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Glass Ball Publications

New and Exciting

Glass Ball Publications

New and Exciting

New and Exciting

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Let me know if you would like a personalized story or my favorite recipe.

Jeannetee@glassballpublications.com

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My Aunt’s Hats/Los sombreros de mi tía

“Can I go over Aunt Katie’s?” Mia asked her mother.

“We can make cookies,” said Aunt Katie

“Have fun,” said Mia’s Mom.

Mia and Aunt Katie always had a great time.

“Can we have a tea party with our cookies?” asked Mia.

“Of course,” said Katie. “First, we need our chef hats and aprons to start baking,” she pulled out two chef hats and fancy aprons from the pantry.

When the cookie trays slid into the oven, they tried on different hats, gloves, and handbags for the tea party.

They looked in the mirror, admiring their outfits. Katie took Mia’s picture.

“I look spectacular,” said Mia.

“Absolutely!” said Aunt Katie

Aunt Katie has many, many hats. One time when Mia visited, they tried on hats with feathers. Then some with lace, and some with jewels. “Let’s go to the Royal Wedding,” Aunt Katie said as she put on wedding music. They marched through the house, their fine hats waving at all the people.

“Let’s see what else is hiding in here,” said Aunt Katie, digging in the closet. She tossed out scarves, gloves, pocketbooks, and shoes. “Oh, look at this, it’s a hard hat that belonged to your Abuelo. I also have this batting helmet that had been your father’s.”

“Wow,” said Mia, “you have hats from everyone.”

“There are hats for any occasion,” said Aunt Katie, sitting in a pile of hats on the floor.

“Would you wear a special hat for my birthday on Saturday?” asked Mia.

“Certainly,” said Aunt Katie, and maybe I will bring you one too.

Mia was turning seven on Saturday, and her mother had invited all her aunts and uncles, grandparents, and cousins. Mamma was making a Tres leches cake with caramel sauce. It made Mia drool thinking about that sweet milky cake.

When people began arriving for the party, they brought presents of all sizes and shapes. Auntie Laine and Uncle Hector came first. Uncle Hector is funny, and Auntie Laine is beautiful and smells like a field of flowers.

Next came Aunt Paula and Mia’s cousin Emily. Aunt Paula sometimes took Mia to a show with Emily. Shows are full of songs and dancing, but you must sit still for a long time.

Mia’s grandparents came, and they brought a card from Aunt Isabella, who lives far away. Mia remembers when she sees Aunt Isabella, she pinches her cheeks and tells her she is getting big. Mia doesn’t mind the cheek pinching as long as her friends don’t see.

The room with the presents was filled. Mia snuck in for a peek as more people arrived. She hoped for a bike but didn’t see a big box. Mia’s mother saw her in the room and chased her out.

“No peeking. Go outside with your cousins and play until we’re ready for the party.”

“Ok,” said Mia, jumping around, “I’m just so excited!”

“I know,” laughed her mother, “but you have to wait.”

Mia and her cousins played hide and seek and then Mar Y Tierra* until they were tired and hungry. The adults finally called everyone to eat. When lunch was over, the family gathered for cake and presents. Mia sat in the center. Her mother brought her presents and cards.

Mia wiggled with excitement in her chair.

“Does she have ants in her pants?” asked Uncle Hector.

Everyone laughed, and Mia’s cheeks felt warm as she tried to sit still.

Auntie Laine’s present was a beautiful dress with embroidery.

“Thank you, Auntie Laine,” said Mia.

Aunt Paula gave her three action figures from the latest movie they had seen last month.

“This is great, thanks,” said Mia.

Aunt Isabella had sent her a nice card with some money.

“I’m going to save this to buy a bike,” said Mia.

Just then, her father rolled a bright blue bike out of the garage.

“Aye!” yelled Mia as she ran to the new bike. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Mia started to climb on the bike when her mother said, “One more present for you to open, Mia.”

Mia wondered how she could have missed it, but it was sitting on her chair. This gift was from Aunt Katie.

Mia pulled off the ribbon and the paper. Inside was a brand-new bike helmet with racing stripes on the side and a blue buckle.

“Thank you, Aunt Katie, this is the best hat ever.” Mia put on her new hat, climbed on her bike, and took it for a spin.

*Mar Y Tierra is a traditional game. Everyone lines up next to a line on the ground so they can jump to both sides. One side is mar (“sea”) and the other tierra (“land”). The person leading the game calls out "mar " or "tierra, " and the players jump across the line to the matching side. If the players jump to the wrong side, they are out.

It always starts slowly, then gradually the speed of calling the names increases. The leader tries to fool the group by calling the same side more than once.

Flash Fiction - Peace

Standing in the forest listening to the rustle of leaves. Her eyes pop open, and she glances to her left, then to her right, then quickly spins around. Nothing.

No one is with her. How did she get here?

The air is warm and moist. It’s August.

She notices small white flowers near the base of a tree. She leans in to smell them. There is a toadstool growing there, too. She takes in its musty fungal scent.

Yes, she remembers now. She came to the forest to be alone, to meditate, and be with Nature. She feels refreshed and whole.