Mike Befeler's Blog, page 25

Uncertainties in the New Year

I’m glad that 2020 is behind us. What does 2021 have in store for us? There are still looming uncertainties: the political turmoil, the spike in COVID, the question of when we will be able to be vaccinated. We can all do our part in our communities to stay safe and to help others stay safe as well. We will ride through this uncertainty. I’m realistic about the problems but optimistic that we can find solutions.

2020 Hindsight

Yes, this was a difficult year. We all suffered from the pandemic with deaths and cases soaring and the need to practice new safety measures. We experienced a tumultuous election, economic problems, social unrest and schools turning to remote learning. As a writer, all my in-person events were cancelled after one day at the Left Coast Crime Conference in March. Our granddaughter had to forego an overseas college opportunity because of the pandemic.

On the bright side, members of our family have stayed healthy after one COVID-19 scare in June. I am now an experienced Zoom assistant for my grandson in kindergarten. I learned more about dinosaurs, sea creatures and the planets through my grandson’s curiosity. I published a novella titled, Coronavirus Daze, and my daughter published a children’s holiday book, The Jolly Effect.

I am looking forward to a calmer 2021 and wish the best to you and your families.

Holiday Season

This Christmas and Holiday Season will be much different from any before. For us, it will be very low key. We will celebrate with our pod: our daughter, 5-year-old grandson, my wife and me. Christmas dinner will be simple. We will have one opportunity to see our oldest son, daughter-in-law and two grandkids when we sit outdoors on our porch with masks on, ten feet apart. Our second son and his family will be visited in Iowa only through electronic links this year. We are grateful to be safe and healthy and wish all of you the same.

A Week of Good and Bad News

This has been an eventful week. First, the bad news. COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations are increasing. The good news includes the successful distribution of the first vaccine, the first vaccinations and the potential for additional approvals in the near future. On the political front, the good news is that the Electoral College has declared a winner. The bad news is that the current resident of the White House still can’t accept reality. Let’s focus on the good news and move forward while not letting our guard down.

The Stockdale Paradox and the Pandemic

With the current status of the pandemic, I’m reminded of the Stockdale Paradox. This is a concept advocated by Admiral James Stockdale who was a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War. To paraphrase: when in a horrific situation, we must have faith in a positive outcome and do everything possible to make that happen while at the same time being brutally honest about how difficult our situation is. We are facing a critical time in the pandemic. There is hope on the horizon with the vaccines but we must not let down our guard. We need to get vaccinated when the vaccines are available but need to be brutally honest that the danger still exists for everyone, and we need to maintain our diligence to wear masks, socially distance and avoid large gatherings. Stay safe and healthy.

Uplifting holiday story for the whole family: The Jolly Effect

My daughter is the author of a just released book, The Jolly Effect, that is illustrated by my grandson.

‘Twas twenty days before Christmas, when all through the house everything was stirring, including a computer mouse. Even though nobody was home!

Something jolly and magical is causing Christmas decorations to spring to life. Which is nothing unusual for them until they discover a decoration from another holiday. Suddenly, everything is in question. What exactly is it that powers the decorations to awaken? Do they themselves have this power? Can they even stay awake until Christmas? Will the crotchety old nutcracker ruin the fun? Will Ugly Sweater ever stop singing her holiday opera?

This book is a whimsical journey into the heart, soul and magic of that elusive holiday spirit. Get ready to share the Jolly Effect.

The Jolly Effect is available in a print edition https://amzn.to/33npmQ0  and an e-book edition https://amzn.to/3meWmBt.For more information go to https://lbefeler9.wixsite.com/author

About the Author:

When not putting up or taking down holiday decorations with her son, Laura Befeler can be found dreaming up new book ideas and working at one ad agency or another. Originally from Boulder, CO, she misses the chance to wake up to a white Christmas. She now lives in a festive little house in Southern California, which currently has decorations up from two holidays ago. She has a nephew named Asher as well as a sister-in-law named Kasey and hopes to visit Iowa again soon.

About the Illustrators:

Asher and Kasey Befeler were both born and raised in Iowa, where Christmas is at least cold, if not white. Kasey works as a graphic artist and Asher has been a natural artist for as long as his aunt can remember. In addition to drawing, Asher loves fishing (and going on family trips to Southern California). He is currently in the 8th grade.

Happy Thanksgiving

This has been a difficult year for all of us. We have been away from friends and family, faced health challenges in all of our families, dealt with political uncertainty and undergone stress. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I give thanks for all we do have and wish you and your family a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

The Holiday Season

People are starting to make plans for Thanksgiving, the various religious holidays in December, and New Years. This will be a challenge given the spike in COVID-19 cases. Recently, I have spoken with friends in different parts of the country. Many of us are planning to forgo large family gatherings during the holiday season. This is important so that we will all be here to celebrate next year.

Election Results

This has been a long and trying election year. We’ve been exposed to tension, uncertainty, anger and heated rhetoric. Now is the time for our country to come together. Once the stubbornness to not admit a defeat is resolved and the claims of voter fraud are put to rest, we can move on. Otherwise, we need to be careful or France will ask us to return the Statue of Liberty.

Political Unrest

The night before the election, the City Manager of Lakewood, CA, where I live sent out a message describing the steps the city and the sheriff’s office were taking to prevent and contain any civil unrest as a result of the election. It’s unfortunate that in this modern age, we would have to be on alert for such an event, but it’s best to be prepared for the eventuality.

I look forward to the day we can voice our political differences while working for the common good of all of our country.