Sunday Snippet: A Bright, Burning Yule (a Holiday Spirit short)
Well, it's kind offitting that my last blog post for 2023 is on the actual last day of the year. I'mtaking that as a good vibe to carry into 2024.
Had a semidecent week.Finished up a couple of things that needed attention and started to get my websiteupdated after a very long dry spell. I'm also very close to launching the newendeavor I've been working on for several months.
Did pretty much afull run-through of my usual slate of shows. I have a whole lineup of holidaystuff I want to watch also. I know it's weird to wait until after the holidayis over but I've been very Scrinch-like the past couple of weeks, mainlybecause of the yucky cold.
Started out with MyLife Is Murder and enjoyed the episode. I will say I still get a little putoff by how prickly Alexa can be. I'm sure that's by design, but it annoys me.
Agatha Raisin kind of crushed me a little. I love Agathaand James and having them kind of end things breaks my heart. But I do love theyended on a soft goodbye instead of a harsh one. Looking forward to the next episode.
Started a newtwo-part Silent Witness and I'm kind of surprised how things played out.Did not expect the new guy to have such a dark secret. I love that he exposedit himself. Can't wait to see how this ends.
Caught an episode ofDeath in Paradise and it's one I'd seen before. Meeting Humph's dadexplains so much. I love how this episode played out. Looking forward tostarting Beyond Paradise to see if there's more of Humph's family.
Watched anotherepisode of Elementary. Loved diving into Joan's previous life a little. I'mvery intrigued by her and having glimpses into her former profession is alwaysfun.
Finally continuedmy rewatch of Battlestar Galactica. This episode had some great momentseven if it ended up being heavier on the cylon lore. Hoping to catch anotherepisode in the near future. Also need to backtrack a little and watch the webisodesand movie.
Enjoyed anotherepisode of The Batman. I actually remembered this one because Alfredended up being a lot of fun. I love it when he steps out of his comfort zoneinto his former life.
Caught an episodeof Classic Rugrats. I have vague memories of this one, especially Angelicatrying to be silent. In all fairness, she got robbed for once.
Watched anotherepisode of The Secret Life of Amy Benson. I have one more left for thefirst season. So far, I'm enjoying it, but I'm glad I have season two ready to gobecause I have feeling the first is going to end on a cliffhanger.
Finished up my episodeof VIP from last week and started a new one. I forgot I didn't get allthe way through the episode because I remembered how it ended.
And that's prettymuch it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from A Bright,Burning Yule, a holiday spirit short.
Here's the miniblurb:
Stella Silverbell, a holiday spirit, is tasked withbringing Nyssa Nameth, the ultra female werewolf, together with the BraddoxBennington, the prime hunter of all wolf shifters, during the Yule season.Their joining can end centuries of misconception, but they have to get overtheir preconceived notions first.
And a previewsnippet…
Braddox Bennington paused with atowel to his head after a shower when someone burst through the front door.
"Braddox? Where the hell areyou?" A cousin, Hank Hamel, shouted up the steps.
Braddox answered. "Gimme five.I'll be right down." He dragged some workout clothes on and flung thetowel over his shoulder before descending the stairs to find Hank in the study."What's up?" He draped the towel over the banister and dropped downonto the couch.
Hank paced back and forth in frontof the fire. "Why haven't you organized a hunt? It's been months sincewe've patrolled for the wolves." He stopped and planted his hands on hiships.
Braddox frowned. "Have therebeen new reports? Are the packs running wild?" He should've been informedif there were.
Hank glanced away. "No,they're all quiet and barely poking their heads out to scent the wind."His face reddened.
Braddox bit back frustration."Then what's the rush? Dad's only been gone for two months. And his deathwasn't suspicious." If it had been, Braddox wouldn't hesitate to call fora hunt. "We knew he didn't have long once the diagnosis camethrough." An inoperable brain tumor could not be called into doubt.
Braddox didn't want the mantle ofleadership, but he wouldn't walk away. His bloodthirsty relatives made sure ofthat. If anything, his brothers, cousins, and uncles hastened his father'sdemise.
And Braddox faced his first holidaywithout his dad and wanted a little time to adjust. "If you guys needsomething to do, why don't you catalog and update the book of kills? Dad onlymade it up to the 1950s." Maybe if they noted just how many of the packsthey'd eliminated, they'd lose some of their bloodlust.
Hank snorted. "No way, man.That's the leader's job." He hand-waved the idea and sat in the chair closestto the sofa.
Braddox shook his head. "No,Hank. It's my job to make sure they're entered. There's nothing written abouthow to make that happen." Or who had to make it so.
Hank leaned forward. "Dude,you're gonna have a revolt on your hands if you think this will fly." Hehuffed out a rude snort.
Braddox shrugged. "So be it.Anyone who wants to challenge me for top-spot status can do so." He mightwelcome the challenge. "But let's get through our yule season first. Ididn't get to take any time after Mom died five years ago, and I refuse to pullanyone else away from their families during the holidays." Even if some ofthem probably wanted an excuse to cut out.
Hank leaned back again. "Yeah,okay. But look, you've got to consider a full summit after the new year. If youdon't, you will be challenged for top spot." He got up and headedfor the door.
Braddox followed. "I'll letyou know what I decide. Have a happy yule." He closed the door and headedback to the couch.
Braddox couldn't find fault with Hank'swarning. He didn't doubt he'd face a pile of trouble if he didn't gathereveryone and take a stab at being their leader. But he couldn't continue withbusiness as usual. He would not rule the way his father had. Or at least notthe way he had after his wife died.
And that would piss a lot of hisrelatives off.
Flopping down, his head hit theback of the cushions. "Bah, I don't want this conflict." He wantedsomething different.
A rustling outside the door drewhis attention. Maybe Hank had returned to offer more unwanted advice. Rising,he crossed the room again and pulled the door open, ready to blast his cousin.
Instead, his mouth snapped shutwhen a hovering envelope greeted him.
Braddox snagged it and shut thecold out. Removing the seal, he retrieved a parchment folded in half.
You need some time and space togrieve, regroup, ponder, and adjust.
Why not spend the Yule holiday atthe Goodacre Bed and Breakfast?
Directions were printed below alongwith an invitation to cross into the nether realm whenever he'd like.
Braddox huffed out a breath."Why the hell not?" Maybe some time away would get his mind on theright track and help him decide what to do about the future.
And actually give me time to mournmy dad.
Braddox headed back upstairs topack.
This one iscomplete and ready to launch into the universe. I'll be uploading theinformation in the next week or so.

That's it for thisweek.
Cheers!
Skye