Hugh J. O'Donnell

The snow fell steadily and thick through the night, making the dawn less of a rising of the sun and more of a gradual lightening from black to a powdery gray-white that faded into a insubstantial flurry.
It was a snow day if ever there was one.
The snow piled up against doors and windows. It buried cars and made roads a slippery mess.
He watched the flakes fall and sighed. It would be the perfect day to stay warm and cozy inside with a mug of cocoa. He could use the break.
But someone had to drive the plow.

“Snow Road” by quinet is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

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Everyday Drabbles © 2024 by Hugh J. O’Donnell is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 

She believed in wishes and the power of Christmas. As the clock struck midnight, she looked up at the star atop the tree and wished with her whole heart for Peace on Earth.
For a brief time, her wish came true.
But the bough wilts, and the colored light burn out. The wish’s power faded, and by the morning of December 26th, the world reverted back to its old ways.
But she remembers. And now that she knows that world is possible, she is going to do more than wish. She’ll make it happen with the power of her actions.

“Christmas Star” by Bill Ward’s Brickpile is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

My very short story collection, The Mountain’s Shadow is available now from Amazon and Smashwords!

Everyday Drabbles © 2024 by Hugh J. O’Donnell is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 

He was famous for his Christmas cookies. He spent the rest of the year seeking out new recipes, practicing, and hunting out unique flavors to elevate his creations.
While a few of his less adventurous relatives chided him about introducing them to taro or five-spice blends, his elaborately filled and decorated cookie tins were the toast of the season.
The year he got sick, he panicked that Christmas would be ruined.
He heard a knock at the door and found a box of plain sugar cookies made for him by his niece.
It was the best cookie he’d ever tasted.

“Sugar Cookies” by sinksanctity is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

My very short story collection, The Mountain’s Shadow is available now from Amazon and Smashwords!

Everyday Drabbles © 2024 by Hugh J. O’Donnell is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 

The shoppe was on the High Street, within an arrow’s flight of the palace gates. It sold accessories to well-to-do women of the kingdom, but had a reputation for serving anyone, no matter their station.
The highborn clientele put up with this leveling because their service was impeccable, as were their products. It was a well-beloved institution, and as it was a shop for women, practically invisible to the eyes of the authorities.
They sold ribbons to the servants and commoners, bows to the ton, and if you whispered the right phrase in the right ear, arrows for the revolution.

“Dorking High Street – Oct 2011 – Bellbottom Candid” by Gareth1953 All Right Now is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

My very short story collection, The Mountain’s Shadow is available now from Amazon and Smashwords!

Everyday Drabbles © 2024 by Hugh J. O’Donnell is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 

It was the perfect winter night. The weather reports said a big snowfall was coming. It was time to get cozy.
He made a mug of cocoa, wrapped himself in a blanket, and ensconced himself by the window to watch the snow.
There was a roaring fire in the grate and he could feel the icy weather outside through the glass. He sipped his cocoa safe and cozy in the knowledge that he didn’t need to be anywhere.
He felt a touch on his leg and heard his dog wine, leash in his mouth.
Damn. He knew he forgot something.

“Snowfall” by kryshen is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

My very short story collection, The Mountain’s Shadow is available now from Amazon and Smashwords!

Everyday Drabbles © 2024 by Hugh J. O’Donnell is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 

There must’ve been some magic in that old top hat we found; Dark Magic. It briefly brought a snowman to life. It did us small favors and let us pull trinkets from it. That was all kids’ stuff.
As we grew up, the Hat still gave us what we wanted. But it asked a higher price every time it did.
I tried to get away. I disappeared into the woods, got off the grid, and raised wards. But I can’t escape forever.
It’s Christmas Day, and I hear pounding outside the cabin door.
Thumpity thump-thump! Thumpity thump-thump!
It’s getting closer.

“snowman” by RukaKuusamo.com is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

My very short story collection, The Mountain’s Shadow is available now from Amazon and Smashwords!

Everyday Drabbles © 2024 by Hugh J. O’Donnell is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 

He stood in the falling snow and stared into the home through the window. The family inside was celebrating Christmas.
There was a roaring fire in their fireplace, and the stockings hung expectantly above it. There were more presents waiting under the tree as the family sat down to a feast.
He desperately wanted to be invited in, but knew it was impossible.
The house was filled with decorative holy symbols. Sprigs of holly and mistletoe were everywhere, and all that food was loaded with garlic.
He trudged back into the night. It sucked to be a vampire at Christmas.

“Have a holly jolly christmas” by Lauren Manning is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

My very short story collection, The Mountain’s Shadow is available now from Amazon and Smashwords!

Everyday Drabbles © 2024 by Hugh J. O’Donnell is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

The family was incredibly competitive, and they were at their worst during the holidays. They squabbled over everything from who bought the best gifts to who made the best dish for Christmas Dinner.
She’d been working on her figgy pudding recipe for months. She soaked the fruit in the fanciest brandy she could find, and bathed the dessert in more liquor leading up to the feast. She crowned it with holly and gold leaf.
Her family was stunned as she brought out the dish, and with an air of satisfaction lit the match.
The resulting fireball was visible for miles.

“flaming christmas pudding” by Steve A Johnson is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

My very short story collection, The Mountain’s Shadow is available now from Amazon and Smashwords!

Everyday Drabbles © 2024 by Hugh J. O’Donnell is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0