Oh the weather outside is frightful
Nothing about it is delightful
But since I've no place to go.....
What a great time to 'catchup' with reading, writing, cleaning, Christmas decorating, wrapping and cooking.
I've been trying to set up a web site. Just about the time I think I've got it figured out - I find out I don't have it figured out. Fortunately there isn't a big hurry to get it done.
I have reviewed a new author for Bookloons.com. Kristin Callender's book The Truth Lies in the Dark is very well written, a page turner of suspenseful action. I recommend it. Find out more about it on Bookloons.com
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Books I'm Reading
I just finished reading Kinship and Courage trilogy by Jane Kirkpatrick. I recomend them to any one who enjoys historical fiction. In the three books, All Together in One Place, No Eye Can See and What Once We Loved, Kirkpatrick follows eleven women as they journey west from their homes. She faithfully portrays the rugged, hard life on a wagon train. They lose loved ones and dreams die. Eventually the eleven are left to struggle on to their destination alone without the help of adult men.
The women have character faults that mold them into the person they must be to survive in the emerging west. Their disappointments color their choices and their loyalty to each other remain as they build new lives. Kirkpatrick's characters are believable and loveable.
The women have character faults that mold them into the person they must be to survive in the emerging west. Their disappointments color their choices and their loyalty to each other remain as they build new lives. Kirkpatrick's characters are believable and loveable.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Christmas Parties - Goals for 2009
It is December and Christmas parties abound. I attended two this past weekend. Friday night was a Sunday School Class dinner. It was enjoyable but the astounding thing to me was the fact that from about 40 people, we collected $700.00 for benevolence fund for the church. Christian giving to help others. That is truly Christmas. Saturday's party was fun. One of my writer's groups had a pot luck. Good food. Good company and Christmas memories penned by some of the best writer's in this area.
Each of us wrote writing goals for 2009 on an index card. Each month we must check to see if we are keeping our goals in mind and actually working toward them. Soooo - just to keep me honest I'm listing my goals here.
1. I will finish my assignment with LifeWay Resources on deadline.
2. I will work diligently to finish my novel "Murder on Tour."
3. I will keep my blog updated.
4. I will continue to work regularly on my Heritage books for my children.
My Heritage books are stories of my life, the stories I've gleaned from older family members, pictures and genalogy of each family represented. Families surnames are Elliott, Dickison, Holt, Roper, Gibbons, Hicks, Smallwood.
Each of us wrote writing goals for 2009 on an index card. Each month we must check to see if we are keeping our goals in mind and actually working toward them. Soooo - just to keep me honest I'm listing my goals here.
1. I will finish my assignment with LifeWay Resources on deadline.
2. I will work diligently to finish my novel "Murder on Tour."
3. I will keep my blog updated.
4. I will continue to work regularly on my Heritage books for my children.
My Heritage books are stories of my life, the stories I've gleaned from older family members, pictures and genalogy of each family represented. Families surnames are Elliott, Dickison, Holt, Roper, Gibbons, Hicks, Smallwood.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Jeremiah 32:27
This Scripture was on one of the newsletters I receive. It touched me to day.
Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for me?" --- Jeremiah 32:27 (KJV)
Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for me?" --- Jeremiah 32:27 (KJV)
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Thanksgiving
I haven't blogged for a while due to the holiday. I was very happy to have ALL my family with me for Thanksgiving. I am blessed with a wonderful family who enjoy being together.
But Thanksgiving is past and Christmas is before us. The guests are gone and the left overs gone too. I find myself at loose ends not able to get back in the groove of writing. I have posted another review to Bookloons.com titled The Exchange. I cannot recommend it. It was written by a woman who self published. She would do well to take some writing lessons. I am currently reading The Chemist, also for review to Bookloons. It is a first novel and is written to formula. The author takes a long time to get to the point. Most readers want a quick, exciting read and a satisfactory ending. We are not too interested in the intricate details. We only want the details that solve the crime.
It is time for me to remind myself of my goals and get to work on my novel.
But Thanksgiving is past and Christmas is before us. The guests are gone and the left overs gone too. I find myself at loose ends not able to get back in the groove of writing. I have posted another review to Bookloons.com titled The Exchange. I cannot recommend it. It was written by a woman who self published. She would do well to take some writing lessons. I am currently reading The Chemist, also for review to Bookloons. It is a first novel and is written to formula. The author takes a long time to get to the point. Most readers want a quick, exciting read and a satisfactory ending. We are not too interested in the intricate details. We only want the details that solve the crime.
It is time for me to remind myself of my goals and get to work on my novel.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
African American Presidents
I found this interesting post on Geneanet Genealogy Blog, posted by Jean-Yves Baxter.
Five presidents have black ancestors. Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, Warren Harding, Calvin Coolidge.
Jefferson was the son of 1/2 Indian mother and a mulatto father. Jackson's father was black, his mother was Irish. His brother was sold as a slave. Lincoln was reportedly the illegitimate son of an African man. His mother came from an Ethiopian tribe. Harding never denied his ancestry having black ancestors on both sides. Coolidge was proud of his heritage saying his mother had mixed Indian blood.
Although the author of this blog gave references to proof his/her point, much of this is up for debate. I just reviewed a book about Jefferson and nothing was said about his mixed ancestry. Not much was written about his life before he began college.
Interesting that these men ran for president as white while Barak Obama ran as black even though he is 1/2 white.
On another note: I talked with a financial advisor yesterday and he commented this ecomony crisis is much worse than '29. I guess I knew that but to hear someone in the know say what I was thinking is scary.
Five presidents have black ancestors. Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, Warren Harding, Calvin Coolidge.
Jefferson was the son of 1/2 Indian mother and a mulatto father. Jackson's father was black, his mother was Irish. His brother was sold as a slave. Lincoln was reportedly the illegitimate son of an African man. His mother came from an Ethiopian tribe. Harding never denied his ancestry having black ancestors on both sides. Coolidge was proud of his heritage saying his mother had mixed Indian blood.
Although the author of this blog gave references to proof his/her point, much of this is up for debate. I just reviewed a book about Jefferson and nothing was said about his mixed ancestry. Not much was written about his life before he began college.
Interesting that these men ran for president as white while Barak Obama ran as black even though he is 1/2 white.
On another note: I talked with a financial advisor yesterday and he commented this ecomony crisis is much worse than '29. I guess I knew that but to hear someone in the know say what I was thinking is scary.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Contentment
In our times of financial strain and uncertainity, our pastor gave us this bit of advice from Phillipians 4:11-13 "...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him (God) who gives me strength."
The secret of contentment is to know that God is in control. He knows what is best for us and the world. Whatever the state of the world economy or our checkbook, we can be content in knowing God gives strength where needed.
The secret of contentment is to know that God is in control. He knows what is best for us and the world. Whatever the state of the world economy or our checkbook, we can be content in knowing God gives strength where needed.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Winter On My Mind
Brr. A cold rainy day - perfect to retire to my office and commune with my computer. Perhaps together we will come up with an earthshaking story that will bring a little moo la into the holiday coffers.
I sent two book reviews to Bookloons.com. They should be posted to the site in a couple of days, should you be interested. Conspiracy of Silence is fiction and Mr. Jefferson's Women is non-fiction. I also sent in my entry to the Country Woman's Great Cupcake Caper finish the story contest. The prize money is good but doubtful, I'll see any of it. I seldom enter contests but hey if there isn't an entry fee - why not?
I sent two book reviews to Bookloons.com. They should be posted to the site in a couple of days, should you be interested. Conspiracy of Silence is fiction and Mr. Jefferson's Women is non-fiction. I also sent in my entry to the Country Woman's Great Cupcake Caper finish the story contest. The prize money is good but doubtful, I'll see any of it. I seldom enter contests but hey if there isn't an entry fee - why not?
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Veteran's Day
A heartfelt thank you to all those Veterans out there who have kept our country safe for so many years. And special thanks to my own veteran. He knows who he is.
I read a lot. I seldom pick a book that I do not finish. Oddly, the last two in my 'stack' I have not been able to get through. Faye Kellerman's "Mercedes Coffin", I could not finish. It just went so slow and the detectives seemed to go over and over the same thing again and again. It reminded me of a committee meeting I attended today. We just went over things again and again until there was no interest in discussing it further.
I made it to about chapter 4 of "The Mephisto Club" by Tess Gerritsen before I gave up knowing any more would give me bad dreams. I did finish Kathy Reich's "Devil Bones," although it is so very technical, I skipped a lot.
I have read "Conspiracy of Silence" by Martha Powers for Bookloons.com. I will be posting a review there soon. I will let you know when I send it in. Currently, I'm reading "Mr. Jefferson's Women" also for Bookloons. Believe me, after reading much of Jefferson's philosophy about women and blacks, he would have a cat should he have seen the recent Democrat and Republican tickets for president and vice president.
By the way, Sarah Palin says she didn't order $150,000 worth of clothes for herself and her family on the RNC dime and I believe her. I enjoyed her interview on Fox News Channel last night.
And there you have my blog for November 11. Good night and Good luck.
I read a lot. I seldom pick a book that I do not finish. Oddly, the last two in my 'stack' I have not been able to get through. Faye Kellerman's "Mercedes Coffin", I could not finish. It just went so slow and the detectives seemed to go over and over the same thing again and again. It reminded me of a committee meeting I attended today. We just went over things again and again until there was no interest in discussing it further.
I made it to about chapter 4 of "The Mephisto Club" by Tess Gerritsen before I gave up knowing any more would give me bad dreams. I did finish Kathy Reich's "Devil Bones," although it is so very technical, I skipped a lot.
I have read "Conspiracy of Silence" by Martha Powers for Bookloons.com. I will be posting a review there soon. I will let you know when I send it in. Currently, I'm reading "Mr. Jefferson's Women" also for Bookloons. Believe me, after reading much of Jefferson's philosophy about women and blacks, he would have a cat should he have seen the recent Democrat and Republican tickets for president and vice president.
By the way, Sarah Palin says she didn't order $150,000 worth of clothes for herself and her family on the RNC dime and I believe her. I enjoyed her interview on Fox News Channel last night.
And there you have my blog for November 11. Good night and Good luck.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Thank you God!!!
My son returned safely home last Saturday night after more than a year's tour in Iraq. We are thanking God and praising Him for answered prayer. God Bless America and may He keep safe those men and women still in harm's way.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Just Because You Told Me To
Well, I did it. I set up this blog just because you told me to. You know who you are. I hope you're satisfied. You said you couldn't wait to see what I wrote on my blog. Well, here it is and now you have to read it.
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