R.L. Anderson's Blog, page 7
December 18, 2013
A MODERN DAY SCROOGE STRIKES AGAIN!
“PLEASE CLEAR THE SCENE!” the police officer barked over the loudspeaker.
Dick hopped to the ground.
Will, however, stuck stubbornly to the pedestal and probed through the branches. He knew exactly what he was looking for.
“NICKERSON!” the officer shouted. “GET OUTTA THERE!”
Again he feigned deafness. He continued to feel along the underside of the tree trunk.
“I SAID GET OUTTA THERE!” The policeman’s voice sounded more menacing. “I’M GIVIN’ YA TEN SECONDS AND IF YER NOT OFF THAT PEDESTAL YOU’RE UNDER ARREST!”
There it was. Stapled to the trunk. The envelope. He ripped it loose and scrambled to the ground just in time. He could almost feel the angry cop breathing down his neck.
“Will!” Katherine exclaimed as he rejoined the group in the middle of the street. “You had us worried.”
“I sure didn’t want to see you end up in jail,” Lisa chimed in.
“I got it, though.” Will waved the envelope in the air. “Who wants to do the honors?”
“Let’s flip for it,” Lisa suggested. “Got a coin on ya? I left my purse in the store.”
“Mine’s up in the office.” Katherine gestured toward the second floor of the building.
“Mine’s in the store, too.” Rose gestured toward Nickerson Office Supplies.
Will dug into his pocket. “I got a coin ya can use. Here.” He produced a quarter and handed it to Katherine.
“Heads or tails?” she said.
“Tails,” Lisa replied.
Katherine flipped the coin and slapped it on the back of her hand. “You win. It’s tails.”
Will handed the envelope to Lisa.
She tore it open and out came the Happy Holidays card. Identical to the ones found on the Jeep, the computer, the wagon and the train. Polar bears, corny jingle about the Holidays and New Year’s and all.
“There ya have it,” muttered Rose.
From Let’s Make It Merry Christmas, Chapter 15, Timberrrrrr!!! The saboteur has struck again–and left the usual calling card–an un-Christmas card. A sign of a real Scrooge, if you ask me. See what you think in my new novel, in paperback and Kindle from Amazon and also on Nook and Kobo.
R. L. Anderson, author, Will Nickerson Mysteries.
Dick hopped to the ground.
Will, however, stuck stubbornly to the pedestal and probed through the branches. He knew exactly what he was looking for.
“NICKERSON!” the officer shouted. “GET OUTTA THERE!”
Again he feigned deafness. He continued to feel along the underside of the tree trunk.
“I SAID GET OUTTA THERE!” The policeman’s voice sounded more menacing. “I’M GIVIN’ YA TEN SECONDS AND IF YER NOT OFF THAT PEDESTAL YOU’RE UNDER ARREST!”
There it was. Stapled to the trunk. The envelope. He ripped it loose and scrambled to the ground just in time. He could almost feel the angry cop breathing down his neck.
“Will!” Katherine exclaimed as he rejoined the group in the middle of the street. “You had us worried.”
“I sure didn’t want to see you end up in jail,” Lisa chimed in.
“I got it, though.” Will waved the envelope in the air. “Who wants to do the honors?”
“Let’s flip for it,” Lisa suggested. “Got a coin on ya? I left my purse in the store.”
“Mine’s up in the office.” Katherine gestured toward the second floor of the building.
“Mine’s in the store, too.” Rose gestured toward Nickerson Office Supplies.
Will dug into his pocket. “I got a coin ya can use. Here.” He produced a quarter and handed it to Katherine.
“Heads or tails?” she said.
“Tails,” Lisa replied.
Katherine flipped the coin and slapped it on the back of her hand. “You win. It’s tails.”
Will handed the envelope to Lisa.
She tore it open and out came the Happy Holidays card. Identical to the ones found on the Jeep, the computer, the wagon and the train. Polar bears, corny jingle about the Holidays and New Year’s and all.
“There ya have it,” muttered Rose.
From Let’s Make It Merry Christmas, Chapter 15, Timberrrrrr!!! The saboteur has struck again–and left the usual calling card–an un-Christmas card. A sign of a real Scrooge, if you ask me. See what you think in my new novel, in paperback and Kindle from Amazon and also on Nook and Kobo.
R. L. Anderson, author, Will Nickerson Mysteries.
December 16, 2013
THE ONE-ROOM SCHOOL
About a twenty-minute drive south of town, at the intersection of the New Oslo Road and State Highway 1804–just two miles east of the Ranch Park–stood a relic from a bygone era. A plain white clapboard one-room schoolhouse. Not an abandoned one, at that. Westwind School had not been converted into a museum or someone’s home. Westwind School was alive and well and although the building was old, inside it was not your great grandfather’s one-room school. Computers were provided for all six students and the teacher. A huge monitor screen competed with the traditional green chalkboard, providing the cutting edge in interactive video technology. The students of Westwind School were not to be denied any of the high tech education that their cousins in the city took for granted.
Jenine Mescall stood with her back to the school building, watching the children frolic in the snow. Tall and statuesque, with her long jet black hair now tied up inside her parka hood, she had the fair skin, deep blue eyes and perfect oval face of her Irish forebears and a spunky personality that made her a hit with the kids. Recess time was a fun time for them, she reflected as she pressed the cell phone tightly to her ear, so as to hear over the whistling wind. But for her, at this time of year, it was freezing time. Originally from balmy Fort Myers, Florida, she had never quite acclimated herself to North Dakota winter weather–even though she had lived here for a few years. Fleeing from traffic and hurricanes, her family had moved to Williston immediately following her high school graduation. She had received her college education at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks; and now, in her mid twenties, her teaching career was off to a great start here at Westwind. She liked the Peace Garden State and its people and the more laid back lifestyle that it offered. She liked the challenge of teaching in a school with kids in different grades all sharing the same room. Still the weather was the one big thing that she preferred about Florida.
“Hey, Jenine! What’s up?” Will’s voice said on the phone.
“Just wanted to let you know that PTA meeting I was supposed to have tonight got cancelled. None of the parents could make it–sooooo...” She drew her voice out in a playfully inviting manner. “I just wanted to ask you if the offer for dinner tonight is still open?”
“You bet it is!” She could almost see his face light up in delight.
“I thought you’d be happy about that.”
“Taste of Norway–five o’clock–OK?”
From Let’s Make It Merry Christmas, by R. L. Anderson
When I had my North Dakota ranch, one of the most delightful experiences I had was a visit to a nearby one-room school. WOW!! What a place! Six kids, all in different grades, sharing one classroom and teacher. Each desk was provided with a computer. I found myself wishing I could’ve gone to such a school, myself, when I was in the elementary grades. And so I concocted the fictional Westwind School as a fixture in the Will Nickerson Mysteries. And who better to preside over it than the beautiful and alluring Jenine Mescall, transplanted Floridian who can’t quite get used to ND winters? (And she hasn’t quite mastered the usage of the expression ‘uff da’.) Will Nickerson’s on-again, off-again romantic interest, Jenine makes her debut as a summer camp counselor in Ranch Park as her teaching career starts up. But if you haven’t read that one yet, no problem! Each book is written in ‘stand-alone’ style, and it’s Christmastime, so let’s pay a Christmastime visit to Westwind School and see what Jenine’s class is doing to celebrate this magical time of the year. Let’s Make It Merry Christmas and the entire Will Nickerson Mysteries series by R. L. Anderson, are in paperback and Kindle (available from Amazon), and also on Nook and Kobo. 12.99 for the 6x9 quality paperback and 2.99 for the e-book.
Jenine Mescall stood with her back to the school building, watching the children frolic in the snow. Tall and statuesque, with her long jet black hair now tied up inside her parka hood, she had the fair skin, deep blue eyes and perfect oval face of her Irish forebears and a spunky personality that made her a hit with the kids. Recess time was a fun time for them, she reflected as she pressed the cell phone tightly to her ear, so as to hear over the whistling wind. But for her, at this time of year, it was freezing time. Originally from balmy Fort Myers, Florida, she had never quite acclimated herself to North Dakota winter weather–even though she had lived here for a few years. Fleeing from traffic and hurricanes, her family had moved to Williston immediately following her high school graduation. She had received her college education at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks; and now, in her mid twenties, her teaching career was off to a great start here at Westwind. She liked the Peace Garden State and its people and the more laid back lifestyle that it offered. She liked the challenge of teaching in a school with kids in different grades all sharing the same room. Still the weather was the one big thing that she preferred about Florida.
“Hey, Jenine! What’s up?” Will’s voice said on the phone.
“Just wanted to let you know that PTA meeting I was supposed to have tonight got cancelled. None of the parents could make it–sooooo...” She drew her voice out in a playfully inviting manner. “I just wanted to ask you if the offer for dinner tonight is still open?”
“You bet it is!” She could almost see his face light up in delight.
“I thought you’d be happy about that.”
“Taste of Norway–five o’clock–OK?”
From Let’s Make It Merry Christmas, by R. L. Anderson
When I had my North Dakota ranch, one of the most delightful experiences I had was a visit to a nearby one-room school. WOW!! What a place! Six kids, all in different grades, sharing one classroom and teacher. Each desk was provided with a computer. I found myself wishing I could’ve gone to such a school, myself, when I was in the elementary grades. And so I concocted the fictional Westwind School as a fixture in the Will Nickerson Mysteries. And who better to preside over it than the beautiful and alluring Jenine Mescall, transplanted Floridian who can’t quite get used to ND winters? (And she hasn’t quite mastered the usage of the expression ‘uff da’.) Will Nickerson’s on-again, off-again romantic interest, Jenine makes her debut as a summer camp counselor in Ranch Park as her teaching career starts up. But if you haven’t read that one yet, no problem! Each book is written in ‘stand-alone’ style, and it’s Christmastime, so let’s pay a Christmastime visit to Westwind School and see what Jenine’s class is doing to celebrate this magical time of the year. Let’s Make It Merry Christmas and the entire Will Nickerson Mysteries series by R. L. Anderson, are in paperback and Kindle (available from Amazon), and also on Nook and Kobo. 12.99 for the 6x9 quality paperback and 2.99 for the e-book.
December 15, 2013
A NORWEGIAN COWBOY SANTA
If he had been fat–rather than tall and lanky–Ragnvald ‘Raggy’ Haakonson could have almost passed for Santa Claus himself. With his full white beard and weatherbeaten complexion he did in fact bear a resemblance to an Old World conception of St. Nicholas, in times past, when the Jolly Old Elf was pictured as having a slender physique. Reputed to be well past ninety (although nobody outside the innermost circles of the Haakonson clan knew for sure) he had been born in Norway, but had lived in North Dakota since early childhood. He now owned one of the largest cattle ranches in Sakakawea County and completely rejected the concept of retirement. Instead, he continued to forge ahead in life as an innovative entrepreneur, his latest project being a brand new commercial venture in New Oslo. Haakonson Horsepower Museum. After many years of collecting and restoring antique horse-drawn conveyances, he had turned his hobby into a profitable business. He had bought a disused barn on the outskirts of town, near the fairgrounds, where visitors could experience his collection. Conestoga wagon, stagecoach, horse-drawn fire engine, horse-drawn hearse, fringe-topped surrey, Amish buggy, sleigh–and lots more. If it could be pulled by horsepower it belonged here. With the museum now closed for the season except on weekends, it was maintenance time. Today Raggy was busy repairing a brown-topped buggy he had recently imported from a Pennsylvania community whose Amish prefer to be different from others of their religion whose buggies are solid black. His cell phone sang in his pocket. He dug it out. “Haakonson.”
“Uncle Raggy, it’s Lisa.”
“Hey, Lisa. What’s up?”
From Let’s Make It Merry Christmas, Chapter 3, “Sensational News”, as readers meet Ragnvald “Raggy” Haakonson, veteran cowboy extraordinaire, who “just says no” to retirement. He’s a prominent fixture of the Will Nickerson Mysteries series and one of the more colorful characters around New Oslo. Check out Let’s Make It Merry Christmas and see what he’s up to as the Official Sakakawea County, North Dakota Christmas Festival makes its plans. It’s in paperback and Kindle editions on Amazon.com and it’s on Nook and Kobo, too.
R. L. Anderson, author, Will Nickerson Mysteries
“Uncle Raggy, it’s Lisa.”
“Hey, Lisa. What’s up?”
From Let’s Make It Merry Christmas, Chapter 3, “Sensational News”, as readers meet Ragnvald “Raggy” Haakonson, veteran cowboy extraordinaire, who “just says no” to retirement. He’s a prominent fixture of the Will Nickerson Mysteries series and one of the more colorful characters around New Oslo. Check out Let’s Make It Merry Christmas and see what he’s up to as the Official Sakakawea County, North Dakota Christmas Festival makes its plans. It’s in paperback and Kindle editions on Amazon.com and it’s on Nook and Kobo, too.
R. L. Anderson, author, Will Nickerson Mysteries
December 11, 2013
A SCANDINAVIAN TOUCH TO YOUR CHRISTMAS
“Gledelig Jul!” Lisa Garborg greeted the Young Couple as they entered the festively-decorated classroom. Lisa, a pert blonde in her early thirties, was dressed in a colorful bunad, a traditional folk costume of Norway, with its long striped skirt and flowery blouse. With a warm and inviting smile lighting up her doll-like face she ushered the couple into the room. On her head she wore the traditional crown of candles representing St. Lucia, the unlikely Advent custom in which Scandinavians pay homage to an Italian martyr of centuries past. Traditionally the eldest daughter of the family portrays St. Lucia, donning the crown of candles on the morning of December 13 and serves her family special biscuits baked for the occasion. Throughout Scandinavia St. Lucia Day heralds the start of the Christmas festivities in earnest.
“Gledelig Jul to you, too,” the Young Man replied.
“Velkommen til Norge,” Lisa beckoned them with a smile.
From the Prologue of Let’s Make It Merry Christmas, by R. L. Anderson, as we join Lisa Garborg once again as St. Lucia, showing visitors to the Ranch Park this time honored Scandinavian tradition. This Friday is Friday the 13th–but it’s also St. Lucia Day, which ushers in the Christmas season in the far north of Europe. Sorry, Lisa, but the custom actually began in my father’s ancestral homeland of Sweden first and later spread to Norway and Denmark. It is now loved equally by all Scandinavians and is truly a beautiful and special part of a Scandinavian Christmas.
R. L. Anderson, author, Will Nickerson Mysteries
Available in paperback and Kindle editions on Amazon.com, and they’re on Nook and Kobo, too.
“Gledelig Jul to you, too,” the Young Man replied.
“Velkommen til Norge,” Lisa beckoned them with a smile.
From the Prologue of Let’s Make It Merry Christmas, by R. L. Anderson, as we join Lisa Garborg once again as St. Lucia, showing visitors to the Ranch Park this time honored Scandinavian tradition. This Friday is Friday the 13th–but it’s also St. Lucia Day, which ushers in the Christmas season in the far north of Europe. Sorry, Lisa, but the custom actually began in my father’s ancestral homeland of Sweden first and later spread to Norway and Denmark. It is now loved equally by all Scandinavians and is truly a beautiful and special part of a Scandinavian Christmas.
R. L. Anderson, author, Will Nickerson Mysteries
Available in paperback and Kindle editions on Amazon.com, and they’re on Nook and Kobo, too.
December 8, 2013
NO HOLIDAY SHOPPING FOR ME
“Sensationalism!” Lisa exclaimed angrily. “That’s all it was. A clear case of sensationalism on the part of the media.”
“So there’s no plan for a Christmas festival?” Will said.
“Nope. That’s the city media for ya. Ten years in Boston–workin’ for a big city paper–and being married to that slimeball of a banker all that time–uff da–that’s what it’ll do to an otherwise sensible North Dakota girl like Lynette.”
“So the city rubbed off on her.”
“You bet it did. She’s ditched the guy and she thinks she’s come back to New Oslo–and maybe part of her has. But there’s another part of her that’s still city through and through.”
Will let his eyes gaze around the store–all the immaculately arranged shelves of Norwegian woollen goods, chocolates, travel and language books–and as the name of the store suggested, knickknacks ranging from Viking figurines to model Viking ships to coffee mugs that said UFF DA on them. “It sounds that way to me, too...” he said idly. “But...”
“The only thing that anybody said about a new Christmas festival was that Craig Jacobson said we should do one and Katherine agreed that it’d be a good idea. They didn’t really mean it. And how on Earth she got me into it as a co-conspirator is anybody’s guess.” She adjusted her hair, which was a bit disheveled from being out in the wind cleaning the snow off the walk. “I must admit, though–uh–it would be kinda cool...”
“To have the festival?”
“Yeah. I mean–if we could do it–somehow. You know I hate how they’re tryin’ to take Christmas out of the season. It’s all Holiday Holiday Holiday. You can’t go Christmas shopping anymore. It’s gotta be Holiday shopping now. Stores sell Holiday cards and Holiday decorations. Then the Ranch Park comes along with their big Holiday bash. Throwin’ all that diversity stuff right in our faces. When I think about it–it wouldn’t be a bad idea–I mean–for us to do a new Christmas festival. You know–fight back.” With a defiant expression she nodded her head in the affirmative.
“If you ever have one–you can count on Nickerson Office Supplies for support.”
“That’s good to hear.” Lisa let out a hint of a laugh. “I know just where we should have it, too.”
“I bet you’re thinkin’ of the same place I am.”
From Let’s Make It Merry Christmas, Chapter 3, “Sensational News”, as Will Nickerson and his fellow merchant Lisa Garborg discuss the newly revealed plans for a new Christmas festival and let off some steam regarding the substitution of the word “Holiday” for “Christmas” in today’s increasingly commercialized society. It seems it is all Holiday Holiday Holiday in most advertising these days. For me, there’s no such thing as Holiday shopping. If anybody asks me if I’ve got my Holiday shopping done, I just tell them I don’t do any Holiday shopping. I do CHRISTMAS shopping (and no, I’m not done with it yet!).
R. L. Anderson, author, Will Nickerson Mysteries.
Available in paperback and Kindle from Amazon.com. Nook and Kobo e-books available, too.
R.L. Anderson
“So there’s no plan for a Christmas festival?” Will said.
“Nope. That’s the city media for ya. Ten years in Boston–workin’ for a big city paper–and being married to that slimeball of a banker all that time–uff da–that’s what it’ll do to an otherwise sensible North Dakota girl like Lynette.”
“So the city rubbed off on her.”
“You bet it did. She’s ditched the guy and she thinks she’s come back to New Oslo–and maybe part of her has. But there’s another part of her that’s still city through and through.”
Will let his eyes gaze around the store–all the immaculately arranged shelves of Norwegian woollen goods, chocolates, travel and language books–and as the name of the store suggested, knickknacks ranging from Viking figurines to model Viking ships to coffee mugs that said UFF DA on them. “It sounds that way to me, too...” he said idly. “But...”
“The only thing that anybody said about a new Christmas festival was that Craig Jacobson said we should do one and Katherine agreed that it’d be a good idea. They didn’t really mean it. And how on Earth she got me into it as a co-conspirator is anybody’s guess.” She adjusted her hair, which was a bit disheveled from being out in the wind cleaning the snow off the walk. “I must admit, though–uh–it would be kinda cool...”
“To have the festival?”
“Yeah. I mean–if we could do it–somehow. You know I hate how they’re tryin’ to take Christmas out of the season. It’s all Holiday Holiday Holiday. You can’t go Christmas shopping anymore. It’s gotta be Holiday shopping now. Stores sell Holiday cards and Holiday decorations. Then the Ranch Park comes along with their big Holiday bash. Throwin’ all that diversity stuff right in our faces. When I think about it–it wouldn’t be a bad idea–I mean–for us to do a new Christmas festival. You know–fight back.” With a defiant expression she nodded her head in the affirmative.
“If you ever have one–you can count on Nickerson Office Supplies for support.”
“That’s good to hear.” Lisa let out a hint of a laugh. “I know just where we should have it, too.”
“I bet you’re thinkin’ of the same place I am.”
From Let’s Make It Merry Christmas, Chapter 3, “Sensational News”, as Will Nickerson and his fellow merchant Lisa Garborg discuss the newly revealed plans for a new Christmas festival and let off some steam regarding the substitution of the word “Holiday” for “Christmas” in today’s increasingly commercialized society. It seems it is all Holiday Holiday Holiday in most advertising these days. For me, there’s no such thing as Holiday shopping. If anybody asks me if I’ve got my Holiday shopping done, I just tell them I don’t do any Holiday shopping. I do CHRISTMAS shopping (and no, I’m not done with it yet!).
R. L. Anderson, author, Will Nickerson Mysteries.
Available in paperback and Kindle from Amazon.com. Nook and Kobo e-books available, too.
R.L. Anderson
December 4, 2013
HERE COMES SANTA!!
“Merry Christmas!” the elf-suited college student greeted them. “Are you here for the concert–or a sleigh ride?”
“Sleigh ride!” the two children squealed.
The elf looked at her watch. “Santa’ll be here any minute now.” True to her surname, Brittany Little was a little elf. Standing not quite five feet tall, she could have passed for a sixth grader instead of a college sophomore volunteering at the Ranch Park on her Christmas break. And what a busy break it was. By night she was a volunteer elf. By day she worked at a paid job as a cashier at Giant Office, the office supplies superstore in New Oslo. She loved being around people and charmed customers at both places with her jolly round face and winning smile.
Sure enough the jingling of sleigh bells could be heard coming from outside.
Brittany led the Typical Family of Four and three other children who had won a sleigh ride out the door, to where the sleigh was waiting. Yes indeed, there were eight reindeer. Actually eight mini horses with plastic reindeer antlers affixed to their heads, but they were truly reindeer in the eyes of the children who boarded the sleigh.
Santa was indeed at the reins. “Ho-ho-ho!! Merry Christmas!” Craig Jacobson was a jolly man in his early sixties who fit the part well. Big and rotund and wearing a fake beard and makeup, he was nearly indistinguishable from Chip Jahrig in the subdued illumination of the Christmas lights that surrounded the Arena. A service technician for New Oslo Tractor Sales in real life, he enjoyed volunteering for the Ranch Park as a wagon driver in the summer and a sleigh driver for Christmas On The Ranch at Christmas time. Tractors were his vocation, horses his avocation. A confirmed bachelor (or so he thought of himself) he loved children–but all the same he was just as glad not to have any of his own. Let someone else have all that responsibility was his motto. He welcomed the two from the Typical Family of Four to the front seat. The boy sat on his left, the girl on his right. The other three children took the backseat.
“Are we gonna fly?” the boy asked. Almost all the children asked him that when they boarded.
“No.” He shook his head. “Sorry. This sleigh can only fly on Christmas Eve.” That was his standard answer and it usually satisfied the juvenile passengers. “That’s when there’s magic in the air. All over the world on Christmas Eve. It’s the most magical time of the year; and the reindeer need that magic in order to fly. That’s next week–and that’s when this ol’ sleigh will fly like a plane.”
The Family Man and Family Woman, along with another set of parents, watched in pride as their offspring rode off with Santa Claus into the frosty night. It was snowing harder now, increasing the feel of magic that this wonderful season brings. The sleigh disappeared from sight for a moment as it circled through Sheepdog Paddock, then behind the Touch Barn, now closed up for the season, then behind the Critter Corral. Then it emerged once again; and ten minutes after having left the Arena it was back, filled with laughter and music as Santa led the children in the singing of a medley of Santa Claus songs.
“That was awesome!” the children were saying as they rejoined their parents.
From the Prologue of Let’s Make It Merry Christmas, by R. L. Anderson. It’s in paperback, available from Amazon, and in Kindle, Nook and Kobo e-editions, too.
December 6 is St. Nicholas Day. Not a big thing here in the USA, but in many parts of Europe, such as Germany, it’s the day that signals the official debut of the Christmas season. The day actually commemorates the death of the altruistic saint who inspired the legend of Santa Claus. Now some Christians scorn the Jolly Old Elf as being strictly a secular thing, which takes away the real meaning of Christmas. But I must disagree. The tradition of Santa Claus, which represents the spirit of giving, is deeply rooted in Christianity. Santa Claus in one form or another appears in Christian cultures worldwide. Whether you call him Julenisse, Jultomte, Weihnachtsmann, Pere Noel, Papa Noel, Grandfather Frost, Father Christmas–or any of thousands of other names, he’s there as the great gift giver. Some countries portray him as fat–others as skinny–but whatever your view of Santa Claus is, he’s always something that children can relate to. He brings Christmas to children–and to grownups, too, who delight in this lovable character, as they relive their own childhood memories. And so Santa Claus is a part of my novel, Let’s Make It Merry Christmas. Santa Claus, reindeer and all, belongs in the Christmas season. It just wouldn’t be Christmas without him.
Let's Make It Merry Christmas
“Sleigh ride!” the two children squealed.
The elf looked at her watch. “Santa’ll be here any minute now.” True to her surname, Brittany Little was a little elf. Standing not quite five feet tall, she could have passed for a sixth grader instead of a college sophomore volunteering at the Ranch Park on her Christmas break. And what a busy break it was. By night she was a volunteer elf. By day she worked at a paid job as a cashier at Giant Office, the office supplies superstore in New Oslo. She loved being around people and charmed customers at both places with her jolly round face and winning smile.
Sure enough the jingling of sleigh bells could be heard coming from outside.
Brittany led the Typical Family of Four and three other children who had won a sleigh ride out the door, to where the sleigh was waiting. Yes indeed, there were eight reindeer. Actually eight mini horses with plastic reindeer antlers affixed to their heads, but they were truly reindeer in the eyes of the children who boarded the sleigh.
Santa was indeed at the reins. “Ho-ho-ho!! Merry Christmas!” Craig Jacobson was a jolly man in his early sixties who fit the part well. Big and rotund and wearing a fake beard and makeup, he was nearly indistinguishable from Chip Jahrig in the subdued illumination of the Christmas lights that surrounded the Arena. A service technician for New Oslo Tractor Sales in real life, he enjoyed volunteering for the Ranch Park as a wagon driver in the summer and a sleigh driver for Christmas On The Ranch at Christmas time. Tractors were his vocation, horses his avocation. A confirmed bachelor (or so he thought of himself) he loved children–but all the same he was just as glad not to have any of his own. Let someone else have all that responsibility was his motto. He welcomed the two from the Typical Family of Four to the front seat. The boy sat on his left, the girl on his right. The other three children took the backseat.
“Are we gonna fly?” the boy asked. Almost all the children asked him that when they boarded.
“No.” He shook his head. “Sorry. This sleigh can only fly on Christmas Eve.” That was his standard answer and it usually satisfied the juvenile passengers. “That’s when there’s magic in the air. All over the world on Christmas Eve. It’s the most magical time of the year; and the reindeer need that magic in order to fly. That’s next week–and that’s when this ol’ sleigh will fly like a plane.”
The Family Man and Family Woman, along with another set of parents, watched in pride as their offspring rode off with Santa Claus into the frosty night. It was snowing harder now, increasing the feel of magic that this wonderful season brings. The sleigh disappeared from sight for a moment as it circled through Sheepdog Paddock, then behind the Touch Barn, now closed up for the season, then behind the Critter Corral. Then it emerged once again; and ten minutes after having left the Arena it was back, filled with laughter and music as Santa led the children in the singing of a medley of Santa Claus songs.
“That was awesome!” the children were saying as they rejoined their parents.
From the Prologue of Let’s Make It Merry Christmas, by R. L. Anderson. It’s in paperback, available from Amazon, and in Kindle, Nook and Kobo e-editions, too.
December 6 is St. Nicholas Day. Not a big thing here in the USA, but in many parts of Europe, such as Germany, it’s the day that signals the official debut of the Christmas season. The day actually commemorates the death of the altruistic saint who inspired the legend of Santa Claus. Now some Christians scorn the Jolly Old Elf as being strictly a secular thing, which takes away the real meaning of Christmas. But I must disagree. The tradition of Santa Claus, which represents the spirit of giving, is deeply rooted in Christianity. Santa Claus in one form or another appears in Christian cultures worldwide. Whether you call him Julenisse, Jultomte, Weihnachtsmann, Pere Noel, Papa Noel, Grandfather Frost, Father Christmas–or any of thousands of other names, he’s there as the great gift giver. Some countries portray him as fat–others as skinny–but whatever your view of Santa Claus is, he’s always something that children can relate to. He brings Christmas to children–and to grownups, too, who delight in this lovable character, as they relive their own childhood memories. And so Santa Claus is a part of my novel, Let’s Make It Merry Christmas. Santa Claus, reindeer and all, belongs in the Christmas season. It just wouldn’t be Christmas without him.
Let's Make It Merry Christmas
November 29, 2013
LEFTOVERTURKITIS: THE GOBBLER'S REVENGE!
Howdy from Will Nickerson again, with a post-Thanksgiving thought or two. Turkey Day has come and gone, and if you’re like me, without a big family to gobble up a big gobbler, you might have ended up with mountains of leftovers. The ghosts of that big turkey dinner can come back to haunt you for days afterward, unless you do a little planning ahead. Now some people love leftover turkey. Like Jenine. She says the leftovers are the best part. And more power to her. And besides–she’s got a big family, so those leftovers won’t last so long for them. But not everybody has a big family and not everybody relishes the idea of those plates of leftover turkey appearing again and again. To start with, the stuff doesn’t taste the same. Ever notice that? Leftover turkey–or chicken–has a stronger flavor than when it’s freshly cooked. I don’t know why. But it’s true. Hmmmmm... That’s a mystery that could use some sleuthing–who–or what–put that “gamy” taste in the leftover poultry? Let me know in a comment if you’re a culinary scientist and know the reason. There are millions of recipes you can do using leftovers that can help turn them into more satisfying dinners. One, I recall, calls for dicing up the turkey meat and mixing it with peas, noodles and generous portions of ranch salad dressing, which you bake for an hour or so and you get a tasty casserole. I think it’s the ranch dressing that kills the “gamy” taste of the turkey. And there’s a Tex-Mex rice casserole that can also make secondhand poultry more palatable. Dice up the meat and mix it with rice, coriander and plenty of chili powder. With this one, it’s the chili powder that does the trick. There are plenty of other recipes out there–check online for more ideas, and your leftover turkey will go down much better than having it “straight”. But it’s not just the taste. If you aren’t careful about cooking the leftover turkey thoroughly, it can lead to painful results. My author, R. L. Anderson, can attest to that too, as we’ve both had acute leftoverturkitis, when it made us downright sick. And I mean sick. Worst stomach cramps I’ve ever had, and I was laid up for a week. That ol’ gobbler got his revenge that year. Since then, we’ve gone to having Cornish hen for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner instead of turkey. No leftovers! It disappears right on Thanksgiving or Christmas Day, and as for all the trimmings, such as mashed potato, stuffing and lima beans, we just make them in the portions we’d have for any other dinner. So–if you have a big family–great! Hope you enjoyed that great big gobbler. But if you don’t have a big family, it’s always wise to be practical and scale it down with the dinner. That’s the best prevention for leftoverturkitis.
See what the rest of the gang in New Oslo have to say about leftoverturkitis in Let’s Make It Merry Christmas, by R.L. Anderson. It’s available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle, and the e-book is on Nook and Kobo, too. And hope your Thanksgiving was great!
Let's Make It Merry Christmas
See what the rest of the gang in New Oslo have to say about leftoverturkitis in Let’s Make It Merry Christmas, by R.L. Anderson. It’s available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle, and the e-book is on Nook and Kobo, too. And hope your Thanksgiving was great!
Let's Make It Merry Christmas
November 27, 2013
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
From R.L. Anderson and the entire cast of characters in the Will Nickerson Mysteries series--and from everyone in New Oslo, North Dakota, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
November 24, 2013
Here Comes Turkey Day!
The calendar said that Will Nickerson had passed his fortieth birthday; however calendars are some of the biggest liars in the world. Deep inside, he was twenty-five. Not a day older. And twenty-five he would stay. Period. He looked it, too, being a slender five-ten, with short medium brown hair. He kept clean-shaven, and with wire-rimmed glasses complementing his hazel eyes and refined Anglo-Saxon features, he looked the part of the merchant, whether or not he wanted that to be his permanent livelihood. His body had long ago rejected a straitjacket and noose, sometimes also referred to as a suitcoat and tie; so today he was dressed casually in jeans, plus a turtleneck and a heavy beige sweater. Will was a member of the minority of New Oslovians who did not have Norwegian ancestry. A first-generation North Dakotan, son of transplanted Pennsylvanians, his background was English, Irish, German–and worst of all Swedish, which a few super patriotic Norwegians frowned upon–but overall he fit in nicely and was proud that most accepted him and his mother as honorary members of the city’s dominant Scandinavian community.
He opened the rickety wooden back door, entered the store through the shipping and receiving room and continued into the main part of the store. Rose was busy taping a big cardboard turkey to the plate glass window between the sign that read NICKERSON OFFICE SUPPLIES and the smaller one that Will had added on a whim that read PRAIRIE FIRE PRIVATE DETECTIVE AGENCY. The Halloween stuff lay in a pile on the counter, to be packed away till next year.
“Will,” Rose said with a scowl. “That Lisa.” She pointed an accusing finger out the window to Norske Knickknacks directly across Dakota Avenue. “She beat us again.”
Sure enough Lisa Garborg’s establishment was fully decked out in Thanksgiving décor. Turkeys, Pilgrims, a cornucopia, sheaves of wheat. The works. It was a good natured rivalry. The kind that can occur only among the best of friends. But still–Nickerson Office Supplies had hoped to be the first store on the block to get its Thanksgiving decorations up. Especially since Norske Knickknacks had beat them last month on the Halloween ones. Of course the mall and the big box stores had put their Christmas decorations up right after the Fourth of July–so they were the real winners in this contest–but in downtown New Oslo, still the domain of small storefront merchants, the unwritten rule was never to put up decorations for one holiday till the previous holiday was finished. The big establishments on the edge of town didn’t observe that rule; so they didn’t count. What mattered was that Lisa Garborg got her store decorated for Thanksgiving before Nickerson Office Supplies did.
“Uff da.” Will shook his head in mock disgust. “So she did. But wait’ll it’s time for the Christmas stuff. We’ll get ours up before she does–even if we have to get here in the middle of the night.”
From Let’s Make It Merry Christmas, Chapter 1, “Early Snow”, as Thanksgiving approaches and the merchants of New Oslo, ND are decorating their establishments for Turkey Day. This novel and the entire Will Nickerson Mysteries series are available in paperback and Kindle from Amazon.com and also on Nook and Kobo.
He opened the rickety wooden back door, entered the store through the shipping and receiving room and continued into the main part of the store. Rose was busy taping a big cardboard turkey to the plate glass window between the sign that read NICKERSON OFFICE SUPPLIES and the smaller one that Will had added on a whim that read PRAIRIE FIRE PRIVATE DETECTIVE AGENCY. The Halloween stuff lay in a pile on the counter, to be packed away till next year.
“Will,” Rose said with a scowl. “That Lisa.” She pointed an accusing finger out the window to Norske Knickknacks directly across Dakota Avenue. “She beat us again.”
Sure enough Lisa Garborg’s establishment was fully decked out in Thanksgiving décor. Turkeys, Pilgrims, a cornucopia, sheaves of wheat. The works. It was a good natured rivalry. The kind that can occur only among the best of friends. But still–Nickerson Office Supplies had hoped to be the first store on the block to get its Thanksgiving decorations up. Especially since Norske Knickknacks had beat them last month on the Halloween ones. Of course the mall and the big box stores had put their Christmas decorations up right after the Fourth of July–so they were the real winners in this contest–but in downtown New Oslo, still the domain of small storefront merchants, the unwritten rule was never to put up decorations for one holiday till the previous holiday was finished. The big establishments on the edge of town didn’t observe that rule; so they didn’t count. What mattered was that Lisa Garborg got her store decorated for Thanksgiving before Nickerson Office Supplies did.
“Uff da.” Will shook his head in mock disgust. “So she did. But wait’ll it’s time for the Christmas stuff. We’ll get ours up before she does–even if we have to get here in the middle of the night.”
From Let’s Make It Merry Christmas, Chapter 1, “Early Snow”, as Thanksgiving approaches and the merchants of New Oslo, ND are decorating their establishments for Turkey Day. This novel and the entire Will Nickerson Mysteries series are available in paperback and Kindle from Amazon.com and also on Nook and Kobo.
November 17, 2013
A MESSAGE FROM WILL NICKERSON
Hey–it’s Will Nickerson here, once again commandeering R. L. Anderson’s blog. I’m sure if we have any fiction writers out there in Goodreads land, you know how us fictional characters have minds of our own. We like to take over the story–and sometimes we’re not all that obedient to what our authors had in mind for us. Take Raggy, for example. When R. L. first wrote Ranch Park, Raggy was intended to be in a minor role–just a paragraph or two–but that guy is determined. He told R. L. he wanted a bigger part. He demanded it. And I lobbied for him, too. C’mon now, R. L. Raggy’s gotta be more than just a minor character. He’s a great guy–and a real cowboy, too. So now he’s a big part of the series. So you see, we don’t always do what our authors expect us to do. But one thing R. L. and I are in total agreement on is that Christmas is Christmas. We’re behind each other at least a million percent on that. No ‘Holiday’ shopping or ‘Holiday’ trees for us here in New Oslo. We’re a Christian community, though not all of us go to church–well–like we should. And hey, R. L. I like your idea of writing a tear-free Christmas story, too. You’re right. So many of the others are just plain too sad. Why should Christmas be a sad time? But–anyway–I wanted to tell you about a few of the characters you’ll meet in the story. Like that pesky reporter Lynette Thorvaldson. She works for the Viking. You know–New Oslo’s newspaper. The New Oslo Viking. She’s the one that egged ‘em on to do the festival. Can’t say I disagree, though. We do need to do something to keep Christmas traditions alive, and Lynette’s got it right about that. Then there’s that even peskier matchmaking mother of hers, Ginnie Thorvaldson. She’s got the bookstore next door to Nickerson Office Supplies–and–well...
Will!! It’s R. L. Don’t tell ‘em about that. It’s in Viking It Is...
Uff da. Sorry, R. L. So it is. Ummmmm... Let’s see. Anyway–suffice it to say, Ginnie’s got the bookstore–Read Cheap, right next to my store. She teaches German and Norwegian language classes, too. Her husband Doug owns the John Deere place out on the New Oslo Road–New Oslo Tractor Sales. They’ve got money–so I guess Lynette wouldn’t be a bad catch. I’ll admit she is kinda cute. But...
Will!!! Let ‘em read it all in Viking It Is.
OK! OK! Well... Craig Jacobson works for Doug at the tractor place. Best mechanic he’s got, and from what I hear, he’s the best Santa Claus the Official Sakakawea County, North Dakota Christmas Festival Committee’s got. Takes kids on sleigh rides on festival nights. Makes ‘em think it’s the real deal, too. Hmmmmmm.... Let’s see... How ‘bout Christy Dinkeldurfer? Now there’s a character for you. Gorgeous girl–super personality, too. You can trust your money to her any day–but definitely not your car. Absolutely NOT your car. Uff da. Just got a call from Katherine Kunkel from the Official Sakakawea County, North Dakota Christmas Festival Committee–seems that saboteur is at it again. Gotta go.
Thanks, Will. Let me know when you’ve found the culprit.
Let’s Make It Merry Christmas, A Will Nickerson Mystery, by R. L. Anderson, is in paperback and Kindle editions from Amazon.com, and it’s on Nook and Kobo, too. 12.99 for the 6x9 quality paperback and 2.99 for all e-book editions. A cool Christmastime read that won’t make you cry!
Will!! It’s R. L. Don’t tell ‘em about that. It’s in Viking It Is...
Uff da. Sorry, R. L. So it is. Ummmmm... Let’s see. Anyway–suffice it to say, Ginnie’s got the bookstore–Read Cheap, right next to my store. She teaches German and Norwegian language classes, too. Her husband Doug owns the John Deere place out on the New Oslo Road–New Oslo Tractor Sales. They’ve got money–so I guess Lynette wouldn’t be a bad catch. I’ll admit she is kinda cute. But...
Will!!! Let ‘em read it all in Viking It Is.
OK! OK! Well... Craig Jacobson works for Doug at the tractor place. Best mechanic he’s got, and from what I hear, he’s the best Santa Claus the Official Sakakawea County, North Dakota Christmas Festival Committee’s got. Takes kids on sleigh rides on festival nights. Makes ‘em think it’s the real deal, too. Hmmmmmm.... Let’s see... How ‘bout Christy Dinkeldurfer? Now there’s a character for you. Gorgeous girl–super personality, too. You can trust your money to her any day–but definitely not your car. Absolutely NOT your car. Uff da. Just got a call from Katherine Kunkel from the Official Sakakawea County, North Dakota Christmas Festival Committee–seems that saboteur is at it again. Gotta go.
Thanks, Will. Let me know when you’ve found the culprit.
Let’s Make It Merry Christmas, A Will Nickerson Mystery, by R. L. Anderson, is in paperback and Kindle editions from Amazon.com, and it’s on Nook and Kobo, too. 12.99 for the 6x9 quality paperback and 2.99 for all e-book editions. A cool Christmastime read that won’t make you cry!
