M. Jean Pike's Blog, page 22

Christmas came early

I was treated to an early Christmas gift last night, a Christmas concert by Steven Curtis Chapman.

I have been a fan of his music for two decades but had never seen him in concert. Just wow!

I tend to hibernate in the winter and on nights I’m not at work I am usually in bed with my nose in a book by 8:00, so this was a big deal for me. Before the concert we went out for a light dinner of soup and salad, which in and of itself was a treat. We got to the venue in Circleville early to ensure good seats. He brought quite a crowd! In addition to some of his well loved songs, he sang a lot of traditional Christmas favorites and invited the audience to sing along.

It was a wonderful, worshipful evening and really got my head in a good place as we move into the weeks before Christmas. This was not a gift that could be put under the tree and opened on Christmas morning. It was a memory I will carry in my heart forever

Hello, Beautiful!

Those were my words this morning when I went to water my plants and discovered the violet my friend gave me more than two months ago is finally in bloom! I have had a few violets before but they were all purple. I love this little lady with her delicate pink skirt

It also happens to be the title of a book I just finished by new to me author, Ann Napolitano. I love stories about families and particularly the bonds between sisters. This sweeping tale of a family’s love, secrets and betrayals was so beautiful it broke my heart in many places. I’m so glad I read it!

On a side note, I finished my puzzle! It was only 300 pieces and I did it in just two sittings, but it made me remember how relaxing puzzles have always been for me. I enjoyed getting swept away into this wonderful little world of childhood. So it’s been a good day filled with things I loved. Looking forward to a new year and making time for more flowers, good books and puzzles.

Broken Things

I don’t keep broken things. Chipped dishes, torn blankets, a picture frame with a crack in the corner. Maybe it’s because so much in life is broken beyond repair and throwing these items away gives me the illusion of control over my environment. So when I was washing my dishes the other night and accidentally knocked this little angel off the windowsill and broke off one of her wings, my first impulse was to throw her in the garbage can. I felt bad, because she is as cute as can be, but I only paid a couple of dollars for her and even though things can be glued, they are never quite the same.

I went back to my task of washing dishes, but as I contemplated the bigger picture, I had a bit of an epiphany. Life can be messy and hard. Things break. Dreams. Hearts. Wings. But even in my brokenness, actually because of my brokenness, I have hope. Because it seems like it is the times when I have been at my weakest, that God’s power and strength and mercy were revealed in my life.

I finished my dishes, dug the little angel out of the garbage can, washed off the coffee grounds, and set her back on the windowsill, along with her broken wing, to serve as a reminder.

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

Christmas at the Mansion

Last night our church held its annual Christmas dinner at a restored mansion in a neighboring town. We had it catered this year so none of us had to cook, though being us, many brought delicious desserts to share. Cheesecake. Pineapple Upsidedown Cake. Gingerbread, and pies. Yummm!

The mansion was built in 1908 and was a showplace for nearly 100 years, until it became abandoned and fell into disrepair. A local family bought it five years ago and have painstakingly restored it to its former beauty. I have toured this lovely lady a few times and even held a book signing in the carriage house when The Little Things came out. But I had never seen it at Christmas time! There is at least one tree in every room. I thought I would share a few of my pictures with you, though they do not do this gorgeous home justice.

The house has quite a colorful history. I love walking through the rooms and imagining how life was for the people who lived there. It really gets my creative wheels turning… Oh, wait. I said in my last post that I’m taking a little writing break.

Maybe

Paws and Pause. And a Puzzle.

I had the day off yesterday. A much needed respite from the nonstop crazy that is retail during the holidays. I had plans to stay in pajamas, catch up on reading some blogs, and do some writing. Candles and coffee figured in, because it is cold in Southern Ohio this week! I woke up to find Miss Emma limping around the house, and upon inspecting her paws, found a small trace of blood. So off came the pajamas and off to the vet we went.

Somehow she managed to open one of her pads, possibly she stepped on something sharp outside, or it may have been from chewing her feet, which she does in the winter months. We got everything we need to take care of the problem, antimicrobial wipes, an anti-inflammatory drug, and some Epsom Salts for a foot soak, twice a day.

As you can see, Miss Emma is not quite sure what the foot soak will be. I hope she will be pleasantly surprised and not fight me on it

About that relaxation. I have just completed the first draft of next year’s Christmas novella. Crazy, I know, but the deadline to submit is May first. So I’m in good shape. Since I have basically been writing nonstop since 2020, I’m going to let the draft settle and take a little break. I’m going to hit the pause button and spend some time relaxing with my hobbies. First up is this winter jigsaw puzzle.

It’s only 300 pieces, so won’t demand too awful much of my time, just enough to put on some Christmas music or a podcast and decompress for a few hours. I’m really going to do this one! I got out a lovely summer puzzle, and then a fall puzzle, and as the seasons slipped away, I put them back in my closet. I intend to post a pic when the puzzle is done, hopefully that will keep me accountable!

What’s your favorite way to decompress?

Sweet Daddy

I meet some wonderful people in the course of my workday. Yesterday’s post made me remember a (100% true) story I wrote in 2021 for a flash fiction contest at :30 Friendships. I won an honorable mention, which pleased me greatly since short- short works are not really my strong suite. I thought I would share this beautiful glimpse into a memorable Christmas moment with you. I hope you enjoy it.

Sweet Daddy

It’s a week before Christmas and I’m working outdates in the candy aisle at Walgreens. I’m seven and a half hours into an eight-hour shift. My feet hurt and a recent interaction with a disgruntled customer has put me in a mood. I glance at the clock and urge the minute hand to move faster, but it creeps along like it’s stuck in traffic. I’m sorting through the chocolate bars when someone walks up beside me.

“Excuse me, Miss?”

 I glance up at the old man in the baggy pants and mismatched sweater. “Do you work here?” As if my blue shirt, blue pants, and the name tag that says Team Member since 2018 are not dead giveaways. I’ve been here seven point five hours and I’ve run out of nice. A rude remark pops into my head, but we don’t do people that way, not here on the corner of Happy and Healthy. So I smile instead.

“Sure do.”

He smiles back. “I could use some help picking out presents for my baby girl.”

I have the whole, entire department to check before my shift ends. But customer service is king, and besides, I’m curious. Baby girl? The man is eighty if he’s a day.

“Okay, let’s see what we can find,” I say brightly.

He seems relieved. “My wife passed away in October, so I’m on my own this year.”

My heart fills with an inexplicable tenderness. After mom died, my father would pick out gifts for my sisters and me; warm, soft sweaters, books of poetry. Thoughtful, tasteful gifts that showed a love he sometimes could not express. I’m reminded of that, suddenly. My father would have been a lot like this man, if he’d lived to be eighty.

“Miriam’s fifty-two,” he says. “She likes nice things. That girl never spends a dime on herself.”

“Then you’ll have to spoil her, if she won’t spoil herself,” I say.

He beams. “Yes, I want to spoil my baby girl.”

I steer him to the fragrance counter. After trying a dozen samples, neither of us can smell anything anymore, but we’re having fun. “Oh, now, this one is nice,” he sprays another generous splash of White Diamonds on his wrist, breathes it in. “I’ll take it.”

I remove the bottle from the cabinet and place it in his shopping basket. “Now what about candy?” he asks. “What’s your fanciest kind?”

Back in the candy aisle, he narrows it down to the Belgian chocolates and the holiday truffles sampler. My shift is ending, but I want to get this right. I want Miriam to have a warm memory of her first Christmas without her mother, the year her daddy spoiled her with perfume and candy.

He finally tucks a bag of truffles into his basket. “Thank you for your help, Miss. You have yourself a Merry Christmas, now.” He shuffles off to the check-out line, reeking of White Diamonds, unaware of the beautiful gift he’s given me.

Winter evenings, cozy at home

Working in customer service is not for the faint of heart, especially during the holiday season. I experience some lovely moments; children wide eyed over our fully stocked toy aisle, a young wife buying ornaments for her very first Christmas tree in her new home. I get caught up in their joy. But I also get caught up in the stress and frustration of those who are not so joyful. As an introvert, it’s the sheer volume of talking I do in an eight-hour shift that depletes me. My quiet, cozy home is a sanctuary after a long workday. Miss Emma is fascinated with our Christmas tree and likes to lay on the sofa and watch it twinkle while I write.

I feel so very blessed. I just signed a contract for my third Redford’s Crossing Romance with Pelican Book Group. I can’t wait to share SUPERHEROES with the world. And now my thoughts turn the page to a new story…

It’s cold outside, less than 30 degrees when I left work yesterday, but we are snug and safe inside. I’m so thankful for quiet winter evenings.

Ornaments and Other Random Sunday Thoughts

I’ve mentioned my fascination with my Christmas tree and ornaments in another post. I like to get a new ornament each year as a way to commemorate what is going on with me at different times in my life. A few weeks ago I picked up a package of three nutcrackers to celebrate my first Christmas novella, The Key to Christmas, that came out this month. The story features three nutcrackers so these guys seemed the perfect addition to my tree for 2024.

Since our church will be doing an ornament exchange and I will get another new ornament there, I thought I was done for the year. My tree is pretty packed, lol. But I went to a Christmas open house today and could not resist this little cookie sheet!

And I’m excited to see that my Christmas cactus is starting to bud, right on time! Should be in bloom for Christmas

This is where it gets random but this guy is too gorgeous not to share. I stopped by my sister’s house after church. She’d put out a seed bell and this Red Headed Woodpecker was going to town with it. I am definitely getting one for my yard!

How’s your Sunday going?

Five Cups of Coffee!

I love when reviews start to come in for my books and I especially love when reviewers love them! Was thrilled with this five cup rating from Coffee Time Romance for King of Hearts!

Jean Pike writes a beautiful love story that highlights the love of God. I enjoyed the characters finding their way to the reality of leaning into God for what they need in their time of pain and need. I loved all the characters and the small town atmosphere and the ability for God to change people though the love and compassion of others.  I am a new reader of M. Jean Pike but I am going to go and seek more uplifting stories.

Delane
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More

Sugar coated

Winter seems to have arrived in Southern Ohio! My friends back home in Western New York tell me they got inches of snow overnight and more on the way. We got just enough to sugar coat the ground and trees. Just enough to make it feel like the holiday season. I’ll take it

What about you? Snow, or no?