday gear.
And the little old driver was so peppy and sleek
They knew in a moment they were all up shit’s creek.
A man from corporate to the staff came
And he whistled and shouted and called them all names.
“Now, Dumbass! now, Birdbrain! Now, Stooper and Bonehead!
On, Cranky! on, Stupid! on, Leadass and Meathead!
“I want top profit stores, I want top profit malls!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”
As dry leaves that before a wild hurricane fly
The staff looked at each other and let out a sigh.
So up to the man, the staff they did drag
To see what new horrors he had in his bag.
And then, in a twinkling, he loudly did yell
“I want you all to sell, sell, sell, sell!”
The staff bowed their heads and were turning around
When out of the sleigh he came in a bound.
He was dressed all in Gucci from his head to his feet
His tie cost more than they all made in a week.
A bundle of sale signs he had flung on the floor
But then he said, “Wait! I have even more!”
His eyes, how they twinkled! his smile, how scary!
His cheeks were like roses, (from drinking some sherry).
His cruel little mouth was drawn up in a grin
He had the air of man who knew he would win.
The plan from corporate, he held tight in his fist.
And when he unrolled it, the staff got quite pissed.
He had a girl on each arm and a group of kiss-asses
(Who were really accountants with bow-ties and glasses.)
He was greedy and dumb, a corporate kook
And the staff when they saw him, all wanted to puke.
A wink of his eye, and a twist of his head
Soon gave them to know they had something to dread.
He spoke no more words but went straight to his work
He changed the whole store plan (because he’s a jerk).
And giving the finger to all of the staff
He then strode away with a soft evil laugh.
He sprang to his sleigh, and his suck-ups he hailed
“Let’s get out of here, boys, before we are flailed.”
But they heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight
“You had better make plan before Christmas night!”
“There’s no excuse to be bored. Sad, yes. Angry, yes. Depressed, yes. Crazy, yes. But there’s no excuse for boredom, ever” Viggo Mortensen
We write science fiction about characters with extraordinary gifts, gifts that most would say are impossible in real life. But when we look around at our family and friends, we notice that many folks have abilities that can only be described as superpowers. Here are some examples:
The Cuteness Factor. We’ve all seen this one. Sure, there are a lot of cute kids in the world, but some can focus that cuteness with amazing results. The world stops for them. Folks give them gifts for no reason. People trip over themselves to do things for them. They send their cuteness vibrations out into the universe and the cosmos rearranges itself to suit them. A Class-A superpower.
The Power of No. This is a good one. Folks with this talent can say no and others accept it. No explanations, no apologies. Just the one word and no arguments, thank you very much. Rare, but definitely powerful.
The Inability to See Dirt. An amazing skill, mostly possessed by men. Dirty dishes in the sink? Cobwebs in the corners? Mud on the floor? Nothing gets through the shield that prevents these guys, uh, people, from seeing dirt. Some are so powerful that even when the dirt is pointed out to them, they still cannot perceive it. Truly amazing.
Techno-demigod. What a great talent this is. The techno-demigod can simply sit down at a malfunctioning computer and it will immediately start working again. He can also perform this feat with other things, such as copiers, phones, and computerized appliances. A household and workplace deity.
The Finder. Finders are very useful. They can locate just about anythings. Can’t remember where you left your glasses? The finder knows. Where did you leave that important paper that you just had in your hand and now cannot locate anywhere? The finder will spot it within ten seconds of walking into your office. They have a knack of seeing what others do not and an ability to notice details that is super-human.
Moms. The superpowers of moms are many and potent. A sampling:
Are there any superpowers in your family?
While we were on vacation, we bought this tea cup which came with some great advice.
J.M. Dattilo 