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The 12 Christmas Links – Will You Laugh?

The 12 Christmas Links – Will You Laugh? That’s what I want to know. Let’s start with the first link:

The NORAD Santa Tracker

I first learned about the NORAD Santa Tracker in 2000, 20 years ago. I was quite cracked up that a branch of the US military would put up this elaborate web site to track Santa’s sleigh around the world. Each year the site became more sophisticated and elaborate.

Here’s the live Youtube feed:

It’s been fun following NORAD through the years with my children, from their teenage years to adulthood. My daughter follows them on Alexa.

Up next is this blast from Christmas past.

1981 Merry Christmas

12 Christmas Links – 1981 Merry Christmas

I lived through Ronald Reagan’s Presidency, from 1981, when I was 25 to 1989, when I was 33 and married for three years.

Now, let’s have a little Christmas entertainment coming up.

My Favorite Christmas Jazz

You know it and love it too. Here you go!

Interestingly, the drummer is 78-years-old Jerry Granelli, who is the last surviving member of the “Vince Guaraldi Trio”. The Trio consisted of Guaraldi on piano, Fred Marshall on bass and Jerry Granelli on drums. They, of course, recorded the original soundtrack for “A Charlie Brown Christmas”.

For my fourth link, I go to a classic from Tchaicovsky, ‘The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies” as rendered in this next clip:

Link 4 – A Classic Movie and Music Clip

Have you seen Fantasia? How about Fantasia 2000? Let me know what you think of them.

Your Fifth Link – My Favorite Christmas Movie

Since I’ve breached the movie genre, let’s continue in that vein with this classic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_N4CAO1Gcvw

I first saw ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ as a young adult and I thought it was wonderful. What’s your favorite Christmas movie? Tell me, and I’ll give you a free audiobook.

12 Christmas Links – My Favorite Light Display Next

I play Wizards in Winter every year at Christmas.

Your Seventh Link – My Favorite Traditional Carol

But I’ve got more carols for you. Look to the following link.

Your Eighth Link – Non-traditional Christmas Carol

I love Carman! What sort of music do you like? Each response gets a free audiobook. Or you can join my newsletter here. Newsletter subscribers get all my audiobooks free.

You’ve got more coming up! Check out the eighth link below.

Next? The History of Christmas Carols

Do You Like Christmas Books?

A lot of writers create stories or books for Christmas. I haven’t done that yet, but this is the best I’ve on the subject. You’ll enjoy it for its own sake as a children’s book.

Let me know about your favorite book, Christmas or not. I’ll gladly give you an audiobook.

Now for a Christmas Laugh

This is the original and official video to go with this famous Christmas comedy song.

For my last link, let’s talk about the reason for the season.

12 Christmas Links – The Reason for the Season

12 Christmas Links
Why We Celebrate Christmas

Opinion: There’s never been a better Christmas . . .

And with that, let me wish you and your loved ones and very merry Christmas!

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Your latest laughs from around the world

Your latest laughs from around the world. But you ask, “What do you have for me this week, Andy?”

Lots! First of all, you’ve got this:

Would you play this at your wedding?

This is from TwosetViolin, one of my favorite Youtube channels. I also have an Andy Zach channel, for your viewing pleasure.

But that’s not all! I finished another short story, Her Majesty’s Corgi’s. It’s based on a little incident in My Undead Mother-in-law. You can read it for free on Kindle Unlimited. The short story will appear in my next book, Oops! Tales from the Turkey Apocalypse.

Your latest laughs
Click for Kindle copy or paperback

You can also enjoy a free audio sample here.

Your latest laughs – part 2

Then there’s this bitter argument between two lynxes.

Do you ever argue with your significant lynx?

But perhaps you prefer more chicken music?

Pachelbel’s Chicken

I don’t comment on politics, but I found this next video commenting on the United Kingdom and the European Union hilarious in light of the Brexit controversy.

US citizens who don’t know about or care about Brexit can just skip this one.

No Laughter Break for News

I found this video of a car-sized meteor hitting near Adelaide Australia. If you’ve never seen a large meteor before, check out the video.

Here is a science fact you may not know about human language.

The Bermudas and the US suffered from Hurricane Dorian this week. For a science fiction author like myself, I love the view of this terrible storm from space.

Your latest laughs – part 3

In addition to my Andy Zach Facebook page, I have a Zombie Turkey page where I post turkey related items, like this next one.

Did you know my book My Undead Mother-in-law has corgis in it?

I can’t finish this blog without a satiric article about craft beer, one of my favorite hobbies.

Don’t miss out on free books! My monthly drawing is today!

Your latest laughs
Click to enter the free drawing!
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The Best August Videos, Pictures, and News

The Best August Videos, Pictures, and News, personally curated by me Andy Zach. Be warned: these may not be what you expect.

The first video might be the weirdest prank I’ve ever heard about. And it’s part of English history too. Who’d ever believe this in fiction?

But hold onto your galoshes: there’s a lot more.

How about a late-breaking science video of new advances in rocketry?

Now let me try to be more relateable by posting a cute dog video for your viewing pleasure.

Speaking of relatable, I have a dog I walk every day over the hills and valleys in the park around my house. A105 pound black lab named ‘Trip’, so-called because he likes to rub against you and trip you.

Which picture do you like the best? Let me know and I’ll send you a free short story from my next book Oops Tales from the Turkey Apocalypse

What else do I have for you? How about this article about an exoskeleton?

More Best August Videos

This is a good one. If you’ve seen it before, contact me and I’ll give you a book of your choice.

Pachelbel’s Canon on the rubber chicken

I have more for you!

Or maybe this picture will tickle you. Everyone loves puppies!

Even three-headed puppies!

Then you’ve got this bon mot.

Okay, I have one last video for you. But before you see it, let me offer you a chance to win one of my books. I have two drawings coming up this month, one for a free book and one for a free audiobook.

Best August Videos
Andy’s four books

Click here to enter the monthly drawing and get a free subscription to my newsletter.

Andy Zach reading from his book Zombie Turkeys

Finally, A Secret Supers Review

Best August Videos
Secret Supers covers

Title: Secret Supers: What happens when ‘differently-abled’ people become ‘super-abled’?

Author: Andy Zach

Genre: Fiction/Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror

Audience: Middle-Grade

Word Count: 31000

Assessment:

Plot: Four differently-abled middle school kids use science to give themselves super powers and solve crimes while in disguise. This is a sweet YA read with a surprise ending that will delight readers.

Prose/Style: There is some clever imagery here, with steady and clear dialogue. Descriptions of the super powers and how the children react to them are authentic, touching, and sometimes funny.

Originality: Disabled kids who are not just the heroes but superheroes of the story is a fresh and clever premise. Even without revealing their secret identities, the kids are accepted by their peers after saving the school budget.

Character Development: All of the young and vibrant characters are wonderfully drawn, especially Dan, the blind boy who gains the ability to read minds. Even the pet hamster, Dancer, plays an important role in the plot twist.

From my Book Life Prize entry. I entered Secret Supers and will find out if I progress to the next round.