Monday Morning Gratitudes

Fun games
anticipation in building a new house
the clean fresh smell after a storm
coming through the storm safely
ELECTRIC!
gum, now and then
rocking chairs
viewing my world from a swing
picture memories
fresh corn on the cob

Blessings!

Sunday Morning Peace

I have often regreted my speech.

Never my silence.

--Publius

Blessings!

Weird Stuff from My World

Of Mice and Men

Mice:
Could you consider one for a pet? The reason I'm asking: in one of my suspense novels, Tara--the detective--has one for a pet. Her twin brother gave it to her for a joke and she ended up loving the little fellow. He's also sensitive to what is right and/or wrong in the cases she's trying to solve and he's able to give her animal hints (if she's smart enough to figure them out!)

So, would you have a mouse for a pet? Is it too icky? Are you afraid of mice? And are they more trouble than men?

That's what I'm getting at. Mice mess (uh hem) where you don't want them to (excuse me, but have you ever cleaned a toilet bowl?) They get into the food you don't want them in. But what else do they do? They run around, but then who wouldn't when a monsterish human form towers over you? I'd run for my life, too!

 

But they're smart, cute and tiny enough to sneak into places most people don't want them.

Men:
Not to be too indelicate (see above vague hint), but yeah, same difference. Then, ever try to hide the cookies? (homemade bread, pie, cake, etc. etc.) You'd think they were going through a worse persecution than some foreign third world country. They're much worse than children when they get sick. (I carry the phone around afraid any minute I'll have to call emergency.) And just let them prepare some document, manuscript, article, etc. You must, must, must listen to this.

So why is it when I have a tiny bit of my novel I need proofed, "I'm too busy right now" is what I hear? Fair turnabout is what I thought it was all about. Men!

They insist on heading to the most boring sections in Wal-Mart. They chat endlessly about sports and cars and jobs, but let us mention a baby! Oh, my, their eyes turn glassy and droop with a sudden syndrome called sleepiness.

Tell me this: is that fair?

But, hey, I gotta remember, I get warm cuddlings from one certain handsome man (hubby!), and I can't complain about him not taking me places.

He helps me in the house, strives to give me what I need--and want (most of the time--don't want to get too generous here! Grin) He's good at keeping the fireplace stoked because he knows I love it. He puts up with my pets, when he'd just as soon not have any. He listens-- sometimes--to my eternal chatting about my writing. He buys me flowers. And I think he loves me.

Hmmm . . . I think I'll keep him around for awhile yet.

Blessings!

Meet David Stearman!

David is giving away an e-print copy of his book, Hummingbird, to one randomly chosen commenter. Please be sure to leave your comment and your email address. Now a little about David and his book:

Bio:
David Stearman is a novelist, recording artist, songwriter, and missionary whose travels take him around the world. He loves to write about exotic locales, describing them as only a cultural and physical eyewitness can.

When not writing, singing, or speaking, David enjoys outdoor sports, gardening, and breeding birds. He lives in Kentucky with his wife Diane, their mother and daughter, Bichon Frises, Latté and Lilli, and a cheerful green parrot named Alley.

Contact him at: tropikbird@gmail.com
Website: www.davidstearmanministries.org
His blog: http://davidstearman.wordpress.com/.



Hummingbird synopsis:

Lexa Morales is a misfit. Smuggled across the Mexican border and separated from her mother as a child, she knows what it’s like to face the world alone. And being Mexican by ethnicity and American at heart only adds to her sense of alienation, making her feel more like the dash between the words Mexican-American than anything else. But now, Lexa’s last meaningful relationship is threatened. So to keep her stepbrother Juan from being squashed by Los Angeles’s 18^th Street Gang, Lexa does the unthinkable.

It all seems to be working out perfectly, too--the robbery, the escape to Mexico, the whole enchilada, until Lexa and her greasy boyfriend/partner-in-crime Justin go surfing near the West-Mexican town of Manzanillo. Lexa wipes on an outsized wave, pops her head on a rock, and has a near-death experience in which she could swear she’s being dragged downward into Hell by a hideous specter. Afterward, while she’s recuperating in the hospital, Justin takes advantage of her moment of weakness by absconding with their ill-gotten stash. And Lexa finds herself alone and homeless...as usual.

Determined to survive, Lexa checks out of the hospital and drives sullenly up the coast, where she makes a pit stop at a Podunk called El Nido. Over breakfast, she strikes up a conversation with an elderly restaurant owner called Doña Angela, who recites a local proverb: “as a hummingbird draws nectar from the heart of a blossom, a benevolent soul extracts kindness from the hearts of men.”

Hardened by life on the streets where taking seems more reasonable than giving, Lexa considers the adage to be so much bunk. Nevertheless, she recognizes isolated El Nido as an ideal sanctuary from US bounty hunters and takes up temporary residence there.

Soon, Lexa meets several other societal rejects: a street-urchin named Pablito, a teenaged hooker called Mercedes, and Roberto the Marijuana farmer. Her own sense of seperation from society enables her to empathize with their needs and she helps them as she is able. As the four misfits rely upon one another for friendship and support, they begin to function as a rudimentary family.

Lexa learns of a cliffside bay north of down, where an huge shark is reputed to dwell. Upon seeing the distained beast, she empathizes with it, nicknames it “MC Hammerhead” and begins feeding it with cast-offs from her daily fishing trips.

Lexa’s newfound habit of helping others engenders a positive evolution in her character. Though helping the downcast, she strengthens her human connections and discovers a newfound sense of belonging. In response to this change in behavior, Doña Angela begins calling her Colibrí, or Hummingbird, a reference to the proverb about generous souls. The new nickname catches on around town and aids Lexa in forming a more constructive self-image, which in turn inspires her to even greater personal transformation.

About this time, California bounty hunter Jeff Winn stumbles across Lexa’s case file. His partner and unrequited lover Jen Jones objects to their taking the case, since Mexico forbids US bail bondsmen to ply their trade within its borders. Irrespective of her objections, Jeff heads southward to Puerto Vallarta, where he undertakes relentless pursuit of his quarry. What he doesn’t tell Jen is that he has an old score to settle with Lexa Morales; that for him, this case is personal.

Jeff is forced to leave Puerto Vallarta in response to a hurricane evacuation. He departs during the onset of the storm in a hastily booked, low-budget charter plane, which crashes, leaving him wounded and struggling in rugged seas. Upon rescue and return to California, he has the opportunity to interrogate Justin, the ex-boyfriend who made off with the cash and is now incarcerated. As part of a plea bargain, Justin begins emailing Lexa in an attempt to uncover her whereabouts. Meanwhile, Jeff becomes romantically involved with his bounty hunter partner, Jen Jones.

Lexa learns that her friend Mercedes has had a near-death experience eerily similar to her own. Mercedes explains that the apparition Lexa believes she’s encountered is the stuff of local legend called the Chupacabra. The unusual similarities between the two girls’ experiences drive them to to seek answers from a the pastor of a small church, where they find mercy and pardon for their sins. Afterward, as an expression of penitence, Lexa contacts the California storeowner she robbed, a Mr. Fong, and sends money to help compensate for his losses.

Meanwhile, Lexa’s grungy fishing job is driving her nuts. She wracks her brain for a way to survive without it and conceives the idea for a new business called Hummingbird Tours. The plan, as she describes it to Doña Angela, involves driving busloads of tourists from Puerto Vallarta to El Nido for an evening of dining at Angela’s café among the exotic hummingbirds.

Doña Angela likes the idea and invests in a used school bus, which Lexa uses to make twice-daily runs ferrying tourists to and from the café. The restaurant’s profits increase, giving Lexa yet another idea.

Again, Doña Angela is intrigued by her scheme, and drives Lexa to Guadalajara to meet a doctor with sufficient funds to invest in her idea of a rustic little motel. Lexa swoons upon meeting dreamy Doctor Solís, who chooses to buy in to her enterprise.

Jeff hatred for Lexa drives his blood pressure through the roof, causing an aneurysm he acquired during his plane crash to rupture and kill him. Jen, overwhelmed by grief, blames Lexa for Jeff’s death and vows to take revenge. Fueled by rage, she hatches a plot to murder Lexa in Mexico and then escape back to the US, where she can’t be prosecuted for the crime.

Jen ventures to Puerto Vallarta, where a spirit calling himself the Chupacabra haunts her dreams. She disregards her visions as mere imagination and continues to pursue Lexa, ultimately locating her in her little rented beachside shack. Jen forces Lexa at gunpoint to the cliff north of town, where she attempts to shove her off the edge. Lexa manages to slip out of Jen’s way, causing Jen to lose balance and plummet over the precipice. Jen winds up wounded in the sea below, where MC lays waiting to consume the easy prey. As the monstrous hammerhead drags Jen beneath the waves, she again encounters the Chupacabra, who is in reality a demon that drags her screaming into Hell.

Afterward, Lexa learns that Dr. Solis has inquired about Lexa’s dating status. And yet there’s even better news: Lexa learns in an email from Justin that Mr. Fong has refused to co-operate with the State of California in prosecuting her case. Evidently, her feeble attempts at restitution have moved him profoundly. As a result, the State of California has been forced to drop all charges against Lexa Morales.

A bit of a chapter to whet your appetite:

“You’re free to come on home,” Justin writes.

She glances out the window, taking in the town and people with whom she’s become so deeply connected through her new giving lifestyle, and the once lonely Lexa replies, “Justin, I’m already home.”

Check out David's books. And don't forget to leave your comment and your email address. 

Blessings!
　

Monday Morning Gratitudes

time alone
inspirational moments
scripture that speaks to me
listening to my hubby speak
lovely views when traveling
sharing
good news
mornings
sand between the toes
a new toy that captures a child's attention

Blessings!

Sunday Morning Peace

The heavens declare God's glory!

Blessings!



God's Creation!

Notice the cloud reflections in the water.

Beautiful and a bit of my world.

Blessings!

It's Great to Have My Friend and Critique Partner, Max Lewis

Welcome, Max.

A little about Max . . .

Joseph Max Lewis served as a member of an Operational Detachment in the U.S. Army's Seventh Special Forces Group, the storied Green Berets. During his service Lewis received antiterrorist training and his detachment was tasked to "Special Projects." Afterward, he served as an instructor at the Special Forces Qualification Course. Lewis attended the Pennsylvania State University, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, the University of Tel Aviv in Israel, and the University of Pittsburgh, receiving degrees in International Politics and Law while being certified in Middle East Studies.

After living and studying abroad, first in the Middle East and then Southeast Asia, Lewis returned home to practice law. He’s a columnist in the New Bethlehem Leader-Vindicator and currently lives, writes, and practices law in and around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

About the book:

The Diaries of Pontius opens when a member of an archeological team is murdered along the shores of the Dead Sea. We learn that the murderer and victim are both spies, observing the expedition and grappling with the fact that the team has just discovered some controversial artifacts.

In fact, Archeologist Kevin Elliot and his Deputy, Jill Gates have unearthed twenty copper scrolls etched with the results of Pontius Pilate’s year long criminal investigation into the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They manage to open one scroll far enough to take a series of digital photographs of the writings and email them to a Professor of Ancient Latin for translation. Unaware of the scrolls content, Kevin and Jill are unprepared when they’re caught between an ancient conspiracy of global power that’s determined to destroy the scrolls and everyone connected to them, and a small, fledgling volunteer group, the only force on earth that stands between Kevin, Jill and certain death.

If you want to know more than that, you’re going to have to buy the book or win the contest.

Release date is August 3, at Trestle Press - www.trestlepresspublishing.com, Amazon.com, Barnes and Nobel.com and book sellers can get it via Trestle or Baker & Taylor.

READERS: you have two chances to win Max's book: post a comment today, then return on Wednesday, August 8 for his author interview and leave your comment and email address. Two Chances! Don't miss out.

Blessings

Monday Morning Gratitudes

the love between gramps and his grandsons
breezes
needed rain
foot cream
hand lotion
easy driving vehicles
good brakes :)
sleeping babies
cooing mothers
protective fathers

Blessings

Sunday Morning Peace

Judge your success by what you had to give up to get it.

Blessings!

A Trip to a Castle

Chateau LaRoche
Loveland, Ohio
Fun times with writing friends

Entering the castle

hubby and baby getting ready to ascend the stairs from the dungeon

Stylish knights?

The Long Table for hungry men :)

Headed to the gardens

Would love to build something like this to my gardens!

Outside in the gardens

A nice resting spot

 

Gorgeous outdoor lights

 

And one of my favorites!

Chateau Laroche was built as an expression and reminder of the simple strength and rugged grandeur of the mighty men who lived when Knighthood was in flower.

It was their knightly zeal for honor, valor and manly purity that lifted mankind out of the moral midnight of the dark ages and started it towards the gray dawn of human hope.

Present human decadence proves a need for similar action.

Already the ancient organization of Knights have been re-activated to save society.

Any man of high ideas who wishes to help save civilization is invited to become a member of the Knights of the Golden Trail, whose only vows are the Ten Commandments.

Chateau Laroche is the World headquarters of this organization, started in 1927.

Blessings

Feature Book: He Said, She Said: A Devotional Guide to Cultivating a Life of Passion

It's a real privilege to feature this devotional book by authors Cindy Sproles and Eddie Jones.

Do you sense something vital missing from you relationship with your spouse, children and God? Try He Said, She Said: A Devotional Guide to Cultivating a Life of Passion. This compilation of 54 devotions includes scripture verses, space for journaling, individual prayers and words of wisdom from two of today's funniest and insightful Christian authors.


This heart-warming collection of stories will inspire you to reach for the true source of joy: a life lived for and through God. These deeply personal devotions offer biblical insights and spiritual truths from the perspective of one man and one woman. Perfect for your quiet time.

No matter if you are newlyweds or newly retired, this book of devotions will help you put the spark back into your love life and explore the precious relationships God desires for you.

Begin this new year committed to spending a few moments each day connected to God. He Said, She Said: A Devotional Guide to Cultivating a Life of Passion. touches the heart, tickles the funny bone and brings you to your knees in worship.



Watch the Book Trailer
HE SAID, SHE SAID: A Devotional Guide to Cultivating a Life of Passion

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kq8x8zNS3B4


Buy the book:

Paperback:230 pages
Publisher:Lighthouse Publishing (February 14, 2011)
Language:English
ISBN-10:0982206550
ISBN-13:978-0982206553

He Said, She Said Devotions post weekly on www.christiandevotions.us.











So good to feature Cindy and Eddie's book today. You won't regret buying it!


Blessings!

Monday Morning Gratitudes

time to rest
time to grab a quick breakfast with hubby
time to swing a little
time to dig our toes in the sand
time to sleep
time to pick berries
time to eat them!
time to laugh
time to think
time to dream

Blessings

Sunday Morning Peace

Remember playing the childish game of "He loves me, He loves me not" as we plucked each white petal off? However it fell (loves or not) we girls could always tell whether a guy would love us or not. Amazing! Of course, if you did two in a row, you just might get conflicting answers.

Not so with our heavenly Father. He always, unconditionally, loves us. We need no games to tell us.

Blessings!

I Just Found . . .

My toes!

Just a bit of my world.

Blessings

Happy Birthday, America!

Even though sometimes we fear our freedoms are vanishing, we're still thankful for what we do have:

enjoying our friendships together and simple activities

praying together

sharing

the right to choose where, how, when, and if we worship

traveling when and where

opportunities to be what we want

choosing our own companions

plenty of food and a house to live in

Thank you God for America.

Blessings

Monday Morning Gratitudes

Yummy grilled cheese sandwiches that turn out okay even when having to substitute how I make them
Creative dishes that turn out okay
first bouquet of wild flowers from grandson # 3 (with the ready help from gramps) :)
packages in the mail
shopping with favorite people
fresh popcorn
telephones!
anticipating trips
home sweet home
comfy blankets

Blessings!

Sunday Morning Peace

It takes awhile to grasp that not all failures are self-imposed,

the result of ignorance, carelessness, or inexperience.

It takes awhile to grasp that a garden isn't a testing ground for character

and to stop asking,

"What did I do wrong?"

Maybe nothing.

--Eleanor Perenyi, Green Thoughts, 1981

Blessings!