Quote for the Week:  “Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!” 
― Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas a lovely time of the year. If you don't celebrate Christmas, do you have another special day to celebrate? At Christmas time we usually see lovely trees decorating stores, homes, and just about every place we go. Some of you have seen this before, so just bare with me. Thanks. Have you ever had a tumbleweed tree at Christmas? Next week I'll show you a place that puts one up every year. (Again, some of you have seen this, but I love to see it over and over.) I was so fascinated by the idea that I wrote a story about a Tumbleweed Tree a  few years ago. Just have to share the cover with you again.

Christmas is the time for miracles, but sometimes, a child must make her own miracle, and one for her siblings.

Amazon

Have a great week.

INSECURE WRITER'S SUPPORT GROUP DECEMBER

It's the first Wednesday in December, which means - 

Awesome Ninja Alex J. Cavanaugh is the founder of the IWSG. 

His awesome co-hosts for the December 5 posting of the IWSG are J.H. Moncrieff, Tonja Drecker , Patsy Collins, and Chrys Fey!

Every month we have a question. Optional. For December 5th the question is: 
What are five objects we'd find in your writing space? 

My laptop. My desk. Pictures on the wall. My printer. One or more cats. 

(A lot of other stuff because I'm not well organized, but that's the five main things.)

If you're not a member of the IWSG, why not take a look? You'll meet a lot of nice people.  Check here. Visit their sites. Say "Hi."

Happy Writing!

THE LAND OF YESTERDAY REVIEW

Awhile back I shared the cover of THE LAND OF YESTERDAY. I finally read the book and would like to share my thoughts with you. Enjoy.

THE LAND OF YESTERDAY

By K. A. Reynolds

From the lovely cover of THE LAND OF YESTERDAY to the final pages, K. A. Reynolds has written a magical story of a family and a house, a house like you’ve never before seen. The Land of Yesterday is where all souls go when they die. It, too, is a land like you’ve never before seen. This is a story about the death of a young boy and the effect it has on the mother, father, and sister, as well as on their most unusual house.

It took me a while to get into what was happening to the characters, but when I finally did, I understood Cecelia Dahl and what she had to do. This is a sad story about life and death, love and forgiveness. And for those that have lost family members, especially young ones, they most likely will understand Cecelia’s emotions and reasons for attempting to bring her brother home again.

I think middle grade, tween, and teen readers, as well as adults will enjoy reading K. A. Reynolds stories. It would be a nice addition for school libraries, public libraries, and your personal library. Happy Reading!

AMAZON     BARNES &NOBLE 

Have a great week!

EDITS AND READING DOGS AND CATS

Quote for the week:  “I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!” 
― Dr. Seuss

Today I have a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Still working on edits. Yes, there are more than I thought. Should finish this week. Fingers crossed. The editor is great with wonderful suggestions and comments.

Will have some reviews soon. These are the books I've read lately but no time to review them.

THE LAND OF YESTERDAY and DANCE OF THIEVES

Update on the dog: He's still with me. Sleeps in his house, which is the weirdest doghouse I've ever seen. It was free, though, and he likes it, so I'm glad. Tears everything he can get his teeth on into pieces. Loves to eat and to be petted. He's learning not to jump on me and to sit when I tell him to. He and Tiger have made friends, I think. One day, Tiger climbed over the fence to the yard where I keep the dog. The dog looked at him. Tiger walked over to the dog who is a lot bigger than Tiger. They touched noses. They stood still for a moment. Then the dog turned and walked away.  

Patches hisses at him every time they get close, so I don't see a friendship there. I still ask everyone I meet if they want a dog. He still does not like my son's dog, who is old and wouldn't hurt a flea. I don't know why. And I haven't named him. Suggestions are welcome.

But I keep thinking God must have had a reason for sending the dog to me. Wish I knew what it was. 

Now, back to edits.

Have a great week.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Welcome, dear friends. Yes, I know Thanksgiving is not until Thursday,but I'm taking this week off and posting early. I have edits back, which means I have more editing to do. So, I'm busy, busy. Wishing a Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

Enjoy the holiday.

See you next week.

Happy Reading!

VETERANS DAY AND ARMISTICE DAY- WW 1

Veterans Day is a U.S. federal holiday, a time to honor and thank those who are serving or have served in the military and are still with us.

Veterans Day is different than Memorial Day, which is a day to reflect and remember those who lost their lives in service to their country.

It was originally called Armistice Day, commemorating the signing of the agreement that ended World War I at 11:00 A.M., November 11, 1918, this federal holiday was changed to Veterans Day in 1954. It became a day to honor all the men and women who have served in the armed forces of the United States. Each year, special ceremonies are held at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

 Even though they've long been gone from this life, I'd like to introduce you to some of my kin that served their country. 

Brother Arwood        Cousin Billy            

Cousin Allen              His dad Elvin (WW1)

Those Stowe boys liked to be where the action was.

God bless our men and women in the military.

NOVEMBER IWSG

November is here. Which means it's INSECURE WRITER'S SUPPORT GROUP.

We post the first Wednesday of every month. 

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter is @TheIWSG and hashtag #IWSG.

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!!!

November 7 question is:  How has your creativity in life evolved since you began writing?

Ninja Alex J. Cavanaugh is the founder of IWSG.

His awesome co-hosts for the November 7 posting of the IWSG are Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor, Ann V. Friend, JQ Rose, and Elizabeth Seckman!

Now for my creativity. I'm not sure whether it's creativity or not, but sometimes I'll see a person, an animal, or a place. Or I'll read an article or hear someone talking, and my brain clicks on. Oh, that would make a great story. The longer I write, the more alert I am to creating a story or article from what I see and observe.

For instance, my idea for TUMBLEWEED CHRISTMAS happened when I saw a tumbleweed rolling across the pasture and remembered one time we brought one in the house and decorated it for Christmas. Perhaps now that I am writing, I'm always looking for a new idea which makes me look at life closer than before I became a writer. I think it started when I was still teaching, years ago. The art we did in class and science experiments sometimes ended up as an article I sent to children's magazines. Yeah, I must have been creative and didn't even know it. We learn something every day.

How about your creativity?

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Reading.