A Nice Place In The Sun: 12/1/16

Dec 13, 2016

The Santa Claus Candle

When I was a little girl I wondered why Santa Claus was better looking in some photographs and paintings.

My grandmother had a picture of a good-looking Santa with silver curly hair on her fireplace mantel each year – but my second-grade teacher had a picture of the same man with straight white hair and glasses. I thought my grandmother’s Santa was more attractive, even if his eyes were too small.

I never asked anyone about my Santa Claus observation, particularly grown-ups; because I thought it would be impolite to question the frequent changes in Santa’s appearance. Moreover, Santa’s appearance had “grown-up secret” written on it, and I knew I should stay away from grown-up secrets.

Anyway, I don’t have to worry about that anymore, because I’m a grown-up now, and I know why Santa is better looking sometimes. In any event, I haven’t thought about my Santa observation in years (a lie) until I was asked to post an essay about Santa. The title was, "What Was the Funniest or Worst Christmas Gift You Ever Received?"

At first, I wasn’t sure what the funniest or worst gift I ever received was, because the worst, funniest, and the best present I ever received for Christmas happened to be the same gift; a candle with a bad looking Santa painted on the front. - it was a gift wrapped with good intentions -- a gag gift.

Dec 11, 2016

A Sleep Over...

"Mom, can he spend the night?"

Hello, I hope everyone is staying warm and rested during this holiday season. Look for upcoming Christmas Stories-

Thanks for visiting A Nice Place In The Sun. I value my readers. :)

Favorite quotes-

In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since.

Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,” he told me, “just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.”'

F. Scott Fitzgerald. (Lines from The Great Gatsby)
"A Southerner Talks Music"

Mark Twain

"A book must be the ax for the frozen sea inside us."

Franz Kafka

An author values a compliment even when it comes from a source of doubtful competency.
- Mark Twain in Eruption

"I like a good story well told. That is the reason I am sometimes forced to tell them myself"

Mark Twain

About Ann...

I'm a professional humorist/children's writer, mother, friend, and cat owner, and the author of A Nice Place In The Sun. I write situational humor most of the time, but actually, there is no telling what I might turn out.

I'm writing my first novel for adults, and I have children's book manuscripts, as well as short stories, traveling through the writers market. Most of my online work is posted on A Nice Place In The Sun, although I am published in local magazines, and continue to work toward traditional publication.