Sunday Morning Sunshine: Unknown Realms

 Some things cannot be spoken or discovered

until we have been stuck, incapacitated,

or blown off course for awhile.

Plain sailing is pleasant,

but you are not going to explore

many unknown realms that way.

-- David Whyte

Serious Wednesday: Some Suspense Quotes...and a Reminder

Some quotes on Suspense:

Been there, done this...in experience! 

--From Writer's Digest

And I love this one! 

And this one...

I know some say not to foreshadow,

but I do yearn to do this.

I think it's something brilliant

I may do it...someday! 

* * *

Contest for Caleb's Destiny

For a chance to win a KINDLE COPY 

of CALEB'S DESTINY,

you must:

* Join my Fan Page on Facebook here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/183457429657732/?ref=br_rs

if you're already a member, let me know. Great!

and

* Follow me on one of these two sites (or both! Yes!)

Amazon:   https://amzn.to/38Ukljn

BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/carole-brown

I will announce a winner on:

July 29, 2020



* * *
PLUS:
These books are available on Amazon
for $.99 each!
Limited time!

The link to my book:
Knight in Shining Apron
(and all my other books):
https://www.amazon.com/Carole-Brown/e/B00EZV4RFY?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1595423368&sr=1-1


Happy Day! 

Sunday Morning Sunshine: It's all about May!

May it is!
May Quotes...

I'm only wishing to go a'fishing, 
For this the month of May was made.
--Henry Van Dyke

You are as welcome as the flowers of May!
--Charles Macklin

Tis a month before the month of May
And the spring comes slowly up this way.
--Samuel Taylor Coleridge

May more than any other month of the year,
wants us to feel most alive.
--Fennel Hudson

Let all thy joys be as the month of May,
And all thy days be as a marriage day.
--Francis Quarles

The world's favorite season is the Spring,
All things seem possible in May.
--Edwin Way Teale

I thought that Spring must last forevermore,
For I was young and loved and it was May.
--Vera Brittain

A great difference between May and Day is the M and D!
Be a good managing Director of your life in the month of May.
--Ernest Agyemang Yeboah

Sunday Morning Sunshine: Nuggets of Wisdom

Nothing is particularly hard

if you divide it into small jobs.

--Henry Ford

Think of all the beauty still left around you

and be happy.

--Anne Frank

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment

before starting to improve the world.

--Anne Frank

If you have a talent, use it in every way possible.

Don't hoard it.

Don't dole it out like a miser.

Spend it lavishly like a millionaire intent on going broke.

--Brendan Francis

Work while you have the light.

You are responsible for the talent that has been entrusted to you.

--Henri Frederic Amie

Rambling Friday: Rain Does Have Its Positive Side, Right?

Here are some RAIN QUOTES that I love! 
Enjoy!

Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. 

Let the rain sing you a lullaby.

Langston Hughes

Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet.

Bob Marley

True, the sun and the wind inspire. But rain has an edge. Who, after all, dreams of dancing in dust? Or kissing in the bright sun?

Cynthia Barnett

Rain is not only drops of water. Its the love of sky for earth. They never meet each other but sends love this way.

unknown

I always like walking in the rain, so no one can see me crying.

Charlie Chaplin

God is good for everybody. The sun shines on good people and bad people, and it rains on both, too. God doesn't choose rain only for bad people.

Mariano Rivera

Warm Snuggles for a rainy day.

Hot chocolate to soothe your throat

A clear, clean window to watch the rivulets

A big, strong umbrella if you're brave enough to walk in the rain.

--ME

Sunday Morning Sunshine: Growing in Spirit

He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill.

Our antagonist is our helper.

--Edmund Burke

We find comfort among those who agree with us.

Growth among those who don't.

--Frank A. Clark

A clay pot sitting in the sun will always be a clay pot.

It has to go through the white heat of the furnace

to become porcelain.

--Carl Rogers

The way I see it,

if you want the rainbow,

you've got to put up with the rain.

--Dolly Parton

When you get to the end of your rope,

tie a knot and hang on.

--Theodore Roosevelt

To be tested is good.

the challenged life may be the best therapist.

--Gail Sheeky

Rambling Friday: Hobbies

Through the years, I've had several hobbies, some I still enjoy, others, I've discarded or lost interest, while still finding new creative ways to enjoy life.

Some that I've enjoyed through the past few years include:

• quotes. Love to collect them, and this is still a keen hobby of mine. I have several journals filled with quotes.
• photography. Can't get away from this one. If I'd chosen a different vocation, it'd be photography.
• angels. Although I still quite a few, I've slowed down on gaining anymore. I'm borderline on this one, wondering if I should sell out. Smile.
• coloring books for adults. This one is a new one for me, and I still enjoy it when I have time.
• scrapbooking. I enjoy this one quite a bit, but seldom find the time to work on it regularly.

Why should you have a hobby? Here's a few thoughts:

• Creativity: hobbies create creativity which also benefits one in their daily work habits. It also gives insight into what kind of person you are.
• Confidence. When you enjoy doing something, such as a hobby, you usually are fairly good at it. We learn, grow in different ways and gain from challenges.
• Hobbies help to reduce stress. Focusing on a hobby gives the body and mind something besides the stress in your life to focus on, thus a time of rest. 
• Socialize. When you find something you enjoy doing, it's always great to find others who enjoy the same hobby, share techniques, and experiences. 

So give it a chance. If you don't already enjoy a hobby, search for one. What do you love to do? Walking? Try new paths, take pictures, draw a picture, write down your thoughts in a journal. Traveling? Make sure to record your journey. Cooking? Quilting? Gardening? Woodworking? Whatever you choose, relax and allow the time you spend on your hobby to help build strength in your body, mind, and soul.


Happy Hobby Day!

Sunday Mornng Peace: A Word to the Wise

This thing we call failure is not falling down,

but the staying down.

--Mary Pickford

Action is the foundational key to all success.

--Tony Robbins

Don't talk about what you  have done

or what you are going to do.

Do it.

and let it speak for itself.

--Martin Vanbee

Never try to tell everything you know;

It may take too short a time.

--Norman Ford

Blessings!

On Passionate Writing and April's Contest Question #3

On Passionate Writing

To be a writer,

you must sentence yourself

to a life of solitary confinement.

--Paul Martin

What is being a writer?

Do words make you a writer?

Does sitting at a desk typing make you a writer?

Does writing a book make you a writer?

Realize...

that writing is not always easy.

Sometimes it's hard,

discouraging,

and 

feels useless.

And solitary.

Sometimes that means lonely.

Other times

it means quiet or soft background music

it can mean sitting and dreaming

or plotting and outlining.

You can also pound the words out.

Or let them drizzle from your mind and fingers.

It's a comforting feeling being alone 

in your fictional (?) world

and

knowing soon

you'll be sharing a new book 

with readers.

Whatever.

Happy writing.

***

Moody April has arrived. 

One day, sunshine and warmth, 

the next, rain or snow and dreary clouds. 

REMEMBER, Two things:

• YOU MUST ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS OF THE MONTH to be considered for the monthly prize. And...
• You MUST check back here on the last Wednesday of the month to see if you've won. I will usually share the blog link on my Facebook author page but it's YOUR obligation to contact me here on the blog with your mailing information (or you can let me know you'll share it with email or private message on FB. 

April's First Question:  

What is your favorite SPRING flower and does it have a significant meaning to you?


April's second Question:

Do you ever read the last page of a book FIRST?




April's Third (and last) Question:
Has there ever been a character from any book
 that has remained in your memory 
or impacted you in some way?
(and the answer "No" is also acceptable)

Don't forget to share this site!

Prizes?

A kindle copy of any of my books: your choice
(  Amazon  )

 and 

Your choice of either of these beautiful scarves

OR

Don't forget to share!

Have Fun!

Sunday Morniing Peace: Love

LOVE is in the Air:

Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired,

--Robert Frost

The heart that loves is always young.

--Greek Proverb

Things are truly beautiful if you love them.

--Mademoiselle Colombe

A good marriage is that in which each appoints the other the guardian of his solitude

and shows him this confidence: the greatest in his power to bestow.

--Rainer Maria Rilke

The greatest of these is love...

--The Bible

Blessings

Sunday Morning Peace: Success

Random quotes

Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable

--Kenyan proverb

I'd rather be a failure at something I love

than a success at something I hate.

--George Burns

Those too big for their britches 

will be exposed in the end.

--anonymous

The road to success is not straight.

There is a curve called Failure,

A loop called Confusion,

Speed bumps called Friend,

Red lights called Enemies,

Caution lights called Family,

And you will have flats called Jobs.

BUT, if you have a spare called Determination,

An engine called Perseverance,

Insurance called Faith,

And a driver called Jesus,

You will make it to a place called Success.

Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Blessings

Sunday Morning Peace: Bits of Advice

Today, I want to share tidbits of advice from others

who we hope learned lessons they've shared with us.

Enjoy!

A thorough knowledge of the Bible

is worth more than a college education.

--Theodore Roosevelt

If you have to have a policy manual,

publish the ten commandments.

--Robert Townsend

If you walk, walk,

If you sit, just sit,

But whatever you do,

don't wobble.

--anonymous

The scriptures teach us the best way of living,

the noblest way of suffering,

and the most comfortable way of dying.

--John Flavel

If you tell the truth,

you don't have to remember anything.

--Mark Twain

Blessings!

Sunday Morning Peace: Grandparents Day!

Oh, the joy of being a grandparent!

What a blessing.

Some thoughts for you, Grandparents:

Ah, love this!

Nobody stands as tall

as when  they stoop to help a child.

--anonymous

A funny one for you:

Children are a great comfort in your old age.

And they help you reach it faster too.

--Lionel Kauffman

(LOL)

So very true!

A grandparent is old on the outside, 

but young on the inside.

--Sasha Azevedo

ME!

I don't spoil my grandchildren;

I'm just very accommodating.

--anonymous

What children need most are the essentials that grandparents provide in abundance. They give unconditional love, kindness, patience, humor, comfort, lessons in life. And, most importantly, cookies. 

--Rudy Giuliani

It is as grandmothers that our mothers come into the fullness of their grace. 

--Christopher Morley


A grandfather is someone with silver in his hair and gold in his heart. 

--Author Unknown

Don't you agree?

Grandchildren are the best!

Love my grandboys!

Happy Day to all Grandparents.

Sunday Morning Peace: Love Quotes

I Love Quotes

Collect them.

Read them.

Share them. 

Here are a few concerning LOVE.

Enjoy!

That heart that loves is always young. 

--Greek Proverb

Women are meant to be loved,

not understood.

--Oscar Wilde

Things are beautiful 

if you love them.

 --Jean Amovilh Mademoiselle Colombe

Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired.

--Robert Frost

When you have loved as she has loved,

you grow old beautifully.

--W.Somerset Mangham

Blessings!

On Passionate Writing: Don't Waste Time

In just two days,

tomorrow

will be

Yesterday!

Remember the old adage:

Now is the day of redemption.
Work for the night is coming.
What is done, must be done today.

Don't waste your time.
Spend it wisely.

Blessings!

On Passionate Writing: Conversation

The real art of conversation

is not only to say the right thing at the right time,

but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing

at the tempting moment.

How true!

It's so easy to say what we think--or not think.
Those of us who are "chatter boxes," rattle on and on,
sometimes not realizing how boring, how irritating
our constant speech
about our life, our problems, our ideas
can be.

Sometimes we say hurtful things, meaning to
or not.
But is it because we talk too much?
Is it because we're too thoughtless?

When someone insults us
or cuts us off
or betrays us
or whatever.

How do we respond?
How do we react?

Prayer is the key.
Ask God to guard our lips and our tongue.
To say only what he would have us to say

It could possibly be the hardest thing we've been called to do.
The Bible cautions us to guard our tongue.
To not wound
To keep the peace
To encourage
To uplift.

In so doing, we've climbed that ladder to heaven
just a bit higher!

Blessings!

On Passionate Writing: Belief

Great Things are Accomplished 

by Talented People

Who Believe 

They Will Accomplish Them.

-- Warren Bennis

What are great things?

Things that others think are superior?

Things that rulers consider extraordinary?

Things that WE think are so?

Who are the talented people?

Famous singers? Actors? 

Professional business people?

Skillful doctors? Lawyers? 

What is belief?

Knowledge that we can?

Believing that something can and will happen?

Working to make that something come true?

I BELIEVE . . .

Great things are things that God and we, as individuals,

want to see come to pass.

I BELIEVE

Talented people are those who hang in there,

who don't give up,

who make it through oppositions,

trials,

destruction,

over obstacles,

through brick walls,

who tunnel under, if necessary,

to make a way.

These people persevere,

have strength,

know what they want,

and go after it,

without hesitation--

or at least, they don't let it stop them.

And find accomplishment as their reward.

Blessings!

On Passionate Writing and Champions

Inches Make a Champion

Does it take giant steps?

Or Flying Leaps?

Does it Take a Giant or maybe a long-legged person?

Nope. 

None of those.

Only . . .

Steadiness.

Persistence.

An attitude of keeping on,

continuing against all odds

Or opinions,

Or scorn and ridicule.

One step at a time.

One plodding footstep after another.

You don't have to run

only take the next step.

And then another . . .

and another . . .

Soon you'll find that you are the champion 

of whatever you started out to reach.

Blessings!

Downright Funny! from Crazy Me

One of life's mysteries

is how a two pound box of candy

can make a woman gain FIVE pounds!

I don't understand.

I'll never comprehend.

Could it be the box

that entices the recipient to partake?

Or it just might be the smell emanating from said box.

No, I think it's the color of the delights inside the box.

Or better yet, the fillings!

Can we say, "The devil made me do it?"

Or "The temptation was just too great?"

Or maybe even blame it on "I'm addicted to chocolate."

Wait!

Hold on!

I'll be back in a sec . . .

I've got to sample just

one . . .

more . . .

piece! 

On Passionate Writing: Impossibilites

When I face the desolate impossibility of writing 500 pages,

a sick sense of failure falls on me,

and I know I can never do it.

This happens every time.

Then, gradually, I write one page and then another.

One day's work is all I can permit myself to contemplate,

and I eliminate the impossibility of ever finishing.

--John Steinbeck, Travels with Charlie 

What is the cure for the never-can-happens?

One day at a time.

One page at a time.

That's all it takes.

I've found that impossible tasks

become possibilities

when broken down into

bitesize pieces.

One day at a time.

One page at a time.

Blessings!