Geron Kees

Believing in Santa really comes down to how you define him. For me, it equates to believing in people, and all the best things in people. We have always been our own best Santas!

Well, if that's the case, I feel honored. I always hope that more soldiers come home to stay. Even those that are just away at Christmas have it hard. Being away from home can be just as lonely as being at home, and missing the one that is away. The heart does not understand deployments. It just knows what is misses, and why.

I never make anyone cry! They do it because they have sweet hearts! Tell me I'm wrong! Merry Christmas to you, too!

Thank you for saying!

Haha. One reason these stories appear as they do is that, when I begin them, I seldom have any idea how long they will become. I did set out to write a few in chapter form, and they are here in that format. I can always break up the other long tales into chapters, and I am paying more attention to doing that in new tales. I think I won't make excuses, although I have a few good ones...I just try to be more attentive to what readers would like, in the future. Thanks!

"Gibby? Wake up! It's Christmas!" Gilbert Morrison rolled over in bed and opened his eyes. The room was only just light, the first glow of dawn seeping in beneath the window shade. Beside him, the dark shadow of his younger brother, Albert, was poised at the edge of the bed, his eyes just visible in the new light. Gilbert groaned, imagining the hour. "Come on, Allie! It's too early to get up!" The shadow pressed closer, and when Allie's voice came again, it was a whisper. "But...he c

A small wish can lead to big things. For all those that serve our nation, and must be away from us at Christmas. Or not.

There were a lot of cool stories in that series. I recall one where Bugs Meany, the head of the Tigers (and the local bad boy) was trying to sell a kid a Civil War sword supposedly engraved and given to Stonewall Jackson by his men. The presentation went something like:" Presented by his men on August 1, 1861, to General Thomas Jonathan Jackson, for standing like a stone wall at the first battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861." Encyclopedia Brown pointed out that it was likely a fake, because, firstly, the confederates referred to the battle as 'The Battle of Manassas", not 'Bull Run'; and, secondly, how could anyone know on August 1 that that was only the first battle and not the only one (the second battle of Bull Run was not fought until August 28)? As a ten year-old, I thought that was just very cool deduction. As an adult...well, it still makes me smile!

Nope. I decided against it, too. I guess that just proves that we both have some manners!

I remember Encyclopedia Brown, too. How about The Mad Scientist's Club? There is something to be said for the stories that adults write for kids. They are most often the stories the writers loved when they were kids themselves.

Ugh! Next you'll be raising Cain with me!

I'd be willing to bet that some of the stories that Neanderthals told each other are not that different than the ones we tall each other today (Oh, it's not you! It's me!). Adam's first knock-knock joke is nothing next to the one the serpent told him!

Hey, reminding one of Oscar Wilde is not a bad thing. There are other Oscars out there that are far worse to be associated with (Oscar Mayer?). Thanks for commenting!

Segei Meerkat is the Sergei stereotype we all know and love. The reality is usually somewhat different.

Oh, we are finding some of them again. And copyrighting them, too!

We hebben je gemist! Nice to see your new story here. More!

Top, bottom...there's something for everyone!

Agreed. If a guy named Sergei comes after you with a camera, the best course of action is to head the other way! That said, I will happily attend another performance (somewhat tamer, maybe?) with these guys starring. Where can I get tickets?

A digital warning will suffice: Please do not attempt this yourself, either in the real world, or the virtual one!

I will do so. I am visiting family in Amsterdam for Sint Nicholaas Day just now; but we will be flying home this coming Sunday. After that, I will try to be to class every day...I promise!

If you don't speak to people you imagine, how will you ever get to know them?

There's a discussion? Uh oh.

Thank you!

Wow! You only say that because you've never seen me wake up grumpy!

Aw. I didn't know you cared! Thank you.