Hello Friends! Thank you for subscribing! Enjoy some of my personal and writing updates, sneak peeks, guests and reviews. ♥

— Jan Goldyn —

December’s Glow

Happy bright surprises

under a glittering tree.

The crisp fragrance of oranges,

pine and toy candy.

Christmas card greetings

filling the garlanded archway.

The image of baby Jesus

lying in the hay.

The scent of a coal fire

keeping the house cozy warm.

Etched frost on the window pane

framing a blustery morn.

Sleepy eyes droop wearily

after delighted play.

Drowsy from last night’s vigil

listening for reindeer and sleigh.

Under a white-blanket roof

the home radiates a glow.

Sparked by the embers of togetherness

the sharing of Love’s endless flow.

— December Update —

Belated Christmas Blessings to all!

As I write, I’m enjoying the soft glow of our Christmas tree and the memories made by its many home-made ornaments.

Cards, wrapping paper, glitter, ribbons, buttons — you name it — have become trinkets of Christmas magic!

—The simple cut-out red apple with glitter that our daughter made with her grandmother years ago —

—The intricate “spiral’ shaped teddy bear ornament, crafted with her godmother —

— A little wreath cut from a Christmas card that belonged to my late brother —

So many holiday scenes — including ones I created back in high school.

This holiday some of us girls even fashioned a few new ones. 

And of course we had snacks, cookies and tea to add atmosphere!

Now, all this “home-madeness” does not mean that we don’t enjoy the classic ornaments. ♥

I hope you’ve enjoyed this little “Christmas-scene” tour. However your memories be made, may all your Christmases be merry ♥

Prequel, Julia

My vision for the unveiling of “Julia” had been Spring 2025. I’m now focusing on Summer 2026. My life has just become unexpectedly busy! But I promise to do my best and will update you well in advance!

**********************

I am so excited to be working on my Prequel — Julia. You’ve all given me such super feedback on Coal Town Girls! Those of you who have grown up locally have been sharing your excitement at seeing the landmarks of your youth (or your present!) showcased within its pages.

Now, with Julia, I’m taking a journey further back in time to the people, places, struggles, triumphs and dreams of those who came before Joan and Mary. I can’t wait for you to join me.

December Sneak Peek

-Excerpt from Julia -

"Heard you been poking your nose in our sister's affairs." Andy stood in front of the butcher counter, behind which Walter carefully wrapped slabs of steak in thick brown paper – the raw bloody meat filling the air with a dense iron-like scent. "Francis ain't no grifter nor rabble rouser."

"It's already been decided,” Walter announced with a waive of his hand. “And Papa is in complete agreement. Now, would you remove your filthy fingers from the front of my case."

"I'll remove my filthy fingers to your throat." Andy pounded his fists on the meat case then grabbed Walter by the top of his apron, shaking him back and forth. A woman's scream hit the air as Walter yelled for help.

Jan’s Reading Nook

Throughout history, our ancestors gathered around fires telling and soaking in the magic that is “story.” This primal need continues and has not left us! I love to share thoughts on nuggets of literature I’ve been enjoying and exploring. For me, a main focus has been historical fiction, literary fiction, family sagas. Although all genres have their own jewels.

Stories for Christmas

by Charles Dickons

— Platinum Press —

Each Christmas for the past ten years, I’ve been bringing out my festively bound edition of Stories for Christmas by Charles Dickons. 

Whether I settle on (among others) the classic, A Christmas Carol, Cricket on the Hearth, or the Holly Tree I always walk away with that “old-timey” Christmas feeling.

This year I chose The Chimes written in 1844.

“Trotty” Porter is an extremely poor elderly man who stations himself at a London church, delivering letters for a living.

He is normally cheered by the ringing of the church bells.

At the opening of The Chimes, however, he ponders their eerie, moody sound in the middle of the night. Trotty laments that there is no one who would welcome their voices combined with the howling wind that snakes through the steeple at midnight.

Trotty has a disheartening encounter with his nearly destitute daughter and her fiancé and falls into a desperate mental darkness.

Sitting up late one night, Trotty’s belief that the working classes are doomed is reinforced by his reading of a poor woman who in desperation has killed both herself and her baby.

Suddenly, the Chimes burst violently in on his thoughts, and seem to call him to the church. Climbing to the bell chamber, he discovers swarming ghouls and a goblin caught up in the tower. The goblin of the Great Bell berates him for the wrong he has done the Chimes in losing faith in man's destiny to improve.

In true “A Christmas Carol” form, the goblin unveils what future would unfold not only for his daughter but many of the poor, should mankind in general take on the hopeless inaction that Trotty was falling into.

At the end of these visions, Trotty awakens at home as the Chimes joyfully ring in the New Year on the day of his daughter’s wedding. Friends arrive to provide a surprise feast and celebration. Trotty is a man with newfound hope for humanity.

Dickons’ statements on the socio-economic issues of mankind are classic, heartfelt lessons in the spirit of faith in the race of men. Perfect for Christmastime sentiments.

Coal Town Girls

Coal Town girls was an idea that bubbled up over the years and finally found its way to paper. My mother, Joan, and her best friend, Mary, were often found on our back porch, telling stories of their youth -- the town, the river, the people, the adventures, the sadness's, the joys. 

Each month I’ll try to highlight a tidbit from Coal Town Girls!

—-Excerpt from Coal Town Girls—-

The popping, sizzling cracks of maple wood hummed in the background as flames from the oven made a dancing picture show on the kitchen wall. Soon, the fairy queen, Mary’s Mom, would be home with clothes-mending that she’d gathered from the forest folk. The queen would then sit and darn while pushing the fairy princess’ cradle with one foot.

The elvish king, Mary’s dad, would be deep in the belly of the earth – a coal-dust crown round his head – for most of the night. The two dwarves would wrestle with each other before falling into a snoring heap. Mary, Joan’s sister elf, would keep vigil under a woolen blanket.

Gathering her schoolbooks and walking out the back door alone toward Thomas Street, Joan would become plain-old Joan again. She’d leave the enchanted family behind, enter her grandmother’s house, slip into her little bed and dream about sprites in a haunted thicket, ancient castles, misty lakes, giggling babies. Kings. And of course, Johnny.