Laurel believes we do birthdays wrong! To celebrate the start of her 6th decade, she honors those who raised and tolerated her, and those who've helped to make her the person she is now.

In this last episode of 2018, Laurel does what everyone says people should do every day: She considers the things she's grateful for.

Okay, fine--She considers the things for which she is grateful! Like prepositions.

Laurel describes her unusual experience with fruitcakes over the years.

Laurel shares her 9th short story with everyone--a Christmas story about work/life decisions and a man presented with a dilemma. As a bonus, Laurel reads her personalized version of the beloved poem "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." Find it on her website at leadvillelaurel.com.

Laurel shares her poem "Body Batik" and a prose piece called "Enigmachine" on the topic "The Body." She talks about her mother and the aging process, and laughs about "saggy parts."

Jerry Fabyanic--author, columnist, radio show host, and denizen of Mother Earth--talks with Laurel McHargue about his novel "Sisyphus Wins" and about growing up as a gay man in a time when coming out was not acceptable. He discusses his philosophy of life, strides in the LGBTQ community, and the Georgetown Christmas Fair where he and dozens of other authors will have their works available (December 1-2 and 8-9, 2018).

Go to www.leadvillelaurel.com for upcoming show notes with links and photos.

Short story #8 includes a surprise phone call, a young boy, and a genie in a bottle. What could go wrong?

This fun fantasy was inspired by a flash fiction challenge to write a fantasy story set in a dog boarding kennel and including a flashlight! Enjoy!

Paul Thaler, author of "Bronxland," discusses his new coming of age story and the tumultuous decade of the '60s in America. His story will bring you back to your middle school years, regardless of where you grew up.

June Trop, Associate Professor emerita at the State University of New York at New Paltz, talks about the inspiration for her Miriam bat Isaac Mystery Series, her years of teaching middle school science, her twin sister, and lots more!