The Story of How Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer Came To Be

The book cover for Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer by Robert L. May

Wow, I had no idea about the origin story of Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer! If you aren’t familiar with it either, read below:

As the holiday season of 1938 came to Chicago, Bob May wasn’t feeling much comfort or joy. A 34-year-old ad writer for Montgomery Ward, May was exhausted and nearly broke. His wife, Evelyn, was bedridden, on the losing end of a two-year battle with cancer. This left Bob to look after their four-year old-daughter, Barbara.

One night, Barbara asked her father, “Why isn’t my mommy like everybody else’s mommy?” As he struggled to answer his daughter’s question, Bob remembered the pain of his own childhood. A small, sickly boy, he was constantly picked on and called names. But he wanted to give his daughter hope, and show her that being different was nothing to be ashamed of. More than that, he wanted her to know that he loved her and would always take care of her. So he began to spin a tale about a reindeer with a bright red nose who found a special place on Santa’s team. Barbara loved the story so much that she made her father tell it every night before bedtime. As he did, it grew more elaborate. Because he couldn’t afford to buy his daughter a gift for Christmas, Bob decided to turn the story into a homemade picture book.

In early December, Bob’s wife died. Though he was heartbroken, he kept working on the book for his daughter. A few days before Christmas, he reluctantly attended a company party at Montgomery Ward. His co-workers encouraged him to share the story he’d written. After he read it, there was a standing ovation. Everyone wanted copies of their own. Montgomery Ward bought the rights to the book from their debt-ridden employee. Over the next six years, at Christmas, they gave away six million copies of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer to shoppers. Every major publishing house in the country was making offers to obtain the book. In an incredible display of good will, the head of the department store returned all rights to Bob May. Four years later, Rudolph had made him into a millionaire.

Now remarried with a growing family, May felt blessed by his good fortune. But there was more to come. His brother-in-law, a successful songwriter named Johnny Marks, set the uplifting story to music. The song was pitched to artists from Bing Crosby on down. They all passed. Finally, Marks approached Gene Autry. The cowboy star had scored a holiday hit with “Here Comes Santa Claus” a few years before. Like the others, Autry wasn’t impressed with the song about the misfit reindeer. Marks begged him to give it a second listen. Autry played it for his wife, Ina. She was so touched by the line “They wouldn’t let poor Rudolph play in any reindeer games” that she insisted her husband record the tune.

Within a few years, it had become the second best-selling Christmas song ever, right behind “White Christmas.” Since then, Rudolph has come to life in TV specials, cartoons, movies, toys, games, coloring books, greeting cards, and even a Ringling Bros. circus act. The little red-nosed reindeer dreamed up by Bob May and immortalized in song by Johnny Marks has come to symbolize Christmas as much as Santa Claus, evergreen trees, and presents. As the last line of the song says, “He’ll go down in history.”

All credit goes to

@awesome moments on Twitter, or X

We never know how an idea will become a great book, movie, or brighton someone’s life.

Gain the Advantage,

Alicia Osmera

Happy Bookaversary to Me

Photo of the book cover of Terror In The North Tower

Happy Bookaversary to me!

The number eight

Today marks eight years since I had my first book hit the market. When my book first came out I write a blog post titled  I Wrote A Book

Since then its first publication, over twenty books have been sold.  Don’t be sad.  I am just happy that I had book sales. 

Self Publishing

After having gone through the self-publishing experience,  I can honestly tell you I’d never do it again!!  Self-publishing is the publication of media by its author at their own cost, without the involvement of a publisher.

Marketing Plan

Maybe it’s because I didn’t take making a Marketing plan as seriously as I should have.  I didn’t have a “marketing plan” in place. My plan consisted of zero advertising, word of mouth, social media posts, book giveaways, and writing blog articles. Next time a publishing company can do it all. I’d be happy to attend book signings.

Writing The Sequel

Writing the sequel has been a challenge over the last few years. Life has gotten in the way of actually sitting down, and pushing forward to get it done.

My goal is to finish things up by the end of this year. Stay tuned.

#happybookaversay to me

If you’ve enjoyed this post, please like and leave a comment. By all means, feel free to buy my book.

Gain The Advantage,

Alicia Osmera

Small Businesses I Recommend to Shop For Christmas Gifts In 2021

This year I chose to feature small businesses for gift-buying and giving instead of actual gift recommendations.

Let’s face it 2021 has been a strange year.   Businesses are still in comeback mode after all the shutdowns from 2020.

Apex QC Fans is owned and operated by Jack and Elaine Williamson and it is located in Parker, Colorado.  They serve the South East Metro area; as well as Parker, Castle Rock, and other areas. 

Apex QC Fans is A Premier Colorado Platinum QC Dealer!   They’re native Colorado-based whole house fan and attic fan experts. BPI certified licensed residential contractor with over 30 years experience in the whole house and attic fan knowledge, and a Quietcool dealer.

Now is your chance to get a Quiet Cool Whole House Fan Systems installed and save up to $550.00 on a new system. They also provide attic fans, solar roof vents, UVAIRx, and Puraclenz advanced air and decontamination systems. They offer Military, Law Enforcement, and 55 discounts. They serve the South East Metro area; as well as Parker, Castle Rock, and other areas. 

Annas Attic is owned and operated by Anna Locy and is located in Colorado. Anna takes fabric that once belonged to loved ones, and creates a tangible memory. With dignity and respect, she transforms sentimental materials into a lasting keepsake. Please visit her site and see what she can make for you or someone you know.

Grazing Upscale is owned and operated by Lindsay Giles and she is located in Aurora, Colorado. She is a mom, a wife, and a prior Army service member. She creates grazing boxes for any occasion and creates grazing tables for special events. She takes pride in each order she receives and makes all of them with love. These would make excellent Christmas gifts!

Janae Gibson is a Color Street Consultant. She is located in Aurora, Colorado. Color Street makes and sells gorgeous, customizable manicures with no dry time and for a fraction of what you would pay at the salon! I wish I was coordinated enough to use them. I tried and failed miserably at it. She has a special going on right now. French nails are buy 1 get 1 free, and the rest are buy 3 get 1 free. Please visit her site today.

I am so excited to introduce you to Odde’s Music Grill owned and operated by Chris Odde. Located in Westminster, Colorado. The OMG is your neighborhood bar, restaurant, and local music venue to sit down, relax and enjoy a great atmosphere with your friends, family, and co-workers.

Taunya Tobias Stillman is a Scentsy Consultant and is located in Bailey, Colorado. Scentsy is a family-based company that offers safe scent-based Products. Scentsy started with Wax and Warmers and has evolved over the years into a Fragrance company. Their Christmas line is here and cute too. Please visit her site today.

My wish for you this holiday season is that you and yours be healthy, happy, and blessed.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to one and all!

Gain The Advantage,

Alicia Osmera

5 Comfort Christmas Gifts For 2020

2020! I thought about what this year has been like for most of the world. A crazy pandemic kicked it off along with people being told to stay at home, work from home if they could. Our children were rooted up from their known comforts of school playgrounds, socializing with other children, and having their own time away from family.

2020 has brought a chance to look back at what brings us comfort in all the craziness. This year I decided to focus on my top 5 comfort picks for gifts. Not just to buy at the holidays but any day.

Number 5

The Brentwood Quesada Maker

I find food can be very comforting. What’s better than making quesadillas? It sells on Amazon for $24.66.

Number 4

JML 10 Piece Microfiber Bedding Comforter Set

It comes in a variety of colors and looks very cozy. You can find it on Slickdeals.com for just $59.99.

Number 3

Let’s not forget our pooches!

Bark Bones Barktique

This home-based business is owned by Rachael Wood.

Each dog treat is homemade with quality ingredients. She also has collars and leashes available for a great price. Log onto her website Bare Bones Barktique today and order your furry friends something comforting.

Prices range from 12.00 and up.

Number 2

31 Comfort and Cozy Gift Ideas That Keep You Warm

While surfing the world wide web I came across 31 different comforting and cozy gifts for every member of the family, friends, and even coworkers.

The Spoonful Of Comfort website has everything from weighted blankets, making smores, Jammies, Teas, Winterwear to anything you’re looking for.

Prices range anywhere from $20.00 on up.

Sign up today and receive 10% off your order.

Lastly, NUMBER 1

I couldn’t decide on just one thing. I’m adding the link to an article I wrote a few years ago titled, My Top 5 Unique Gifts To Give For Christmas. My favorite one is the fruit-infused ice balls.

Here’s to wishing you and yours and very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Gain The Advantage,

Alicia Osmera