Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 302 – Christmas 2020

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Christmas isn’t a parade or a concert, but a piece of home you keep in your heart, wherever you go.”

Donnaa Vanliere

Thank you. Spidey, for finding some words to soothe, at a very tough time.

Earlier, I was wallowing, because it was confirmed that a colleague of mine, that I had contact with, has tested positive. this meant that I was to be in self-isolation for ten days, taking me up to 27th December.

Yup, missing out on Christmas, totally.

But the rest of the family would be okay. They could, at least, go and see the in-laws, and there might have been some semblance of normality.

We were just getting ourselves prepared.

I’d already bought a frozen turkey crown, pigs in blankets, and all the veggies, and crackers, etc, just in case of us being at home, rather than with the extended family. Presents were ready for a doorstep exchange, just in case, too.

And the hope was, that on the 27th December, the last day of the 5 day Christmas Grace that the Government had deemed a possibility for families across England, we could all be together for a short while, at least. (Providing I don’t feel unwell, or end up testing positive myself in the next few days.)

But at 4pm(ish) on Saturday, BoZo and his clueless minions took the decision (which they should have taken ages ago, when the virus numbers started to rise considerably) to cancel the original Christmas plans of three households being able to mix between 23rd and 27th December, and they have also introduced a new Tier 4, (under which we are, now, too, being in Kent).

So from tomorrow, we are effectively in lockdown, again, until at least 30th December. No non-essential shops to be open, no indoor gyms, hairdressers, nail salons, etc. No going into other households, unless you are in a support bubble. Only meeting maximum of one person from another household, outside.

It’s gutting for those who really had their hearts set on seeing their families for the festive period.

I, for one, would usually be seeing my parents for a couple of days. I’ve not seen them since August. But we had already decided that their safety was more important, and that video calls would be the plan for the day.

But I think what is important to remember, is the essence of the quote above.

Christmas is in our hearts. And even if it has to be a quiet one this year, the hope is that all the cancelled joy we have experienced this year, will mean we are safer, healthier and happier, for the next one.

So… tell me, how are you feeling, if the new Christmas plans have affected you?

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Have a peaceful Sunday Peeps.   

#SoCS Dec. 19/2020 – Magnet

Linda’s #SoCS Prompt:

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “magnet.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!

The first thing that came to mind was reader magnet.

I’ve been working on a reader magnet, since the middle of the lockdown, but it came to a halt because school started up, and well, life hasn’t been the simplest, recently, for me.

Do you know what a reader magnet is?

It is, for want of a better word, the bait to reel in some new readers, by offering a free short story, novella, or sometimes even a full length book, in exchange for people signing up to your newsletter.

I’m trying to build that up too, but I haven’t even had a chance to send any out, yet!

Maybe this Christmas, I can do it. At least send one out! (Sans reader magnet, though, as that won’t be quite ready!)

FRIDAY FICTION with RONOVAN WRITES Prompt Challenge Holiday Special – Santa’s Cookies

Ronovan is back with his Friday Fiction Prompts, and so, here I am, jumping on the first one in a while!

Prompt for Challenge

  • ‘Santa arrives at the home of Harry Potter where the Potter children have left cookies and milk for Santa to eat. He does. What happens next?’ REQUIRED
  • Word Count is 500 words or lessREQUIRED

Santa’s Cookies

After checking his list, Santa rummaged around in his sack and located the presents for the Potter children. Setting them under the tree, he made his way back to the fireplace, ready to leave, when he noticed the snacks.

“Now, this looks rather interesting.” Santa removed his soot-covered mask, dislodging a few black particles, before smoothing his snow-white beard.

A hand-written note accompanied the plates and glass.

 Deer Santa,

 We howp yoo hav a gud trip arownd the world toniyt.
 We hav been veri gud this yeer.
 Mummy sez my spelling is getting beter, but my spells are perfec.
 Howp you lyk the cukiys and caruts.

 Love from
 Teddy and lily and albus and james
 (but mostly Teddy bcos I mayd the cukiys )

“Milk and cookies, as usual, but these cookies seem to have a certain glow about them.” He took a bite, the biscuit melting in his mouth. It wasn’t long before he’d emptied the plate, and drained the glass of milk, letting out a small belch, after.

Santa rubbed his belly and smiled at the other small plate, which displayed carrots for the reindeer. Emptying them into his pocket, he popped his mask back on and whooshed back up the chimney.

The reindeer stood patiently on the roof. Santa felt in his pockets and found the carrots, speedily offering them to the waiting animals, who snuffled them up within seconds.

He settled into the sleigh, and with a shake of the reins, the sleigh and Santa disappeared into the night.

The scuffling noise from above stopped, and little Teddy stepped out from behind the curtains.

“Wow! I really did get to see Santa! The others won’t believe me. They never do. But I did. I saw him. And he read my letter and ate all my cookies. I do hope my spells worked. I’d hate for Christmas to come to a halt because Santa ended up with the virus. The cookies and carrots were magic, so they don’t get sick. Well, I hope they were, anyway.”

He glanced at the pile of presents left behind and smiled.

“I’ve definitely been a good boy this year.”

I’m not a HP fan, so I hope I did okay with this one!

December 17: Flash Fiction Challenge – Wing-Woman

Charlie’s Carrot Ranch flash fiction prompt:

December 17, 2020, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that features stilettos. Who will wear them and why? Go where the prompt leads!

Wing-Woman

“I have to wear those?”

Melissa nodded.

“No, really. Me? Wearing those death traps?”

Eliza gingerly picked up one of the sparkly high heeled stilettos and dangled it in front of her eyes. A pointed toe that was sure to pinch at her feet. And the heel. Dear God, the heel. Six inches of danger.

She cleared her throat. “Mel, do you want to walk into the club with style, or be shoved into Dan’s arms unceremoniously, as your hapless wing-woman ends up tripping, and taking you with her?”

“Well, at least he’ll notice me, that way,” Melissa smirked.

Ronovan Writes Décima Poetry Challenge Prompt No. 36: That Covid Gift

Ronovan’s Decima Challenge”

GIFT in the B rhyme line (ABBA/ACCDDC )

That Covid Gift
 It’s not how it was meant to be
 Wasn’t expecting this Christmas gift
 Celebrations cut short, so swift
 Our bubble burst at school, you see
  
 Now self-isolation for me
 We thought we’d last just one more day
 Now, I just pray my friend’s okay
 Holidays for kids start tonight
 Oh, government, where’s your hindsight?
 Just close school early… We did say… 
Ritu 2020

My Decima is written tonight, in sheer desperation. We were due to finish term tomorrow, half day for the kids, and after tidying up, us getting home early. Instead, we’ve spent the best part of the evening having to arrange for the school to be closed tomorrow, due to a positive test in one of the staff members. She had a Rapid Swab test with gives results within an hour, but it also says that it isn’t fully accurate, so you have to isolate for at least 48 hours and get a proper test done.

All contacts have to self-isolate too, for 48 hours, and if the next test is positive, for 10 days in total. I was a contact for that poor girl, which means self-isolation now, and because the Government wasn’t willing to bend on the suggestions that schools go online for the last week, to spare families this stress, just before Christmas, we may not even be able to see our family on Christmas day… I am so frustrated with the whole situation.

And that’s not all. They, (that stupid Government), have issued newe guidelines for starting back to school in January, different to what all secondary schools were advised before finishing, and now this… Oh, and the plan to get every secondary school pupil and staff tested regularly after they come back, with the rapid swab tests that aren’t even that accurate… (but the schools are expected to train staff up to do the tests… because we have all the extra staff in the world, out there…)

What is a break? School staff won’t be getting one.

Instead, we will either be in isolation, or dessperately trying to piece together the ridiculous advice sent by the Government, and DfE,then we will walk back into schools, dealing with the aftermath of the open ‘Christmas’ celebrations, that the goverment are so keen for everyone to have (except those in isolation, which could be most of the population…)

Sorry. Off my frustrated soap box now. Just wish me well. I do not want this virus. And gete well vibes for my colleague too, please.

Ronovan Writes Decima Challenge Image

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