Photo by Bill Stokes By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports the keeper and Phyllis driving a hundred miles with two young passengers to be part of a Phyllis family Christmas gathering at which a gifting game was played, great food was served by Alexis and Jerad and introductions were made to their chickens, …
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Kickass Goes South
Attribution: Florida Memory, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports that for many years the keeper would be using these post-holiday days to return his Christmas gifts for cash he could use to buy enough gas to get the hell out of Wisconsin and far enough south to go …
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Kickass and Christmas Accident
Attribution: Photo by Norman Tsui on Unsplash By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, looks over the keeper’s shoulder as he and Phyllis view the tragic Christmas morning news under the headline: “SANTA MISSING AFTER SLEIGH CRASHES INTO NONEXISTENT WHITE HOUSE WING.” The unredacted story followed. “In what witnesses described as a terrible accident, Rudolph, using misinformation from elf …
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Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from The Pen in Hand…
Illustration by Michael DiMilo Peace on Earth…
Christmas Spirit 2.0
Attribution: Sheila Sund from Salem, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons By Geoff Carter This piece will be published on Christmas Day, 2025, so Merry Christmas to everyone. May God bless us, every one—and God knows we need it. Despite enduring one of the most malignant, avaricious, spiteful, and vindictive men to ever hold …
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Kickass and Good Luck
Attribution: Evan-Amos, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports that he and the keeper and Phyllis wish everyone a very merry Christmas and the best of luck in the coming New Year. And isn’t it “luck” that it all comes down to—good luck in dodging the bad ones and …
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The Pen in Hand Collection of Unconventional Christmas Moments: An Evening with Jon Batiste
Attribution: Possibly Jenny Nyström (1854-1946), Swedish illustrator, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons By Geoff Carter The holiday season is all about family tradition. Whether it’s about going to Midnight Mass, carving the Christmas ham, avoiding the mother-in-law’s homemade eggnog, or sampling Grandma’s oyster stew, traditions are what makes our holidays special. We are lucky to …
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Kickass and More Daylight
Attribution: Photo by Kyra Kleijnen on Unsplash By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports the keeper and Phyllis adjusting to the slowly lengthening days by limiting their exposure to political tinged fast-talk and tuning in to gentle music accompanied by images of peaceful scenery. Prior to making the change the keeper frequently found himself gnawing on a …
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The Pen in Hand Guide to Unconventional Christmas Moments: Enjoying the Holidays at Pee Wee’s Playhouse
Attribution: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons By Geoff Carter The holiday season is all about family tradition. Whether it’s about going to Midnight Mass, carving the Christmas ham, avoiding the mother-in-law’s homemade eggnog, or sampling Grandma’s oyster stew, traditions are what makes our holidays special. We are lucky to be able to celebrate …
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Kickass and Polar Plunge
Attribution: eagle102.net, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports the keeper is anxious to firm up his and Phyllis’s excuse for not attending the big Mazomanie Winter Solstice bonfire and the subsequent plunge into Black Earth Creek. The fact is they were both busy with their recliner clinical trials …
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The Pen in Hand’s Collection of Unconventional Christmas Moments: Auggie Wren’s Christmas Story
Attribution: Marek Slusarczyk, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons By Geoff Carter The holiday season is all about family tradition. Whether it’s about going to Midnight Mass, carving the Christmas ham, avoiding the mother-in-law’s homemade eggnog, or sampling Grandma’s oyster stew, traditions are what makes our holidays special. We are lucky to be able to celebrate …
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The Pen in Hand Guide to the Movies: Film Review of “Hamnet”
Death Be Not Proud: Film Review of Hamnet ★★★★ By Geoff Carter Illustration by Michael DiMilo We know much about the life and times of William Shakespeare. Dozens of books have been written about his life, his loves, and his works, but there are still some mysteries. Was he the actual author of his works? …
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