December 2021 Muse

December 2021
“A man who tells secrets or stories must think of who is hearing or reading, for a story has as many versions as it has readers. Everyone takes what he wants or can from it and thus changes it to his measure. Some pick out parts and reject the rest, some strain the story through their mesh of prejudice, some paint it with their own delight. A story must have some points of contact with the reader to make him feel at home in it. Only then can he accept wonders.” — John Steinbeck, The Winter of Our Discontent

Editor's Note:
The Strathcona Writers Muse is a forum for members of the Writers Foundation of Strathcona County to provide an opportunity for members to publish their works. Anything published in our letter is eligible to receive a publishing credit. We accept poems and short stories of 1000 words or less normally but longer pieces can be accommodated if they can be published in parts. We are always in need of new items for each month so don't hesitate if you have something we can put into our publication.
Send submissions to wfscsherwoodpark@gmail.com care of Henry Martell, editor.

Important Dates
Writers Circle Virtual Sharing Meeting online
Next date December 7, 2021
RSVP on the website and the link will be emailed to you prior to the meeting.
https://www.wfscsherwoodpark.com/event-details/writing-circle-meeting-online-13
Next Board Meeting: December 14, 2021
Newsletter Submission Deadline: December 27, 2021
Monthly online Creative Writing Workshops
Held last Saturday of every month from 12:30 to 2:30 pm
Go to the website to register - click the RSVP and the link will be emailed to you prior to the workshop.
https://www.wfscsherwoodpark.com/event-details/creative-writing-workshop-online-14
Poets in the Park
Poets in the park meets the third Wednesday of every month online.
Reply to the link on the WFSC website
www.wfscsherwoodpark.com
Next scheduled meeting Dec 15, 2021
Children's Creative Writing Workshop
Second Thursday of each month
Next Meeting December 9, 2021
Reply to the link on our Website
www.wfscsherwoodpark.com
WFSC Christmas Party (Virtual)
December 14, 2021 7 pm
RSVP on WFSC website calendar
Members to have food and drink of their choice and to read a winter themed story. It has been suggested that in lieu of the ten dollar gift, that a donation to a charity be given.
This Month's Submissions
A Christmas Story
by Karen Probert Linda practiced Christmas carols on her piano. She played them fast and with heavy fingers. She felt aggressive but had decided to take it out on the piano keys before everyone arrived for the pre-Christmas party. Her daughter Nora had been helping her for a week by storing food in her extra fridge which had a lock so the teenaged grandsons couldn't sneak an