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1. about 5 hours ago on Monty

   In the grand hall of mirrors, the leader sat at his marble table, meticulously arranging his collection of miniature soldiers. Each figurine was a symbol of his imagined might, their polished bayonets reflecting the dim light of the chandeliers. To him, they were more than toys—they were instruments of control, tools to subjugate and silence those who dared to defy him.

   “Magnificent, aren’t they?” he mused aloud to his circle of shadowy advisers. “Imagine them marching through the streets, restoring order with precision, crushing dissent under their boots. There’s a certain charm in absolute authority, wouldn’t you agree?”

   Most nodded obediently, but one dared to speak. “Sir, while they may seem powerful, using soldiers against one’s own people could lead to ruin. History does not forgive leaders who rule with force over their own.”

   The leader’s face twisted in anger. His hand shot out, sweeping the entire army from the table in a thunderous crash. Soldiers clattered to the floor, scattering like leaves in a storm. “History?” he roared, rising to his feet. “History is written by those who win, I won BIG, bigger than anyone else, and I am the one who decides the fate of others—not you, not them!”

   The room fell silent, save for the echoes of his outburst. The advisers exchanged uneasy glances but dared not speak further. The leader, his fury subsiding into a smug grin, leaned back in his chair. “Order is my gift to them,” he sneered. “And if they resist, they’ll learn what true power means.”

   Outside, the murmurs of the people grew louder, a tide rising against the walls of his gilded palace. He did not notice the cracks forming beneath his feet, blinded by his own tantrum-fueled delusions. For power wielded like a child’s toy is destined to shatter, and no tantrum can stop the inevitable wave of change.

2. about 6 hours ago on Crabgrass

   The icy battlefield erupted with chaos as the clash between Kris Kringle and Krampus reached its crescendo. Snow swirled violently in the frosty air, the force of their confrontation sending shockwaves through the North Pole. Krampus, fueled by years of resentment, stood poised to strike the final blow.

   “On your left!”

   The ground trembled, and out of the blinding snowstorm stepped a figure gleaming with golden light. Towering and confident, the Tooth Fairy arrived, his muscular frame emanating a force of kindness, protection, and strength. “Hey, Claus,” he said with a warm smile, “Tooth Fairy, at your service.”

   But the surprise didn’t end there. Emerging from the shadows came a strange and eclectic group of beings, each radiating their own unique magic. A tall figure with a carved pumpkin for a head bowed slightly, his voice calm yet eerie, “And he’s not alone.” A flutter of wings heralded the arrival of a tiny pink fairy wielding a wand, and beside her, a white rabbit stepped forward, his green eyes sharp with determination.

   Kris, bruised but resolute, stood straighter, hope rekindling in his heart. “You came,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.

   The Tooth Fairy nodded. “You didn’t think you were the only one who believes in humanity, did you? The world may be broken, but we all have a role to play in keeping its magic alive.”

   Krampus let out a guttural snarl, his shadows twisting and writhing around him. “You think this changes anything? You think your fractured hope can stop what I’ve begun?”

   The Pumpkin King spoke, his tone as steady as the falling snow. “It’s not about stopping you, Krampus. It’s about reminding the world that darkness only wins when we stand alone.”

   Together, the guardians of light formed a line beside Kris Kringle. For the first time in ages, the tide of battle shifted. It wasn’t just about Kris versus Krampus anymore. It was about the enduring fight for hope, unity, and the light that lives in every heart.

3. 1 day ago on Luann

   I conceived of the idea while driving my wife to work and saw all the empty Amazon box in the trash by people’s houses — ChatGPT and Midjourney did the rest.

4. 2 days ago on Crankshaft

   I did write another story on Crabgrass today. By the way it’s “you’re” not “your” —let me know if you need more help with your grammar.

5. 2 days ago on Luann

   He was dressed all in brown, from his head to his toes,With a cap pulled down snug to fend off the snows.A bundle of boxes he had flung on his back,And he looked like a Santa with a barcode-packed sack.

   His eyes—how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry!His cheeks were windburned, his nose like a cherry.His Bluetooth earpiece buzzed faintly in tone,And his gloves scanned the labels as if on their own.

   He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,Delivered the goods, then turned with a smirk.And placing a clipboard beside his right knee,He tipped me a wink and was back in his seat.

   He sprang to his van, gave the engine a roar,And away he sped off to deliver some more.But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight:“Happy Prime Shipping to all, and to all a good night!”

6. 2 days ago on Luann

   ’Twas the Night Before Christmas, the Amazon Edition

   ‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the town, Not a package was stirring; they’d all been sent down. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that UPS soon would be there.

   The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of gadgets danced in their heads. And Mama in her hoodie, and I with my app, Had just settled down for a long winter’s nap.

   When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my couch to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tripped over the dog and knocked over the trash.

   The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Lit up a big van idling softly below. When what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a UPS truck, and a driver with gear!

   With arms full of boxes stacked high to the brim, I knew in a moment, “These must be for him!” More rapid than eagles, his footsteps they came, And he whistled and shouted and called out each name:

   “Here’s Echo, here’s Kindle, here’s iPhone and Drone, A PlayStation, Hot Wheels, and a garden gnome! To the porch, to the stoop, to the door left ajar, Now dash away, stash away, gifts from afar!”

   Like wrapping paper scattered on Christmas Day, The driver sped quickly without a delay. So up to the doorstep the packages flew, With a van full of treasures—and the driver did too.

   And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the stoop, The shuffling and shifting of one final scoop. As I drew in my head and was turning around, Through the snow-muffled silence, there came a soft sound.

   (continued)

7. 2 days ago on Crabgrass

   Yesterday, my wife was shopping at a local store, bustling with the holiday rush. In her cart was a simple reusable shopping bag, one we had bought to use time and again—a small thing, but ours nonetheless. While her back was turned, someone walked off with the cart and the bag.

   When she told me what happened, I was enraged. The fury surged in me instantly. How could someone do such a thing? I wanted to storm back into the store, demand justice, speak to the manager, and make someone pay for their wrongdoing. I was ready to act as judge, jury, and executioner.

   And then, I stopped. In that moment, I realized I had become Krampus—the one who judges harshly, who drags people into darkness for their misdeeds. But as quickly as the anger came, so did the realization that I had another choice. I could instead be Kris Kringle, the bearer of second chances, the one who offers people the opportunity to do better, to try again.

   Perhaps it was an honest mistake. Perhaps it wasn’t. I’ll never know. But I decided to let it go. The cost of the bag was small; the cost of carrying bitterness was far greater.

   This Christmas Eve, let us all reflect on the choice we face every day. We can walk in darkness, consumed by judgment and vengeance, or we can walk in light, offering grace and understanding. It’s not an easy lesson to live by, especially in the heat of the moment, but it is one worth remembering.

   This season, let us choose to be Kris Kringle, giving second chances and believing in the good in others. For it is in those moments of forgiveness and hope that the true spirit of Christmas shines brightest.

8. 2 days ago on Non Sequitur

   Please read my follow up to my post — it will all make sense.

9. 2 days ago on Non Sequitur

   Please read my follow up to my post — it will all make sense.

10. 2 days ago on Non Sequitur

    Believe me, I’m no fan of MAGA, but what I do want to say is that their idea to put tariffs on products is genius—diabolically genius, in fact—because it will generate huge revenues from anyone who wants to buy anything. This includes essentials, like the 62% of our fruits and vegetables that come from Mexico, which is going to hurt people, as some things we simply must buy. On the other hand, it will also affect non-essentials, like big-screen TVs, brand-new cell phones, and yearly electronic upgrades—things we don’t need and spend a lot of money on impulsively. This will cut back on consumer spending, which should, in theory, help reduce inflation.

    The alternative would be applying a heavy sales tax, but, of course, that would reflect poorly on their party, as they would be the ones implementing it, not the Democrats. So, as much as I hate this idea, in many ways, huge tariffs will make Americans open their eyes to where they’re spending their money, with whom they’re actually spending it, and who truly benefits from it. As the saying goes: “Follow the money—the rest is easy.”