BIG NEWS!

I just signed with a literary agent!

Yep, it's true. She is well known and respected in the writing business and the publishing houses recognize her as a good agent.

I'm thrilled!

What does this mean to me?

1. Well, first and foremost, I have someone in my corner who likes my writing and thinks its worthy of being published.
2. Secondly, she can get into houses that I can't approach yet. Explanation: Publishing houses have literally thousands of submissions a year. What goes in the slush piles and what gets read? That depends on whether you have an "in" or not.

And the "in?" Publishing houses won't toss your proposal in the trash, because they allow submissions from writers who have agents. Do you know how many that is? ALMOST all of them. Their second condition is you can submit IF you've been invited by an editor (say, at a writing conference, etc.). Some writers get invited; some don't.

So far, all those I've approached have said yes. But how many can one person approach at a conference? Three, five, ten? My agent can approach ALL of them. Because she's an agent, and she believes in me.

Now, saying all that: will this get me pubbed?

Maybe. There's a good possibility. Else why would she take me on as a client? But it's not a sure thing. I won't hold my breath that long (it still may take months . . . years? (Yuk) )

I have one friend who's agent dropped her after a year of subbing her manuscript. Why? That's her agency's policy. It upset me, for my friend. I didn't like it. But that's the way it goes. So far, my friend's not pubbed.

The nitty, gritty?

• You've got to be a great writer.
• Your writing has to catch an editor's attention.
• Your writing has got to catch the right editor's attention.
• Your manuscript has to make it pass the editor, pass two boards, and you've got to sign a contract.

Will I make it? I hope so, I'm dreaming of it, working for it, praying about it.

And, oh, yes, THANK YOU, to all you dear ones who've stood by me, encouraged me in this journey, and prayed for me. You've valuable to me!


DRUM ROLL . . .

TWO different people either emailed, called me, commented on this blog, or told me in person ALL SEVEN CORRECT answers. So I decided they would both win.

The winners of my November (Thanksgiving) contest are (notice the plural verb, please) . . .

Regina
Belinda

Their gift? A $10 gift certificate, plus a tiny surprise with it!
Congratulations!


Now, on to more exciting news.

Next week (Friday) I'm beginning a series of interviews with several different writer friends. Before, after, during that week, everyone--anyone--who comments on this blog, emails me, calls me on the phone, talks to me in person, will get a chance at winning one book written by that author.

And . . .
Not only that, but if you can get someone else to comment (etc. etc.) they will get a chance at winning that book, too, PLUS, if they let me know you ask them to comment, I'll put your name in the bag again! So the more people you get to comment (etc.) (make sure they tell me you ask them to) the more chances you have to win that free book.

And let me tell you, I've got some good writers lined up! Who wouldn't want a free christian fiction book?

Next week's interviewee? Molly Noble Bull. This is Molly on the day she was married several years ago. "It's not about Molly, her writing is about the Lord." These words appear on her web page and show how much she credits God with her writing abilities and success.

I will give away one free book from every writer I interview during December!!!

Is that clear? If you have any questions, let me know!!

Why am I doing this?

• Well, I want you to visit my blog.
• I want you to tell others about me and my writing, so that once I'm pubbed they will rush out to buy my books!! Laugh.

Quote:

Christmas gift suggestions:

To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.

--Oren Arnold



On top of the world blessings!

More Silent Night Ruiminations . . .

How did word of this favorite Christmas carol get spread? Read on to find out:

New Year's Eve at St. Nicholas Church, Oberndorf, 1818. That night, December 24, the song fills St. Nicolas Church at Midnight mass. Mohr sings tenor, Gruber bass, and the church choir joins the refrain of each verse, while mohr accompanies on the guitar. By the time the last notes die away, the worshipers are a-buzz with joy and wonder at the song. On Christmas Day, the song is being hummed and sung in dozens of homes around Oberndorf. "Silent night, holy night."

And in Oberndorf, they would sing their beloved carol again and again each Christmas. The song might have stayed right there had it not been for an organ builder named Karl Mauracher, who came to repair the pipe organ at Arnsdorf in 1819 and made several trips to Oberndorf over the next few years, finally building a new organ for St. Nicholas in 1825.

Whether Mauracher found the music and lyrics on the organ or they were given to him by Gruber, we don't know. But he carried the song to the Ziller Valley east of Innsbruk, where he shared it with two local families of travelling folk singers, the Rainers and the Strassers, who began to sing it as part of their regular repertoire. The following Christmas of 1819, the Rainer Family Singers sang "Stille Nacht" in the village church of Fügen (Zillertal).

Three years later they sang it for royalty. Emperor Francis I of Austria and his ally Czar Alexander I of Russia were staying in the nearby castle of Count Dönhoff (now Bubenberg Castle). The Rainer Family performed the carol and were invited to Russia for a series of concerts.

In 1834 the Strasser Family Singers sang "Silent Night" for King Frederick William IV of Prussia. He was so taken with what the Strassers called their "Song of Heaven," that he commanded it to be sung by his cathedral choir every Christmas Eve. It spread through Europe and in 1839 the Raniers brought the song to America as the "Tyrolean Folk Song." Since then it has been translated into over 300 languages and dialects.

Various English translations blossomed, but the definitive English version of the song was penned by Rev. John Freeman Young and first published in The Sunday-School Service and Tune Book (1863).

One more to go . . .


Christmas hints for caring for a live, cut tree:

• Remove about 1/4 to 1/2 inch of trunk from the base and get in water as soon as possible. Don't cut at an angle (too hard to secure tree in stand). Don't remove outer layers of bark (this layer takes up water most efficiently).
• If you can't place tree in stand right away, place in a large bucket of water and store in a cool place.
• Choose a stand with adequate water capacity for your tree. (minimum of 1 gallon of water)
• Check water level in stand daily. Don't let water line fall below the bottom of the trunk.
• Don't add anything to the water. Clean fresh water is the best way to keep the tree fresh.
• Use a tree skirt; helps evaporation, helps keep needles from water, and helps keep Fido out of it.
• Position tree away from heat ducts or any heat source. Not only is it a fire hazard, it can dry out your tree prematurely.
• Use low-heat lights to keep tree from drying out.

Tomorrow I'll announce the winners of our November contest!


Quote:
Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles. --Unknown



Blessings!

Christmas Is . . .




Holly
Pine smells
Pine trees
Smells
Candles
Fireplace (how did you know I would include that?)

Stockings hung

Live trees
Old ornaments
My best angels
Snowflakes
Plain packages tied up with string
Homemade cookies
Ham
My beautiful manger scene, handmade
red and green and white lights

and . . .

a warm feeling
love for others
family and friends
sharing
receiving because someone gave in love
giving because I'm giving in love
simple, meaningful gifts
the Christmas story
Christmas songs
Bells ringing
children's faces filled with wonder

The world's first Christmas card, made by John Callcott Horsley

beautiful Christmas cards sent from someone who I know loves me
hearing hubby read



Want to keep gift giving simple? Try this for extended family gift giving:

• Draw names, the earlier the better to give everyone time to think about their name and a gift.
• Define rules

1. Prices. Set a dollar amount, say $12 to $15 per gift. Don't have too wide a range or someone will be getting something for $5 and another for $20.
2. For fun, keep identities secret and plan to guess the giver after the gift is opened.
3. Some people give stockings filled with a primary gift, then candy, cookies, fruit, and other smaller items are used to fill it.
4. What about exchanging gifts that are homemade or even pre-owned?
5. Some groups pre-decide on what the gifts will be, such as picture frames, calendars, etc. Everyone then must find one that their receiver will enjoy.
6. White elephant gift exhanges can be a lot of fun, but tricky, too. Everyone must realize ahead of time that the gifts will be silly, crazy, or even bad gifts that no one would want, or the affair will get out of hand.

Most of all, have fun and keep it simple!

Christmas quote:

Are you willing to forget what you have done for other people, and to remember what other people have done for you ...
to remember the weakness and loneliness of people who are growing old ...
Are you willing to believe that love is the strongest thing in the world ... stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death...
Then you can keep Christmas! But you can never keep it alone.
--Henry van Dyke ("Keeping Christmas" in The Spirit of Christmas)

The wonder of Christmas blessings on you!

The Story of Silent Night

The phrase repeats itself over and over again in his mind:

Silent night, holy night,
Stille nacht, heilige nacht.

It's the first line from a poem this young Austrian priest had written two years before. Now he can't get the phrase out of his mind. "Silent night, holy night."

Tonight is Christmas Eve and St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, north of Salzburg, will be chock-full of people. Father Joseph Mohr has a homily in mind, a message for his flock on this sacred night, but he needs a carol, something special to cap off the service.

Silent night, holy night,
All is calm, all is bright...

The words won't go away. "I need a tune!" he says out loud, shaking his head. "I wonder if Franz can help me. I hope it's not too late." Franz Gruber is the schoolteacher in the nearby village of Arnsdorf -- a gifted musician, organist at the Arnsdorf church, and occasional substitute organist at St. Nicholas. "Franz will help me!" he says to himself. "He can't resist a musical challenge."

Quickly now he slings on his heavy coat, dons a fur cap and gloves, and ventures into the brisk December morning. The snow is crunchy underfoot as he makes his way across the churchyard towards Arnsdorf, just a 20 minute walk. "Silent night, holy night ... silent night, holy night." The rhythm of the words echoes with each step.

Elizabeth opens the door at his knock. "Father Mohr, how nice of you to stop by. Franz will be glad to see you." She takes his coat and ushers him in. Franz is picking something out on his guitar.

"Franz, remember that poem I told you about: 'Silent Night'?" says Mohr. "I know it's too late to ask, but could you help put a tune to it? I want to sing it tonight for Christmas Eve."

Gruber's face lights up. A challenge. A song. He takes the lyrics from the priest and begins to say them over and over, looking for a cadence. Then he hums a line and scratches it down.

Mohr soon tires of the process and begins to play with the children. But within an hour or so, Gruber seems to have a melody and is working out the chords on his guitar. "Father, how does this sound?" he calls and begins to sing the words:

Silent night, holy night,
All is calm all is bright...

He stops to make a correction in the manuscript, and then continues:

...'Round yon virgin, Mother and Child,
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace!
Sleep in heavenly peace!

Father Mohr is ecstatic. On the second verse Gruber's deep voice is joined by Mohr's rich tenor. Elizabeth, baby on her hip, who has been humming along, now joins them on the last verse. The song fills their home with its gentle words and memorable melody.

More tomorrow . . .




Christmas hints:
Wanna buy a live, cut tree? Better remember these things before you head to that tree farm to cut your own!

• Don't leave home without tools and measurements. How much room to you need? How tall of a tree do you want? Width? Take gloves (yucky sap!) and a small saw. Don't forget your camera!
• Shop early or online.
• Know what type of tree you want: Fraser Fir, Douglas Fir, Balsam Fir, Colorado Blue Spruce, Scotch Pine, Eastern Red Cedar, White Spruce, Eastern White Pine, White (Concolor) Fir, Virginia Pine.
• If you shop at a shopping tree lot, test for freshness (look for dryness, musty smells, brown needles or excessive needle loss).
• If you shop at a shopping tree farm, expect to do a lot of walking! Ask ahead about services and pricing.

Quote:
I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. --Charles Dickens



Blessings!

Words of Wisdom . . .



Comedian George Carlin wrote the following. It's something to think about and more than appropriate for this time of the year. Read on and ponder . . .

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.
We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever,
but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe,
because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you,
because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --george carlin

Hints:
Looks like we may a winner--winners! We'll give it a few more days to get all the answers in, since it is Thanksgiving. Then we'll announce the winners and they can look for their gifts in the mail!

Now to begin with some Christmas hints! Here's some goodies:

• Use old holiday bulbs in night lights.
• Overrun with pine cones in the yard? Save, bag up, use as a natural decor or . . . sell them: online, yard sale, flea markets!
• Add a little cinnamon mouthwash to your handsoap! Hmmm.
  

Quote:
What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace. --Agnes M. Pharo


Blessings!

Praises!

I'm thankful for:

• That God understands me just the way I am, works with and on me. I don't have to be anyone but simple, complicated, worried, (and a whole bunch of other descriptions! LOL) self.
• That God gave ME talents. That I have the urge to use them. That He encourages me to do so.
• That I got another computer this year! Yeah!
• That I have a beautiful, caring, loving, and unselfish hubby.
• That I have two mischievious sons (never outgrew that!), who love us.
• That I have some wonderful friends who've stayed with me, who've been there.
• That I have the freedom to worship the way I want to.
• That I have good books to read.
• That I have the "usual" amenties for life: house, warmth, car (another answer to prayer), food, clothes, etc.
• Dogs that gaze at you with utter trust in their eyes.
• Cats who slyly remind you what selfish personalities are like. Smile.
• Hubby's children's stories that are a real blessing to me.

Generality thankfulness:

• my garden and garden pond
• flowers and trees
• animals
• Fall
• Christmas and all that goes with it.
• Realizing the real meaning of Christmas. It's not about presents and getting.
  
• popcorn
• good food
• my second best friend: Mom
• bros who stay in touch! Hint, hint!
• great blogging sister-in-laws who give me a glimpse into their lives
  
• Lights at night
• the moon
• my home in the rain
• my home when its cloudy
• my fireplace
• my home in the misty mornings
• my home when the snowflakes fall
• good music
• my novels!!!!!!
• my characters--without them, where would I be?
• good news--oh, how I love it!
• Anyone reading this nonsense!
• Anyone who gives me encouragement. Oh, yes!
• My critiquers. They are priceless.
• journal books and good pens
• my piano

Some special thankfulness this season:

• That I knew Michael and Mary for 21 years
• Service boys and girls--God bless them all!
• Those who stand.
• The good ole USA
• Our policemen
• Our firefighters
  

Thank you, everyone, for standing by me and for reading this blog! Love you!


Trivia Question:
List the foods that the Pilgrims certainly did NOT eat at the first Thanksgiving feast.
(Note: more than one answer):

• Bread
• Corn
• Clams
• Pumpkin pie
• Turkey
• Plums
• Fish
• Milk
• Dried Fruit
• Lobster
• Potatoes

Quote:
Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving. ~W.T. Purkiser


Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanks giving?

Turkeys
Cornucopias
Pilgrim hats
Seasoned stuffing
Creamed onions
Cranberry sauce
Pumpkin pie

Uncles, aunts, grandparents, cousins, children

Relaxation and overeating

Who'll give thanks?


Mayflower in Plymouth Harbor
The "pilgrims" landed at Pilgrim Rock on December 31, 1620. Winter, struggles with poor or meager food, strenuous labor, biting wind that chilled to the bone, the ravages of disease. Half of the 102 Mayflower passengers didn't live to see Spring at Cape Cod Bay.











Indian Aid and a Blessed Thanksgiving

But . . . God sent Indians: Samose, Squanto, and Massasoit to help the settlers plant and hunt and fish. That autumn there was a bountiful harvest, and their first thought? A feast to celebrate God's goodness. NINETY tall braves accepted the invitation to that feast.

We teach our children to say thank you and please. Let's let our thanksgiving this year raise to the heavens!




Trivia Question:
Which country first adopted Thanksgiving as a national holiday?



Quote:
Got no check books, got no banks. Still I'd like to express my thanks - I got the sun in the morning and the moon at night. ~Irving Berlin

Good-by, Pumpkin Pie!


I found this funny kids Thanksgiving poem and thought you might enjoy it! Kind of long, but oh, so cute!


Year after year after year I go crazy! Every Thanksgiving I sit with the babies! It's the little kids' table; The table for tots, Where my mom makes me sit If I like it or not. The table for grown-ups Is fit for a king, With goblets And giblets And gold napkin rings, And bread rolls and salad And dressing with drippings, One glass just for drinking, And one just for sipping!

But here all the kids Drink from Styrofoam cups, We eat small turkey bits That our moms have cut up. Our plates are red plastic And so are the spoons, And we eat by ourselves In a small dining room.

I have dozens of cousins Age one and age two Whose Thanksgiving feast Is a greenish-brown goo. They slop up their faces With vegetable mashes And after they drink They all have Milk mustaches. They urp, And they burp, And they belch And they gulp; Oh, why can't I sit At the feast for adults? All the mooshing And mashing And smooshing And gnashing! I put down my fork And I thought about fasting! I'd never eat turkey Again in my life! Never pick up a fork! Never pick up a knife! I'd fast like a mountain-top Indian swami; I wouldn't touch mustard Or bread Or salami! "I'll never eat mushrooms "Or green beans "Or squid! "And I NEVER will eat "At the table for kids!" "What's wrong?" asked my mom, She was pouring some drinks; "You haven't touched dinner... "Not one single thing!" She straightened the napkin Tucked under my chin, She gave me a hug As she pushed my chair in, She cut up my turkey bits Two sizes smaller, She held up my glass, "Have a sip of some water!" She dished up a spoon Of potatoes and gravy; My mom tried to feed me Like I was a baby! Well, my face turned as red As the rhubarb pie filling! I quick turned away, And my cup went a-spilling! BOOSH! Water splashed on Mom's face and her hair, And it looked like some gravy Was mixed up in there, Because polka dots spotted My mom's bright white dress! Her Thanksgiving suit Was a gravy-brown mess! I should've said "Sorry!" I should've said "Oops!" I should've helped mom Wipe the gravy-brown goop. What happened instead Is a mystery, my friends. But there's one thing for sure- - - I won't do it again! I opened my mouth- - - Do you know what I did? I sassed my mom back Like a spoiled snotty kid. "I can use my own fork! "I can use my own knife! "And I don't want to sit "At the table for tikes!" "I can't stand all the gunk! "I can't stand all the gak! "I won't watch little Timothy "Eating like that!" "He's got yams in his hair, "He's got yams North and South, "And there's food everywhere "But inside of his mouth!" "Then there's Sarah and Icky "And Jimmy and Franz "Mixing peas in their milk! "Eating with their bare hands!" "This is NOT what the Pilgrims "And Indians did, "I DON'T WANT TO SIT HERE "AT THE TABLE FOR KIDS!!" Then mom said, "I think your Thanksgiving's all through, "And I think that it's time "You go up to your room." "In my ROOM?!" my brain thought, This just couldn't be true! In my ROOM?! Why, WHY, WHY?? What on earth did I do?? My tummy got grumbly, My feet both felt stumbly, I wanted to shout, But my mouth was all mumbly. I walked past the turkey,

The dressing and trimmings, My feast was now ending Before its beginning. "Goodbye, pumpkin pie!"

I said, as I walked by it, "So long, green bean bake!" Though I never would try it, "Farewell, acorn squash, "And potatoes au gratin! "Ta-ta, apple tart "With your whip-creamy topping!" I sat all alone On my bed feeling hungry. It felt like I had A stone knot in my tummy. I could still hear The forks and the knives and the spoons

Clacking and clinking And scraping up food; My sniffer sniffed smells Drifting up from afar, And on Thanksgiving Day I was sure I would starve! So I played with my toys Then I sang a few numbers, I stood on my head To get rid of this hunger, Then somersaults, Push-ups, I played tiddly-winks, But Thanksgiving turkey Was all I could think! My belly growled out Like a great grizzly bear,

And I knew, Pretty soon, I'd need something down there! Anything, ANYTHING! Liver, or beets!

Even heaps of Hungarian pickled pigs' feet!

"I'll eat wood like a termite! "Or flies like a frog! "I'll chew catnip like kitties! "Or shoes like a dog!" I was just about ready To snack on my hat, When I heard someone knocking, RAT-TAT-A-TAT-TAT! It was mom with a plate Piled high with a feast, And it didn't seem that she was mad In the least. She set up a TV tray Right by my bed, And she gave me a kiss On the top of my head. "You're growing up fast," She said, hiding a tear, "Won't you join the adults "For Thanksgiving next year?"

-- copyrighted 1992 Howard D. Fencl

Trivia Question:
The reason Thanksgiving was moved up a week was . . .

• Due to public pressure
• To lengthen the Christmas shopping season
• To be more in line with what Canada was doing
• To fulfill a political promise
• It was warmer
• To ward off evil spirits

Quote:
We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. ~Thornton Wilder


Blessings

Thanksgiving Day Customs


The Thanksgiving legacy has been alive for hundreds of years. The customs we see in our homes today remind us of ancient celebrations of harvest, thankfulness for peace, and the endeavors of native Americans. It consists of stories of those who believe that gratitude for blessings is a virtue we should all possess.






Custom of Praying
For centuries, 'Thanksgiving Day' is associated with communal prayers in church and in homes. People offer various meal time prayers during the day. It is a time, when mankind thanks God for all his blessings and grace. It is also a day to show gratitude to your friends and relatives for all the good deeds.

Custom of Family Dinner
Everyone follows the custom of family dinner and reunion religiously every year. Distances don't really matter as relatives drive down to be with their family. Feasts are usually held at home. It is a time to enjoy their favorite 'Roasted Turkey' with the family.

Custom of Decoration
Thanksgiving is a time to decorate homes with wreaths, fresh and dried flowers. People beautify their homes, give the interiors a whole new look and feel. They light lamps to brighten the environment. Tables are adorned with best china and antique silver cutlery to mark the occasion.

Custom of sending messages
Thanksgiving is a day when people send loving messages and warm wishes to their relatives, colleagues at work place, superiors and subordinates, near and dear ones. It is a day of conveying their feelings through Thanksgiving cards.



Got a favorite son, daughter, nephew, niece, grandchild? If they can answer three of these five Thanksgiving Day jokes, they'll win a super prize!

1. Why do turkeys always go "gobble, gobble"?
2. What sound does a space turkey make?
3. Why did they let the turkey join the band?
4. Who is not hungry at Thanksgiving, and why?
5. Why do the pilgrims' pants keep falling down?



Trivia question:
In 1676, a day of thanksgiving was proclaimed to take place during what month?

• November
• June
• May
• October

Quote:
"Some people complain because God put thorns on roses, while others praise Him for putting roses among thorns." --Anonymous



Blessings

Famous People and Me


I met Colin Powell yesterday. And George Ross (one of Trump's top guys), and Zig Ziglar, and Bill Bartmann (you should have heard his story! Amazing).

Yeah, I really did. Believe it or not.

Of course, I didn't actually talk to them (smile), but I did get to listen to them and hear their motivational speeches. I loved it.

I was invited to attend this motivational seminar (and hubby, too, but he couldn't go) with these fantastic speakers, free of charge. Wow. It was a wonderful day.

Let me give you some comments made that impressed me:

• Powell: Leaders have to have goals, passion, and missions. They have to be able to pass it down.
• Peter Lowe: (When you're the speaker) Laughter forces you to breathe. Use it for a break through.
• Zig Ziglar: (we all know what a motivator he is!) Motivation is not permanent. Do it regularly.
• Archie Griffin: Adversity teaches you whether you're a fighter or not. When you're knocked down, get up!

More later . . .



Trivia Question:
Where did the Horn of Plenty (cornucopia) originate?



Quote:
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy




Blessings

THE LIST

Do you have anything to be thankful for?

In his classic novel ROBINSIN CRUSOE, author Daniel Defoe has shipwrecked Crusoe take inventory of his life. He makes two lists. One is a list of his problems. The other is an inventory of that for which he can give thanks.

A problem he writes is that he has no clothing. On his corresponding list he writes that the weather is warm and he really has little need for clothing. Another problem is that all of his provisions were lost at sea. But on the other list he writes that he has fresh fruit and water and can provide for
himself. And so it goes. He lists his problems and likewise lists all that he has going for him. He is surprised at the size of the list of his assets.

How long would your list be if you took inventory of your blessings -- all of that for which you can give thanks? For family. For friends. For faith. For health and the necessities of life.

Did you know that some one million people will die this week...how is your health? Those who have food, clothing and shelter have more than much of our world's population will ever possess. Do you have these necessities?

How long would your list be if you took inventory of your blessings . . . and added one new item daily? Would you be amazed at the size of the list?

You have 1,140 minutes in every day. How would your life be different if you spent just 15 of those minutes daily giving thanks? Just 15 minutes filling your mind with concrete examples of how fortunate you are? Most of us would discover even after a few days that the exercise was life changing!

Poet Courtland Sayers put it this way:

Five thousand breathless dawns all new;
One million flowers fresh in dew.
Five thousand sunsets wrapped in gold;
One million snowflakes served ice cold.
Five quiet friends, one baby's love;
One white sea of clouds above.
One June night in a fragrant wood;
One heart that loved and understood.
I wondered when I waked that day --
In God's name -- how could I ever pay?

No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks.
~ St. Ambrose

November's trivia question number three:
What food was probably not on the Pilgrim's Thanksgiving menu?

• fish
• potatoes
• dried-fruit
• corn

Quote:
To Achieve the impossible, one must think the absurd, to look where everyone else has looked, but to see what no one else has seen. -- unknown


Blessings

Risking It All

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach for another is to risk involvement.
To expose your ideas, your dreams, before a crowd is to risk their loss.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying. To believe is to risk failure.

But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing. The people who risk nothing, do nothing have nothing are nothing.
They may avoid suffering and sorrow, but they cannot learn,
Chained by their attitudes, they are slaves;
they have forfeited their freedom.

Only a person who risks is free.



Trivia Question No. 2:
What year did the Pilgrims have their first Thanksgiving Feast?

• 1619
• 1620
• 1621
• 1935

Here's one guy's take on November:

The body is like a November birch facing the full moon
And reaching into the cold heavens.
In these trees there is no ambition, no sodden body, no leaves,
Nothing but bare trunks climbing like cold fire!

My last walk in the trees has come. At dawn
I must return to the trapped fields,
To the obedient earth.
The trees shall be reaching all the winter.

It is a joy to walk in the bare woods.
The moonlight is not broken by the heavy leaves.
The leaves are down, and touching the soaked earth,
Giving off the odors that partridges love.

- Robert Bly, Solitude Late at Night in the Woods

blessings on your risk-taking life . . .

B-r-r-r . . . It's Cold!


Elections are over.
Winter seems near.
Leaves nearly gone.
Branches are bare.
Ground is mushy, wet, leaf-covered, and cold.
Sun is dim and low in the sky.
Sky is gray and clouded, brooding and remote.
Summer is gone.
Frost covers all.


But . . .
November is a transition month.
Beautiful October may be over, but Christmas cheer is just around the corner.
We have a small space to celebrate our thankfulness.
We'll have lots of food.
Friends and family near.
Time to open up the fireplace.
Time to look forward to winter activities.
Time for a slower pace.

and . . .
time to kill all those pesky bugs.
time for hunting to begin.
time relax.
time to sweep all those leaves off the porch.
time to begin enjoying the fruits of your garden.
time to say words of love and thankfulness and caring.





ANNOUNCING:
I'm going to give you some trivia questions for the month of November. Who ever sends me the most correct answers will receive a nice surprise gift. Your first question:

How long does a stuffed turkey take to roast at 160 degrees C?

• 3 1/2 to 4 hours
• 5 to 5 1/2 hours
• 2 to 3 1/2 hours
• all day

Quote:
Success is not a destination, it's a journey . --Zig Ziglar


Blessings

Recently . . .

What's going on?

This . . .

• Deer--does and bucks and babies. Some to close to the road and some in a field. Some running, some eating and some watching.
• Fenis--the red-tailed hawk.
• Woody, our woodpecker. Did you know they bang their heads upwards to 10,000 times a day? Ouch!
• A cat flushing the toilet, fascinated with the swirling water.
• Our blind horse, frisky in the cold air, kicking her legs high.
• Leaves blowing in the wind.
• Mist on my hills and valleys.
• Love in hubby's eyes. Patience, too.
• a bountiful table of food prepared by a friend.
  

and this:

• Wind blowing in the treetops.
• Cats meowing for attention.
• Taffy growling cause she's jealous.
• Rain slashing through the air.
• A horn blowing.
• Laughter and excitement, over a phone line, from a sucessful (menteed) writer! Yeah!
• Surprise on the face of a child.
• Satisfaction on the face of a friend.
  

And . . .

• On a tape, a well-written story.
• A picture of a child I love.
• The scent of apples and oranges.
• The scent of my favorite candles.
• The words, "the end."
• Praise for a novel of mine.
• Happy emails from a friend.
• Hugs and encouragement from friends
  

Quote:
You must look into other people as well as at them. Lord Chesterfield



It'll be here before we know it. Thanksgiving, that is. Here are few hints, in case. . .
No buttermilk? Use plain yogurt or thinned sour cream or crème fraîche instead. Or add 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup milk and let stand 5 minutes.

No dry bread crumbs? Just get some bread, tear it up into small chunks, saute in a skillet with a little butter until browned.

No cornstarch? For every 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, use 1 tablespoon arrowroot or 1 tablespoon potato flour or potato starch or 2 1/2 tablespoons flour.


Blessings!

Who's Child Did You Say You Are?

A seminary professor was vacationing with his wife in Gatlinburg ,TN. One morning, they were eating breakfast at a little restaurant, hoping to enjoy a quiet, family meal. While they were waiting for their food, they noticed a distinguished looking, white-haired man moving from table to table, visiting with the guests.

The professor leaned over and whispered to his wife, "I hope he doesn't come over here." But sure enough, the man did come over to their table.

"Where are you folks from?" he asked in a friendly voice. " Oklahoma ," they answered.

"Great to have you here in Tennessee ," the stranger said. "What do you do for a living?"

"I teach at a seminary," he replied.

"Oh, so you teach preachers how to preach, do you? Well, I've got a really great story for you." And with that, the gentleman pulled up a chair and sat down at the table with the couple.

The professor groaned and thought to himself, "Great ... Just what I need...another preacher story!"

The man started, "See that mountain over there? (pointing out the restaurant window). Not far from the base of that mountain, there was a boy born to an unwed mother. He had a hard time growing up, because every place he went, he was always asked the same question, 'Hey boy, Who's your daddy?' Whether he was at school, in the grocery store or drug store, people would ask the same question, 'Who's your daddy?'

He would hide at recess and lunchtime from other students. He would avoid going into stores because that question hurt him so bad. "When he was about 12 years old, a new preacher came to his church. He would always go in late and slip out early to avoid hearing the question, 'Who's your daddy?'

But one day, the new preacher said the benediction so fast he got caught and had to walk out with the crowd.

Just about the time he got to the back door, the new preacher not knowing anything about him, put his hand on his shoulder and asked him, 'Son, who's your daddy?'

The whole church got deathly quiet. He could feel every eye in the church looking at him. Now everyone would finally know the answer to the question, 'Who's your daddy?'

"This new preacher, though, sensed the situation around him and using discernment that only the Holy Spirit could give, said the following to that scared little boy.. "Wait a minute! I know who you are! I see the family resemblance now. You are a child of God." With that he patted the boy on his shoulder and said, "Boy, you've got a great inheritance. Go and claim it."

"With that, the boy smiled for the first time in a long time and walked out the door a changed person. He was never the same again. Whenever anybody asked him, 'Who's your Daddy?' he'd just tell them, 'I'm a Child of God.'"

The distinguished gentleman got up from the table and said, "Isn't that a great story?"

The professor responded that it really was a great story!

As the man turned to leave, he said, "You know, if that new preacher hadn't told me that I was one of God's children, I probably never would have amounted to anything!" And he walked away.

The seminary professor and his wife were stunned. He called the waitress over & asked her, "Do you know who that man was -- the one who just left that was sitting at our table?"

The waitress grinned and said, "Of course. Everybody here knows him. That's Ben Hooper. He's the former governor of Tennessee !"

Someone in your life today needs a reminder that they're one of God's children!



Quote?
"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of God stands forever." ~~Isaiah

Blessings!