How I Got This Way...

Christmas Caroling

Even though Christmas is now behind us, I’d like to take you back sixty years or more to my little Baptist Church on Christmas Eve.

It began with a brief service to give those of us in the annual pageant time to get into costume. The big people had been working on us for days to make sure we’d memorized our lines and tension was high. For us, push had finally come to shove. Frantically, we’d clamber into our Nativity garb: tinsel halos above shining faces, Mary in her headscarf, Joseph in his robe, a doll in swaddling clothes, angels in tennis shoes and, of course, the three wise men, or “wise guys,” as we called them. I was usually cast as a wise guy. For about three years running, I was the wise guy with myrrh. Not one of us knew what myrrh was. Gold was easy. We could identify with frankincense. It sounded a lot like Frankenstein; and we all knew who he was. But myrrh? I might as well have been bringing the baby Jesus lint. Eventually, amid snickers, chuckles, and the occasional whoop from the audience, it would all be over. Another Nativity Scene under our belts and another satisfied group of adults who had forgotten how much they hated the whole thing when they were little.

After the inside celebration was over, some ill-fated grown up would take us caroling. Caroling was great for three reasons. One: we got to stay up late, crunching around in the snow. Two: when we were done, we got Mildred Parson’s ground beef bar-b-que and hot chocolate with real marshmallows in the church basement. Three: standing with a runny nose in knee-deep snow after dark at sixteen degrees while singing “Silent Night” allowed us to feel both righteous and pious. A dangerous combination in children, frightening in adults, seductive at any age.

On the night in question, heading back to the church basement with frozen toes and numb fingers, we made our final stop of the evening at Mrs. Hale’s house. Mrs. Hale was a wonderful old lady who was very frail. We all thought she was really nice, even though we occasionally made fun of the tiny steps she took when she walked, and we wanted to bring her some Christmas cheer before we quit for the night. We assembled on her front yard and began to sing. We trilled our way through “Oh Come All Ye Faithful,” but she never showed. Thinking she might be at the rear of her house and unable to hear us, we trooped to her backyard and belted out a rousing rendition of “Joy to the World.” Still no Mrs. Hale. Back to the front yard we marched and roared out “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen,” then waited to see her at the door. Nope. We’d given her three of our best and received nothing in return. No figure at the door, no thank you, no porch light, no Mrs. Hale, nothing. Back to the rear we trudged, feeling a need to be both righteous and pious, and laid “Silent Night” on the old girl, but it was all for naught. No sign of Mrs. Hale. Off we went, bar-b-que and hot chocolate waiting.

The next day, the Mrs. Hale mystery was explained. She had indeed been in the rear of her house and heard us as we began to sing in the front yard. She toddled to the front door to say thank you, just in time for us to begin singing at the rear of her home. She staggered to the rear and arrived just as we again began singing from the front, lurched back to the front when we started yodeling again from the rear, and so on, never quite able to catch up to the carolers regaling her from opposite ends of her home. Mrs. Hale finally collapsed on her living room couch and phoned Doctor Ernie Boone, who rushed to her side and gave her a shot or something to keep her going. It was an unfortunate event that brought snickers and giggles from children and adults alike. I remember that Christmas as the one when we almost killed Mrs. Hale.

The next summer she gave me a boomerang left to her by her deceased husband, Old Man Hale, from his time spent in Australia. This was not a toy, but a real aboriginal boomerang, a weapon of magnitude that would not only return when thrown, but would take your head off if you didn’t duck.

As I recall it now, I believe that boomerang may have been an attempt at revenge.

Happy New Year from all of us at Ironbear Ebooks.
David

Release Updates!

the TRAIL series

GLORY TRAIL is now available as an eBook on Amazon and Smashwords. It should be up soon on all other major distributors.

The release date was December 25th.

Update on the eAudio version

The eAudio version of the book has to be delayed. We have run into some problems beyond our control. It may take awhile, but we are still planning on recording. Please, don't give up on us...'cuz we sure aren't giving up on getting this done! Thank you for your kindness, understanding, and appreciation of David's work.

the TRAIL series: Another Update

(Shhh, don't tell David I am writing this. I don't think he realizes yet that I'm not good at keeping secrets.)

-Ulva

There isn't a cover yet...and, there's no title...

but...

Paperback UPDATE!

Facebook Link

the CROCKETT series

Plans are coming along nicely for releasing the 7th book in the CROCKETT series, Behind the Badge: Small Town Troublemakers!

Here are the details:

Pre-Order of the eBook on Amazon will begin January 6, 2016.

The actually release date is January 27, 2016!

Behind the Badge

Clete on relationships-youtube

AND MORE NEWS: The 8th and final book in the CROCKETT series is SIX CUT KILL. David has finished the script, but the book is not ready for release yet. Though plans are a bit on the "iffy" side right now, it could be out by late 2017--though it MIGHT be a little sooner.

YouTube

New Video: Crockett Reunites with Stitch

David performs some excerpts from his books, shares some memories of his youth, and rants a little about the writing process.

AND, HERE'S A DIRECT LINK!

David R Lewis

The Crockett Series

Remember: eBook #1 of the CROCKETT series, FEAR OF THE FATHER, is still free everywhere. Here's the links:

Amazon Fear of the Father ***** Barnes and Noble Fear of the Father ***** iBook Fear of the Father ***** Kobo Fear of the Father

As we mentioned last time, David has written a total of 8 Crockett books. At present, 6 are out. Number 7, Behind the Badge, will be released in eBook format on January 27, 2017. Pre-ordering on Amazon will start January 6, 2017.

Take to the TRAIL

Passing that information on to all your friends would sure be appreciated. Below, we've included a few of the links.

Amazon Deer Run Trail ***** Barnes and Noble DEER RUN TRAIL ***** iBook Deer Run Trail ***** Kobo Deer Run Trail

Thank you.

See ya again on February 1st! If you enjoyed this newsletter; please tell all your friends to visit our website and sign up for the fun.

Ironbear eBook Facebook link ***** Heartland Memories story page ***** Ironbear website *****