tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316521842024-03-05T02:16:25.213-05:00Sunnybank Secrets . . .
Hope Shining Through the Shadows of SuspenseCarolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08765332646987825952noreply@blogger.comBlogger2190125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31652184.post-33008508175089817012022-10-02T00:30:00.085-04:002022-10-02T00:30:00.170-04:00Sunday Morning Sunshine: Autumn's Bright Blue Weather<p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> Autumn's Bright Blue Weather</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>--Helen Hunt Jackson</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4ClUI-NuoDQ4fjLI7SKhL5m5S9V1rPOj8oonk3FcwMVG3wKEB6pAMGIcgY0SCb702Zfiu3z_pzMtAp5KPvMBjBUEKUtZIZ1ES4sVpouGvlqgn9hhMODJRrsFibQmg-chgpYuvQiSBMCqVrgQ8flZrz48t8xkrL-DicvTkof6NjGL45DV5g/s751/apple%20harvest%20free.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="751" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4ClUI-NuoDQ4fjLI7SKhL5m5S9V1rPOj8oonk3FcwMVG3wKEB6pAMGIcgY0SCb702Zfiu3z_pzMtAp5KPvMBjBUEKUtZIZ1ES4sVpouGvlqgn9hhMODJRrsFibQmg-chgpYuvQiSBMCqVrgQ8flZrz48t8xkrL-DicvTkof6NjGL45DV5g/s320/apple%20harvest%20free.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></div><b><br /><span style="font-size: large;">O suns and skies and clouds of June,</span></b><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">And flowers of June together,</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ye cannot rival for one hour</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">October's bright blue weather.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRoJM_F8z0L_A4WSyMlfrEP6h4nBYotvunuyU8o4du5VpS4JsljZi1yjxaOrijYq1ySCBZRjSrLEK6XTa5Xlm_V7h9D8YtiAAA_1f_I--ruR_r1JBkzuhIvM20is4sIIYjUU0rz8xr4fz7ZQ3A0x7goyLq5b446I_IfoKvc7QuNNC4d1Gxjg/s720/grape%20harvest%20free.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRoJM_F8z0L_A4WSyMlfrEP6h4nBYotvunuyU8o4du5VpS4JsljZi1yjxaOrijYq1ySCBZRjSrLEK6XTa5Xlm_V7h9D8YtiAAA_1f_I--ruR_r1JBkzuhIvM20is4sIIYjUU0rz8xr4fz7ZQ3A0x7goyLq5b446I_IfoKvc7QuNNC4d1Gxjg/s320/grape%20harvest%20free.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">When loud the bumblebee makes haste,</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Belated, thriftless vagrant,</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">And Golden Rod is dying fast,</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">And lanes with grapes are fragrant.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2TeSXQZo0g0F1ZXmLqKVJa7z-1QGnx_L_ZwDQpIIExPxDSiFfFfkC2TIsArxlQrH9J3zi7ggOI1TfI2FAyMqj3wPbCTTppdOLNaxjgKnUNMLLjtCbuorui-v6G75FylrNaEOzpeIRF28KHN5yJvN6pv1HvBUY14_FgQ65fJqpbkOjYPz0fg/s512/autumn%20rocks%20and%20forest%20free.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="512" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2TeSXQZo0g0F1ZXmLqKVJa7z-1QGnx_L_ZwDQpIIExPxDSiFfFfkC2TIsArxlQrH9J3zi7ggOI1TfI2FAyMqj3wPbCTTppdOLNaxjgKnUNMLLjtCbuorui-v6G75FylrNaEOzpeIRF28KHN5yJvN6pv1HvBUY14_FgQ65fJqpbkOjYPz0fg/s320/autumn%20rocks%20and%20forest%20free.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: large;">When on the ground red apples lie</span></b><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">In piles like jewels shining,</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>And redder still on old stone walls,</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Are leaves of woodbine twining.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9oMI4EHDh7psmkGu_DeFX5Zj4djUsg2CMFodfnwRPpOd671LJrT3UcJZkmoUEAlqEDKdQgdbsFMiYDSkfgDudXGUAxsdzXDz-R6VeM5_IXbB2ttgzWLB_L4Ei4477t41QQQ6mPM6yZ9Kj4nCVbeVvpztxhAWhjRE1kJWXEUczxGgL9T2lbA/s453/ireland%20free.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="453" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9oMI4EHDh7psmkGu_DeFX5Zj4djUsg2CMFodfnwRPpOd671LJrT3UcJZkmoUEAlqEDKdQgdbsFMiYDSkfgDudXGUAxsdzXDz-R6VeM5_IXbB2ttgzWLB_L4Ei4477t41QQQ6mPM6yZ9Kj4nCVbeVvpztxhAWhjRE1kJWXEUczxGgL9T2lbA/s320/ireland%20free.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>When springs run low, and on the brooks,</b></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>In idle golden freighting,</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Bright leaves sink noiseless in the bush</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Of woods, for winter waiting.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFwo_DUHi3XpsXhQPM-Dh4OHoN0E05OGV3pPMaAJcMqQ6WzlVg8wmHIliduyCSeaqyUlrvkEjO0ORaODSwMClrAPZg-Nw0kOBKOmUXYlVpvLxPH6kl6MhLQfOAIaBf5sO5n86No_gDvo3XQiiQ8VnlpjLrd6LXAcsC1r49rREZdeXeJX_AA/s604/dawn%20free.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="604" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFwo_DUHi3XpsXhQPM-Dh4OHoN0E05OGV3pPMaAJcMqQ6WzlVg8wmHIliduyCSeaqyUlrvkEjO0ORaODSwMClrAPZg-Nw0kOBKOmUXYlVpvLxPH6kl6MhLQfOAIaBf5sO5n86No_gDvo3XQiiQ8VnlpjLrd6LXAcsC1r49rREZdeXeJX_AA/s320/dawn%20free.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>O suns and skies and flowers of June,</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Count all your boasts together,</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Love loveth best of all the year</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>October's bright blue weather.</b></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><p></p>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08765332646987825952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31652184.post-83186077786159921422022-09-30T00:30:00.002-04:002022-09-30T00:30:00.184-04:00Rambling Friday: Preparing for Spring<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love flowers.</div></div><p></p><p>I love beauty.</p><p>I love when things I've wanted forever is finally ready to be done! </p><p>Thankfully, I have a husband--who is always busy--who works with my wants as best as he can. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoB4dq7XqiNW3ouxrdvjOjB08yvgDM2FWWkrO1mdM8YRO6RAXp3LmKYAaLXM-ZikYO73_gEhJ9gCmN4iM3Hbb2DhG-R5uttzPh_VbD2awfmpTY72focSeXgx0aQGn996Tw-WZiMHK52lIEJN5z9ARmmRl-kX8vLD5wCYBY-L2tps6T2qQJw/s4032/20220924_155143%5B1%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoB4dq7XqiNW3ouxrdvjOjB08yvgDM2FWWkrO1mdM8YRO6RAXp3LmKYAaLXM-ZikYO73_gEhJ9gCmN4iM3Hbb2DhG-R5uttzPh_VbD2awfmpTY72focSeXgx0aQGn996Tw-WZiMHK52lIEJN5z9ARmmRl-kX8vLD5wCYBY-L2tps6T2qQJw/s320/20220924_155143%5B1%5D.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p>That statement leads me to this: We have a steep bank, cause we live on a mountain top--just kidding, but it is a nice-sized hill. The picture depicts some of the hill and some of the plans I have for it. Fall transplanting and fall bulb planting will, hopefully, produce a beautiful display of plants throughout next summer. </p><p>It's only the beginning, but it's a start. Wish us luck! <br /></p>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08765332646987825952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31652184.post-29120398717795888802022-09-28T00:30:00.106-04:002022-09-28T00:30:00.177-04:00Serious Wednesday: A Taste of Readers' Thoughts About Hunter's Rose<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipxehXdJ8yCTYNJlXHhmT6TjaqX76CXM78EQyP8MEak8xqMyX_YOrMRJk3b-SuPuSGsZrop5UCaglpjdmhrQufugvxAiISJcKZF-NLCKZ_pGoUSi6CS5nmgxpradZZ7UYNuE_1bqMU2qtVjcij1GexH_KEnvN8F5ZAiOwCr_DyrBfncfkhug" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1265" data-original-width="843" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipxehXdJ8yCTYNJlXHhmT6TjaqX76CXM78EQyP8MEak8xqMyX_YOrMRJk3b-SuPuSGsZrop5UCaglpjdmhrQufugvxAiISJcKZF-NLCKZ_pGoUSi6CS5nmgxpradZZ7UYNuE_1bqMU2qtVjcij1GexH_KEnvN8F5ZAiOwCr_DyrBfncfkhug" width="160" /></a></div><b>Hunter's Rose</b>, <i>Book Two of the Troubles in the West series</i>. my newest published book, according to readers, is a delightful read. Here are some of their thoughts:<p></p><p>* <span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">WOW, this book was captivating from the very first chapter.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">* </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys Christian Suspense Romance books. FANTASTIC BOOK!</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">* </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Wonderful read and I hope you take the time to read both books.</span></p>* <span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Any time I pick up a book by Carole Brown, I know I will enjoy it, and this book lived up to my expectations. The suspense and danger in this book kept me reading. I found the characters captivating and the storyline powerful. Love and friendship highlight the pages of this book. I also appreciated how the story took some twists and turns. So if you enjoy Christian suspense novels, check out this book for yourself.</span><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">* </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">You won’t want to put down this incredible story, filled with intrigue, kidnapping and more.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">* </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">If you like plenty of action within a parallel newlywed western, then Carole Brown’s storytelling of “Hunter’s Rose” is about as perfect as can be obtained.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYVTVSIbrq0kFsAFpwsrDbtlwnBjv6GtbvVqL9wetC7bFp--cMfPmnFBmtgUPpnDDk2sZeFW1BisJ0BZNG_bWSdJKJsOKPW3aAhTnSvv-DGka7XdObg6aK-rMKc8M3-noHLt295z_8o7R7rBe_1WDWIR8_Wbwb0gOg1O7UAEJuUqa3EhKqg/s789/thumbnail%20(2).jpe" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="522" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYVTVSIbrq0kFsAFpwsrDbtlwnBjv6GtbvVqL9wetC7bFp--cMfPmnFBmtgUPpnDDk2sZeFW1BisJ0BZNG_bWSdJKJsOKPW3aAhTnSvv-DGka7XdObg6aK-rMKc8M3-noHLt295z_8o7R7rBe_1WDWIR8_Wbwb0gOg1O7UAEJuUqa3EhKqg/s320/thumbnail%20(2).jpe" width="212" /></a></div><br />(</span><i>Book one is Caleb's Destiny</i>)</div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">If you'd like to order YOUR copy of either or both books,, go here: <a href="https://amzn.to/3erjREA" target="_blank"> </a></span><span style="color: #0f1111; font-family: Amazon Ember, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3erjREA" target="_blank">https://amzn.to/3erjREA</a></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0f1111; font-family: Amazon Ember, Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #0f1111; font-family: Amazon Ember, Arial, sans-serif;">Let me know what you think.</span></div><div><span style="color: #0f1111; font-family: Amazon Ember, Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #0f1111; font-family: Amazon Ember, Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08765332646987825952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31652184.post-69382633594947607212022-09-21T00:30:00.236-04:002022-09-21T00:30:00.172-04:00Serious Wednesday: Retreats, Teas and Fun! <div class="separator"><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHsjIt1W7-ZfvKVAJuMk0o8RkK-hpmY5-fDvlhxrsMHNVUE5snJOns-AWJYrcSLwhR_D2rfWbjsJ9RE43Mar-UZNvJCCzjIZzbmA-SOjPVq8i4DPMWvXbpfdrY9GEqrAnhYt1I8PDSbkMNidpezL1u5oABpkDVVUfB81t-K5LZSTi5LckvQ/s4032/party.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHsjIt1W7-ZfvKVAJuMk0o8RkK-hpmY5-fDvlhxrsMHNVUE5snJOns-AWJYrcSLwhR_D2rfWbjsJ9RE43Mar-UZNvJCCzjIZzbmA-SOjPVq8i4DPMWvXbpfdrY9GEqrAnhYt1I8PDSbkMNidpezL1u5oABpkDVVUfB81t-K5LZSTi5LckvQ/s320/party.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Retreats, Teas, and Fun!</span></b></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>When I heard that the recent Women's
Retreat </b>(<i>God Can Do the
Impossible</i> was the theme), that I was privileged to
attend, was having a Tea Party, my heart—I'm sure—beat just a bit
faster with excitement. Who doesn't <i>love a lovely</i> Tea Party? </p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-1SEgcSBI0HDROWO4mY-4oUVl709_hks5bR8yDucC8fX25fHqAEruEXzmrxyKMltNtALlp8xCsBVlAsrGnB05DEpWUIaixIX-S6_b9eQ5A_HGU5SKRO_2R2zh42F4jJ6AQ9vgIV3QHMLZUSnpO1Z7ieeqZAv4UAwAAlrZorHZUB6kQOBCA/s280/20220909_135655%5B1%5D.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="210" data-original-width="280" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-1SEgcSBI0HDROWO4mY-4oUVl709_hks5bR8yDucC8fX25fHqAEruEXzmrxyKMltNtALlp8xCsBVlAsrGnB05DEpWUIaixIX-S6_b9eQ5A_HGU5SKRO_2R2zh42F4jJ6AQ9vgIV3QHMLZUSnpO1Z7ieeqZAv4UAwAAlrZorHZUB6kQOBCA/s1600/20220909_135655%5B1%5D.jpg" width="280" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The setting was beautiful, the colors summery and light. I thought it
created a relaxing atmosphere. With friends by my side and light
conversation, it was a perfect atmosphere to enjoy an early afternoon
tea luncheon.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Of course, the food was varied and
delightfully delicious! Mini glazed ham sandwiches, along with
chicken salad croissants, stuffed mushrooms and other goodies, plus a
delectable selection of sweets served as the menu.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiktAHj-sT9BfJJL2FgydDkaPm3T5KgkWNHrlhWJLb6K_3yrK7qmhS7I6KUZAHcKJqqqzI0lw55SnQ0Op3V6yAcoe5FROCaWXrhOXAs1-oTffgaNywUfLKllyu6fdhn-yEwwOxQ7Y4WSBw5F1noAlUQmTh01SBZaZFHuABvAKs5fN0qceEL9A/s1920/Party%20sandwiches.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiktAHj-sT9BfJJL2FgydDkaPm3T5KgkWNHrlhWJLb6K_3yrK7qmhS7I6KUZAHcKJqqqzI0lw55SnQ0Op3V6yAcoe5FROCaWXrhOXAs1-oTffgaNywUfLKllyu6fdhn-yEwwOxQ7Y4WSBw5F1noAlUQmTh01SBZaZFHuABvAKs5fN0qceEL9A/s320/Party%20sandwiches.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Everything I ate was totally delicious. I felt I was
dining with royalty. :)</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULb7b2P5ib1mIJCc71IkpCsFhS7eszq9trJ9Bb9mSn8DlsGKZzpPeboLgHpb6_wpytH1owOoH3FmvQo1XgdjglSl5EbJdSYPI8dENMEL-Z9Gn-9jy-sjGnsEgBkY_eVSTFr_HIKQaRts2JW8m15yj4SGZYQwbzh_W66_Mvv6iu9WPPrVNcg/s1920/tea%20dandelion.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1284" data-original-width="1920" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULb7b2P5ib1mIJCc71IkpCsFhS7eszq9trJ9Bb9mSn8DlsGKZzpPeboLgHpb6_wpytH1owOoH3FmvQo1XgdjglSl5EbJdSYPI8dENMEL-Z9Gn-9jy-sjGnsEgBkY_eVSTFr_HIKQaRts2JW8m15yj4SGZYQwbzh_W66_Mvv6iu9WPPrVNcg/s320/tea%20dandelion.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>When it came to the teas, there was a
variety to choose from. <p></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Let me explain something here: I'm a late bloomer when it comes to teas. What I mean by this is: I wasn't raised drinking teas--any kind. </p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">But after I was married, my husband and a couple of close friends introduced me to a variety of teas, and I've gradually learned to enjoy several different flavors. </p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">A skit about
worrying too much (lots of laughs) inspiring talks that made me cry
and smile, fellowship, meeting new friends, singing together and, of
course, the laughter, food and relaxation—all created an atmosphere
that was perfect for me. </p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFWyY6VusOK_pP0wGjAh3NIKnT5iSAos0bLj0LZ2tbFP3DnQZgWLhx3z5voECPXHHX8x9bx3_XX6hpis2furIWY8Lchs7NWe8FYHcEXnyPxUb0YgFd5zb4JE0fd2uzchPxHBMMysL5exQ-iuW5xGv395fxoMFUmgyV7c_pY9P5eB9kYSIgA/s604/dandelion%20tea%20free.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFWyY6VusOK_pP0wGjAh3NIKnT5iSAos0bLj0LZ2tbFP3DnQZgWLhx3z5voECPXHHX8x9bx3_XX6hpis2furIWY8Lchs7NWe8FYHcEXnyPxUb0YgFd5zb4JE0fd2uzchPxHBMMysL5exQ-iuW5xGv395fxoMFUmgyV7c_pY9P5eB9kYSIgA/s604/dandelion%20tea%20free.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">A</span></a></div><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">What a weekend!!</span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Did you know that...</b></p>
<ul>
<li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">originated in
Africa? (Hibiscus Tea)</p>
</li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">tea
first arrived in Britain in </span></span><span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>the
1650s</b></span></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">,
where it was served as a novelty in London's coffee houses?</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
</span>
</p>
</li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">in
the early 1900s, Jane Austen drank green and black teas?</span></p>
</li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">that
these states, it is believed, drink the most sweet tea: Alabama,
Arkansas, Virginia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana, Kentucky, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia?</span></p>
</li></ul>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>About Hibiscus Tea and
the Book:</b></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbaz2KkDzoAX_1ylnrRjNubYoYe4kbqwC_Y_s_1gdxYmfxD8zYFZp8BOOLv3GmXxkYKk5OlcOf1VNMNIxpqj1ziK3zLpM8stkiiNrvTvwy9ofnOeTZMS3YZ5Sy2PhQFWZ_ZQhTSefX_qZGkGqkrMAFncZrhL0MjeCsQxsgOF8JA8xSzZWtA/s399/tea%20set%20olden%20days.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="399" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbaz2KkDzoAX_1ylnrRjNubYoYe4kbqwC_Y_s_1gdxYmfxD8zYFZp8BOOLv3GmXxkYKk5OlcOf1VNMNIxpqj1ziK3zLpM8stkiiNrvTvwy9ofnOeTZMS3YZ5Sy2PhQFWZ_ZQhTSefX_qZGkGqkrMAFncZrhL0MjeCsQxsgOF8JA8xSzZWtA/s320/tea%20set%20olden%20days.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>In my
most recent novel,<b> Hunter's Rose, Book Two of the Troubles
in the West series </b>(a
historical, romantic suspense),<b> </b>one
of the protagonists—Rosita—is given a hibiscus plant by her Tia
(Aunt) Maria, who relayed the tale of her mother bringing it to the
plantation in Mexico years ago, after her marriage, and guarding it
as if it was a person. Sharing it with Rosita gave the young girl the
opportunity to be able to prepare it for her husband and the other
cowboys at their new ranch, along with the mint tea that was growing
on their land.<p></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Here's a recipe
that Rosita might have used, give or take a few ingredients.</b></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;"><b>Agua
de Jamaica (Hibiscus Iced Tea) </b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitGTcIp9_Bx_DvmQPLWouuHOyBdoEaUwzC1TmmjQdoyeALzteXXhUnpMo8ytr2kRouaDQrslVTTrcCCzm9A05Pzm4s8tKatHYNMUKSOE8wbyRCjfn0F7dXIUJEmMs3HKaETS9FRsvIFO8e_KhtreW5QwrvOKksCP2CtqKxx2pzut5PWE4JUA/s1500/Hibiscus%20Tea.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitGTcIp9_Bx_DvmQPLWouuHOyBdoEaUwzC1TmmjQdoyeALzteXXhUnpMo8ytr2kRouaDQrslVTTrcCCzm9A05Pzm4s8tKatHYNMUKSOE8wbyRCjfn0F7dXIUJEmMs3HKaETS9FRsvIFO8e_KhtreW5QwrvOKksCP2CtqKxx2pzut5PWE4JUA/s320/Hibiscus%20Tea.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></span></div><p></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><b>Prep
Time: 10 mins</b></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><b>Cook
Time: 25 mins </b></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><b>Yields:
2 quarts</b></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><b>Ingredients:</b></span></p>
<ul>
<li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">2 quarts
water</p>
</li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">¾ to 1 cup
sugar (depending on how sweet you like your tea)</p>
</li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">1 cup dried
hibiscus flowers</p>
</li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">½ cinnamon
stick (optional)</p>
</li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">a few thin
slices of ginger (optional)</p>
</li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Allspice
berries (optional)</p>
</li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Lime juice
(optional)</p>
</li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Orange or
lime slices for garnish</p></li></ul>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Method:</b></span></p>
<ul>
<li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><b>Boil
water with sugar and spices:</b></span></p>
</li></ul>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Put 4 cups of the
water and sugar in a medium saucepan. Add cinnamon, ginger slices,
and/or a few slices of allspice berries if you like. Heat until
boiling and the sugar is dissolved.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<ul>
<li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><b>Steep
with dried hibiscus flowers:</b></span></p>
</li></ul>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Remove from heat.
Stir in the dried hibiscus flowers. Cover and let sit for 20 minutes.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<ul>
<li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Strain: </b></span>
</p>
</li></ul>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Strain
into a pitcher and discard the used hibiscus flowers, ginger,
cinnamon, and/or allspice berries. At this point youu can store the
concentrate ahead, chilled, until ready to make the drink.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<ul>
<li><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Add Water:</b></span>
</p>
</li></ul>
<p>Add remaining 4 cups of water
</p>
<p><b>Suggestions: </b>
</p>
<p>Alternately, you can add ice and chilled soda water for a bubbly
version, or if you want to chill the drink quickly. Or...</p>
<p>Add a little lime juice for a more punch-like flavor. Or...</p>
<p>Instead of sugar, you can always use honey. Or...</p>
<p>Serve over ice with a slice of orange or lime.\</p><p><br /></p>
<p>Hibiscus Tea is healthy, but research it and make sure it works
for you! Most of all enjoy your tea and tea parties! <i><b>“A cup
of tea is a cup of peace.” </b></i> Sen Sshitsu VX</p></div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpoKcfRqvZqBVJoFQ1zG0afp6BsEoZlPcxg7-Xes2Mmlq9mg91jloMF5roHU-cAARO4ZMJzcUCWmSUkZIWetKgX_0UWLCxKCbBuaitdMuuA6O-FFPX6K8KXdyPbAv-WpKJujs0E1Qq48dFq-Vx-_0Mu-hQhliOkn6exZTGaBVvFQCl217Dg/s604/dandelion%20tea%20free.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #6d6d6d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">About the book </span></b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #6d6d6d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><span class="a-text-bold" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 700;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihstdzH2kmWitCd6NPS-biy05KOicEv6F_bzZ4jqYh2H2ccH_8sFwcozQh8BOtOo9f858LM3vEpgjd_uUmen3VqQIiyfbNoXi4k98NLFBPHAca5h0biCpro7l-T4UeXDlEGwHqRo4Jsm73uayANJmv54x0FsFcoiVgyKZ8mCPWr7BF-OQqaA/s1620/HsR5.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihstdzH2kmWitCd6NPS-biy05KOicEv6F_bzZ4jqYh2H2ccH_8sFwcozQh8BOtOo9f858LM3vEpgjd_uUmen3VqQIiyfbNoXi4k98NLFBPHAca5h0biCpro7l-T4UeXDlEGwHqRo4Jsm73uayANJmv54x0FsFcoiVgyKZ8mCPWr7BF-OQqaA/s320/HsR5.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />I<span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 15px;">t's the late 1800s, and Hunter Carson has married the woman of his dreams and settled on the land he bought. He's never known God or even much about him. But his tender heart can be touched. His wife—the beautiful and exotic Mexican Rosita DeSantis, is totally in love with him—but something is wrong. Just days after their marriage, why is she crying and touchy? Has she fallen out of love with him already? Or is there something far more serious going on with her?</span><p></p><p style="color: #6d6d6d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 15px;">Rosita's past is haunting her emotionally. She adores her new husband, but she'll do anything to keep him from knowing what happened in Mexico before she fled the country. And not because she doesn't trust him, but because she's worried for his life. Her loving family in Mexico came to accept God into their lives through the ministry of a missionary. But can she hold onto her beliefs through the trials and tests she'll face when Carlos De Leon insists on forcing her to marry him?</span></p><p style="color: #6d6d6d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 15px;">After all, the Mexican Lord—Carlos De Leon—cares nothing for God or any man. His only desire is to obtain what he wants and when. He has a plan and will do anything to accomplish it.</span></p><p style="color: #6d6d6d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 15px;">And Rosita will do anything to keep him from succeeding.</span></p><p style="color: #6d6d6d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #6d6d6d;">Buy the Book here: </span><span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #6d6d6d;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3erjREA">Amazon</a></span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">I hope you enjoy the book! </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">Happy Reading! </span></p><p><span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #6d6d6d; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><br /></p>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08765332646987825952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31652184.post-65315594500516761212022-09-18T00:30:00.028-04:002022-09-18T00:30:00.176-04:00Sunday Morning Sunshine: Robert Frost's (and Others) Tidbits of Wisdom<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9q9IjG8jrAqBjyubnCxWJzdTp2jVlaFJEuemzGcjRQJE-RGPwZw1fxhvC8XRhLoV22nMH3aXInTyy4pz7TFowWEGh7fhVAKQkWZdcsGmcpw_6IrESeuApUvUS9H56iT4-8vvZ6vVoHFPJMAksEDxS7F_7aP-AhSroWCnHbDpFOfRZM1mxw/s340/Reader%20book%20free.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="226" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9q9IjG8jrAqBjyubnCxWJzdTp2jVlaFJEuemzGcjRQJE-RGPwZw1fxhvC8XRhLoV22nMH3aXInTyy4pz7TFowWEGh7fhVAKQkWZdcsGmcpw_6IrESeuApUvUS9H56iT4-8vvZ6vVoHFPJMAksEDxS7F_7aP-AhSroWCnHbDpFOfRZM1mxw/s320/Reader%20book%20free.png" width="213" /></a></div>When you have loved as she has loved, you grow old beautifully. --W. Somerset Mangan<p></p><p>The best way out is always through. --Robert Frost</p><p>Love is an irresistible desire to be loved. --Robert Frost</p><p>The world is full of willing people, some willing to work, the rest willing to let them. --Robert Frost</p><p>You don't have to be a fantastic hero to do certain things...You can just be an ordinary chap, sufficiently motivated to reach challenging goals. -- Sir Edmund Hilliary</p><p><br /></p><p><i>Being controlled by the opinions of others is a guaranteed way to miss God's purpose for your life. -- Rick Warren</i></p>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08765332646987825952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31652184.post-59426559036298768692022-09-16T00:30:00.038-04:002022-09-16T00:30:00.175-04:00Rambling Friday: Retreat Time! <p>I needed a break, and although I'd never been to this retreat, I felt I should go. Am I glad I decided to do so! Fun, relaxing, inspirational talks, a skit about worrying, a lovely tea party, walks, and stories that made me cry and smile--and happy that I'd decided to go. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-5FY4VTgZ4qUswDUrffesjfyz23ARLWRi4RT2wm1uJWd-CfzTvffxSg6-McemTshFsQh2y4HyFx3cb-SBSf074ihwJB-CR1BO4QBTxCOCQUFpZaRjxHK5rUS1VlElhrN8TtymxkszVOpW83TJBXtm08jsi0z8bqwpi1b5wE1vcgmNGJ9KA/s4032/20220909_135655%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-5FY4VTgZ4qUswDUrffesjfyz23ARLWRi4RT2wm1uJWd-CfzTvffxSg6-McemTshFsQh2y4HyFx3cb-SBSf074ihwJB-CR1BO4QBTxCOCQUFpZaRjxHK5rUS1VlElhrN8TtymxkszVOpW83TJBXtm08jsi0z8bqwpi1b5wE1vcgmNGJ9KA/s320/20220909_135655%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What's the profit of gying to retreats?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*It's a time or relaxation. Leave your worries behind. Focus on enjoying what's offered. Get the mental strength you need to go home and handle whatever negative things you might have to face. Develop a list of positive things that will keep you boosted even when seemingly impossible things face you. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Remember: There's always a rainbow behind the dark clouds. The sun will shine no matter dark the sky seems. You can take control of your life, your feelings, and your thoughts with help from above. Allow God to give you strength. Choose someone you trust and love to share a little. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you get a chance to go to a good retreat, take it! I'm sure you'll not regret it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gi02jRJ2ii3Rm7WtQgiDlG1eexp34mNBuUqG0495_qDVh8-uPQt00OkTaHgSj--__WsaK9lKcVezc2HY4OWuJAa-UwVHAOnqE6VV50Mvhoets23gQbrAl6CCxdKGpAxOBn1_7tNa2_aqzpzB224KpFOZp_KLTF88PVuIC6_NRpFNJnU9JQ/s4032/20220909_094544%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gi02jRJ2ii3Rm7WtQgiDlG1eexp34mNBuUqG0495_qDVh8-uPQt00OkTaHgSj--__WsaK9lKcVezc2HY4OWuJAa-UwVHAOnqE6VV50Mvhoets23gQbrAl6CCxdKGpAxOBn1_7tNa2_aqzpzB224KpFOZp_KLTF88PVuIC6_NRpFNJnU9JQ/s320/20220909_094544%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08765332646987825952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31652184.post-11444339082628912982022-09-14T09:39:00.003-04:002022-09-15T14:00:28.344-04:00Serious Wednesday: Researching What?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0zjqwP5s4Zgr8lkZ4wIlDDjdCg1UlhKh4nX7s1185rKMGINpaaWJ1HjoTngu5pWIhIPwgdiYo8zuiO7mLMksOJBzJ7bibU_5gN6fu0c6b2yyy9WUBmGkw7h9fZhI5uuiT_wmssJhWV6yljh9rVAhaS9PBsYf2FAnbkXG8SNzV_oFE7WxuQ/s510/writing%20free.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="510" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0zjqwP5s4Zgr8lkZ4wIlDDjdCg1UlhKh4nX7s1185rKMGINpaaWJ1HjoTngu5pWIhIPwgdiYo8zuiO7mLMksOJBzJ7bibU_5gN6fu0c6b2yyy9WUBmGkw7h9fZhI5uuiT_wmssJhWV6yljh9rVAhaS9PBsYf2FAnbkXG8SNzV_oFE7WxuQ/s320/writing%20free.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <p></p><p>I LOVE research! Of course, I have to confess: I seldom stick to the ONE thing I'm researching. So<br /> many interesting items pop up when you're researching, which means I detour to research those items that MIGHT be used someday. </p><p><br /></p><p>Here's a partial list of things I researched for my latest book: <b><span style="font-size: medium;">Hunter's Rose, book two of the Troubles in the West series</span></b>: </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-na1zyTvxf_GeKRhSHbbjSY6otZqRW_JVabzVzA8sa6kz5jEwsUKDQ9DVLyeZGq12L4-3KvipfNuOj3oMOlQHi0Rdq3337a6r-FLkNoYLWBYZR9Z1i6cywide_SaZJOir2lEzufeJ5Tdd8EDYHhnv5bWI4xSyyOlvknq7DjrFEqrtBKfAA/s1620/HsR5.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-na1zyTvxf_GeKRhSHbbjSY6otZqRW_JVabzVzA8sa6kz5jEwsUKDQ9DVLyeZGq12L4-3KvipfNuOj3oMOlQHi0Rdq3337a6r-FLkNoYLWBYZR9Z1i6cywide_SaZJOir2lEzufeJ5Tdd8EDYHhnv5bWI4xSyyOlvknq7DjrFEqrtBKfAA/s320/HsR5.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>* Names. These are really important to me. I like to know what they mean and their country of origin. Since one of my protagonists is Mexican, I wanted a Mexican name for her. Something authentic and pretty. After all, she came from an important family. Rosita is the name I picked.</p><p>* Flowers. Since Rosita was a protagonist, I thought it fitting that she should love roses. Hunter, the other protagonist knew this and surprised her with a gift of roses.</p><p>* Trains. Rosita, traveling with an older friend on a train--I needed to know how fast it would go in the late 1800s, what meals might have been served, layovers, etc. </p><p>* Food. I wanted to know foods that not only Rosita might prepare, but also on the train as she traveled. Quite interesting!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXX-JoPvXhZxupN406ZLKUmzKSkphzTSWv-4ql-yqMk-CAA-icVNaHk7pDcre57r878Ozx8ddGx74DlgAZpXeQvBi5Umnzl9NcDWLcF3oF1nStZfcH-xun8SiitXLFv9HtbznP4oTdLtQj0yeF_Zs6fV9jhtjmKibPwCFnEZpAJ3fN4pofFg/s1280/reminder-23771_1280.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="858" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXX-JoPvXhZxupN406ZLKUmzKSkphzTSWv-4ql-yqMk-CAA-icVNaHk7pDcre57r878Ozx8ddGx74DlgAZpXeQvBi5Umnzl9NcDWLcF3oF1nStZfcH-xun8SiitXLFv9HtbznP4oTdLtQj0yeF_Zs6fV9jhtjmKibPwCFnEZpAJ3fN4pofFg/w153-h204/reminder-23771_1280.png" width="153" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>To me, research is important and a fun activity. I may not get everything exactly right, but I sure try hard to do so. </p><p>Remember, authors, to do your research. You'll be glad you did. <br /></p>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08765332646987825952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31652184.post-45813481817582854882022-09-11T00:30:00.001-04:002022-09-11T00:30:00.160-04:00Sunday Morning Sunshine: Praise to God! <p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #5f6368; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif;">Lift</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif;"> up </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #5f6368; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif;">your hands</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif;"> in the holy place, </span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif;">and bless the LORD.</span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Psalms 134:2 </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNXHPPE6g9PO_dIpzf37gAv-qAqJIqk5SEhOOnPPP5WSgu3ALtPMIBELa6x6Fal8ccUEaEsemzRIsLjqGNLjWbjTLU1cgYMn5tKzCqRnpkddkL_PK044F1oFhL4DYLk4XBD28yQ7mrwJkf1I-YV7h75KcF0T3yYgdlyq2G0Xvuifz6iBMaQ/s960/praise%20free.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="960" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNXHPPE6g9PO_dIpzf37gAv-qAqJIqk5SEhOOnPPP5WSgu3ALtPMIBELa6x6Fal8ccUEaEsemzRIsLjqGNLjWbjTLU1cgYMn5tKzCqRnpkddkL_PK044F1oFhL4DYLk4XBD28yQ7mrwJkf1I-YV7h75KcF0T3yYgdlyq2G0Xvuifz6iBMaQ/s320/praise%20free.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span><p></p>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08765332646987825952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31652184.post-8912396817323327582022-09-09T00:30:00.061-04:002022-09-09T00:30:00.186-04:00Rambling Friday: Looking Forward to Autumn...<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b> Looking Forward to Autumn...</b></span></p><p>What a year! And when I say that, <span style="text-align: right;">I mean it! (Smile) From being hit with a serious </span>(and unexpected) case of Covid mid-February, hospitalized for a month, recovering, and then finding out I had some early signs of cancer, surgery, and still recovering, but doing very good, it has been a humdinger of a year! </p><p>But that's the negative side of the year. For I realized plainer than ever before what a help God was through all of the above. Am I worthy of His help? No, but I am so very grateful for it! He is truly a very present help in the times of trouble. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jAXLvtVWvI2RAi_O5qXcW811w7iUSsvNxSqoOv9FgygbV9EuP2wp0Xn986quyyPz-Ums4fhDnDNb-Z8RJRlCiTAil1kpcgA--FFEp2Xpzx95eDgALnvmtKRDoA3SPgpAHv07I7sqXwYoCYAUwbMhE7hnHeLisUfWKxfxVRT5y_hFrZiWLA/s733/autumn-2744524__480%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="733" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jAXLvtVWvI2RAi_O5qXcW811w7iUSsvNxSqoOv9FgygbV9EuP2wp0Xn986quyyPz-Ums4fhDnDNb-Z8RJRlCiTAil1kpcgA--FFEp2Xpzx95eDgALnvmtKRDoA3SPgpAHv07I7sqXwYoCYAUwbMhE7hnHeLisUfWKxfxVRT5y_hFrZiWLA/s320/autumn-2744524__480%20(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>So I'm truly looking forward to Autumn this year. Reasons?</p><p>* It's my favorite season...</p><p>* It's a beautiful season, one that is colorful...</p><p>* It reminds us of all the blessings God bestows upon us. Harvest, beauty, cooler weather...</p><p>* A time to relax with family and friends. Have cookouts and wiener roasts, toasted marshmallows, and hot chocolate. Laughter and songs, cool nights and stories. Much more...</p><p>* Decorations, so many ways to go with this! I truly enjoy decorating my porch for Autumn!</p><p>What's not to love? </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGA312VsmdW0qlxseGvzScRJ9t8rp5nMk0djSbr-PmCMnTvPRcgEZohrV0tBbU81IS-6sr7ki8HkRwzuSZ8d_n_sp8WSMfg8s2bkbvo8z4EluirUo0Z69H6MGJg9-Qq9m31Ob2ZMVuz0D_OP-od_YDAu3exD2Z4B5jrAYDYj4Mv7jjPJPvbA/s340/autumn%20rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="255" data-original-width="340" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGA312VsmdW0qlxseGvzScRJ9t8rp5nMk0djSbr-PmCMnTvPRcgEZohrV0tBbU81IS-6sr7ki8HkRwzuSZ8d_n_sp8WSMfg8s2bkbvo8z4EluirUo0Z69H6MGJg9-Qq9m31Ob2ZMVuz0D_OP-od_YDAu3exD2Z4B5jrAYDYj4Mv7jjPJPvbA/s320/autumn%20rain.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I'm blest with a harvest of God's goodness, mercy and love! And I'm so very thankful! </p>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08765332646987825952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31652184.post-14668264378787118472022-09-07T00:30:00.030-04:002022-09-07T00:30:00.170-04:00Serious Wednesday: The Birth of Fictional Characters<p> </p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>The Birth of Fictional Characters
</b>by Carole Brown<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu71cHTr3CLD5JDWQEIWQtjIxGUF8wPWMYA28H2o_mFgIM6a36YzIlOQp9sPM6ByF2pZru4TkGKao9viOS6waeBB36gbpHxtQISPGmwrdsU18sZMlM4d5WfMSvHO1zi1XmMEtWIYBoill_cyKpDArLIWQSeDVJZrG8S3laTxoZ2DRuqiPJmQ/s1620/HsR5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu71cHTr3CLD5JDWQEIWQtjIxGUF8wPWMYA28H2o_mFgIM6a36YzIlOQp9sPM6ByF2pZru4TkGKao9viOS6waeBB36gbpHxtQISPGmwrdsU18sZMlM4d5WfMSvHO1zi1XmMEtWIYBoill_cyKpDArLIWQSeDVJZrG8S3laTxoZ2DRuqiPJmQ/s320/HsR5.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">One of my favorite things when writing
a new book, is to create the characters. When I wrote the first book
in this series, there were quite a few comments about Hunter and
Maria, the cook. Readers wanted to read a book about Hunter—Hunter's
personal story. It was a nice affirmation because I'd already decided
that the second book would be about Hunter, his love life and the
trouble that created the tension in the book.
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Hunter Carson is a fun character. With
his father murdered while Hunter was just a child, he very well could
have been abandoned to fate. Only another young person's intervention
saved Hunter. He grew up to be a man that was both strong and
trustworthy. He's a bit quick-on-the-trigger (as the saying goes) but
he's also smart, loyal, not a bit stuck on himself, and overwhelmed
that a beautiful Mexican girl like Rosita DeSantis could fall in love
with him. He has the determination to protect her and the ability to
give her pretty much anything she wants—without seeming pompous.
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZzbQmc9r4hSDy-X3guFsTSmOpuTzoniOfA_ZG-k34F9UAHSG05AFCpx6yhJqQ6qwckp3g5mMVy6IlyW2EqliN-n58gAdi1BEEf60QMHUmUANmJRKYHBkXSb2l94mXRr8kQfcUQaRcP2smO7b2P_uX1PBtiNZZvF7LUHOflJRrMzAuGTlOg/s1920/wild-rose-4277285_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1920" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZzbQmc9r4hSDy-X3guFsTSmOpuTzoniOfA_ZG-k34F9UAHSG05AFCpx6yhJqQ6qwckp3g5mMVy6IlyW2EqliN-n58gAdi1BEEf60QMHUmUANmJRKYHBkXSb2l94mXRr8kQfcUQaRcP2smO7b2P_uX1PBtiNZZvF7LUHOflJRrMzAuGTlOg/s320/wild-rose-4277285_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Rosita came from a rich, loving family
who adored her, and as an only child was entitled to the family
inheritance. Having to abandon that life, she was determined to
pursue a different life style even when enduring hardship and fear.
Nevertheless, she is a sweet, friendly and a loyal friend to those
around her. She knows her own mind, yet is not pushy or obnoxious in
her efforts, whether it be love or in scorning the man who insists he
wants her back. Rosita is both smart and a real lady.
<p></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Carlos De Leon, the villain, on the
other hand, is one of those persons who has everything: money,
prestige, excellent features and education. Yet he lacks the
character to realize that it's not always possible to have everything
you desire. Determined to have what he wants and when, he is not
afraid to sacrifice the people who he deems is hindering his quest.
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">And then, there are the secondary
characters: those who support and somehow create interest, not only
in themselves but in keeping a reader's interest in how and when the
main characters will respond to them.
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Could it be the downright good-looking
Jackson who is quiet and withdrawn has a story? His support of
Hunter, the tell-tell signs of his education, and the absence of any
real knowledge of his past encourage the reader to imagine who he
really is.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Then there's Gabrielle Autumn Mayfair,
a quiet, rather shy girl who is more of a follower than a
leader—until it comes to a man who catches her attention. Her
friends worry that she may get hurt, but Gabrielle is more persistent
than either of her best friends realize. This blondish-redhead has an
endurance that may prove favorable—or it might end in a tragic
heartache.
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Sully, Old Peete, Nicolas, Susie and
Maria—characters that flavor the reading and add some laughter,
tension and mixed feelings about their possible hindrance or
helpfulness.
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4momUc2mOIwuKMFFB3MRFeVi_MCdlw7sSyJHXkhT9w5387VNdXu8DImRXZZlTjXDwIUdhUmZJ0nLAGnGHaXdXKzTg69FUIgDj2NTCgAnFhQxRJvgMWe76TIGueLlFzkX-sSnUbuod5TNgomknN8LU70uuay-veOPzJoYkZzyRU8jHcyvckw/s2122/rose-3499375_1920%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1482" data-original-width="2122" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4momUc2mOIwuKMFFB3MRFeVi_MCdlw7sSyJHXkhT9w5387VNdXu8DImRXZZlTjXDwIUdhUmZJ0nLAGnGHaXdXKzTg69FUIgDj2NTCgAnFhQxRJvgMWe76TIGueLlFzkX-sSnUbuod5TNgomknN8LU70uuay-veOPzJoYkZzyRU8jHcyvckw/s320/rose-3499375_1920%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Characters—one of the best and most
fun parts of a book. I hope you readers will get to know the
characters in Hunter's Rose and love (or hate) them as much as I did
when creating the story.
<p></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Available:</span></b></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://amzn.to/3erjREA" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/3erjREA</a></p></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08765332646987825952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31652184.post-53824026557903328402022-07-17T00:30:00.060-04:002022-07-17T00:30:00.199-04:00Sunday Morning Sunshine: Patience, Peace and Determination<p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2GmMQhc7tblAlvP1kI2YvCxcQvnZw1HOPBLOTHSSbV-pNC9BwhZKvBhwOLWVStik9t63DhfFhloiomFOYFRUTxsL8o7ez_WDABBlOBvsY-DjklQvXMOLG15TIsZyeqeKs4NMt7fRUHXQeKQWasAIag9YqV-Upf503EPXuml-DOkB6MMj-g/s1296/Under%20construction%20free.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="1296" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2GmMQhc7tblAlvP1kI2YvCxcQvnZw1HOPBLOTHSSbV-pNC9BwhZKvBhwOLWVStik9t63DhfFhloiomFOYFRUTxsL8o7ez_WDABBlOBvsY-DjklQvXMOLG15TIsZyeqeKs4NMt7fRUHXQeKQWasAIag9YqV-Upf503EPXuml-DOkB6MMj-g/s320/Under%20construction%20free.png" width="320" /></a></span></b></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></b></p><b><span style="font-size: large;"> Patience</span></b><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Indie Flower; font-size: medium;"><b>When I want things done NOW or yesterday...</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Indie Flower; font-size: medium;"><b>God's helped me to learn that HIS timing is always right.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhH0Xs8CmbrmaSJ5FfJrrhq8CT0dBMshovIc9B9QnrbbgYmgwvkZsMVnaHhkfz4y8vYSQBKaa7in_BWBOR6o6kLWO1Q8ZllC-yRjtZlVECISKiDulrJOUN0jLsGVMzp8bXReF8T4By517_crlWWtBeQri3NQFI9k-57WVLIpG0oWIxYLxH_UA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="1600" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhH0Xs8CmbrmaSJ5FfJrrhq8CT0dBMshovIc9B9QnrbbgYmgwvkZsMVnaHhkfz4y8vYSQBKaa7in_BWBOR6o6kLWO1Q8ZllC-yRjtZlVECISKiDulrJOUN0jLsGVMzp8bXReF8T4By517_crlWWtBeQri3NQFI9k-57WVLIpG0oWIxYLxH_UA" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Peace</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Indie Flower; font-size: medium;"><b>God has taught me to appreciate and take advantage of a</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Indie Flower; font-size: medium;"><b>slower pace; to use the beautiful, simple things</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Indie Flower; font-size: medium;"><b>in my life to gain peace.</b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6U3_el7eepmKZ441EJdBgxhOXRAsl2ZmxpEPTSoCgJUUgJiyS8lX5_sy6XUvKkkofGbu1plGOcGhkOt6cjMdSW1i7fzqTGOBbi7gpZaDW_LzVUNkAtcz7M5y5l7GY5lHrojbvOnC-irDRGFftMsA7o_NUOqj5o2_ziDRQyOJZRPR82yq1og/s502/peace%20free.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="502" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6U3_el7eepmKZ441EJdBgxhOXRAsl2ZmxpEPTSoCgJUUgJiyS8lX5_sy6XUvKkkofGbu1plGOcGhkOt6cjMdSW1i7fzqTGOBbi7gpZaDW_LzVUNkAtcz7M5y5l7GY5lHrojbvOnC-irDRGFftMsA7o_NUOqj5o2_ziDRQyOJZRPR82yq1og/s320/peace%20free.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Determination</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Indie Flower; font-size: medium;"><b>When the devil says I can't</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Indie Flower; font-size: medium;"><b>When circumstances look impossible</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Indie Flower; font-size: medium;"><b>When my confidence in my ability wans</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Indie Flower; font-size: medium;"><b>then God stirs a big courage into my life. </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Indie Flower; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Indie Flower; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGucB29orRpmy_xo-6771bJVKWgkJRk2JlyWFDVGdGMQbvxHR2dpRxhgaAf5qOqygdHB-e5HECyJEdW1CVnL-P0u0xd_GU9oS834hUqlMv5iaxhoodTep6PEW85we9B2aWSqzyHEeuZvb3-hPiSYX5ua9F3mupyv1pflvIVzhDJF1DQPfGA/s1920/determination%20positive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="908" data-original-width="1920" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGucB29orRpmy_xo-6771bJVKWgkJRk2JlyWFDVGdGMQbvxHR2dpRxhgaAf5qOqygdHB-e5HECyJEdW1CVnL-P0u0xd_GU9oS834hUqlMv5iaxhoodTep6PEW85we9B2aWSqzyHEeuZvb3-hPiSYX5ua9F3mupyv1pflvIVzhDJF1DQPfGA/s320/determination%20positive.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Indie Flower; font-size: medium;"><br /><b>Have faith.</b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Indie Flower; font-size: medium;"><b>He knows what we need.</b></span></p>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08765332646987825952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31652184.post-52829833307525298052022-07-15T00:30:00.081-04:002022-07-15T00:30:00.202-04:00Rambling Friday: <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">MY THOUGHTS ON WRITING </span><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>HUNTER'S ROSE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-VFRtJeSA73FXomRTRoFblCy8EJnJttY0YOtWHoNgR8B0I24Th1DIKwtP01CBv78IRUia0XzwP_yfCdCYEZngbFMDlR-CH6y1Gb0jj6Asm5V_QWCFWD0EBFAcvBlO3gk780RS7hkHqL8bEqKPYPY5KLh9O5ikgiVG21E2a1BM9cet2nTRg/s480/thinking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="319" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-VFRtJeSA73FXomRTRoFblCy8EJnJttY0YOtWHoNgR8B0I24Th1DIKwtP01CBv78IRUia0XzwP_yfCdCYEZngbFMDlR-CH6y1Gb0jj6Asm5V_QWCFWD0EBFAcvBlO3gk780RS7hkHqL8bEqKPYPY5KLh9O5ikgiVG21E2a1BM9cet2nTRg/s320/thinking.jpg" width="213" /></a></div></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When I first began writing this book,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was excited and thought I knew </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">where I wanted to go with it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The more I wrote, the less confident I was.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But as I moved further into the story</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I felt like I was not creating it as it should be.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I thought I was failing, repeating, overstating.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">BUT...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I kept writing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kept my writing schedule most days.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And when I finally finished the book,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">reread it as I edited</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(and edited, and edited more)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I realized I loved the book,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">loved Hunter and Rosita's relationship.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was a nice feeling to know that my fretfulness over</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the story not being as thorough or as good as I wanted,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">was, actually, wrong. It was quite well done.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I give God all the glory for his help.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As much as I enjoy creating stories,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I know without his constant help and inspiration,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I would have quit a long time ago. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">If you love westerns, historicals, romance and a bit of suspense,</span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">then you should check out this one. </span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">I think you'll enjoy it! </span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXvT-St0KAepksrbRisBD3jcauvu3h5WaYKk2wTLkwG40OPYR5-YTjuNVrxXTLW0LDxuF3JFxYz7gDTdFmO7EFMp7wQY4569LmhsemSWYH64yW-GBqJFnmC1PAEYCaZI26KSk9ZpYzap4LNM3Pxh7-5kQDYV2ST_wmce6I0OKYVCJH6Q8pg/s2122/rose-3499375_1920.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1482" data-original-width="2122" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXvT-St0KAepksrbRisBD3jcauvu3h5WaYKk2wTLkwG40OPYR5-YTjuNVrxXTLW0LDxuF3JFxYz7gDTdFmO7EFMp7wQY4569LmhsemSWYH64yW-GBqJFnmC1PAEYCaZI26KSk9ZpYzap4LNM3Pxh7-5kQDYV2ST_wmce6I0OKYVCJH6Q8pg/s320/rose-3499375_1920.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>ON PREORDER </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>this month only!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>$.99 Kindle</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3ReNCen">https://amzn.to/3ReNCen</a></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b> Happy Reading! </b></div><p></p>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08765332646987825952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31652184.post-2299530358953929842022-07-13T00:30:00.001-04:002022-07-13T00:30:00.195-04:00Serious Wednesday: This Month: A Contest for Readers<p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Indie Flower; font-size: x-large;">Do You Love to Read? </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Indie Flower; font-size: medium;">Then this contest is for YOU!!</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>If you've read BOOK ONE of the</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Troubles in the West</span> series, </p><p style="text-align: center;">(<b><span style="font-size: medium;">Caleb's Destiny</span></b>),</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid56kppFcdr8mwnub132uq3TZUcoUH8b701sWwuCN24MD0PNFuL8aFNXPJ3QjIe8mXfDl-oIeAX15hsoMrtj-mJSfdMKwbQs9L4_KeUCaDZ-_zz7mt2L_JHLJlGEpx24hXUnLScPzZ_GQPrtXUkiB9fGxhzl3bPx04Cj4mRi2vjpLaR3ztKQ/s240/Caleb's%20Destiny3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="160" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid56kppFcdr8mwnub132uq3TZUcoUH8b701sWwuCN24MD0PNFuL8aFNXPJ3QjIe8mXfDl-oIeAX15hsoMrtj-mJSfdMKwbQs9L4_KeUCaDZ-_zz7mt2L_JHLJlGEpx24hXUnLScPzZ_GQPrtXUkiB9fGxhzl3bPx04Cj4mRi2vjpLaR3ztKQ/w200-h282/Caleb's%20Destiny3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">and you want to win BOOK TWO</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Hunter's Rose</span></b>,</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwA-CRjjSReHRUbyHN8unyDeRc9uQCg4O405ayXrGY26dbGz28CU9i3LnxTFrMgb57GtJmVWRFB_Vb1U2MFyatvOxV1FmS6hbrytZXDsS7tVDK7AhjCICpBROk5aidtIWWUhHawjji3z9q0aaC-UDheu6rXQ44n8HMMi6_T_T8n5HpBj1fQ/s1620/HsR5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwA-CRjjSReHRUbyHN8unyDeRc9uQCg4O405ayXrGY26dbGz28CU9i3LnxTFrMgb57GtJmVWRFB_Vb1U2MFyatvOxV1FmS6hbrytZXDsS7tVDK7AhjCICpBROk5aidtIWWUhHawjji3z9q0aaC-UDheu6rXQ44n8HMMi6_T_T8n5HpBj1fQ/s320/HsR5.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">then this one's for you:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>To win a copy of </i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Hunter's Rose</span></b>,</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfb6i1mJfYNUbNuL7vKiSj5CC0fxfMKXGEPic3kZNiqCCRJywJXzNPAXVKM4paoBX-Y3_GX0A7kQqxdLAaX3O3-U2wiJwSvYCcVVv7RFTLquqO_jKTMDDZ_qbRdDuZeGD50CE0Dpy5eI9JDub5bjX1WcMbYVoJLJJvoo0-Qidih0lAoYKJw/s1620/HsR5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfb6i1mJfYNUbNuL7vKiSj5CC0fxfMKXGEPic3kZNiqCCRJywJXzNPAXVKM4paoBX-Y3_GX0A7kQqxdLAaX3O3-U2wiJwSvYCcVVv7RFTLquqO_jKTMDDZ_qbRdDuZeGD50CE0Dpy5eI9JDub5bjX1WcMbYVoJLJJvoo0-Qidih0lAoYKJw/s320/HsR5.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Here's what to do: </i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">1. Share about this contest,</p><p style="text-align: center;">then post your link here in the comments on where you shared</p><p style="text-align: center;">2. Tell me why you should win this contest</p><p style="text-align: center;">3. And why you want to read </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">It's easy and fun! </p><p style="text-align: center;">Follow the directions above</p><p style="text-align: center;">Make sure you do all THREE of the requirements,</p><p style="text-align: center;">AND then later this month,</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>I will choose ONE person to win</i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>a KINDLE copy of </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Hunter's Rose,</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Book Two</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>of the</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Troubles in the West series. </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Have fun! </i></p>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08765332646987825952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31652184.post-82528211287651482852022-07-10T00:30:00.001-04:002022-07-10T00:30:00.163-04:00Sunday Morning Sunshine: What Can God Do?<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: inherit; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif;">Can God do the impossible?</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYf9j17pGRcsHS1MQdetXLX2D0D7x19A4gfsuJ6keVPDgVQuZBWOICq00xWbNetdAoitnjOd0Ge2cwxTkgON9Bq-GBuRjae4TDsSTEEGO-8fu_15_KxAmZv_tePB4LBaBut5cSBWiY9sAecqeu5I2hfG0uEUcOTaUdClD2VK_ak0QdYxVG3Q/s449/question-mark2%20free.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="449" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYf9j17pGRcsHS1MQdetXLX2D0D7x19A4gfsuJ6keVPDgVQuZBWOICq00xWbNetdAoitnjOd0Ge2cwxTkgON9Bq-GBuRjae4TDsSTEEGO-8fu_15_KxAmZv_tePB4LBaBut5cSBWiY9sAecqeu5I2hfG0uEUcOTaUdClD2VK_ak0QdYxVG3Q/s320/question-mark2%20free.png" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: inherit; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><p></p><div aria-controls="exacc_cOrFYty4Bd2optQPuJmcoAQ8" aria-expanded="true" aria-labelledby="exacc_cOrFYty4Bd2optQPuJmcoAQ7" class="wWOJcd" jsaction="AWEk5c" jsname="bVEB4e" role="button" style="align-items: center; background-color: white; color: #202124; cursor: pointer; display: flex; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; max-height: none; min-height: 0px; outline: 0px; position: relative; width: 652px;" tabindex="0"><div class="r21Kzd" data-hveid="CBEQAQ" data-ved="2ahUKEwjcsPOjh-X4AhVdlIkEHbgMB0QQuk56BAgREAE" jsname="K8Pnod" style="height: 42.6667px; left: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; visibility: hidden; width: 652px;"></div></div><div class="MBtdbb" data-ved="2ahUKEwjcsPOjh-X4AhVdlIkEHbgMB0QQ7NUEegQIERAD" id="exacc_cOrFYty4Bd2optQPuJmcoAQ8" jsname="rozPHf" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; position: absolute; width: 652px;"><div class="ymu2Hb" jsslot="" style="position: relative;"><div class="t0bRye r2fjmd" data-hveid="CBEQBA" data-ved="2ahUKEwjcsPOjh-X4AhVdlIkEHbgMB0QQu04oAHoECBEQBA" id="_cOrFYty4Bd2optQPuJmcoAQ27" jsname="oQYOj" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1;"><div id="cOrFYty4Bd2optQPuJmcoAQ__3"><div class="wDYxhc" data-md="61" style="clear: none;"><div aria-level="3" class="LGOjhe" data-attrid="wa:/description" data-hveid="CAYQAA" role="heading" style="overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 20px; text-align: center;"><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="hgKElc" style="padding: 0px 8px 0px 0px;"><i><b>Jeremiah 32:17 declares, “Ah, Lord God, behold thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too difficult for thee."</b></i></span></span></div><div aria-level="3" class="LGOjhe" data-attrid="wa:/description" data-hveid="CAYQAA" role="heading" style="overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 20px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">God can NOT...</span></b></div><div aria-level="3" class="LGOjhe" data-attrid="wa:/description" data-hveid="CAYQAA" role="heading" style="overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 20px; text-align: center;">Lie</div><div aria-level="3" class="LGOjhe" data-attrid="wa:/description" data-hveid="CAYQAA" role="heading" style="overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 20px; text-align: center;">Allow sinners into heaven</div><div aria-level="3" class="LGOjhe" data-attrid="wa:/description" data-hveid="CAYQAA" role="heading" style="overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 20px; text-align: center;">Change</div><div aria-level="3" class="LGOjhe" data-attrid="wa:/description" data-hveid="CAYQAA" role="heading" style="overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 20px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div aria-level="3" class="LGOjhe" data-attrid="wa:/description" data-hveid="CAYQAA" role="heading" style="overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>God CAN...</b></span></div><div aria-level="3" class="LGOjhe" data-attrid="wa:/description" data-hveid="CAYQAA" role="heading" style="overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 20px; text-align: center;">Take care of you</div><div aria-level="3" class="LGOjhe" data-attrid="wa:/description" data-hveid="CAYQAA" role="heading" style="overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 20px; text-align: center;">Give you knowledge and power to live as you should</div><div aria-level="3" class="LGOjhe" data-attrid="wa:/description" data-hveid="CAYQAA" role="heading" style="overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 20px; text-align: center;">Give you peace in difficult times</div><div aria-level="3" class="LGOjhe" data-attrid="wa:/description" data-hveid="CAYQAA" role="heading" style="overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 20px; text-align: center;">He knows all things; therefore, he can be trusted. </div><div aria-level="3" class="LGOjhe" data-attrid="wa:/description" data-hveid="CAYQAA" role="heading" style="overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 20px; text-align: center;">With humility, he will roll burdens away</div><div aria-level="3" class="LGOjhe" data-attrid="wa:/description" data-hveid="CAYQAA" role="heading" style="overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 20px; text-align: center;">Be our best friend</div><div aria-level="3" class="LGOjhe" data-attrid="wa:/description" data-hveid="CAYQAA" role="heading" style="overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 20px; text-align: center;">Defeat our worst enemy: Satan</div><div aria-level="3" class="LGOjhe" data-attrid="wa:/description" data-hveid="CAYQAA" role="heading" style="overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 20px; text-align: center;">Take us to heaven</div><div aria-level="3" class="LGOjhe" data-attrid="wa:/description" data-hveid="CAYQAA" role="heading" style="overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 20px; text-align: center;">Love us with an everlasting love</div><div aria-level="3" class="LGOjhe" data-attrid="wa:/description" data-hveid="CAYQAA" role="heading" style="overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 20px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div aria-level="3" class="LGOjhe" data-attrid="wa:/description" data-hveid="CAYQAA" role="heading" style="overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">And much more! </span></div></div></div></div></div></div>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08765332646987825952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31652184.post-79072238603384315452022-07-08T00:30:00.030-04:002022-07-08T00:30:00.166-04:00Rambling Friday: It's on Preorder! <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82CDeVuo1oRTGRPZGjuwEPPT0-H7U0M4G2AN-62rrzMU-Vj-Hptyj-jx8iCWjmoXNuoqdF-459End7CzRLC31YcXAMc_257rFe-uobrj_-wCWxLHLFqhzl8Bax0rSzZla72LaTXa_H-P8L0uMpr_DE7pX2vHAA1DiM4CH6FCqZsGdrryE-Q/s1620/HsR5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="1080" height="407" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82CDeVuo1oRTGRPZGjuwEPPT0-H7U0M4G2AN-62rrzMU-Vj-Hptyj-jx8iCWjmoXNuoqdF-459End7CzRLC31YcXAMc_257rFe-uobrj_-wCWxLHLFqhzl8Bax0rSzZla72LaTXa_H-P8L0uMpr_DE7pX2vHAA1DiM4CH6FCqZsGdrryE-Q/w268-h407/HsR5.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> Preorder Now! </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">$.99 Kindle</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Limited Time! </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3ReNCen">https://amzn.to/3ReNCen</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08765332646987825952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31652184.post-9169330791665207562022-07-06T00:30:00.010-04:002022-07-06T13:57:16.565-04:00Serious Wednesday: A Warm Welcome to Linda Weaver Clarke!<p><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">I'm delighted to welcome Linda back to Sunnybank Secrets! She's a delightful author with quite a few novels. I hope you will check out the novels she's highlighting today!</span></i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: 0.25in;"><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: 0.25in;">Courageous
Women Throughout History</b></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlF4B7HOz6z-FYSHR2nD85J9acUD6GSZk0wtWcSBXz_w4Rb4tNaJ43UK8iXcf34x9psRTaRXSwPQwZiFgyDH9wkwXFi6-3tK4fxLxDL6Oa_F3oavHD31BqerwPSj24PxBvBcaUl2-CNJcCH5O4FTZ6ZBBXid7xb-NCO4GOH8zMINCYnV0FzA/s296/Linda%20web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="296" data-original-width="216" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlF4B7HOz6z-FYSHR2nD85J9acUD6GSZk0wtWcSBXz_w4Rb4tNaJ43UK8iXcf34x9psRTaRXSwPQwZiFgyDH9wkwXFi6-3tK4fxLxDL6Oa_F3oavHD31BqerwPSj24PxBvBcaUl2-CNJcCH5O4FTZ6ZBBXid7xb-NCO4GOH8zMINCYnV0FzA/s1600/Linda%20web.jpg" width="216" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">The
women of the past were brave and spirited ladies who knew what they
wanted in life and wanted to make a difference.</span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">
</span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">In the late 1700s, <b>Abigail Adams</b>,
the wife of John Adams, was the first woman to stand up for women’s
rights but America wasn’t ready for equality at that time. </span>
<p></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">There
were many who spoke out on women’s rights. <b>Elizabeth Stanton</b> was
one of them. She said that women should have the right to vote and
receive an equal education. She had received higher education at Troy
Seminary in New York and felt all women deserved the right to be
educated. </span>
</p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">When
she gave lectures on the subject, it was frowned upon. A pastoral
letter from a minister in Massachusetts said a woman who speaks
publicly is “unwomanly and unchristian.” The pastor also
mentioned that it would “threaten the female character with
widespread and permanent injury.” Was this how the men really felt
back then? </span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">Why were women being held
back? </span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">Even though it was not proper,
women still gave their opinions.</span></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">Elizabeth
was also an abolitionist and fought adamantly against slavery,
prejudice, and inequality but it was not readily accepted. When
Elizabeth Stanton went with her husband to a convention in England
that was against slavery, she tried to give her opinion but was put
down and told that women were not permitted to give speeches. It was
solely a man’s place to speak publicly.</span></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">Frederick
Douglass, who was a public speaker, author, and statesman, said:
“When the true history of the antislavery cause shall be written,
women will occupy a large space in its pages; for the cause of the
slave has been peculiarly a woman’s cause.”</span></span></span></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><b>Susan
B. Anthony</b> was another who fought for equal rights. When she defied
the laws and voted illegally on November 5, 1872, in a presidential
election, she was arrested and fined $100. But she refused to pay it.
She said, “</span><strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Resistance
to tyranny is obedience to God</span></i></span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.”
</span></span></span></strong><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">She was angry
when she heard the politicians say that women wouldn’t understand
politics, so there was no need to have them vote. It was up to the
men to decide what was best.</span></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">These
courageous women </span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">were an important
part of history during this time period and made a difference</span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">.
</span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">Did you know the first four states
to give women the right to vote were Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and
Idaho? It did not take long until women began running for office in
each of these states.</span></p><p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><br /></span></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Do
you have some courageous ancestors that were an influence on you?</b> I
had a great grandmother who stood up for her rights and would not
allow anyone to intimidate her. She was told by a group of men that
if she denounced her religion then they would not burn down her home.
The leader of the mob was a large burly man and she had every right
to be frightened. But Martha would not give in to fear. She was a
devout Christian and would not deny her Faith. With strength and
courage, she stomped her foot and said: “You may burn it and be
damned.” </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
had another great-grandmother who was an influence on my life. When
she saw some thieves stealing her grapes, she knew they would not be
afraid of her if she tried to chase them off. An idea came to her.
</span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">Frances put on</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">
her husband’s cavalry uniform, tucked her hair inside his hat, and
grasped his sword from its scabbard. Bravely marching outside onto
the porch, she brandished the weapon in a threatening manner and
demanded in a loud voice “Leave or perish!” I’m sure she smiled
inside when she saw them take off like scared rabbits. And maybe she
was quaking in her shoes just a little from the experience?</span></span></span></span></p><p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><b>All
of us have challenges in our lives.</b> Sometimes we wonder if we are the
only ones who are experiencing difficulties. </span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">Have
you ever felt that each trial you have endured was so difficult that
you wondered where the “light at the end of the tunnel” was? </span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">Many
times we don’t bother talking to anyone about it or asking for
help. But we are not alone in our grief. Others have walked the same
path.</span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"> </span></span>
</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><br /></span></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>It
touched my heart when I read about another great grandmother’s
experience, which was written by her daughter. </b></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">Her
courage and difficulties touched my heart. </span></span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hannah
and her husband came here to America in the mid-1800s for a better
life. On the ship from England, Hannah’s one-year-old daughter
became very ill, which resulted in deafness. One year after arriving
in America, Hannah gave birth to a baby boy but she was not meant to
have him long. He died six weeks later. A year later, the sheriff
came to her door and announced that her husband had been murdered on
the streets of St. Louis, Missouri. Realizing she had to make a
living for her children, Hannah took a job as a maid at the largest
hotel in St. Louis, hoping to earn enough money to move on. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">What
a courageous woman! Would I have been that brave if I were Hannah?
Would I have turned around and headed back to my family in England?
Her family volunteered to pay her passage if she returned. But she
chose to stay instead.</span></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 0.18in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; text-indent: 0.19in; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black;"><i>“</i><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">No
matter our circumstances, no matter our </span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">challenges</span></i><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><i>
or trials, there is something in each day to embrace and cherish.
There is something in each day that can bring gratitude and joy if
only we will see and appreciate it.”</i> ~ Dieter F. Uchtdorf</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 0.18in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; text-indent: 0.19in; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">This
was Hannah’s attitude as she tried to search for the “light at
the end of the tunnel.” How many times do we search for that light,
wondering where it is and hoping that our trials will soon end? Is
God watching over us? Is He there when we need some comfort? In our
darkest moment, does He know how we feel? I believe He does.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 0.18in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; text-indent: 0.19in; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">Five
years later, Hannah earned enough money to board a riverboat and head
northward, far away from St. Louis. That was when she met a wonderful
man who fell in love with her. </span></span></span></span></p><p align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 0.18in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; text-indent: 0.19in; widows: 0;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><b>My
great-grandmothers were an example to me</b>. If I were in their shoes, I
wonder if I would have had that much courage. After reading their
biographies, I took their stories and created a series of novellas
called </span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><i>Women of Courage</i></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">.
</span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">Hannah was the inspiration for the
first novella. Using her experiences, I created a historical romance
called </span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><i><b>The Light at the End of
the Tunnel</b></i></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">. </span></span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6-y9At9N4qDfj5AXmba3s7e7j1fqv-9W4pZFqNun7nwOKD_iov0DbypEaVv2LnnxDCwSe288OuuCRWsir5S7iC1wh0utTOyzDr1y6vrOtDvUSRh_5Iza6TknYwNfajCVnDlh1F-dzl3yQ-iDDbhPXWAi8xt1ul7g0tXrmG8iQTrYaLGw1JQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="324" data-original-width="216" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6-y9At9N4qDfj5AXmba3s7e7j1fqv-9W4pZFqNun7nwOKD_iov0DbypEaVv2LnnxDCwSe288OuuCRWsir5S7iC1wh0utTOyzDr1y6vrOtDvUSRh_5Iza6TknYwNfajCVnDlh1F-dzl3yQ-iDDbhPXWAi8xt1ul7g0tXrmG8iQTrYaLGw1JQ" width="160" /></a></span></span></span></div><p></p><p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
</span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>The Light at
the End of the Tunnel</b></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">,
Hannah is a young single mother who has had some hardships since
arriving in America. But the trials in her life only make her
stronger. Wanting to be independent, she opens a hot chocolate shop.
At first, it’s a struggle. But she will not give up. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8AuVeI1xfYkVg47Mz4iolEX9FHbv9UXItt9iJvUHO5sTfvI2T7hJHBuRg4wgABfmXxAbA6Fl789OY53kyFkLMdoEgDTFuZMyvJD6hh7IiF74_bEe87y2OIe_eD3Poa9_STHLCFX7xjx8TDAxPOv38SUHd4plXm5sVKYdwX7NDhk0ossZFLQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="324" data-original-width="216" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8AuVeI1xfYkVg47Mz4iolEX9FHbv9UXItt9iJvUHO5sTfvI2T7hJHBuRg4wgABfmXxAbA6Fl789OY53kyFkLMdoEgDTFuZMyvJD6hh7IiF74_bEe87y2OIe_eD3Poa9_STHLCFX7xjx8TDAxPOv38SUHd4plXm5sVKYdwX7NDhk0ossZFLQ" width="160" /></a></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua; font-size: small; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
</span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua; font-size: small; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>A Lady of
Refinemen</b>t</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua; font-size: small; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: small;">,
Serenity is an educated young woman from Wales. After arriving in
America, she decides to teach adults how to read and write</span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua; font-size: small; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: small;">.
</span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua; font-size: small; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: small;">She is
determined to help the citizens learn the enjoyment of reading. One
of her favorite books is <b>Ivanhoe</b> by Sir Walter Scott. No one seems to
measure up to this valiant knight until Jonathan comes along.</span></span><p></p><p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua; font-size: small; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiilg2AEwR-hruny4MZsBSmtLMPxgUpC98m-s_DL19lXXG0yWnAj7EpREwQrAW-fpe75DbU0JE0Cew0JyV2jtzPcvSa_VJUnltf2_WJJ-uyJRocU1ymw8g8F6AjsTpJmhC97RylwuxqadIbBbGE82eza3H0flPQLaQ2moB4mSDrPc7x-XlvtQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="324" data-original-width="216" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiilg2AEwR-hruny4MZsBSmtLMPxgUpC98m-s_DL19lXXG0yWnAj7EpREwQrAW-fpe75DbU0JE0Cew0JyV2jtzPcvSa_VJUnltf2_WJJ-uyJRocU1ymw8g8F6AjsTpJmhC97RylwuxqadIbBbGE82eza3H0flPQLaQ2moB4mSDrPc7x-XlvtQ" width="160" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
</span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>A Mississippi
Sunset</b></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">,
Laura gives lectures regularly, </span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">encouraging
women to fight for their beliefs<br /> and be heard. </span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">Equality
is her message. </span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">But
she soon finds out that </span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">women
who speak publicly are looked down upon and criticized, saying it is
unwomanly and unchristian to speak publicly. But she </span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">has
faith in God and knows He will help her in the cause for justice.</span></span></span><p></p><p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><b>Here's a link to a video that Linda created to share about her books. Check it out!</b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><a href="https://vimeo.com/721762655">https://vimeo.com/721762655</a></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 18px;"><span class="yiv2751141390" style="display: inline !important; float: none;"><b>Connect with Linda here: </b> </span></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 18px;"><span class="yiv2751141390" style="display: inline !important; float: none;">Learn about your heritage at FamilySearch: <a class="yiv2751141390" href="https://www.familysearch.org/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" shape="rect" style="color: #196ad4;" target="_blank">https://www.familysearch.org</a></span></span></p><div class="yiv2751141390" style="background-color: white; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 18px;"><span class="yiv2751141390" style="display: inline !important; float: none;"><br class="yiv2751141390" clear="none" /></span></div><div class="yiv2751141390" style="background-color: white; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 18px;"><span class="yiv2751141390" style="display: inline !important; float: none;">Author’s Official Website: <a class="yiv2751141390" href="http://www.lindaweaverclarke.com/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" shape="rect" style="color: #338fe9;" target="_blank">http://www.lindaweaverclarke.com</a></span><br class="yiv2751141390" clear="none" /><br class="yiv2751141390" clear="none" /><span class="yiv2751141390" style="display: inline !important; float: none;">My Family Friendly Blog:</span><br class="yiv2751141390" clear="none" /><span class="yiv2751141390" style="display: inline !important; float: none;"><a class="yiv2751141390" href="https://lindaweaverclarke.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" shape="rect" style="color: #196ad4;" target="_blank">https://lindaweaverclarke.wordpress.com</a></span></div><div class="yiv2751141390" style="background-color: white; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 18px;"><br /></div><div class="yiv2751141390" style="background-color: white; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 18px;"><br /></div><div class="yiv2751141390" style="background-color: white; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 18px;"><b>Thanks for joining Linda and me today! </b></div>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08765332646987825952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31652184.post-58508769059153261752022-06-26T00:30:00.060-04:002022-06-26T00:30:00.160-04:00Sunday Morning Sunshine: All Good Things are God's!<p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">All God's Things are Good! </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>When God made the trees, animals and birds,</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>He said they were very good.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>The vine is for grapes.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYfqrS4rWOdczynG0axJDCkGGwTSRu0Xjddw8KJB65pMhRBRGpoiqzJokBcjzbfJ3eF4grJDabLZ-xF-IiOLDmvRxyHoCLn8nZ501XiNp05iNHuXN8sZkgKobkvkag3BznDTxvreOFhkauABM3fMsulZ9X3v4eA53wfj4ue1z_JF1ZAvF0QA/s720/grapes-free.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYfqrS4rWOdczynG0axJDCkGGwTSRu0Xjddw8KJB65pMhRBRGpoiqzJokBcjzbfJ3eF4grJDabLZ-xF-IiOLDmvRxyHoCLn8nZ501XiNp05iNHuXN8sZkgKobkvkag3BznDTxvreOFhkauABM3fMsulZ9X3v4eA53wfj4ue1z_JF1ZAvF0QA/s320/grapes-free.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The wheat is for bread.</i></div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRelrhqqqnfjtLhWHnm4e_3LfTK4aaeBc3PbySLhJXPz_ajbecI_Ih4J8ND1lNLX0Im6NMR7kff8S5e9NRsLHD9PdNMPVz8obdpX7JERRHmlTDpsuU3HlTGlYLEjOE-7EhmVp5NcipiadRVFJmcZabI3EgG2dLvXKoS7JXF5ojRTBlPoRBA/s553/coffee%20free.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="553" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRelrhqqqnfjtLhWHnm4e_3LfTK4aaeBc3PbySLhJXPz_ajbecI_Ih4J8ND1lNLX0Im6NMR7kff8S5e9NRsLHD9PdNMPVz8obdpX7JERRHmlTDpsuU3HlTGlYLEjOE-7EhmVp5NcipiadRVFJmcZabI3EgG2dLvXKoS7JXF5ojRTBlPoRBA/s320/coffee%20free.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></i></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>The bee to give us honey.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN96Fbax08R-4gEisJcucsWd99XK3r4eVrntQEoLOFqhRqHqmXHmp5jsuG67BdVymfIuRHcmekIsqYJyjg8A6I_z7wd0sYnblOGvq9HBWoPbcklAxsgxeylVocQM9OcSpAcKTCZYiJx9ploUiqLogbvYB3XgxyJ2Y4JL3hbDwEkf8Z8_4ljg/s362/busy%20as%20a%20bee%20free.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="362" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN96Fbax08R-4gEisJcucsWd99XK3r4eVrntQEoLOFqhRqHqmXHmp5jsuG67BdVymfIuRHcmekIsqYJyjg8A6I_z7wd0sYnblOGvq9HBWoPbcklAxsgxeylVocQM9OcSpAcKTCZYiJx9ploUiqLogbvYB3XgxyJ2Y4JL3hbDwEkf8Z8_4ljg/s320/busy%20as%20a%20bee%20free.png" width="320" /></a><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The sheep gives us wool.</i></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9C38h3mNlJrdjjtia9EB2gSFJAP1gIpWDtBXpBDt0hi6hwIHvBt1OE0C-R_ZOGCbqyAVdYh4YL5DY-8U5afz2QV28ARFvq2YN6dH0tqemcECmSeXhdBe53Bwg8Bkkx9ch2iuVWQcmXNxrLJ-m-RrYA1TqzoZHfs3t1zxPpyhBcwdUqCrsQ/s510/lamb%20free.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="510" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9C38h3mNlJrdjjtia9EB2gSFJAP1gIpWDtBXpBDt0hi6hwIHvBt1OE0C-R_ZOGCbqyAVdYh4YL5DY-8U5afz2QV28ARFvq2YN6dH0tqemcECmSeXhdBe53Bwg8Bkkx9ch2iuVWQcmXNxrLJ-m-RrYA1TqzoZHfs3t1zxPpyhBcwdUqCrsQ/s320/lamb%20free.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><i><br /></i></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Even the cat is good to catch mice.<br /></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWx0mmJCmOBXx-8NpOhk29uY3emTP7fGMumYhESpEgJq8kXGKj8Bmlxwl3WSZS13GY7V6T5G38SelD-mQ-Hht2DBppWbBnDVIfO0uQsnBURfuRiolB8Qj4N_l0097Y2RJElNz7rqAFryN00GQln6CEWLrvOg92Ctyf3hkg4bZLB1ZaMwriIw/s720/black%20kitten%20free.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWx0mmJCmOBXx-8NpOhk29uY3emTP7fGMumYhESpEgJq8kXGKj8Bmlxwl3WSZS13GY7V6T5G38SelD-mQ-Hht2DBppWbBnDVIfO0uQsnBURfuRiolB8Qj4N_l0097Y2RJElNz7rqAFryN00GQln6CEWLrvOg92Ctyf3hkg4bZLB1ZaMwriIw/s320/black%20kitten%20free.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">All God's things are Good!! !</span></b></div></b><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: medium;">And God saw everything that he had made, </span></i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: medium;">and behold, it was very good!</span></i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Genesis 1: 31</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></p>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08765332646987825952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31652184.post-21037801118259425152022-06-24T00:30:00.095-04:002022-06-24T00:30:00.265-04:00Rambling Friday: When Troubles Come...<p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">When troubles come, what do we do? </span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYH45S_CJnVoOAcklHRPKtPOks6nP0BLx2eMC0H7GmbOH00vaFa5fBjmy1HGXhaEZTy1H-f7GbtURr_N244OY0LW7-WszkGIv8wWFutpZm6ru5TqfL64Pi1LHk623-uD0CXORP4Zm3KvuEwwxOxBT_PMexkdy99jqXt96GIMuszxsvBfssNQ/s720/complaining%20free.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYH45S_CJnVoOAcklHRPKtPOks6nP0BLx2eMC0H7GmbOH00vaFa5fBjmy1HGXhaEZTy1H-f7GbtURr_N244OY0LW7-WszkGIv8wWFutpZm6ru5TqfL64Pi1LHk623-uD0CXORP4Zm3KvuEwwxOxBT_PMexkdy99jqXt96GIMuszxsvBfssNQ/s320/complaining%20free.png" width="160" /></a></b></div><b><br /></b><p></p><p>Complain?</p><p>Put on a grouch?</p><p>Question why does it have to be ME?</p><p>Put on a martyr'd face?</p><p>* We had to put off Christmas celebration because of circumstances, till January. BUT it turned out just fine. Relaxed and fun.</p><p>* Hubby and I both got a serious case of covid (in spite of all precautions) in February and March. BUT, you know what? It drew me closer than ever to God. He loves us so much, and I trust in Him!!</p><p>* In late Spring hubby lost a beloved brother suddenly and unexpectedly. We were heartbroken and sad, but God gave hubby the strength to speak at his funeral. He comforted us when we needed it although we surely didn't understand the why.</p><p>* We lost close friends from our church who felt it was time for them to move on. Sad.</p><p>* Hubby and a son have been way too busy trying to complete some jobs they took on. WHICH means, they had little to no time to complete some landscaping and repairs needed on our property. Sigh. </p><p>* Hubby had a bad case of kidney stones, and I've been going through another serious physical problem.</p><p><br /></p><p>OR...</p><p><b>Can we, do we look heavenward and claim the Biblical verse:</b></p><p><i>The Lord is good, </i></p><p><i>a strong hold in the day of trouble; </i></p><p><i>and he knows them that trust in him.</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9RbP2fH1T5WmRatINhGMmVNcvvkiBOZIVuSjfG8QyVyDfw-lj6bYbVujxHhMxjHHOyISzbZDn6is7c50S6GO90LyXX6UbfjL4VW4qTENengBzgu1I3jI-3-vfgiR7CmT074G48OvWiMlINXN7FuvMbuyR5x95TtlShnBzwsewhsPwFUbVw/s453/anchor%20free.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="453" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9RbP2fH1T5WmRatINhGMmVNcvvkiBOZIVuSjfG8QyVyDfw-lj6bYbVujxHhMxjHHOyISzbZDn6is7c50S6GO90LyXX6UbfjL4VW4qTENengBzgu1I3jI-3-vfgiR7CmT074G48OvWiMlINXN7FuvMbuyR5x95TtlShnBzwsewhsPwFUbVw/s320/anchor%20free.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Nahum 1:7<p></p><p><br /></p><p>God has given strength to face each and every battle that has come our way this year of 2022. <br /></p><p>Because, sure as we are breathing (right now!), God knows our problems, our very being, and He will honor His word. He cares about us and whatever befalls us, He will see us through each and everything that comes. He is our anchor! </p><p>What a wonderful God!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08765332646987825952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31652184.post-17471949347287623042022-06-22T00:30:00.059-04:002022-06-22T09:41:05.443-04:00Serious Wednesday: Hunter's Rose is Coming! Win it! <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> In case you don't remember...</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I mentioned in a recent earlier post,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">a bit about<b> Hunter's Rose.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">To clarify,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Hunter's Rose</b> is the<b> second book</b> in the</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Troubles in the Wes series.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(The first book is<b> Caleb's Destiny).</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Preorder for this book will be available beginning in July!!</b></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMc2-I4EKInzf2iNqIMTS-sG1AnHMeWNCCcyFVSll7KxWXcIuYxcyQi-LVLoBykpm_rIgXynqViYPtfti3UO2SKRGTO_9e6gE2BkhfqCvhkGB1cTPYftpIyyBZ_ldrVeMRLyGBEL9fxRBts58yQPvuaLNfMztG0ydQXu_smdfqeHxPQOk6w/s1620/HsR5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMc2-I4EKInzf2iNqIMTS-sG1AnHMeWNCCcyFVSll7KxWXcIuYxcyQi-LVLoBykpm_rIgXynqViYPtfti3UO2SKRGTO_9e6gE2BkhfqCvhkGB1cTPYftpIyyBZ_ldrVeMRLyGBEL9fxRBts58yQPvuaLNfMztG0ydQXu_smdfqeHxPQOk6w/w266-h400/HsR5.jpg" width="266" /></a></i></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /><b>Don't miss out on this opportunity</b></i></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>to read Hunter's Rose at a discounted price!</b></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><i><b>Answer this question for an opportunity</b></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><i><b>to win a free Kindle copy!</b></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Question:</i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Rosita's past engagement with Carlos De Leon</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>went sour before she fled Mexico.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Now married to Hunter Carson,</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>she's still being followed by Carlos. </i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Does he still love her?</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Or is there something more sinister</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>he wants from her?</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hunter's Rose!</span></b></p>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08765332646987825952noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31652184.post-27416967399275086002022-06-19T00:30:00.001-04:002022-06-19T00:30:00.169-04:00Sunday Morning Sunshine: Revival<p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> When Do We Need a Revival? </span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0-xBQdRVqdVfwj6AZorRmH3Xoijks9mz5ywwTE84Rww62Qs4_A6vxYg2wLmxh9tKqbtNHrhpr0-lxWsfHW8pAYm7V0yrakfkMpnQmQlkZDg_PqOvS34Zt3lB5ZYYeBC0WVXluofWDb2CL_n_-jA4b8GZguuYHIO6oeollb08yMekDoE66Q/s514/prayer%20free.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="514" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0-xBQdRVqdVfwj6AZorRmH3Xoijks9mz5ywwTE84Rww62Qs4_A6vxYg2wLmxh9tKqbtNHrhpr0-lxWsfHW8pAYm7V0yrakfkMpnQmQlkZDg_PqOvS34Zt3lB5ZYYeBC0WVXluofWDb2CL_n_-jA4b8GZguuYHIO6oeollb08yMekDoE66Q/s320/prayer%20free.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>It is very evident that we need a revival:</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;">When it is easier to stay at home than to go to church.</p><p style="text-align: center;">When it is easier to work than to worship.</p><p style="text-align: center;">When it is easier to be critical than kind.</p><p style="text-align: center;">When it is easier to read fiction than the Bible.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Then it is easier to shirk God-given opportunity than to do it.</p><p style="text-align: center;">When it is easier to support the club than the church.</p><p style="text-align: center;">When it is easier to sleep in church than stay awake.</p><p style="text-align: center;">When it is easier to grumble than to praise.</p><p style="text-align: center;">When it is easier to condemn souls than to pray for their salvation.</p><p style="text-align: center;">when it is easier to hold grudges than to forgive. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Amen?</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Amen!</span></b></i></p>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08765332646987825952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31652184.post-43144256688372754042022-06-17T00:30:00.002-04:002022-06-17T00:30:00.230-04:00Rambling Friday: In God's Hand<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Extreme Tornado Watch!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Although we didn't see a tornado right here</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">on our land, the strong winds did this damage</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">and more.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxPFZD84N_12TUyd401Bbq9ECjXJ4oa0zDowq-WyzfX2cahwNHijgZajKgGu00IBF0g46LzmYHW4nTvLPWdoIXMDeGRQK5iwKuhAfeLXOHogsqZRPzGFMvLw2q7zXvjh1obSbm83ZyV6fJRfZ3J3zT-c851_EsRMqdyAtYmrS63ZeYSipRA/s4032/20220614_174536%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxPFZD84N_12TUyd401Bbq9ECjXJ4oa0zDowq-WyzfX2cahwNHijgZajKgGu00IBF0g46LzmYHW4nTvLPWdoIXMDeGRQK5iwKuhAfeLXOHogsqZRPzGFMvLw2q7zXvjh1obSbm83ZyV6fJRfZ3J3zT-c851_EsRMqdyAtYmrS63ZeYSipRA/s320/20220614_174536%5B1%5D.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It was a little scary to see those</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">large oak and maple trees bend almost double</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">from the wind.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Dark, heavy, rushing black clouds </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">flew across the sky.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79F9ZpsN3qtTTRyytz58G-zphDhv_ojKpnQGXbjgnBSaF6EwIWZiG12EQeUNEDqzwk865xdh1Cnc7rBG72ek_opQev266E1SxZjvYhgg3xAdlBlDM7L4ufuCvpFWtLIUuwiyaqXnt1L_8_DtiiKGJqwlWu1cv8HwYnoEtXtFVixhJDI2HPQ/s4032/20220614_174632%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79F9ZpsN3qtTTRyytz58G-zphDhv_ojKpnQGXbjgnBSaF6EwIWZiG12EQeUNEDqzwk865xdh1Cnc7rBG72ek_opQev266E1SxZjvYhgg3xAdlBlDM7L4ufuCvpFWtLIUuwiyaqXnt1L_8_DtiiKGJqwlWu1cv8HwYnoEtXtFVixhJDI2HPQ/s320/20220614_174632%5B1%5D.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thank God we didn't have predicted hail.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thank God we saw us through the storm.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thank God for His protection. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I do believe he kept us safe in the hollow of his hand!</span></div><br /> <p></p>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08765332646987825952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31652184.post-29669312306201922742022-06-15T13:48:00.000-04:002022-06-15T13:48:22.521-04:00Serious Wednesday: A Chance to Win My Book and Many Others<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1dZhS73U_HKmEfhlG2qu-RWgXrS_dwtnTev6QSGBJ3uyRaTbjtZPmjCf-piCC_Hqv5wSvkhSU5nKJH6KQ59FdQot7c2cYumJ2pewt3p4I1y8ByWRs0LbnPehzRcYHECiwx4r9gEzgJ6VpGn3fSwdk9MIYN4RAQWrchzrZhyvkVu0-_L52IQ/s1024/Summer%20Kick-Off%20Giveaway%202.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="1024" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1dZhS73U_HKmEfhlG2qu-RWgXrS_dwtnTev6QSGBJ3uyRaTbjtZPmjCf-piCC_Hqv5wSvkhSU5nKJH6KQ59FdQot7c2cYumJ2pewt3p4I1y8ByWRs0LbnPehzRcYHECiwx4r9gEzgJ6VpGn3fSwdk9MIYN4RAQWrchzrZhyvkVu0-_L52IQ/w439-h432/Summer%20Kick-Off%20Giveaway%202.png" width="439" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> Here's an opportunity to win $500 or these forty-plus books!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Go here to sign up: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://promosimple.com/ps/1d71d/2022-summer-kick-off-multi-author">https://promosimple.com/ps/1d71d/2022-summer-kick-off-multi-author</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08765332646987825952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31652184.post-33538545944354977112022-06-12T00:30:00.001-04:002022-06-12T00:30:00.181-04:00Sunday Morning Sunshine: Things That Make Me Happy<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Animals, like...</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Squirrels.</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They're thieves, fast, and brave.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Funny and smart</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJB16Yx1OCEo7-3l9eU9DgVck4sRUT3kJ7FDq2mT1c1P8T0lHB8I6UozKdECmho1dEYTvvJKK7bIxMv1PfRgw3xdqsQfkcP8HobjBRBAIosvBw8WQqzSM59BgCSAV6yj-AbtN_rP7_fN94V6mvExgfGrWVardXy-aPQNkxlQkt6ZgMNAnEg/s1593/squirrel%20Lakewood%202022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1593" data-original-width="1489" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJB16Yx1OCEo7-3l9eU9DgVck4sRUT3kJ7FDq2mT1c1P8T0lHB8I6UozKdECmho1dEYTvvJKK7bIxMv1PfRgw3xdqsQfkcP8HobjBRBAIosvBw8WQqzSM59BgCSAV6yj-AbtN_rP7_fN94V6mvExgfGrWVardXy-aPQNkxlQkt6ZgMNAnEg/s320/squirrel%20Lakewood%202022.jpg" width="299" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Turtles</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Not very friendly,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">loners at times,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">and are quite determined to be left alone.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But still awesome.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyvdbJV7EXaTlpesH-0tg1idUOoNQFZqL6l5t0PatU4vtWPJ8TNCFnd11f4kbQgaKbVPEfY5wh0ghf8q0VaUltVT0hGtcKWsW5WJrEB3Ht20Xd-_n5W6jWY3e-vJEluNKsnNT8j0PjTazFgX1ONNuBFk8E9N-ucl37nBnkWWAJWE824N_Ng/s1127/turtle%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1031" data-original-width="1127" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyvdbJV7EXaTlpesH-0tg1idUOoNQFZqL6l5t0PatU4vtWPJ8TNCFnd11f4kbQgaKbVPEfY5wh0ghf8q0VaUltVT0hGtcKWsW5WJrEB3Ht20Xd-_n5W6jWY3e-vJEluNKsnNT8j0PjTazFgX1ONNuBFk8E9N-ucl37nBnkWWAJWE824N_Ng/s320/turtle%20(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Geese</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Quite demanding when it comes to food,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Protective of their babies,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Slow-moving (on purpose, I believe) when crossing a road,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And so much fun to watch!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNcTTclH6dxXFT-Yc1sQ3shgGxdui26HzMelbyR1wk6bPLDS8hUf18j6TYmMMh5TkxZcT2LFWQ6aom_k5DXRmPfcWfNTKv3Cq9YjSm4yAOQdVNM1SaOrOcl8AyUs9HuGZ0kFC06bAjn06N1qA1FN4QfJGa_comjVW5g6sziee7j-FvxMciQ/s4032/geese%20Lakewood%202022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNcTTclH6dxXFT-Yc1sQ3shgGxdui26HzMelbyR1wk6bPLDS8hUf18j6TYmMMh5TkxZcT2LFWQ6aom_k5DXRmPfcWfNTKv3Cq9YjSm4yAOQdVNM1SaOrOcl8AyUs9HuGZ0kFC06bAjn06N1qA1FN4QfJGa_comjVW5g6sziee7j-FvxMciQ/s320/geese%20Lakewood%202022.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Swan</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Graceful, elegant,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and quite the King (or Queen) of the feathered creatures.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBw6zdI5vPaN794eFYSBElK7IB_BCx8s6q_VjDFR9R9oBOw_J7RdDXLlMC74U4Uowa2zFP1SBrgtkyIHoWnqizmkgjhH1zQbN6JEARG5Ej8KVhGNOqTKyr9e0vCbyO5qu1KNZSqAKWXwUtD2vICFmkll8BfdHACFWGvTFKp5AmxYj5AkLJLg/s4032/Swan%20Lakewood%202022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBw6zdI5vPaN794eFYSBElK7IB_BCx8s6q_VjDFR9R9oBOw_J7RdDXLlMC74U4Uowa2zFP1SBrgtkyIHoWnqizmkgjhH1zQbN6JEARG5Ej8KVhGNOqTKyr9e0vCbyO5qu1KNZSqAKWXwUtD2vICFmkll8BfdHACFWGvTFKp5AmxYj5AkLJLg/s320/Swan%20Lakewood%202022.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>ALL God's Creatures!</b></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08765332646987825952noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31652184.post-61369353494867621622022-06-10T00:30:00.009-04:002022-06-10T11:37:32.156-04:00Rambling Friday: Take a Break<p style="text-align: left;"><b> As most authors know, </b>or soon will if they're newbies, most writers benefit from an occasional break.<br /> That includes short--and long--periods of time. Whatever each individual decides is long enough is a personal choice. And it's necessary.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Why? Because resting for a period of time clears our minds, </b>and, sometimes, it gives us a new perspective in eyeing our writing. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-9OQfgDXwu-iEcWgaOooasmCrGvJY6_bvJZQRTNMc5gzZQYaje26yA0nf6kzUl0CjFgHQUlBx-IcJ_J5onVv9upJ-z-9bgAHJxBT98Y3Q4YeT3R74fcc_oHoh1k13JyDR5-NFiUtuZb7S9kSP9hhFQg6u3Pd176dnPBtFnr7dOz4UE23UQ/s509/book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="509" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-9OQfgDXwu-iEcWgaOooasmCrGvJY6_bvJZQRTNMc5gzZQYaje26yA0nf6kzUl0CjFgHQUlBx-IcJ_J5onVv9upJ-z-9bgAHJxBT98Y3Q4YeT3R74fcc_oHoh1k13JyDR5-NFiUtuZb7S9kSP9hhFQg6u3Pd176dnPBtFnr7dOz4UE23UQ/s320/book.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Taking a break doesn't mean you can't think about your writing.</b> In fact, after your break, you can critique your work and perhaps improve what you've written. You might even decide to add a new element to it or change direction than you'd previously planned. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSkfXvIhphAvg0fCLq6lerhaxnVGQMMotSHEwzfn56zEmHVO7xJZ5QzaJfmJLBUXUWrBXJLWQRchGjWMaz95PKPXLv2w6kk4gYw1-uiyKVhU0K5Zv6TQwvu43yg5quaoyeGVMrHuDbNVezvTDG9BSJJOZMNKlwQ_uIAGEGtpsHl_9zsrGOw/s832/rest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="832" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSkfXvIhphAvg0fCLq6lerhaxnVGQMMotSHEwzfn56zEmHVO7xJZ5QzaJfmJLBUXUWrBXJLWQRchGjWMaz95PKPXLv2w6kk4gYw1-uiyKVhU0K5Zv6TQwvu43yg5quaoyeGVMrHuDbNVezvTDG9BSJJOZMNKlwQ_uIAGEGtpsHl_9zsrGOw/s320/rest.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>If you've struggled with what you've already written, </b>it might give you clarity in seeing what is the problem. Resting may renew your creative juices so that you can proceed and not force your writing. And it may also give you the courage to scrap what you've written and begin fresh. </p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcGncNC10h1dG97HSJgAH4IkKMnz31s-MushiuYh-Zqfdpv0y2JfPJgEqABm6cjQHQuzcWmvIwScrp1RMCgjU6gn9vr07G_B-qjcrv080G3WVBEXXm0pq2_HoutDKwzmy36sXdchm-Bf8yTQ5EMdmr4PhHiNrRDvxN-obv5T4QI6AEwhg-w/s510/writing%20hard%20times2%20free.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="510" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcGncNC10h1dG97HSJgAH4IkKMnz31s-MushiuYh-Zqfdpv0y2JfPJgEqABm6cjQHQuzcWmvIwScrp1RMCgjU6gn9vr07G_B-qjcrv080G3WVBEXXm0pq2_HoutDKwzmy36sXdchm-Bf8yTQ5EMdmr4PhHiNrRDvxN-obv5T4QI6AEwhg-w/s320/writing%20hard%20times2%20free.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><b>If you haven't had a break in a l-o-n-g time, think about it, plan for it, and take that break. You need it. You deserve it. And you'll be better for it. </b><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Happy writing! </b></p>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08765332646987825952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31652184.post-14411048773800980012022-06-08T00:30:00.005-04:002022-06-08T00:30:00.162-04:00Serious Wednesday: More Opportunities to Buy a Book for $.99!!<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Readers!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;">Here's another opportunity for you to</p><p style="text-align: center;">obtain a book for a great price!</p><p style="text-align: center;">Only $.99 Kindle price</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Catch Me If You Can</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifVAfbio1kO61suEb0EgNP8xrULvu8394c6Ut_PXU63SYac6XiKSx31WhQ3GiX6KsohEj32WjT94vIB60eTgxY0A5Wv8dB5LMveCJon6BDN3ATOv8Oq-VMzl0TBRjkHpoHNppMepox1J3I_gIV1N9wWQw0G4QOR-8tsWEmffYfCyi7EVdrUA/s789/CMIYC%20w%20teaser.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="522" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifVAfbio1kO61suEb0EgNP8xrULvu8394c6Ut_PXU63SYac6XiKSx31WhQ3GiX6KsohEj32WjT94vIB60eTgxY0A5Wv8dB5LMveCJon6BDN3ATOv8Oq-VMzl0TBRjkHpoHNppMepox1J3I_gIV1N9wWQw0G4QOR-8tsWEmffYfCyi7EVdrUA/s320/CMIYC%20w%20teaser.png" width="212" /></a></b></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">(Book One in the Nursery Rhyme series)</p><p style="text-align: center;">is just $.99.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>A touch of romance,</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>A hint of whimsy.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>A cat with perceptive intelligence.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>A woman who's determined to find the answer in spite of threats, scary situations, </i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>an unfriendly manager, and unwelcoming workers. </i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Can she?</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Check out the book here:</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09B81SN5Y/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i8" target="_blank"> Amazon</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Reviewers have this to say about the book:</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">* Lively characters. Snappy dialogue.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">Fantastic work.</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>* <span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">The author has given us well-developed characters, plenty of plot twists and turns and has given me a whole new look at the childhood ditty about the Gingerbread Man. There is a mystery that must be solved, a business to save and a perpetrator to be found. So just sit back, enjoy the ride and try to figure out who does not want to be caught!</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;">* <span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Wow!! This story is definitely the author’s best to date. It is somewhat mysterious, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">a bit creepy but oh so intriguing.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Did I figure out who the guilty person was? No but that just shows me how good she is at keeping readers in suspense til the very end.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08765332646987825952noreply@blogger.com0