THE INVADERS

The joys of living in the country.

I've been invaded. 

Spiders and Scorpions.

I guess they don't like the hot days we've been having, so they came inside. I've been spraying poison, but have to be careful because of the kitties. You know how nosy they are, wanting to inspect everything I do. 

Now I have nothing against the critters, until they attack my territory. Then, it's war. Not sure who'll win this one.

I have to say something that's kind of funny. Happy, the dog, was barking one evening, so I went outside to see what was upsetting him. He was watching something on the patio  and just having a fit. So, I took a look and it was a scorpion. He was warning me, I think. I'm wondering if one stung him at some point, and he recognized the thing that did it. That's a guess on my part. Who says he's not a good watch dog?

Anyhow, have a great week.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

It's been years since you went away, Dad, to your final resting place. But my memories of you are still fresh in my mind. God gave my sister and me the best father a girl could have. And I wanted to take this special day to say, "I love you, Dad." 

Anyone remember 25 cent haircuts?

If you do, you're as old as me. 

(He's the barber.)

INSECURE WRITERS SUPPORT GROUP

Here we go. Another month. Another Insecure Writers Support Group. Welcome!

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!


We post the first Wednesday of every month.  Awesome Ninja Alex J. Cavanaugh is the founder of IWSG.

His awesome co-hosts this month are: Diane Burton, Kim Lajevardi, Sylvia Ney, Sarah Foster, Jennifer Hawes, and Madeline Mora-Summonte!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. Remember, the question is optional!!!

June 5 Question: Of all the genres you read and write, which is your favorite to write and why? 

This is a tough one, and my answer is it's really a tie between contemporary YA and historical fiction MG and YA.

I love historical fiction because in my research it introduces me to men, women, and young people that lived a totally different life than I live today.  Life in the past was tough, as I see it. Of course different eras had their problems, as we do today. But seeing the bravery of young women and men, caught in a war that threatens their very life makes me thankful for what I have and also admire the people that made the best of their situation. Seeing children being sent across the country to new homes, new families, and way of life makes me appreciate what I have in my home and family. There are so many stories out there from our past. They are fascinating.

I love contemporary because I can relate to it. Present times change fast, so research is necessary in this genre too. I try to show young people that they're not alone with the problems in their lives.  And there is help in every situation. I read books for YA in this time period to learn about their lives. I learn a lot too.

How about you? What do you enjoy writing the most?

Happy Reading!

MEMORIAL DAY

Today we celebrate memorial day

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEMORIAL DAY AND VETERANS DAY?

On both Memorial Day and Veterans Day, it’s customary to spend time remembering and honoring the countless veterans who have served the United States throughout the country’s history. However, there is a distinction between the two holidays:

• Memorial Day commemorates the men and women who died while in the military service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. In other words, the purpose of Memorial Day is to memorialize the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.  We spend time remembering those who lost their lives and could not come home, reflecting on their service and why we have the luxury and freedom that we enjoy today. We might consider how we can support and safeguard their grieving families and loved ones who are left behind.
   
• Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor ALL who served—in wartime or peacetime—regardless of whether they died or survived. Veterans Day is always observed officially on November 11, regardless of the day of the week on which it falls. Read more about Veterans Day.

Traditionally, on Memorial Day (U.S.), people visit cemeteries and memorials, and volunteers often place American flags on each grave site at national cemeteries.  A national moment of remembrance takes place at 3:00 p.m. local time.

The custom of honoring ancestors by cleaning cemeteries and decorating graves is an ancient and worldwide tradition, but the specific origin of Memorial Day—or Decoration Day, as it was first known—is unclear.

In early rural America, this duty was usually performed in late summer and was an occasion for family reunions and picnics. After the Civil War, America’s need for a secular, patriotic ceremony to honor its military dead became prominent, as monuments to fallen soldiers were erected and dedicated, and ceremonies centering on the decoration of soldiers’ graves were held in towns and cities throughout the nation.

After World War I, the day expanded to honor those who have died in all American wars.

Since it all started with the Civil War, you might want to brush up on your knowledge of this event by visiting the Library of Congress Civil War collection, which includes more than a thousand photographs from the time.

This information came from THE OLD FARMER'S ALMANAC.

To learn more, go here. Where you'll meet the Poppy flower, the Poppy lady, and learn about Flanders Fields.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND: THE UNOFFICIAL START OF SUMMER

THANK YOU, BRAVE VETERANS

RUBY IN THE SKY

Welcome to Monday. I've read another lovely novel I'd like to share with you.

RUBY IN THE SKY

By Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo

Sometimes, it seems as though everything goes wrong in a person’s life. Is it asking too much to want a true forever home? In Author Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo’s novel RUBY IN THE SKY, Ruby and her mother are moving to their forever home. Only it doesn’t work out the way they had planned. Ruby’s mother is arrested, and that’s only the beginning of events in Ruby’s life. As she befriends an old lady and a boy in school, she learns that people are not always what they seem.

RUBY IN THE SKY is a story of family and friendship, forgiveness and bravery, along with a touch of magic and the realization that everyone has his or her own story. I also learned something about the real “Ruby Moon", which is very rare, sort of like Ruby Moon Hayes in the story. Do you know what it is? 

This novel is ideal for school libraries, as well as your own private library. Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo has written a story that will make you smile. It will also bring tears to your eyes, at least it did to mine. I also  want to learn more about this girl. Happy Reading!

Available at AMAZON     BARNES AND NOBLE and other places

Have a good week!

WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HERE

Welcome Monday and a new week. We have a new book to tell you about. Relax and enjoy.

Big Red

By Damien Larkin

We have always been here...
Traumatized by the effects of Compression travel, soldier Darren Loughlin holds the key to the fate of Earth’s Martian colonies. With his Battalion decimated, his fractured memory holds the only clues to the colony-wide communications blackout.
With time running out, Darren pieces together his year-long tour of duty with the Mars Occupation Force. Stationed in the Nazi-founded New Berlin colony, ruled by the brutal MARSCORP, he recounts his part in the vicious, genocidal war against the hostile alien natives and all who question Terran supremacy.
But as his memories return, Darren suspects he is at the centre of a plot spanning forty years. He has one last mission to carry out. And his alien enemies may be more human than he is…

Release date - May 14, 2019
$18.95, 6x9 trade paperback, 304 pages
Science Fiction – Military/Alien Contact/Alternative History
Print ISBN 9781939844606 / EBook ISBN 9781939844613
$4.99 EBook available in all formats

Damien Larkin is a part-time Planning Analyst and a full-time stay-at-home father of two young children. He enjoys turning terrifying nightmares into novels and currently resides in Dublin, Ireland.
http://www.damienlarkinbooks.com/

Barnes & Noble - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/big-red-damien-larkin/1129887528?ean=9781939844606
Kobo - https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/big-red-11
Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Big-Red-Damien-Larkin/dp/1939844606/
ITunes - https://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/big-red/id1442336848?mt=11
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42846453-big-red

I don't know about you, but I want to read the book.

Happy Reading!

THE GOLDEN YEARS

Yes, the Golden Years, when a person can retire and just enjoy life. Or so some think. Yes, I'm retired from my teaching job and I do enjoy life. If I could only remember what I'm supposed to do each day, it would be great. I'm joking, sort of. But my memory sometimes does take a holiday. Like last week. I totally forgot about May IWSG day. Here are my excuses.

Tiger has been sick for a couple of weeks, and I stay busy trying to give him his medicine. Have you ever tried to make a cat swallow something he knows you want him to eat so he's determined not to eat it? If not, you have no idea the fun you're missing.

Patches, though she is well, has decided my lap is the perfect place for her nap. Have you ever tried to type with a cat lying on your lap? It can be done, but it's not easy.

Happy, the dog, has decided he doesn't like the food I've been feeding him, so he looks at it, sniffs it, and sticks up his nose and turns away. Have you ever had a dog that looked at you like he's starving, and thinking, shame on you, mom?

In the midst of all this excitement, I've been a bit under the weather and also working like crazy to finish my story, which I thought would be easy, until I started making changes. You know how that goes. One change leads to another, leads to another, etc. I think I'm almost there.

I hope I'm not breaking the rules  by posting this late. If I am, please tell me and I'll delete. But here's a later Insecure Writer's Support Group for May.

May 1 question: What was an early experience where you learned that language had power? 
I think when I started school and learned to listen to the teacher or I'd be in trouble.

The  awesome co-hosts for the May 1 posting of the IWSG are Lee Lowery, Juneta Key, Yvonne Ventresca, and T. Powell Coltrin!

Ninja Alex J. Cavanaugh is the founder of IWSG.

And, have you read the newest Anthology? I have, and it's great.


Masquerade: Oddly Suited - An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology
Young Adult Fiction: Romance - General/Paranormal/Contemporary
Print ISBN 9781939844644 $14.95
EBook ISBN 9781939844651 $4.99

Find love at the ball…

Can a fake dating game show lead to love? Will a missing key free a clock-bound prince? Can a softball pitcher and a baseball catcher work together? Is there a vampire living in Paradise, Newfoundland? What’s more important—a virtual companion or a date to the ball? 

Ten authors explore young love in all its facets, from heartbreak to budding passion. Featuring the talents of L.G. Keltner, Jennifer Lane, C.D. Gallant-King, Elizabeth Mueller, Angela Brown, Myles Christensen, Deborah Solice, Carrie-Anne Brownian, Anstice Brown, and Chelsea Marie Ballard. 

Hand-picked by a panel of agents and authors, these ten tales will mystify and surprise even as they touch your heart. Don your mask and join the party…

Find Masquerade: Oddly Suited here - Barnes and Noble, Amazon, iTunes, Kobo, and Kobo

You can find out more about the authors of Masquerade: Oddly Suited here.

Happy Reading. I'll try to be on time in June.