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Oak, Ash, and Thorn Available This Week!
The paperback version will be available through Amazon in another day or two, with digital versions coming shortly after that! Merry Christmas!
This novel, third in the Into the Wonder series, will also give readers their first bird’s-eye view of the faery geography in which most of the action takes place, thanks to my awesome design guy, Dave Jones:
Sunday Inspiration: Reading
I’ve never known any trouble that an hour’s reading didn’t assuage.
—Charles de Secondate.
Happy Saint Nicholas Day
You’d better watch out…
Krampusnacht is Tonight!
Happy Krampusnacht to those celebrating…or cowering under their beds in terror!
For those who don’t know, Krampus is Santa’s demonic henchman. He’s a figure in Germanic folklore, generally from Alpine regions such as Austria.
Here are some fascinating facts about Krampus from mental_floss:
December 5 is Krampusnacht, when Krampus reigns. In the real world, people might attend Krampus balls, or young men from the local Krampusgruppe might don carved wooden masks, cowbells, chains, and elaborate costumes to run through town in a Krampuslauf (Krampus run), frightening and sometimes beating bystanders. According to legend, Krampus will spend the night visiting each house. He might leave bundles of sticks for bad children—or he might just hit them with the sticks instead. He might toss them into a sack or basket on his back and then throw it in a stream, or he might straight-up take them to hell.
The next day, though, is Nikolastaug, St. Nicholas’ Day—the same St. Nicholas whose Dutch name, Sinterklass, evolved into “Santa Claus.” In other words, it’s time for presents for all the little girls and boys … that is, all the ones who haven’t already been beaten, damned, or drowned.
And here’s a post on Krampus I wrote a couple years back.
Sunday Inspiration: Appreciation
I believe that appreciation is a holy thing—that when we look for what’s best in a person we happen to be with at the moment, we’re doing what God does all the time. So in loving and appreciating our neighbor, we’re participating in something sacred.
—Fred Rogers
Inspiration: Thank You
If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is “Thank you,” it is enough.
—Meister Eckhart.
Thanksgiving 2015
I’m thankful for…
- The constant, overwhelming, amazing grace of God.
- Family who love me.
- Friends who care about me.
- A warm home to live in.
- The turkey in the oven.
- The theory of general relativity.
- Panda Express.
- Sale prices at academic conferences.
- The music my daughter has brought into my life.
- Friends and colleagues I know both in real life and merely digitally.
- Reunions with beloved mentors.
- The smell of baking bread.
- Babies’ giggles.
- Kentucky basketball.
- Freedom.
- Faith.
- Hope.
- Love.
What are you thankful for?
Thanksgiving 2015
I’m thankful for…
- The constant, overwhelming, amazing grace of God.
- Family who love me.
- Friends who care about me.
- A warm home to live in.
- The turkey in the oven.
- The theory of general relativity.
- Panda Express.
- Sale prices at academic conferences.
- The music my daughter has brought into my life.
- Friends and colleagues I know both in real life and merely digitally.
- Reunions with beloved mentors.
- The smell of baking bread.
- Babies’ giggles.
- Kentucky basketball.
- Freedom.
- Faith.
- Hope.
- Love.
What are you thankful for?
Sunday Inspiration: Perseverance
Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another.
—Walter Elliott
News
Oak, Ash, and Thorn is actually progressing ahead of schedule! I’m not ready to promise it will be available for Christmas, but it will almost certainly be ready sometime in January.
The Into the Wonder series will also soon be graced with its very own fantasy world map! There are just a few little tweaks left to make, and it will be ready for the world. Look for it both here on the website and in Oak, Ash, and Thorn.
Darrell J. Pursiful 