An Angel Remembers 25 Voices of Christmas

An Angel Remembers 25 Voices of Christmas

An Angel Remembers 25 Voices of Christmas is a collection of short stories I wrote for my daughter for Christmas. I wrote it as a way to share the story of Christmas and make it more alive for her without changing the story. I wrote them as an advent collection intending them to be read one each day during the month of December leading up to Christmas.

Each story is the account of the events leading to the birth of Christ as told by someone we either know was there, because they are mentioned in the Biblical account or someone we can guess was there.

Last year I decided to self e-publish my book.
It is available at the following bookseller websites:
iTunes Store, Barns And Nobel, Sony Kobo, Disel, Page Foundry and Baker-Taylor's Bilo.
It is also available at Smashwords.com for ALL ereaders and even as a downloadable PDF for the computer.
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/94784 

Here is the story of Joshua the Innkeeper. The Bible says an innkeeper allowed Mary and Joseph to stay in the stable of his inn. It does not give account of what was said or how he felt about ‘another knock at the door.’ Here is what I think may have happened at the inn during the first Christmas.

JOSHUA THE INNKEEPER

Another knock at the door! That’s how it all started. Another knock. As I answered the door I wondered when people would start reading the sign! It was a clear sign it said, “NO ROOM!” They came with all the other people because of that stupid decree. He looked nervous and unsure yet determined. She was thoughtful and quiet. I was about to send them on their way when I noticed that she was going to have a baby! I looked at my wife and little ones and knew that I could not send them out into the street. Where would they stay? No room in the inn. No extra beds. My family was sharing rooms and beds already to accommodate all the extra people!

I asked them to eat dinner with us. It was the least I could do. While we were eating I thought about their little donkey. He was such a gentle little beast. I could take care of the donkey for them at least! I had some room left in the stable. Suddenly it hit me! If they would not mind, they could stay with the donkey in the stable! It was clean and warm at least!

Everything was quiet for a few days. My wife made friends with the young girl and took to mothering her. She would go and check in on her as often as she could. This was the girl’s first child and she was unsure what was going to happen and what to do.

The young man, Joseph, helped around the inn. He fixed all the little things I had been wanting to fix for a long time. He had good hands, strong sure, and gentle. He also made things for his baby and toys for my children. He did anything to keep busy!

It was a moonless night. A single star shown bright, seemingly right over our little stable! I will never forget how bright it was. It made the night sky look like there was a full moon. It woke the entire inn with its light! Joseph came and knocked on our door. Would my wife help his give birth? My wife went with him to see what she could do to help. I expected her to be gone for sometime but a short time later she returned saying they had a boy and they were going to name Him Jesus. She said it was an answer to prayer the way He was born and what a good boy He seemed to be.

This is when it all started to get strange. People started showing up at our stable at all times of the day and night just to see the boy! First it was those shepherds with all those dirty sheep. They told some story about angels telling them to come and see the baby. After seeing the baby they went all over spreading that wild tale! That brought all the other people to my stable to see the child!

They stayed in our stable for a time and we got to watch the baby grow some. They found a place of their own and moved. I just saw them around town after that. Rachel my daughter would watch Jesus for them from time to time, and my wife would go visit Mary when she could.

Funny, come to think of it the star that showed up on the night of the child’s birth seemed to move over the house where they moved too. The night they left town was the last time I saw the star. Hadn’t thought of that before!

©Copyrighted Material By Carolyn Hoagland 1995

Sparky Lives!!!!

Sparky Lives!!!

Fans of the movie Frankenweenie will have an extra treat when visiting the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland this Holiday Season. Sparky's dug up grave can be seen in the graveyard outside the haunted Mansion.

The dug up grave reenacts the scene in the movie when young Victor digs up his beloved dog Sparky so he can hopefully revive him.

You can see this dug up grave in the pet cemetery just to the left of the grand porch of the Mansion. Behind and slightly to the left is Cymbal-banging monkey from Toy Story 3.

I do not know if these changes are permanent or just for the holiday season as part of the Holiday Overlay.

Finding Nemo Submarine Ride

Finding Nemo Submarine Ride

For almost 10 years the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Submarine Lagoon sat empty waiting for new life to be put into it. Then a little Pixar film named Finding Nemo gave new life to the area.

The Finding Nemo ride uses the same submarines that were used for the original 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea ride. Imagineers were quite surprised to find the subs were in good enough condition after almost 10 years of being mothballed and being near 50 years old to use.

The Finding Nemo Ride does not retell tell the story of the movie but instead takes you on a new adventure that happens after the movie. You start off the ride leaving port in Australia and heading out to enjoy learning about the ocean and in particular the Great Barrier Reef. You see divers and evidence that the sea has destroyed some ancient seaside civilizations.

After a while the underwater hydrophone is turned on and you can listen to the fish talk. You hear Marlin calling out for Nemo and talking to Dore about how Nemo has wondered off again with one of his little friends in tow. The rest of the ride is spent in one misadventure or another as you search for the lost Nemo.

At the end of the ride the Captain of the submarine makes comment about Sea Serpents and Mermaids. If you are looking closely out the window at that moment you might just see a Sea Serpent or Mermaid paying homage to the original rides Sea Serpent and the Mermaids that use to swim in the Sub Lagoon years ago. (Yes, there were REAL Mermaids that use to swim in the lagoon back in the early 1960’s)

This attraction requires that you climb down and back up a set of spiral stairs. The ride is also a bit claustrophobic. If you have a problem with stairs or confined spaces I suggest you use the ‘Observation Room’. You can tell the Cast Member when you get to the front of the line about your problem and they will guide you to the observation room where you can watch a ‘monitor’ that shows exactly what is seen from one of the many observation ports in the subs.

If you have a GAP (Guest Assistance Pass) I suggest you show it to a Cast Member before getting into line so they can tell you where to enter the line. Some GAP cards allow the guest to go up the exit of this attraction while others have a different entry point. Your entry point is determined by your needs.

Pirates have Invaded New Orleans Square!

Pirates Have Invaded New Orleans Square!

Ahoy Maties! Pirates have invaded New Orleans Square!! Be not worried, it is only the Bootstrappers!

The Bootstrappers are a fun Pirate Band that plays anywhere from Royal Street to the French Market in New Orleans area of Disneyland. The songs are salty and fun with a good bounce. Beware they may try to plunder your treasure as they play their music and dance for your entertainment. Maybe they are playing to distract you while they plunder you booty.

This fun band is just another addition to the ambiance of New Orleans. As you go around the area you hear music and announcements from the Mart Twain and Sailing Ship Columbia. Other bands also play in the area. There is also New Orleans jazz playing when live performances are not happening. So the next time you are at Disneyland stop for a few and listen to the sounds of New Orleans!

Enjoy the video:

Who Is Hiding in Ariel's Under Sea Adventure?

Who Is Hiding in Ariel’s Under Sea Adventure?

I heard tell of an interesting little fish hiding in Ariel’s Under Sea Adventure at Disney California Adventure. I’ve been looking for some time for his exact location and my last trip to the park I found him!

The Imagineers wanted to pay tribute to an actor that did several Disney movies even if he was not in the Little Mermaid. Don Knotts was a great actor that did many movies and TV shows during his long career. Some were Disney such as Hot Lead and Cold Feet and the Apple Dumpling Gang.

One movie that was not Disney that Don Knotts did that made him fit into the Little Mermaid ride was the Incredible Mr. Limpet, produced by Warner Brothers that had Don Knotts turned into a fish.

Mr. Limpet is in the Under the Sea room part of the ride across from Ariel. He is hiding in the kelp against the wall. You catch a glance of him as you come up toward Ariel and before you turn to face her. If you miss him before you turn to face Ariel you will need to turn and look behind your Clam Shell Carriage to see him.

Walking Through the Looking Glass

Walking Through the Looking Glass

Walk Disney once said,

“Disneyland is like Alice stepping through the Looking Glass;

to step through the portals of Disneyland will be like entering another world.”

Over the entrance of the tunnels that lead from the entrance courtyard to Main Street it says, “Here you leave the world of Today and Enter the Worlds of Yesterday, Tomorrow and Fantasy.” On the floor of the tunnels there is the outline of a giant “Mirror” and you walk ‘through’ the mirror to enter Main Street and thus Disneyland. This is so subtle that I did not notice it until recently, when a friend pointed it out. The outline of the mirror is in the shape of the Mirror on the Wall that belonged to Snow White’s evil step mother.

I always feel a thrill as I walk through the tunnel. It is truly like “walking through Alice’s Looking Glass” in to a totally unique and special world. Now I understand why. Walt’s plan was to give you that magical feel from the moment you entered the park.

Disney Buys Lucasfilm!

Disney Buys Lucasfilm!

I’m sure you have heard that the Disney Company has purchased Lucasfilm. You may be wondering why and if it is a good match. I say simply YES!!

Star Wars, the largest of the Lucasfilm franchises is already a part of Disney Parks and has been for a long time. The Disneyland Star Tours opened in 1987 so it has been part of the parks for 25 years. Indian Jones is at both DLR and WDW already as well. There is a show at WDW and a ride at DLR.

Lucasfilms, much like Disney has focused on ‘Family Friendly’ entertainment and pushed the advancement of film technology. Many of the current cutting edge special effects were created by Industrial Light and Magic, a part of Lucasfilm that was purchased by Disney.

George Lucas had retained ownership of Lucasfilm and I believe he wanted to assure his vision for films made by the company he founded continued. I think he made the right choice in Disney. Disney had already shown respect for the Star Wars franchise in how they have done Star Tours and Star Wars Weekends. There is also the Jedi Academy show at DLR. Disney has treated Indiana Jones with equal respect.

Could we and should we expect to see more of the Lucasfilm characters around the park? Why not? Many great movies have come out of Lucasfilm with numerous characters worthy of having a place in Disney parks!

I can see characters from the American Graffiti films around the 50’s Prime Time Café or even Mama Melrose’s. Characters from Land Before Time could be in the Animal Kingdom around Dinoland. I will be honest and say I believe Star Wars is a much better fit for Disney than Avatar. I think Disney would do better to scrap plans for Avatarland and instead expand Dinoland with characters from Land Before Time. Indiana Jones could be expanded with more shows and rides. Star Wars can expand more in Tomorrowland with new rides and shows. I can see more Storm Troopers and Jedi running around the parks. There are many more that can be brought out to play!

Star Wars Episode VII is in development and the plan is for a 2015 release with Episodes VIII and IX  to follow but release dates are to be announced. This is good news for Star Wars Fans!

All in all I feel this is a good match! I’m looking forward to seeing how this continues to develop.