Sometimes the walls of hurt and anger between people has more to do with an unwillingness to be the first to offer an olive branch and open the lines of communication. It’s not easy to take that first step and risk being rejected.

Prissy was the unexpected olive branch in this story. Who in your life could you offer an olive branch to as the new year begins? Risk can have surprising outcomes.

Thank you for listening to the eleventh and final episode of the Christmas podcasts

It’s been an interesting couple of months as I’ve brought you fiction stories while learning the basics of podcasting. What’s next as the Christmas podcast wraps up?

I’ll be bringing you another series in 2023 of work I’ve written. I don’t often write fiction. There is a reason why my podcast title is Nicheless Narrative. I wont be tied to a particular topic. If you come along for the ride you’ll find a variety of topics I’ll be writing on.

There may even be a few visits by my cat Hobo when she can wrest the keyboard from my hands. If you’re listening anywhere but my website, nichelessandlovingit.com keep an eye out for the new feed for 2023.

If you visit nichelessandlovingit.com you can also subscribe to my weekly newsletter and never miss what I’ve been up to.

Let’s everyone have a great 2023.

Happy New Year

How often do we get caught up in our own circle of friends and activities without paying any mind to others? It’s easy to do. The circle of friends and activities give us a sense of comfort and stability in a rather unstable world. Ida had the heart and grace to leave the other Ida with something that meant the world to her, even if she received it by mistake.

There is a lot of warmth and compassion to be experienced outside of our usual circles by simply opening our hearts to others.

Thank you for listening to the tenth of the Christmas podcasts — the next episode will be L.M. Montgomery’s — Uncle Richard’s New Years Dinner

The next episode will close out the Christmas edition of Nicheless Narrative and 2022. Find out what’s next.

See you soon.

This story came out of the first half of the 1900s when the world experienced two world wars, a decade of depression, a global pandemic and numerous other regional conflicts. Is it any wonder that even Father Christmas, the bringer of joy and magic at Christmas would also be ground down by the inhumanity humans visit upon each other?

No matter how much life grinds us down, rituals like Christmas can be a time to remember, if only for a short time — life can and will get better. Reaching out and connecting with others takes us out of ourselves. Reminds us we can each move forward towards a better future.

Thank you for listening to the nineth of the Christmas podcasts — the next episode will be L.M. Montgomery’s — Ida’s New Year Cake

See you soon.

This is a heartwarming story that has some of the best elements of the Christmas season. It incorporates the value of appreciating the loving efforts of others over the spending of dollars.

We also enjoy someone better off sharing their bounty by repaying a kindness. The tale goes full circle and returns to the appreciation of the loving efforts over dollars spent even after receiving the richer dollar valued gifts.

Gratitude comes in all sizes and has the greatest value of all.

Thank you for listening to the eigth of the Christmas podcasts — the next episode will be Stephen Leacock’s — Merry Christmas.

See you soon.

This story comes from Leacock’s “Nonsense Novels”. It’s typical of his humour in many ways. He created parodies of typical stories of the era.

This story is like a typical Christmas theme turned upside down. The elements in the story are confusing until you realize the reverse symbols. The buttermilk would be egg nog, Euclid’s Elements would be the Bible. Caroline’s knock at the door in a typical Christmas story would bring the miracle that would save the day. The child has newborn Christ vibe.

The second knock ties the upside down part together, to deliver the unexpected ending. Or would that be the expected ending without a miracle intervention?

Thank you for listening to the sixth of the Christmas podcasts — the next episode will be L.M. Montgomery’s Christmas at Red Butte

See you soon.