Rainy Day!

When a rainy day comes, what better time to grab a book and settled down for an escape into adventure!

She's Baa-ack!

Do you ever experience burnout? Those times when you feel like you cannot do one more thing, remember one more responsibility or even write a few words?  A number of years ago, this happened to me on the job.  It required a medical leave of absence and still affects me to this day. 

If you have experienced any form of depression, whether from job burnout or stresses from your life, I encourage you to try to recognize it and take the time to talk to your medical doctor. 

When Bettie started our web site, we had no anticipation of the volume of work we would receive...after all, we were retired and thinking of filling a little part of our time.  Well, we have had a constant flow and have added to our reviewer list...and still, there have been times when we were backlogged!  Not really complaining!  Hey, we enjoy what we are doing. 

However, each of us should come to know how much work we can handle and when it is too much for a while...then we need to take a break and stop doing as much as we have been.

So, if you missed seeing what I've been doing, well, I'll try to catch up...no matter what, there's always been a book or two waiting with a bookmarked page!  And I've been taking advantage of some of the beautiful weather, in between rain, to expand my garden of flowers, even adding a sort of gazebo for my climbers!  My irises were beautiful this year and I was so thankful that I had free time to water and "deadhead" them each morning.  God surely gave us the greatest gifts right outside our doors!

Oh, I did want to share the following with my readers; it meant a lot to me and I thought you might enjoy:

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Heartprints of Kindness

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."1 "He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God."2

William Wordsworth also said it well: "That best portion of a good man's life; his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love."

The following well-known anonymous poem is well worth a reminder:

    "Whatever our hands touch –
    We leave fingerprints!
    On walls, on furniture
    On doorknobs, dishes, books.
    There's no escape.
    As we touch we leave our identity."

So for today's suggested prayer: "Dear God:

    'Wherever I go today
    Help me leave heartprints!
    Heartprints of compassion
    Of understanding and love.

    'Heartprints of kindness
    And genuine concern.
    May my heart touch a lonely neighbor
    Or a runaway daughter
    Or an anxious mother
    Or perhaps an aged grandfather.

    'Send me out today
    To leave heartprints.
    And if someone should say,
    "I felt your touch,"
    May they also sense the love
    that is deep within my heart.'3
                                             --Daily Encounter

So I'll close for today, with just a last thought--I hope I've left heartprints on the books I do for each of my clients!

God Bless!

Tags: job burnout, heartprints, books

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas...

OK, OK...I know it...it's been a long time! But it's not as if I was goofing off! Well, maybe some of the time...but most of the time I've been working!

I was honored to read/review Flying Into Tomorrow and Other Stories by long-time author, Irving A. Greenfield http://www.bookreviewers.org/flying_into_tomorrow_&_other_stories.htm and as we went on, we put together a larger book, merging more stories in and I wound up editing and getting everything read for him to submit to publishers.  His stories are funny, sad, memorable...indeed, all of them take you down a path of memories, perhaps his, perhaps those of others...but definitely there will be some "that remind [you] of the time...  What I enjoyed most about them was that they were open and refreshingly honest.  One was my favorite--a fantasy threesome with his boss as one of the lead characters.  Who of us don't have some type of images about the bosses of their past!  Well, this one is especially unforgettable!  Even though the present book is great and available, I would recommend you wait for the second edition! 

I was also pleased to once again work with Ruby Moon-Houldson.  You may remember that her first book http://www.bookreviewers.org/more_than_angels.htm was recommended for Oprah's book list...Well, her second book has been completed and will be available shortly http://www.bookreviewers.org/more_than_angels2.htm so be on the lookout for it soon!  Another of her books, The Man Within by Ruby was also a different type of book...she sure does have imagination! Take a look at this review of her "romance." http://www.bookreviewers.org/the_man_within.htm  

 

Jesus is Not in the Official Scrabble Dictionary

There I was, taking a break with an online game of Scrabble...my first move was going to be lots of points...I put in J to get a double letter on 8...and then I spelled out J-e-s-u-s and submitted my word...

And I was politely told that Jesus was not in the official Scrabble Dictionary...

I tried Jesu...

Sorry...

Surely Jesus is more than a proper name, I thought...Surely, Jesus would symbolize the Christian faith...or be listed as a great religious leader, no matter what religion...Nope!

Somehow, I couldn't proceed with that game...

Did I want to play anything where I couldn't say the word Jesus?

What is it with this world today?  You can hear lots of words that you never wanted to ever hear anywhere...and it will be said on tv, on the radio, in books, magazines...

I can read or hear those words...if I must...why can't others hear the name of Jesus?

I got an email recently where television leaders were considering not allowing "Touched by an Angel" on tv because they said the word God...

Don't you think God is chuckling just a little because this world has become so afraid that they will no longer tolerate freedom of speech...

For that is what is happening...

I have always been open to reading alternative views, no matter my beliefs.  Reading or hearing from another who does not believe as I do, does not demand that I change my beliefs or agree with what I read/hear...

How has this world come...no, specifically, how has the United States come to be so narrow-minded, fearful and ignorant, that it will no longer tolerate what a large majority is interested in? 

Myself, I find it mighty sad and discouraging...and wonder how those few who are intolerant have come to carry so much weight in decision-making...

So... Scrabble does not include Jesus in their official dictionary...that's ok, I can always stop playing Scrabble...and Jesus will still be around!  Thank God!

The Computer or the ID ten T Error?!

Old Harold
I was having trouble with my computer. So I called Harold the computer guy, to come over. 

Harold clicked a couple of buttons and solved the problem.  He gave me a bill for a minimum service call.

As he was walking away, I called after him, "So, what was wrong?"

He replied, "It was an ID ten T error."

I didn't want to appear stupid, but nonetheless inquired, "An, ID ten T error? What's that .. in case I need to fix it again?" Harold grinned.... "Haven't you ever heard of an ID ten T error before?"

"No," I replied.

"Write it down," he said, "and I think you'll figure it out."

So I wrote down ...... I D 1 0 T      I used to like Harold.                                                             ~~~

Good Morning! 

Robert Noonan, author of the Wildflowers trilogy, sent me the above joke... I thought it was cute...you know, sometimes you have to wonder though... Notice the one black typed sentence above?  Well, I thought I'd be a little fancy for the joke, so I changed the color...except, this sentence wouldn't change!  I tried five different times!

You know, I think Harold has a very weird sense of humor!

                                                               ~~~

Speaking of Bob, he is getting read to submit his three books to a publisher!  I wish him the best in getting everything ready... Of course, he seems to feel that I should help, so I have the job of one final proofreading...of all three! 

I'm just now finishing reading an anthology on fate...interesting selections!  And have finished and am working on a review for R.D. Fresh.  At the same time, I'm doing a final proofreading for a reprint of Flying into Tomorrow.  Check out my review on this one, a favorite of mine...

 http://www.bookreviewers.org/flying_into_tomorrow_&_other_stories.htm

And while you're out there, check out an investment book for student housing/real estate if you're interested:

http://www.bookreviewers.org/university_wealth_21_success_secrets.htm

Then, if you have children or grandchildren...check out a fantastic self-learning book on financial freedom, geared toward our youth:

http://www.bookreviewers.org/map_your_financial_future.htm

In my opinion, Patrick Lyons has provided an outstanding contribution to our young people!  Do take a look at this one!

I have had the most fun with a new author whose book came in about a month ago... I liked it, but... 

Since the author was amenable, I did a critical review of his book, suggesting ways to improve it.  Since then, he's rewritten and resubmitted it for a new read and a formal review.  I can't wait!  In fact, that's the one that's next on my stack!  Will tell you more later, but it's an historical romance telling us about "black gold."  Very interesting!

                                                           ~~~

Hey, while you're out checking out my reviews, take a look at all the books highlighted on our site! http://www.bookreviewers.org/reviews.htm  We have a steady stream of submissions for review and we've added two new reviewers since the last time you might have visited. 

Our dear director has been extremely busy...she has two new books out and has a number of sites to visit!  I'll pull those together and share during your next visit here!

By the way, I have a new blog started... it had been percolating in the back of my mind, but my sister, Marlene, recently asked about a former pet column I had written...so I decided to move ahead with this one...Do stop and visit with the Cabin Cats!

http://journals.aol.com/catsatthecabin/CabinCatCapers/

A Smile, a Giggle...Get Your Grammar Book Out!

Ok, Ok...just take a break! 

My sister sent these words in an email now being sent anonymously across the WWW...

Guess why I'm sharing on this site?

Did I read that sign right?
TOILET OUT OF ORDER. PLEASE USE FLOOR BELOW

In a Laundromat:
AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES: PLEASE REMOVE ALL YOUR CLOTHES WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT (Naughty-naughty)

In a London department store:
BARGAIN BASEMENT UPSTAIRS

In an office:
WOULD THE PERSON WHO TOOK THE STEP LADDER YESTERDAY PLEASE BRING IT BACK OR FURTHER STEPS WILL BE TAKEN

In an office:
AFTER TEA BREAK STAFF SHOULD EMPTY THE TEAPOT AND STAND UPSIDE DOWN ON THE DRAINING BOARD

Outside a secondhand shop
WE EXCHANGE ANYTHING - BICYCLES, WASHING MACHINES, ETC. WHY NOT BRING YOUR WIFE ALONG AND GET A WONDERFUL BARGAIN?

Notice in health food shop window:
CLOSED DUE TO ILLNESS

 Spotted in a safari park:(I sure hope so) ELEPHANTS PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR

Seen during a conference:
FOR ANYONE WHO HAS CHILDREN AND DOESN'T KNOW IT, THERE IS A DAY CARE ON THE 1ST FLOOR

Notice in a farmer's field:
THE FARMER ALLOWS WALKERS TO CROSS THE FIELD FOR FREE, BUT THE BULL CHARGES.

Message on a leaflet:
IF YOU CANNOT READ, THIS LEAFLET WILL TELL YOU HOW TO GET LESSONS

On a repair shop door:
WE CAN REPAIR ANYTHING. (PLEASE KNOCK HARD ON THE DOOR - THE BELL DOESN'T WORK)

                                                            ~~~

Are you smiling?  Enjoying these mistakes!  Guess what?  We see a lot of them! 

Writers, don't depend upon others to pick up basic mistakes on topics of grammar and punctuation that you should know!  Ok, I have a good memory and I remember the rules...if you can't, then get your reference books out and check yourself!  And, remember, a publisher only needs to receive your cover letter and read a few pages...if there are errors, your chances that the individual will continue reading have been greatly reduced!

It's not a crime to not remember what you were taught all those years ago...it IS sad, though, if you want to be an author. Prepare yourself with basic tools!  Remember, nobody knows how many errors you make...unless you don't proofread, proofread, proofread!

And, remember, all of us makes misteaks.  That's where friends can be helpful...find a close one and ask them to read your work before you send it out...and be open to feedback!

 

God Bless!