A beautiful short Christmas tale, Ian! May you and Rita have a Very Merry Christmas!
As I just remarked to a friend; at age 14, I got my first firearm (no safe for storage, just an open gun rack) and was trusted with ammo! I got my first pellet pistol (that shaped my life) and learned to run a chainsaw (gas powered and pre-chain brake). Mom & Dad understood that boys needed responsibility and accountability to become real men.
What a wonderful tale!!! My childhood was spent exploring then nearby woods, getting lost a few times but always finding my way out with heart pounding from fear of never finding that way home. The whooshing breath of relief when I did. Never told Mom, she would have been furious. Girls were supposed to be delicate little flowers. She didn't get her flower until my daughter came along. I was the tomboy. The explorer, the tree climber, the gardener, the animal crazy kid, the one who asked what if rather more frequently than she was comfortable with. But it also helped when I started learning to cook. What if I do this instead of that, or use this and not that or in addition to that? Made some incredible stuff by listening to the ancestors as I seasoned things, waiting for that quiet whisper in my mind's ear so to speak, saying, "Enough, child. You'll ruin the dish if you add any more."
I hope that saddle catalog also sells bareback pads, rope halters, and lead ropes that can be repurposed into reins. 🦊 The dangerous magic is convincing a half-ton prey animal that you are a trustworthy predator and a safe leader.
Wonderful and well written.
Two phrases spoke to me : ' Safety dulls the soul’s claws' and 'responsibility has teeth'.
I hope your house has a most wonderful Holiday Season
Exactly the two phrases that grabbed me by the strings.
Thank you, Ian
Interesting how those two speak to preparation for tumultuous times ...
A beautiful short Christmas tale, Ian! May you and Rita have a Very Merry Christmas!
As I just remarked to a friend; at age 14, I got my first firearm (no safe for storage, just an open gun rack) and was trusted with ammo! I got my first pellet pistol (that shaped my life) and learned to run a chainsaw (gas powered and pre-chain brake). Mom & Dad understood that boys needed responsibility and accountability to become real men.
Beautiful ... and true. God bless you and all you hold dear. Merry Christmas!
"And someone, still, must bring the fire."
Ooo, that brought shivers.
Nice! Always great to see Finland get some love. We have some awesome mythology, need to write a story utilizing them at some point.
A beautiful Christmas story! Thank you for posting and sharing with us.
May you and yours have a very Merry Christmas.
I just had to stop and admire the word vulpine (and wonder how long it took to overcome spell check.)
Spell-check and I have a "love/hate" relationship -- it loves to screw with me, and I just hate the whole algorithm.
Great JOB. Got Yule my friend.
What a wonderful tale!!! My childhood was spent exploring then nearby woods, getting lost a few times but always finding my way out with heart pounding from fear of never finding that way home. The whooshing breath of relief when I did. Never told Mom, she would have been furious. Girls were supposed to be delicate little flowers. She didn't get her flower until my daughter came along. I was the tomboy. The explorer, the tree climber, the gardener, the animal crazy kid, the one who asked what if rather more frequently than she was comfortable with. But it also helped when I started learning to cook. What if I do this instead of that, or use this and not that or in addition to that? Made some incredible stuff by listening to the ancestors as I seasoned things, waiting for that quiet whisper in my mind's ear so to speak, saying, "Enough, child. You'll ruin the dish if you add any more."
I hope that saddle catalog also sells bareback pads, rope halters, and lead ropes that can be repurposed into reins. 🦊 The dangerous magic is convincing a half-ton prey animal that you are a trustworthy predator and a safe leader.
I look forward to gifting this book Christmas 2026. A delightful story, with very true elements.
It's been a very long time since I've read a story with a smile of joy. I love it. I'm saving Pts. 2 and 3 for later savoring.
Fantastic, wonderful, mischievous beauty, that.
No grandkids yet, but I'll be buying a couple of copies (at least). I can't wait to see the art also.
I started reading it to my husband in the car. We got home & he stood in the open car door as I finished it.
Excellent tale... a book of such would be a MARVELOUS gift to my Grandson - he'll be 8, next Christmas...
I've got a 6 & a 2 1/2 yr old granddaughters - I can't WAIT to get this book for them! It's absolutely perfect!!