2020 Hindsight

Yes, this was a difficult year. We all suffered from the pandemic with deaths and cases soaring and the need to practice new safety measures. We experienced a tumultuous election, economic problems, social unrest and schools turning to remote learning. As a writer, all my in-person events were cancelled after one day at the Left Coast Crime Conference in March. Our granddaughter had to forego an overseas college opportunity because of the pandemic.

On the bright side, members of our family have stayed healthy after one COVID-19 scare in June. I am now an experienced Zoom assistant for my grandson in kindergarten. I learned more about dinosaurs, sea creatures and the planets through my grandson’s curiosity. I published a novella titled, Coronavirus Daze, and my daughter published a children’s holiday book, The Jolly Effect.

I am looking forward to a calmer 2021 and wish the best to you and your families.

Holiday Season

This Christmas and Holiday Season will be much different from any before. For us, it will be very low key. We will celebrate with our pod: our daughter, 5-year-old grandson, my wife and me. Christmas dinner will be simple. We will have one opportunity to see our oldest son, daughter-in-law and two grandkids when we sit outdoors on our porch with masks on, ten feet apart. Our second son and his family will be visited in Iowa only through electronic links this year. We are grateful to be safe and healthy and wish all of you the same.

A Week of Good and Bad News

This has been an eventful week. First, the bad news. COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations are increasing. The good news includes the successful distribution of the first vaccine, the first vaccinations and the potential for additional approvals in the near future. On the political front, the good news is that the Electoral College has declared a winner. The bad news is that the current resident of the White House still can’t accept reality. Let’s focus on the good news and move forward while not letting our guard down.

The Stockdale Paradox and the Pandemic

With the current status of the pandemic, I’m reminded of the Stockdale Paradox. This is a concept advocated by Admiral James Stockdale who was a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War. To paraphrase: when in a horrific situation, we must have faith in a positive outcome and do everything possible to make that happen while at the same time being brutally honest about how difficult our situation is. We are facing a critical time in the pandemic. There is hope on the horizon with the vaccines but we must not let down our guard. We need to get vaccinated when the vaccines are available but need to be brutally honest that the danger still exists for everyone, and we need to maintain our diligence to wear masks, socially distance and avoid large gatherings. Stay safe and healthy.

Uplifting holiday story for the whole family: The Jolly Effect

My daughter is the author of a just released book, The Jolly Effect, that is illustrated by my grandson.

‘Twas twenty days before Christmas, when all through the house everything was stirring, including a computer mouse. Even though nobody was home!

Something jolly and magical is causing Christmas decorations to spring to life. Which is nothing unusual for them until they discover a decoration from another holiday. Suddenly, everything is in question. What exactly is it that powers the decorations to awaken? Do they themselves have this power? Can they even stay awake until Christmas? Will the crotchety old nutcracker ruin the fun? Will Ugly Sweater ever stop singing her holiday opera?

This book is a whimsical journey into the heart, soul and magic of that elusive holiday spirit. Get ready to share the Jolly Effect.

The Jolly Effect is available in a print edition https://amzn.to/33npmQ0  and an e-book edition https://amzn.to/3meWmBt. For more information go to https://lbefeler9.wixsite.com/author

About the Author:

When not putting up or taking down holiday decorations with her son, Laura Befeler can be found dreaming up new book ideas and working at one ad agency or another. Originally from Boulder, CO, she misses the chance to wake up to a white Christmas. She now lives in a festive little house in Southern California, which currently has decorations up from two holidays ago. She has a nephew named Asher as well as a sister-in-law named Kasey and hopes to visit Iowa again soon.

About the Illustrators:

Asher and Kasey Befeler were both born and raised in Iowa, where Christmas is at least cold, if not white. Kasey works as a graphic artist and Asher has been a natural artist for as long as his aunt can remember. In addition to drawing, Asher loves fishing (and going on family trips to Southern California). He is currently in the 8^th grade.