Hooray for Autumn! We Are Back, Thinking About Fall and All The Great New Features And Things Ahead!

/ jrmilson / 5 Comments

Well folks, here we are — back again. As they say, it’s been a minute, hasn’t it? It’s almost like starting over. Again.

I am just now resuming work and writing after a much-too-long, lengthy absence due to personal health issues. This time, another four-level spinal fusion surgery, followed by a complication and another major surgery a month later to remedy that. Anemic leaving the hospital, the last six months have been a period of slowly recovering and rebuilding strength, complete with two oral surgeries a month ago. For someone who is normally a fast healer impatient to get things going again, this has been a lesson in patience, accepting what is, and allowing everything to unfold and heal on its own schedule.

But — while not yet fully recovered, I am back to about 80%, it is my very favorite season of Autumn now with the holiday season soon to follow, and my story character friend Little Red Bear is back from his extended vacation and fishing trips during my absence, and we are both fit and raring to go again! We can talk more about my surgeries and personal health at a later time. So for now, let’s talk about Autumn, what is ahead here, and get back to it, shall we?

As stated above, this is unquestionably my favorite time of year. Days are getting cooler, the air is crisp and refreshing for early morning walks, and the leaves are beginning to change colors here.

Vivid Autumn memories begin to color my mind — the arrival of sweater weather –fall trips to my uncle’s farm when a youngster, hitching mules to the wagon and helping to bring in the last harvests of the season, scarecrows in the fields — raking leaves and jumping over and into piles — the fall smell of burning leaves and woodsmoke in the air — playing football after school and weekends, bonfires and hayrides, taking the kids to the Pumpkin Patch every year — carving Jack O’ Lanterns, creating Halloween costumes and Trick or Treating — hot chocolate, fresh apple cider, candied caramel apples, pumpkin pies, and so much, much more!

Autumn — don’t you love it?

After such a long (for me) downtime and so much to do to begin catching up now, I have the overwhelming urge to get busy working on everything all at once but at the same time find my desires and personal expectations exceed my ability to do that.

As my writing character, Little Red Bear, always reminds me — “Being busy is not the same as being productive, Jim. It only counts if you truly accomplish something.”

Yeah, that bear can be a real task master sometimes when it comes to getting down to working on and writing his stories. “Focus” and “Produce” are the keywords of the day around here now.

So, nevertheless relentlessly intrepid and sometimes overreaching perhaps, Little Red Bear has outfitted me with a ridiculously large, bear-sized pencil, and here is a rundown of what I am working on right now or will be soon, along with new posts and features coming soon thru the Autumn and coming Holiday Seasons . . . .

  • Resuming Regular Posting Here On The Writing Pages
  • Completing the “Animal Alphabet” Coloring Pages for Young Children
  • Adding New Pages and Educational Videos on Nature, Wildlife, the Environment, and Conservation, with accompanying Coloring Pages for Young Children
  • Creating a New Added Premium Bonus for Patreon Supporters
  • Finishing, Editing, and Publishing “The Ozarks Ostrich Crisis” Serialized Story
  • Adding a Large Print version of “The Adventures of Little Red Bear: The First Holler!” available for Seniors and other vision issues
  • Making the “Pine Holler Christmas” Kindle book available in Regular and Large Print Versions for the coming holiday season
  • Creating More New Little Red Bear Video Features
  • Adding New Poetry to the Writing Pages
  • Adding More Positive & Inspirational Permanent Pages
  • Adding a Page for my Favorite & Guiding Life Quotes
  • Creating New Christmas Feature Pages for the Holiday Season
  • Continuing Work On The Next Little Red Bear Adventure Stories Collection — “The Second Holler Over!” for a Targeted Spring 2024 Release
  • Writing stories to begin the process of publishing a new series of illustrated Little Red Bear Storybooks for beginning young readers

So, that’s a lot, isn’t it? Will it all happen according to plan? Given my personal history where unknown issues and unplanned surgeries can pop up at any time — we’ll see.

That is simply the reality. Once again, I have learned that not everything is within my control, to not issue promises or guarantees anymore, but rather merely to keep a steady writing pace and do my very best while allowing things to progress as they will.

Relax, Breathe, and Allow the Universe to unfold according to plan. As Disney fans of “The Mandalorian” have been reminded — “This is the Way.”

Thank you so much for your patience and for visiting with us today!

We (that would be my story character friend Little Red Bear and me) hope you stay in touch and visit again soon!

If you are new here, I encourage you to please Register today to be notified of every upcoming post and feature because a whole heap of entertaining, informational, and positive-themed material is on the way!

We are all about Positivity, Kindness, Compassion, Love, Peace, Children, Family, Conservation, and the Environment. That is who my story friend Little Red Bear and I are. And it’s all Free with no distracting advertisements to slow things down because that’s just how we roll here.

In closing, Little Red Bear and I are back and hard at work again. New story ideas and features for this site are pouring into my brain faster than I can write them down now. We have a great deal of catching up to do, and are SO happy to be back with you here!

Thanks again and always for stopping by!

Until next time — Best Wishes & Blessings! — Jim  (and Red!)  🤠   🐻   ❤️

In A World Where You Can Be Anything — Be Kind. Because Kindness Matters!

With children and grandchildren around (and for those of any age who like to color!), we invite you to visit “Little Red Bear’s “Happy Autumn Season!” Coloring Pages”.

Enjoy hours of family coloring fun and time together, all offered Free for our visitors!

If you enjoyed this piece, you may also like — “Happy October — The Gateway To Autumn & The Holiday Season!” and “Wishing You Deep Peace, Love, Happiness, and Joy –  And A Very Good Day!” 

(New Visitors — Welcome! To find out what we are all about, please check out — “Welcome To My Writing Pages!” and “About the Blog, Jim & Little Red Bear” — and sign up to follow and be notified of every new post! Because really, why in the world wouldn’t you?)

                “Mindfulness isn’t difficult. We just need to remember to do it.”  – Sharon Saltzberg

(Artwork by John Sloane — “I Remember When”)

“Anyone who thinks fallen leaves are dead has never watched them dancing on a windy day.” – Shira Tamir 

Meet Little Red Bear & His Friends —  “Once Upon A Time In A Very Special Woods . . . .”

Old-fashioned, Family-friendly Stories and Fun for All Ages! 
About an Uncommonly Special Bear and His Friends.
Tap Here For A Free Preview!
        “And the sun took a step back, the leaves lulled themselves to sleep and Autumn was awakened.” – Raquel Franco

This is a purposefully non-monetized, ad-free site to be able to offer the most enjoyable reading and viewing experience for everyone, with all content freely shared, and generates no income to offset the costs of maintaining and operating.

If you enjoy your visits and time with us, I invite you to Join our new Patron Community today, because together we can do so much!

With the help of patrons, we are able to donate free print copies of “The Adventures of Little Red Bear: The First Holler!” to Senior Citizens,  School Libraries, Classrooms, and to those who could otherwise not obtain a copy.

Patrons also help my friend Little Red Bear and me to continue this as a Non-Monetized site free of distracting advertisements,  dedicated solely to entertainment and educational purposes while sharing positive messages of Happiness, Inspiration, Kindness, Environmental Awareness, and Conservation with everyone.

We invite you to Join Us In Making A Positive Difference In The World!

“Find ecstasy in life; the mere sense of living is joy enough.” – Emily Dickinson
Thank You for visiting with us!
Please feel free to share with family and friends. Likes, Shares, and Comments are truly appreciated and help greatly to expand our reach and encourage new readers and visitors!
Because together, we can do so much! 

 

It’s Summer, It’s August, and “It’s Hot!” (Poem by Shel Silverstein)

/ jrmilson / 2 Comments

As this is written here on the outskirts of St. Louis, Missouri, it is late August, the “Dog Days of Summer”, 103F degrees outside in the full afternoon sunshine, and a withering heat index of 117.

Whoa. That’s hot, by any stretch of the imagination or thermometer.

Squirrels are flared out flat as a pancake, cooling their bellies on shaded concrete. Birds are eerily silent and panting in the trees.

It is simply “Hot!”, and the August heat wave we are experiencing reminded me of a poem by Shel Silverstein, from his book of poems and drawings —  “A Light in the Attic.”

The poem appropriately titled — “It’s Hot”, is reprinted below.

“IT’S HOT”
by Shel Silverstein

It’s hot!
I can’t get cool,
I’ve drunk a quart of lemonade.
I think I’ll take my shoes off
And sit around in the shade.

It’s hot!
My back is sticky.
The sweat rolls down my chin.
I think I’ll take my clothes off
And sit around in my skin.

It’s hot!
I’ve tried with ’lectric fans,
And pools and ice cream cones.
I think I’ll take my skin off
And sit around in my bones.

It’s still hot!

Humor aside, many areas of the country are and have been experiencing dangerous heat levels this summer. This stretch of combined excessively high heat and humidity is unprecedented for this area, especially given the duration. Please take the necessary steps to keep yourself, your family, your loved ones, and your pets safe.

If you must work or be outside for any length of time, please remember to wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing, take frequent cooling breaks, drink plenty of water and other clear liquids to stay hydrated, and avoid prolonged, direct sun exposure as much as possible in the afternoons.

The duration of this extreme heat means that conditions become progressively more dangerous each day for everyone, especially for the elderly, the very young, pets, and those exposed to the heat for extended periods outdoors, or even indoors without proper cooling. Again, Children, Seniors, and Pets are especially vulnerable to high heat. It is important to remember that in times such as this, the impacts of excessive heat can be CUMULATIVE, making it all more insufferable and dangerous the longer it goes on.

Heat Stroke is a life-threatening emergency with possible life-long, and life-threatening effects.  Be smart, know the signs of Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke, be careful, and stay safe.

As anyone who knows me well is aware, I do love the change of seasons here in the Midwest on the outskirts of St. Louis, Missouri, and try my best to appreciate each season and its unique beauty. But, for various health reasons, I do not handle the heat and humidity of Summer very well anymore.

So, taking liberties and having a little fun with William Shakespeare, I offer the following little ditty, inspired by the William Shakespeare page on Facebook several years ago —

“Shall I compare thee to a Summer’s day? Okay, fine then. Since thou asketh — Thou art a sticky, bug-infested, sweat-stained, and uncomfortable mess that seemest to go on insufferably without end. Art thou happy now?”

“Thank You!” for dropping by to visit! Please take care of yourself, your loved ones, and your pets during these prolonged summer heat waves. Hang in there with me — Autumn is coming soon! And as always, please remember — Kindness Matters!

Best Wishes & Blessings! — Jim  (and Red!)  🤠 🐻

With children and grandchildren around (and for those of any age who like to color!), we invite you to visit “LITTLE RED BEAR’S ‘BACK TO SCHOOL’ COLORING PAGES”  for hours of family coloring fun and time together!

If you enjoyed this piece, you may also like — “I Will Greet This Day With Love In My Heart”  and “Wishing You Deep Peace, Love, Happiness, and Joy –  And A Very Good Day!” 

(New Visitors — Welcome! To find out what we are all about, please check out — “Welcome To My Writing Pages!” and “About the Blog, Jim & Little Red Bear” — and sign up to follow and be notified of every new post! Because really, why in the world wouldn’t you?)

“Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.” – Sam Keen

(It’s Hot – Poem & Drawing by Shel Silverstein)

“Summer afternoon, summer afternoon; to me, those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” – Henry James

Meet Little Red Bear & His Friends —  “Once Upon A Time In A Very Special Woods . . . .”

Old-fashioned, Family-friendly Stories and Fun for All Ages! 
About an Uncommonly Special Bear and His Friends.
Tap Here For A Free Preview!
         “I love how summer just wraps its arms around you like a warm blanket.”          – Kellie Elmore

This is a purposefully non-monetized, ad-free site to be able to offer the most enjoyable reading and viewing experience for everyone, with all content freely shared, and generates no income to offset the costs of maintaining and operating.

If you enjoy your visits and time with us, I invite you to Join our new Patron Community today, because together we can do so much!

With the help of patrons, we are able to donate free print copies of “The Adventures of Little Red Bear: The First Holler!” to Senior Citizens,  School Libraries, Classrooms, and to those who could otherwise not obtain a copy.

Patrons also help my friend Little Red Bear and me to continue this as a Non-Monetized site free of distracting advertisements,  dedicated solely to entertainment and educational purposes while sharing positive messages of Happiness, Inspiration, Kindness, Environmental Awareness, and Conservation with everyone.

We invite you to Join Us In Making A Positive Difference In The World!

“Summer was our best season: it was sleeping on the back screened porch in cots, or trying to sleep in the tree house; summer was everything good to eat; it was a thousand colors in a parched landscape…” — Harper Lee
Thank You for visiting with us!
Please feel free to share with family and friends. Likes, Shares, and Comments are truly appreciated and help greatly to expand our reach and encourage new readers and visitors!
Because together, we can do so much! 

 

Deciphering A Few Old-fashioned Terms In Our Favorite Christmas Carol Lyrics

/ jrmilson / 4 Comments

Happy Holidays!

Have you ever really studied the lyrics of some of our older and favorite Christmas Carols that most have committed to memory over the years and joyously sing during the holiday season?

How many children know what a “bobtail” is today?

And how about — “Troll the ancient Yuletide carol, Fa la la la la la la la!” from the “Deck The Halls” song?  “Troll?”   Say what?!? Really!??  Singing about the large and sometimes nasty, mythical creatures of Scandinavian folklore and J. R. R. Tolkien stories at Christmastime?

So, with a little help from the folks at Word Genius, let’s dig into and unravel a few of the mystery words in some of our traditional Christmas Carols.

Tannenbaum

Let’s begin with an easy one most probably do know already – “Tannenbaum”.

The song many of us know as “O Christmas Tree” nowadays was originally known as “O Tannenbaum”. The word “Tannenbaum” literally translates to “Fir Tree” in the German language.

In older days, it also meant “Christmas Tree”, although it is less commonly used today. In Germany, folks also say ‘Der Weihnachtsbaum”, or “The Christmas Tree.”

Hark

Another many likely know already is “Hark”, as in “Hark! The herald angels sing, . . .”

“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” was written in 1793. The word “hark” is derived from the Old English verb “hearken”, which means to “listen”.  In the 19th century, the word “hark” was also used as a hunting call to gain attention. Today, the word is mostly only used when singing the Christmas Carol.

And, of course, one of the uses of the word “Herald” means an official messenger bringing news.

Jubilee

The word “Jubilee” is an older word, meaning a celebration.

So, in the song lyrics of “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town”, as sung by Bing Crosby back in my time, the line “The kids and girls in boy land, Will have a jubilee” means that the kids will have a celebration.

The word “Jubilee” has been in the English language since the 14th century when it was used to designate the anniversary of the emancipation of the enslaved Hebrews. In the modern day, it still means “celebration.”

Yuletide

The word “Yuletide” is another older term for the Christmas season. In the Song “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” (one of my personal favorites!), the line “Make the Yuletide gay,” would primarily mean to make the Christmas season joyful and happy.

Bobtails

Ask any youngster what is “bobtail” means or what a “bobtail” is at Christmas and get ready for shrugged shoulders or quizzical looks. I would be willing to wager a chestnut roasting on an open fire that many adults do not know, either.

A “bobtail” is a short or docked tail of an animal, most notably used in describing horses and dogs. And bobtail cats, of course.

So, in the popular song “Jingle Bells” the line “Bells on bobtails ring, making spirits bright” refers to the horses’ tails being docked, tied up in holiday decorations and bells to brighten the holiday season.

Troll

No, we are not talking about the legendary Scandinavian trolls, nor the ones that turn to stone in the sunlight in the “Lord of the Rings” stories by J. R. R. Tolkien.

In this sense, the word “troll” means to sing out loudly in celebration. So, in the “Deck The Halls” song, the line “Troll the ancient Yuletide carol, Fa la la la la la la la!”, the word “troll” in this sense would mean to sing out loudly, joyously, and happily to celebrate the Christmas season.  (And there was that “Yuletide” word again!)

Figgy Pudding

“Figgy Pudding” is referred to in the “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” carol. Chances are, my English friends may be well ahead of my American friends and me on this one, so please feel free to correct me and/or add additional information in the comments.

As I understand it, literally “figgy” means ‘containing figs’ and “pudding” refers to a thick, soft dessert, usually containing flour (or some other thickener), milk, eggs, flavoring, and a sweetener. But, as if merely to confuse, “figgy pudding” doesn’t necessarily simply a combination of figs and pudding. As a matter of fact, sometimes “figgy pudding” doesn’t even contain figs, and there may be nothing pudding-like about it. Furthermore, it appears that “figgy pudding” was originally a savory dish, consisting of beef and mutton along with raisins, prunes, wine, and spices.

As I understand it, modern-day “figgy pudding is a sweeter recipe than in earlier times. Today, it is a Christmas staple similar to Fruitcake (which I love!), made with flour, sugar, spices, and dried fruit. In some recipes, the dried fruit may be figs, but it doesn’t necessarily have to contain figs to be called “figgy pudding.”

If you are still confused and would like to learn more about “Figgy Pudding”, I recommend this site → “What Is Figgy Pudding?”

Wassail

Here we go again, it seems. What in the world does “Wassailing” mean in the song “Here We Come A-Wassailing” many ask?

Apparently, the word “wassail” has been around since the 12th century or earlier. “Wassail” was from the Old Norse toast “ves he’ll”, which meant“be well.”  As time went on, by the 14th century the word was used to describe a warm beverage enjoyed around Christmastime, such as a warmed wine or cider. On cold winter nights, Christmas Carolers enjoyed the warm beverages which, over time, gave rise to another meaning of “wassail” as a verb to describe riotous drinking and celebrating.

The term “wassailing” eventually became more and more associated with the practice of caroling and other Christmas festivities, which then in turn eventually resulted in the 1850 song that we know today — “Here We Come A-Wassailing”. Some may know it as “Here We Come A-Caroling.”

Did you know all of these old-fashioned words? Please let us know in the Comments. If nothing else, perhaps, these may serve to provide some interesting and fun trivia questions and discussions at holiday gatherings.

If you have little ones around (or those of any age who like to color), I invite you to check out LITTLE RED BEAR’S “CHRISTMAS & HOLIDAY SEASON” COLORING PAGES. Red and I have been busy adding new images every day this month and will continue doing so right up to New Year’s.

And we invite readers to visit our CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY FEATURES AND GALLERY to find interesting Christmas Feature Stories, Poems, Artworks, and more.

And lastly, we invite you to check out our most-visited holiday season page every year → LITTLE RED BEAR’S “HAPPY CHRISTMAS ‘LEFT/RIGHT’ GIFT EXCHANGE GAME” for a fun and entertaining gift exchange game featuring the Little Red Bear stories characters. We have been told that many times one game is not enough, as little ones and others simply turn the various gifts back in to restart and play all over again!

Thanks for visiting with us today!  Very best wishes for a Safe, Joyous, and Happy Holiday Season!  🤠 🐻  🎅 🎄

ps — Children (and others!) may enjoy coloring the singing Snowman and Carolers image below. Find a blank Coloring Page for the Snowman and Carolers image!

If you enjoyed this piece, you may also like — “I Will Greet This Day With Love In My Heart”  and “Wishing You Deep Peace, Love, Happiness, and Joy –  And A Very Good Day!” 

(New Visitors — Welcome! To find out what we are all about, please check out — “Welcome To My Writing Pages!” and “About the Blog, Jim & Little Red Bear” — and sign up to follow and be notified of every new post! Because really, why in the world wouldn’t you?)

“Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.” – Peg Bracken

“It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.” – W.T. Ellis

Meet Little Red Bear & His Friends —  “Once Upon A Time In A Very Special Woods . . . .”

Old-fashioned, Family-friendly Stories and Fun for All Ages! 
About an Uncommonly Special Bear and His Friends.
Tap Here For A Free Preview!
“Christmas is the season of joy, of holiday greetings exchanged, of gift-giving, and of families united.” – Norman Vincent Peale

This is a purposefully non-monetized, ad-free site to be able to offer the most enjoyable reading and viewing experience for everyone, with all content freely shared, and generates no income to offset the costs of maintaining and operating.

If you enjoy your visits and time with us, I invite you to Join our new Patron Community today, because together we can do so much!

With the help of patrons, we are able to donate free print copies of “The Adventures of Little Red Bear: The First Holler!” to Senior Citizens,  School Libraries and Classrooms, and to those who could otherwise not obtain a copy.

Patrons also help my friend Little Red Bear and me to continue this as a Non-Monetized site free of distracting advertisements,  dedicated solely to entertainment and educational purposes while sharing positive messages of Happiness, Inspiration, Kindness, Environmental Awareness, and Conservation with everyone.

We invite you to Join Us In Making A Positive Difference In The World!

 “Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving the light of love to those who need it most.” – Ruth Carter Stapleton

 

Thank You for visiting with us!
Please feel free to share with family and friends. Likes, Shares, & Comments are truly appreciated and help greatly to expand our reach and encourage new readers and visitors!
Because together, we can do so much! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://www.wordgenius.com/do-you-know-these-words-from-old-timey-christmas-carols/Y4qI-BY2rgAHMEn1

Happy December and Happy Holidays! Free Christmas & Holiday Features!

/ jrmilson / 2 Comments

Happy December and Happy Holidays!  The holiday season will be in full swing now that we have turned the calendar page to December.

Today, I wanted to simply take a few minutes to remind everyone about all of the holiday features available here on my Writing Pages. Freely shared, as always, because that is how we roll here.

I encourage you to Like and Follow my Writer’s Page on Facebook and on Twitter to be notified and enjoy all of the extra upcoming holiday postings not appearing here on my Writing Pages — New Christmas Coloring Pages for all ages, Holiday Recipes, Christmas-themed Videos, Images, Wallpapers, and more.

Holiday Features here may be accessed by either tapping on the individual links below, or at any time thru the dropdown menus at the top of the page. Please feel free to share with families, neighbors, and friends, because sharing and giving is what the holiday season is all about.

Christmas Holiday Writing Features & Gallery Summary Page

“Love’s Candle in the Night Poem”

“The General Store Christmas Poem”

“Fireside Questions for Santa Poem”

“Blue House on the Hill” — a Christmas Poem

“What To Do On A Christmas Week Night Poem?”

“Christmas Thru The Window Glass” — a nostalgic look back at Christmases of my childhood

“Christmases Of My Childhood” by the award-winning author Kathleen Creighton

“Christmas – It’s in the Singing Of A Street Corner Choir . . .”  featuring The Muppets

“Haddon Sundblom, Coca-Cola, and Santa Claus” about how the well-known modern image of Santa Claus came to be

“Christmas Trains and Memories Beneath the Tree”

“That’s What Christmas Is All About, Charlie Brown . . . .”

“Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus . . . . . . And So Much More!”

“Susie’s Bear” — a Holiday Season Short Story

“Little Red Bear’s “Christmas & Holiday Season” Coloring Pages for All Ages”

And, the most visited holiday season page every year, a tongue-in-cheek, fun adaptation of “The Night Before Christmas” poem featuring the Little Red Bear story characters → “Little Red Bear’s ‘Happy Christmas Left/Right Gift Exchange Game”

For me, this year has raced past and here we are already beginning December. How has it been for you this year?

December can be a very hectic month with the holiday season in full swing and so much to do it seems. Holiday and event planning, holiday parties to attend, shopping for gifts, wrapping, decorating, and more. Not even to mention baking cookies, cakes, pies, fudge, and other holiday treats and goodies to share. It can all be overwhelming if we allow ourselves to get too caught up in it all. Let’s all resolve this year to pace ourselves, pause now and then, live in the moment, and truly enjoy the holidays and all of the joys and happiness they bring.

We hope you can take a few moments now and then to visit with us here and enjoy the free holiday features and activities listed above. And watch for a new feature on Clement C. Moore’s “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” poem coming soon! Actually, I invite you to Register today to be notified of every new upcoming post and feature because it is always an ever-expanding list!

Sending along best wishes and blessings for a wonderful, healthy, and joyous holiday season ahead! — Jim  (and Red!)  🤠🐻 🎅 ❄️ ⛄🎄

With children and grandchildren around (and for those of any age who like to color!), we invite you to visit “Little Red Bear’s “Christmas & Holiday Season” Coloring Pages for All Ages”  for hours of family coloring fun and time together this holiday season!

If you enjoyed this piece, you may also like — “I Will Greet This Day With Love In My Heart”  and “Wishing You Deep Peace, Love, Happiness, and Joy –  And A Very Good Day!” 

(New Visitors — Welcome! To find out what we are all about, please check out — “Welcome To My Writing Pages!” and “About the Blog, Jim & Little Red Bear” — and sign up to follow and be notified of every new post! Because really, why in the world wouldn’t you?)

“Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.” – Peg Bracken

“It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.” – W.T. Ellis

Meet Little Red Bear & His Friends —  “Once Upon A Time In A Very Special Woods . . . .”

Old-fashioned, Family-friendly Stories and Fun for All Ages! 
About an Uncommonly Special Bear and His Friends.
Tap Here For A Free Preview!
“Christmas is the season of joy, of holiday greetings exchanged, of gift-giving, and of families united.” – Norman Vincent Peale

This is a purposefully non-monetized, ad-free site to be able to offer the most enjoyable reading and viewing experience for everyone, with all content freely shared, and generates no income to offset the costs of maintaining and operating.

If you enjoy your visits and time with us, I invite you to Join our new Patron Community today, because together we can do so much!

With the help of patrons, we are able to donate free print copies of “The Adventures of Little Red Bear: The First Holler!” to Senior Citizens,  School Libraries and Classrooms, and to those who could otherwise not obtain a copy.

Patrons also help my friend Little Red Bear and me to continue this as a Non-Monetized site free of distracting advertisements,  dedicated solely to entertainment and educational purposes while sharing positive messages of Happiness, Inspiration, Kindness, Environmental Awareness, and Conservation with everyone.

We invite you to Join Us In Making A Positive Difference In The World!

 “Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving the light of love to those who need it most.” – Ruth Carter Stapleton
Thank You for visiting with us!
Please feel free to share with family and friends. Likes, Shares, & Comments are truly appreciated and help greatly to expand our reach and encourage new readers and visitors!
Because together, we can do so much! 

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

/ jrmilson / 4 Comments

Simply a quick note to wish everyone a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Between morning parades, dinner, football games, the Puppy Bowl, and pumpkin pies, let’s all take a moment to remember the true meaning and purpose of the day — THANKS – GIVING — a special day to give THANKS for all of the blessings in our lives. Even in the complex and challenging times, in the long run, they most frequently serve to make us even stronger and better in the end.

We should truly take time each and every day to pause and reflect in gratitude, giving “Thanks” for all of the blessings and gifts in our lives. I consciously choose to live each day in gratitude and joy, as I find it impossible to be miserable and thankful at the same time.

Happy Thanksgiving and God Bless! — Jim (and Red!)  🤠 🐻 ❤️

“As we express our gratitude we must never forget that to express the highest appreciation  is not to utter words, but to live by them.” — John F. Kennedy

 

Happy “National Good Neighbor Day!”

/ jrmilson / 1 Comment

Happy “National Good Neighbor Day!”

Do you remember the days when someone new would move into the neighborhood and folks would bring them warm casseroles for dinners or a basket of things to welcome them into the neighborhood?

Or, the tradition of bringing a loaf of bread and a bottle of wine as a blessing to ensure everyone would have enough to eat in the home? Some would bring salt and a new broom along, too.

Good Neighbor Day celebrates the importance of both having and being a good neighbor, and provides an opportunity to go out and get to know our neighbors a little better.

It is a blessing to have a good neighbor, and even more important to BE one. Oftentimes, neighbors become friends and help to look out for each other, especially if one or the other happens to be elderly or somehow impaired or challenged in any way.

Being a good neighbor helps to make good neighbors. Like so many things in life, it is simply all about kindness, isn’t it? A kind word, gesture, and a helping hand. Being there for someone and them being there for you in times of need.

I encourage you to call or take the time to visit with a neighbor today. We never know where it may lead, perhaps to a wonderful new friendship.

If you love the Autumn season as much as we do, I invite you to check out our most recent post – “Sharing Autumn Joy & Free Wallpaper Images!” and register to be notified of every new post and feature!

Best Wishes and Blessings!  — Jim  (and Red!)  🤠 🐻

With children back in school now, we invite you to visit Little Red Bear’s “Back-To-School” Coloring Pages along with Little Red Bear’s “Happy Autumn Season!” Coloring Pages for hours of family coloring fun and time together!

If you enjoyed this piece, you may also like — “I Will Greet This Day With Love In My Heart”  and  “Judge Softly” or “Walk a Mile in His Moccasins”

(New Visitors — Welcome! To find out what we are all about, please check out — “Welcome To My Writing Pages!” and “About the Blog, Jim & Little Red Bear” — and sign up to follow and be notified of every new post! Because really, why in the world wouldn’t you?)

“You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.” – John Wooden

“Definition of a good neighbor: someone to be trusted; a courteous, friendly source of help when help is needed; someone you can count on; someone who cares.”    Edward B. Rust, Jr.

Meet Little Red Bear & His Friends —  “Once Upon A Time In A Very Special Woods . . . .”

Old-fashioned, Family-friendly Stories and Fun for All Ages! 
About an Uncommonly Special Bear and His Friends.
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“And good neighbors make a huge difference in the quality of life. I agree.”    Robert Fulghum

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If you enjoy your visits and time with us, I invite you to Join our new Patron Community today, because together we can do so much!

With the help of patrons, we are able to donate free print copies of “The Adventures of Little Red Bear: The First Holler!” to Senior Citizens,  School Libraries and Classrooms, and to those who could otherwise not obtain a copy.

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“Being a good neighbor is an art which makes life richer.” — Gladys Taber
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