Synopsis

In this collection of 101 stories, Jim Bates touches on the simple moments of life, sometimes memorable, sometimes nearly forgotten, but always meaningful. Memories abound:  building model airplanes, learning to bake oatmeal cookies, walking in the woods, summers spent at an aunt and uncle’s cabin, graduating from college, raising a family, and dealing with the death of a loved one. All these stories are lovingly written. They bring to mind the importance of taking the time to consider what is truly meaningful in one’s life; what is truly important. Ultimately, though, they deal with love and relationships and what it means to be human in this day and age.  The journey through life can be quite the ride. Join Jim on this one.

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Excerpt

Snowflake

A stuffed animal? No, not to the young boy. More than a Christmas gift, she was soft, oh so soft, fluffy and white; a cuddly bundle of something he couldn’t name. Something he needed.

He called her Snowflake. Later that winter, sick in the hospital, bright lights glaring, monitors beeping, she kept him company. Thankfully. Especially in the deepest darkest night with long hours stretching endlessly to dawn. Snowflake stayed with him nestled softly in his arms, never leaving, keeping the unrelenting loneliness at bay. Always there through the fearful tests, the poking and prodding and the needles sticking. Magically purring she was right with him, the only companion he could count on.

Even after he got home. Amid all the anger and his parent’s fighting and the arguing, Snowflake stayed by his side. Especially even then. She was in it for the long haul. He could just tell. His constant furry companion. There was something about her. The way she looked at him. The way she never complained. The way she showed him how much she loved him. Like his parents used to do. It was the best feeling in the world.

About the Author

Jim’s stories and poems have appeared in nearly five hundred online and print publications. His collection of short stories, Resilience, is published by Bridge House Publishing. Short Stuff, a collection of flash fiction and drabbles is published by Chapeltown Books. Periodic Stories, Periodic Stories Volume Two, Periodic Stories Volume Three – A Novel, and Periodic Stories Volume Four are published by Impspired. Dreamers, a collection of short stories, is published by Clarendon House Publishing. Something Better, a dystopian adventure novella, and the novel, The Alien of Orchard Lake, are published by Dark Myth Publications. In the fall of 2022, his collection entitled Holiday Stories was published by Impspired as was his collection of poetry, Haiku Seasons. In February 2023, Periodic Stories Volume IV was published, as was his collection of poems, The Alchemy of Then, both by Impspired. In June 2023, a collection of flash fiction, Dancing With Butterflies, was published by Impspired.In July 2023, his YA novella The Battle of Marvel Wood was published by Impspired. His short story “Aliens” was nominated by The Zodiac Press for the 2020 Pushcart Prize. His story “The Maple Leaf” was voted 2021 Story of the Year for Spillwords. He was voted December 2022 Author of the Month for Spillwords. He also reads his stories for Talking Stories Radio and for Jim’s Storytime on his website. He lives in a small town west of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

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