Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Nov. 29 through Dec. 5

Good morning!

I have just six stories online to share with you today (I've been working on a huge project in the background) - and twelve "Thank You, Veterans" section, which posted on Nov. 8.

More stories will go live over the weekend, So please check back at shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

To see the stories that ran in print this week and aren't online yet, click on the e-edition option at the top of The Herald-News website.

During this holiday season, please consider becoming a "Herald Angel" in Will County or Grundy County. The need for your help is high and - in some cases - truly unprecedented.

We are also still collecting BryonySeries children's books for Santa Services and the Will County Children's Advocacy Center. 

We have a collection box for books at The Book Market in Crest Hill. 

Or you can order BryonySeries children's books from Amazon (our BryonySeries store is being renovated) and ship to and to Denise M. Unland, P.O. Box 2789, Joliet, IL, 60436.

For bulk rates and more information, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

We will be collecting books throughout the holiday season.

Before the stories, I also have a list of additional updates, resources, and information. Please check them out, too.

And if you'd like to find more kindness in your life, consider this book.

And have a great Friday!

Calendar

The BryonySeries calendar offers links to games, crafts, music, activities, science experiments, and  recipes that pick up themes to one or more of our books.

For December, all activities center around giving.

To participate, visit bryonyseries.com/ourcalendar.

Events (or where to find the BryonySeries this month) - so far:

Dec. 20: BryonySeries "A Gift of Reading" Christmas Party, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., The Book Market in Crest Hill.

What is the BryonySeries?

Please read "Books of the BryonySeries: A Quick Overview"

For more information on the developing "parent brand" that is removing some of the heavy marketing lifting from me, visit bryonyseries.com/blocks.

BryonySeries books-in-progress

Bertrand the Mouse: We have plenty of Bertrand photos and ideas. Several are at the top of the list. At some point, we will assemble and release some more.

The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Cornell Dyer and the House of Horreur" (because the toymaker's last name is "Horreur.") is stalled until Timothy finished his master's degree, which he did. So now we just have to stop having family emergencies (they just keep coming) and carve some time for a Cornell breakfast (it's been three years since our last one, way, way too long). I'm had surgery July 17 and that further stalled the process. But I'd love to give Sue Midlock ideas for art (she illustrates all the Cornell books), especially since she's actually eager to get drawing.

Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and the first chapter is written, hurray! Jennifer Wainwright, who welcomed her first child into the world last year, is nearly done with the cover portrait. I let this book slide for other BryonySeries projects...and I'm still letting it (overall) slide, I'm afraid. But I'm hoping we release it early 2026.

Jennifer designed the cover portraits for "Julie and the Too-Hard Homework," "Katie and the Big Fear," "Summer Sisters." and "Karla Joins In," as well as the frontispiece for "Lycanthropic Summer."

Other books: I am not writing a novel this year. But I have an idea for a BryonySeries Christmas anthology that I'd like to release in 2026.

Rebekah is also slowly (very, very slowly) updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts. And she' catching up with Kindles for some of the BryonySeries books. So do watch for those.

For books and more information about the series, visit bryonyseries.com.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Sue's Diner is a fictional restaurant in the fictional Munsonville that only exists in the BryonySeries.

Each Wednesday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks, will be featured in an upcoming cookbook, or is just an "extra" we want to share with you.

Check out the weekly recipe here.

WRITERS

If you're a writer anywhere in the world, you're welcome to join WriteOn Joliet's Facebook page. We're based in Joliet, Illinois, but we love to meet and interact with writers outside our area, too.

If you'd like to officially join WriteOn Joliet, we have two tiers of dues and two ways to attend meetings. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every year. Check us out at writeonjoliet.com.

I also suggest this book: Little Book of Revision: A Checklist for Fiction Writers. It's exactly as it says. Each page some with one suggestion for revision. The rest of the page is blank, so you can add your own notes. All proceeds benefit WriteOn Joliet.

If you need editing or help with self-publishing, check out dmbaranunland.com.

ARTISTS

If you need an artist for a project, I offer these recommendations.

NEWSLETTERS

Sign up for The Munsonville Times by emailing us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. The newsletter still isn't official yet, so we don't have an actual link on the website - but we are working on it! 

SOCIAL MEDIA

Daily updates: I haven't posted anything on Twitter/X (except a daily Bible verse) since September I can no longer schedule posts in advance. I'm not sure yet how to manage the account without that option. But you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.

BryonySeries stuff: I used to curated content relating to the BryonySeries on Twitter/X at @BryonySeries and still post assorted related content at facebook.com/BryonySeries, youtube.com/user/BryonySeries, and themes of each book in the BryonySeries at pinterest.com/bryonyseries.

Again, not sure yet about the direction of the BryonySeries Twitter/X account. Still mulling that over.

And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.

QUESTIONS

Email me at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

Thank you for reading The Herald-News. And for reading this blog. And if you've read (or plan to read) any of my books. Your support is greatly appreciated.

FEATURES

Be a Herald Angel: Help Will County United Way meet ‘unprecedented’ community need

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/11/26/be-a-herald-angel-help-will-county-united-way-meet-unprecedented-community-need/

Be a Herald Angel: Help Grundy County United Way meet high community need

https://www.shawlocal.com/morris-herald-news/2025/11/25/be-a-herald-angel-help-grundy-county-united-way-meet-high-community-need/

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/12/04/shorewood-hosting-holiday-market-friday-and-saturday/

New Joliet community center to be ‘safe space’ for local kids

Man realizes dream of opening place to serve youth

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/12/03/new-joliet-community-center-to-be-safe-space-for-local-kids/

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet hosting candlelight concert

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/11/26/catholic-charities-diocese-of-joliet-hosting-candlelight-concert/

S&T Too Pizza Shorewood hosting grand opening

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/12/04/st-too-pizza-shorewood-hosting-grand-opening/

Will County Pets of the Week: Dec. 1, 2025

Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/12/01/will-county-pets-of-the-week-dec-1-2025/

THANK YOU, VETERANS

The dedicated dozen: 12 veterans serve at Joliet School District 86

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/thank-you/veterans/2025/11/08/the-dedicated-dozen-12-veterans-now-serve-joliet-district-86/

Joliet emergency medicine tech, veteran found new way to serve

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/thank-you/veterans/2025/11/08/joliet-emergency-medicine-tech-veteran-found-new-way-to-serve/

Joliet Marine veteran is ‘huge advocate for mental health’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/thank-you/veterans/2025/11/08/joliet-marine-veteran-is-huge-advocate-for-mental-health/

Marine veteran serves memorial squads at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery and Wilmington

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/thank-you/veterans/2025/11/08/marine-veteran-serves-memorial-squads-at-abraham-lincoln-national-cemetery-and-wilmington/

NuMark Credit Union supports veterans year-round

‘Nearly every board member is a veteran’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/thank-you/veterans/2025/11/08/numark-credit-union-supports-veterans-year-round/

Marine veteran serves families now as Silver Cross nurse practitioner

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/thank-you/veterans/2025/11/08/marine-veteran-serves-families-now-as-silver-cross-nurse-practitioner/

Serving veterans is a priority for Crest Hill business owner

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/thank-you/veterans/2025/11/08/serving-veterans-is-a-priority-for-crest-hill-business-owner/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Tonight: Ask Us About Our...

Gifts! Gifts! Gifts!

Because TONIGHT is WriteOn Joliet's 9th Anthology Release Party.

Here are ten reasons why you should attend.

Here is tonight's menu.

Here is your chance to connect with six small businesses.

And (finally) when you stop at the BryonySeries tables at the party, be sure to ask about the following.

1. Our handmade Christmas mice...

...that come with their own handmade stockings:

2. Our hot chocolate bombs.

3. Our mystery boxes.

All of these items are courtesy of Cindy from Ribbit-Ribbits, her gift to you with select purchases (and she will decide what those purchases are).

None of these items are for sale.

But you might be able to take some of them home (while supplies last).

So...

When you stop at the BryonySeries tables at WriteOn Joliet's 9th Annual Anthology Release Party tonight, be sure to ask about them.

WriteOn Joliet Anthology Release Party: Books and Six Small Businesses

By now, you have read Ten Reasons Why You Should Attend WriteOn Joliet's 2025 Anthology Release Party on Thursday - and you may also have read the post with the menu for all the free chef-created heavy appetizers.

But new this year (and not in any of the previous posts) is each guest receives one FREE raffle ticket for a $10 voucher to one of five local business, which will be randomly drawn at the end of the party.

Most winners will be notified by email with a virtual voucher attached and instructions for redeeming it.

Because most of the vouchers are virtual, store owners will be provided the name of the winner.

The businesses are:

Any of the five restaurants in the Arkas Restaurant Group (winner must be present for this voucher)

Audiophils Records

Black Cat Curiosities

Blue Heron Bagels

Internode Greenery & Home 

PLUS, the first fifty customers  will leave with a bookmark to The Book Market in Crest Hill featuring a ten percent discount regular books at The Book Market through January 31 2026.

So attendees: Be sure to see Carter tomorrow night! He will be walking around with raffle tickets and a very cool hat.

And maybe when you leave the party Thursday night (very full from all the delicious food and balancing stacks of books) will have $10 off toward your next shopping or dining experience.

Happy Thursday!

Menu for WriteOn Joliet's 9th Annual Anthology Release Party on Dec. 4

Good morning!

WriteOn Joliet will host its 9th Annual Anthology Release Party from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Joliet Public Library, 150 N. Ottawa St. in Joliet.

The event is free to attend and open to the public. 

The chef-created heavy appetizers, coffee and water (we might have hot chocolate, too) and photos with Santa are also free. 

In fact, we have ten great reasons why you should attend.

But today's blog is all about the food. Here's what Chef Tim has planned for you on Thursday.

Beef Tenderloin Sliders

Marinated and roasted beef tenderloin, slow cooked onion, garlic aioli

 

Chicken Ceaser Salad

Applewood smoked chicken breast, lightly toasted croutons, creamy caesar dressing

 

Kale and Cranberry Salad

Peppered pulled pork, buttered crumbs, carrots, cabbage, and a creamy mustard dressing

 

Key Lime Bites

Lime Juice, lime zest, lime syrup, whipped cream

 

Cream & Berries

Fresh vanilla scented whipped cream, assorted berries, vanilla wafer, raspberry sauce

 

Cookies & Cream

Cocoa crisp, white chocolate, flake salt

This pre-Calkins Day 2020 video Timothy created for the virtual event gives you an idea of his culinary skills.

Happy Tuesday!

For more information, visit writeonjoliet.com. 

For Every Challenge Last Week, We Had An Equal or Greater Blessing (Part 1)

"For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” Newton's Third Law of Motion.

"For every challenge, there is an equal and opposite blessing." Denise M. Baran-Unland

So I took last week off last in a feeble attempt to use up some of my neglected vacation time before 2025 bids us all farewell.

Every day (if you can believe it), seriously every single day, brought a challenge we had to tackle.

But every single day also brought a blessing.

As I was documenting that in the blog I wanted to share with you today - you know, to encourage you - the entire thing (words, photo) disappeared from my eyes and was replaced with this message: "You can now write online."

And then even that message was gone.

For any writers reading this: What a great example of "show" instead of "tell."

Grumble.

Unfortunately, I don't have time to rewrite this blog now.

But I'm assuming the new version will be amazing.

And it will also include this morning's newest challenge.

Happy Monday!

First Snowfall by Melody Bober (Played by Sophia Lee)

The Irish Rovers, Christmas Caroling

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Nov. 22 through Nov. 28

Good morning!

I have eleven stories online to share with you today - and twelve "Thank You, Veterans" section, which posted on Nov. 8

More stories will go live over the weekend, So please check back at shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

To see the stories that ran in print this week and aren't online yet, click on the e-edition option at the top of The Herald-News website.

Also, TODAY, we are participating in the 2025 North Pole Christmas Market: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Renaisssance Center, 214 N. Ottawa St. in Joliet. This event is part of the Joliet City Center Partnership's "Light Up the Holidays Festival and Parade."

For details, please read "BryonySeries at the 2025 North Pole Christmas Market."

And during this holiday season, please consider becoming a "Herald Angel" in Will County or Grundy County. The need for your help is high and - in some cases - truly unprecedented.

Before the stories, I also have a list of additional updates, resources, and information. Please check them out, too.

And if you'd like to find more kindness in your life, consider this book.

And have a great Friday!

Events (or where to find the BryonySeries this fall) - so far:

PLEASE consider donating one or more children's BryonySeries books in our gift box.

For details, read "Celebrate Gratitude AND Give Kids the Gift of Reading This Holiday Season."

Dec. 4: WriteOn Joliet Anthology Release Party: 6 to 8 p.m., Joliet Public Library, 150 N. Ottawa St. in Joliet. Everything is free at this event unless you buy a book: free chef-created small bites, free photos with Santa, free opportunity to chat with local authors, who will also be selling their books and other products. WriteOn Joliet will also be selling its 2025 anthology, along with all other anthologies from 2017 onward, including its holiday anthology and "cheetah" anthology.

Dec. 20: BryonySeries "A Gift of Reading" Christmas Party, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., The Book Market in Crest Hill.

What is the BryonySeries?

Please read "Books of the BryonySeries: A Quick Overview"

For more information on the developing "parent brand" that is removing some of the heavy marketing lifting from me, visit bryonyseries.com/blocks.

BryonySeries books-in-progress

Bertrand the Mouse: We have plenty of Bertrand photos and ideas. Several are at the top of the list. At some point, we will assemble and release some more.

The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Cornell Dyer and the House of Horreur" (because the toymaker's last name is "Horreur.") is stalled until Timothy finished his master's degree, which he did. So now we just have to stop having family emergencies (they just keep coming) and carve some time for a Cornell breakfast (it's been three years since our last one, way, way too long). I'm had surgery July 17 and that further stalled the process. But I'd love to give Sue Midlock ideas for art (she illustrates all the Cornell books), especially since she's actually eager to get drawing.

Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and the first chapter is written, hurray! Jennifer Wainwright, who welcomed her first child into the world last year, is nearly done with the cover portrait. I let this book slide for other BryonySeries projects...and I'm still letting it (overall) slide, I'm afraid. But I'm hoping we release it early 2026.

Jennifer designed the cover portraits for "Julie and the Too-Hard Homework," "Katie and the Big Fear," "Summer Sisters." and "Karla Joins In," as well as the frontispiece for "Lycanthropic Summer."

Other books: I am not writing a novel this year. But I have an idea for a BryonySeries Christmas anthology that I'd like to release in 2026.

Rebekah is also slowly (very, very slowly) updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts. And she' catching up with Kindles for some of the BryonySeries books. So do watch for those.

For books and more information about the series, visit bryonyseries.com.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Sue's Diner is a fictional restaurant in the fictional Munsonville that only exists in the BryonySeries.

Each Wednesday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks, will be featured in an upcoming cookbook, or is just an "extra" we want to share with you.

Check out the weekly recipe here.

WRITERS

If you're a writer anywhere in the world, you're welcome to join WriteOn Joliet's Facebook page. We're based in Joliet, Illinois, but we love to meet and interact with writers outside our area, too.

If you'd like to officially join WriteOn Joliet, we have two tiers of dues and two ways to attend meetings. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every year. Check us out at writeonjoliet.com.

I also suggest this book: Little Book of Revision: A Checklist for Fiction Writers. It's exactly as it says. Each page some with one suggestion for revision. The rest of the page is blank, so you can add your own notes. All proceeds benefit WriteOn Joliet.

If you need editing or help with self-publishing, check out dmbaranunland.com.

ARTISTS

If you need an artist for a project, I offer these recommendations.

NEWSLETTERS

Sign up for The Munsonville Times by emailing us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. The newsletter still isn't official yet, so we don't have an actual link on the website - but we are working on it! 

SOCIAL MEDIA

Daily updates: I haven't posted anything on Twitter/X (except a daily Bible verse) since September I can no longer schedule posts in advance. I'm not sure yet how to manage the account without that option. But you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.

BryonySeries stuff: I used to curated content relating to the BryonySeries on Twitter/X at @BryonySeries and still post assorted related content at facebook.com/BryonySeries, youtube.com/user/BryonySeries, and themes of each book in the BryonySeries at pinterest.com/bryonyseries.

Again, not sure yet about the direction of the BryonySeries Twitter/X account. Still mulling that over.

And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.

QUESTIONS

Email me at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

Thank you for reading The Herald-News. And for reading this blog. And if you've read (or plan to read) any of my books. Your support is greatly appreciated.

FEATURES

Be a Herald Angel: Help Will County United Way meet ‘unprecedented’ community need

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/11/26/be-a-herald-angel-help-will-county-united-way-meet-unprecedented-community-need/

Be a Herald Angel: Help Grundy County United Way meet high community need

https://www.shawlocal.com/morris-herald-news/2025/11/25/be-a-herald-angel-help-grundy-county-united-way-meet-high-community-need/

Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox earns another ‘A’ rating for patient safety

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/11/23/silver-cross-hospital-in-new-lenox-earns-another-a-rating-for-patient-safety/

Joliet Rotary hosting Merry Merry Margarita 2 fundraiser

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/11/15/joliet-rotarys-merry-merry-margarita-2-fundraiser-is-dec-13/

Plainfield Portillo’s drive-thru opening Monday

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/11/17/plainfield-portillos-drive-thru-opening-in-november/

Wetzel’s Pretzels opened inside Romeoville Walmart

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/11/22/wetzels-pretzels-to-open-inside-romeoville-walmart/

Celebrate Small Business Saturday in Plainfield

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/11/27/celebrate-small-business-saturday-in-plainfield/

Craft’d Plainfield hosting stout beer release party

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/11/26/craftd-plainfield-hosting-stout-release-party/

Will County Pets of the Week: Nov. 24, 2025

Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/11/24/will-county-pets-of-the-week-nov-24-2025/

THANK YOU, VETERANS

The dedicated dozen: 12 veterans serve at Joliet School District 86

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/thank-you/veterans/2025/11/08/the-dedicated-dozen-12-veterans-now-serve-joliet-district-86/

Joliet emergency medicine tech, veteran found new way to serve

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/thank-you/veterans/2025/11/08/joliet-emergency-medicine-tech-veteran-found-new-way-to-serve/

Joliet Marine veteran is ‘huge advocate for mental health’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/thank-you/veterans/2025/11/08/joliet-marine-veteran-is-huge-advocate-for-mental-health/

Marine veteran serves memorial squads at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery and Wilmington

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/thank-you/veterans/2025/11/08/marine-veteran-serves-memorial-squads-at-abraham-lincoln-national-cemetery-and-wilmington/

NuMark Credit Union supports veterans year-round

‘Nearly every board member is a veteran’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/thank-you/veterans/2025/11/08/numark-credit-union-supports-veterans-year-round/

Marine veteran serves families now as Silver Cross nurse practitioner

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/thank-you/veterans/2025/11/08/marine-veteran-serves-families-now-as-silver-cross-nurse-practitioner/

Serving veterans is a priority for Crest Hill business owner

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/thank-you/veterans/2025/11/08/serving-veterans-is-a-priority-for-crest-hill-business-owner/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

“Thanksgiving” by Edgar Guest

 

“Thanksgiving” by Edgar Guest (1881-1959)

 

Gettin' together to smile an' rejoice,

An' eatin' an' laughin' with folks of your choice;

An' kissin' the girls an' declarin' that they

Are growin' more beautiful day after day;

Chattin' an' braggin' a bit with the men,

Buildin' the old family circle again;

Livin' the wholesome an' old-fashioned cheer,

Just for awhile at the end of the year.

 

Greetings fly fast as we crowd through the door

And under the old roof we gather once more

Just as we did when the youngsters were small;

Mother's a little bit grayer, that's all.

Father's a little bit older, but still

Ready to romp an' to laugh with a will.

Here we are back at the table again

Tellin' our stories as women an' men.

  

Bowed are our heads for a moment in prayer;

Oh, but we're grateful an' glad to be there.

Home from the east land an' home from the west,

Home with the folks that are dearest an' best.

Out of the sham of the cities afar

We've come for a time to be just what we are.

Here we can talk of ourselves an' be frank,

Forgettin' position an' station an' rank.

 

Give me the end of the year an' its fun

When most of the plannin' an' toilin' is done;

Bring all the wanderers home to the nest,

Let me sit down with the ones I love best,

Hear the old voices still ringin' with song,

See the old faces unblemished by wrong,

See the old table with all of its chairs

An' I'll put soul in my Thanksgivin' prayers.

Sue's Diner: Thanksgiving Salad Dressing

Each week for the last couple of weeks, we've featured one selected recipe from the Thanksgiving menu that's featured in the BryonySeries cookbook: Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," which is a permanent fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

All of these recipes are referenced in the novel Bryony. The complete menu is found in the cookbook.

Here is the explanation from the cookbook:

For the Marchellis’ first Thanksgiving in Munsonville, Melissa’s little brother Brian shows off the depth of his newly acquired culinary skills, under the direction of his mentor, Steve Barnes, the village maintenance man.

This week, I'm featuring a really delicious salad dressing attributed to Steve in the novel and submitted by Janet Cooney for the cookbook.

Now, you won't be able to receive a print copy before Thanksgiving (unless you live near me, and you arrange for pickup), but you can download a Kindle version now.

You can try also try the salad dressing recipe on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website. Proceeds from the Kindle version also benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

But try the recipe this week. It will be gone some time next week. A new non-Thanksgiving recipe will take it's place.

For troubleshooting questions, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

By the way, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?

Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).

For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our BryonySeries bryonyseries.com/general-store.

12 Quotes from Cornell Dyer and the Flu

When we were getting ready to release Bryony back in 2011, my daughter Sarah (who did a lot of the marketing for me) suggested I pull thirty teaser quotes from the book that she could post on Facebook, one each day.

We did the same for the second book, Visage, which is also part of the BryonySeries.

But for some reason, I never did the same for another book.

So now I am catching up.

Here is the synopsis and chapter headings for Cornell Dyer and the Flu, followed by twelve quotes, one from each chapter.

As an aside, "Cornell Dyer and the Flu" is a parody of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol."

Enjoy!

It’s Christmas Eve and a very sick Cornell Dyer is stuck in the hospital, frustrated because he can’t find the vending machine and because he’s too sick to solve his latest supernatural mystery. Another patient tries to help Cornell, not with food and medicine, but with a journey into realms Cornell doesn’t want to go.

Prologue: 

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

 “I need help here!”

Chapter 1: Snacking to Death

“I said look at me. What do you see?”

“I see an old, white-haired man in a bathrobe sitting at a desk who won’t let me ask him for a quarter for the vending machine.”

“No, no! You’re focusing on the outside. What do you see?”

Chapter 2: Walkers and Wheelchairs

“This is not a regular hospital, Charlie.”

 “Sure it is.” Charlie gestured around him. “It has doctors, nurses, patients, loved ones. Some people get well and go home. And some people get well in other ways and go to their eternal home.”

“What about the golden cords? I’ve never seen cords like this in a hospital.”

“The golden cords have nothing to do with the hospital, Professor. Here, look.”

Chapter 3: On a Thin Line

The cats continued playing and prancing as if they were frolicking in a spring meadow instead of a subterranean laboratory.

Chapter 4: Opposites Attract

“We heard you saved him,” one nurse said. “How’d you know he wasn’t faking? 

“We didn’t. That’s why we ordered pizza first. He wasn’t going to fool us again.”

Chapter 5: Darkness is Dangerous

And he heard a friendly voice, the friendliest voice he had ever heard, a voice he had never expected to hear ever again.

It’s the fever, Cornell told himself. The last time he heard that voice, Cornell had a fever.

Chapter 6: A Trip to the Beach 

"I didn’t think I’d see you for a long, long time yet,” Jack continued. “Are you sure you’re supposed to be here?”

Cornell sighed happily. “Who cares? It’s perfect here. Wait. What’s that noise?”

Chapter 7: Sudden Shocks 

The sun had nearly set, and twilight had nearly arrived by the time Charlie exited the long highway and pulled into a gas station.

Finally! Snacks!

Chapter 8: Grandpa Mo  

“I know you’ve helped a lot of people, Cornell,” Grandpa Mo said. “But you’ve missed out on the most important part of life.

“It’s true,” a thick syrupy voice piped up.

Oh, no, Cornell thought. It couldn’t be.

He whirled around.

Chapter 9: Larry the Llama 

"I am the Llama of Cornell Present, and I am here to help you with your attachment issues.”

“I don’t have attachment issues!”

“Oh, no? Then why didn’t you go to prom?”

“You were there! I was making a potion!”

 “You were too afraid to spend an entire evening with the very pretty Amy Whitefield!”

“Who?”

“See? Attachment issues.”

Chapter 10: Picture Perfect

After taking two slices, he positioned himself in the middle of the room, to best answer their questions and quote his prices.

Epilogue:

No potato chips. No orange drink.

Not even a candy cane or a chocolate Santa.

 What kind of food was this?

BryonySeries at the 2025 North Pole Christmas Market

We are thrilled to participate for the secpond year in a row at the North Pole Christmas Market at Joliet's annual "Light Up the Holidays" event, which is held every year in several downtown locations the day after Thanksgiving.

The Joliet City Center Partnership hosts a wonderful event with live entertainment, ice skating, horse-drawn carriages, visits with Santa, ice sculpture demos, children's Ferris wheel, slide, tree lighting, and a large parade towards evening.

Bertrand and Uncle Barty are super excited to attend the Christmas Market portion of the event, especially we are helping to spread the joys of reading to children of all ages while also finding home for some of their mouse friends.

Here is an overview of BryonySeries books we'll have for sale.

And for every two BryonySeries children's books you donate for Santa Services and the Will County Children's Advocacy Center, you may adopt one of Bertrand's friends (while mice area available for adoption).

Available mice may not resemble these former adoptable mice.

Many mice will also come with a homemade stocking, courtesy of Cindy and her Ribbit-Ribbits.

If all the mice are adopted, we will have other "thank you gifts" available for people who purchase and donate two or more BryonySeries children's books.

Of course, you may purchase any book for yourself or gift giving.

We will also have WriteOn Joliet anthologies for sale, too, plus information about WriteOn Joliet's anthology release party on December 4.

The 2025 North Pole Christmas Market runs from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. November 28 at the Renaissance Center, 214 No. Ottawa Street in Joliet.

For a full list of "Light Up the Holidays" activities, visit jolietccp.com/holidays.