Fierce winds tugged at Little Cedar. His scrawny boughs bent and swayed but he dug his roots deeper and hung onto the rock buried beneath the mountain soil. “The wind is so cold,” said Little Cedar. He shivered from his topmost limb to the bottom of his twisted trunk. “It must be nearly Christmas again.” […]

Happy December
Happy birth month, all you December angels, everyone born in this first winter month. You really shine with turquoise as your birth stone and tanzanite as your second choice. By the way, your lovely color is blue. Makes sense, doesn’t it? Narcissus and poinsettia are your flowers. Two of everything for you! Here’s a fun […]

A Mystery from History
Agnes wrapped her arms around herself as she sat at the table. Try as she might, she couldn’t stop shaking and she didn’t think she’d ever be warm again. She noticed Clara was trembling too. The sheriff opened his hand and let fall a small, circular object onto the table. Candlelight glinted on gold […]

A Wild Ride
Agnes pushed away from the table. “We’ve got to try. We’ll take the animals. I won’t leave Maybelle here when she’s so frightened. Let’s get our coats.” The drive down the mountain into town was one that neither Agnes nor Clara would ever forget. Rain came down faster than the wipers could clear the windshield. […]
A Grim Discovery
“Clara!” she screamed, beating on the wall. “Clara! Get us out of here. Hurry!” She pounded on the wall with both fists, her phone on the floor at her feet. Maybelle crowded close beside her, adding her howls to the racket. At last, spent and breathless, Agnes sank down beside her dog and cat. Clara’s […]

The Discovery
Agnes descended step after slow step, gripping the side railing. Clara had a death grip on the back of Agnes’ shirt. Maybelle’s miserable howl sounded closer. Reaching the bottom, she shone her light around the basement. Where had the two animals gone? They had seemingly vanished. She shivered. It was cold down here and […]
