Quote of the Day

“I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see.” 

― John Burroughs

Quote of the Day

“It's snowing still," said Eeyore gloomily.
"So it is."
"And freezing."
"Is it?"
"Yes," said Eeyore. "However," he said, brightening up a little, "we haven't had an earthquake lately.” 

― A.A. Milne

Book Review Time - The Book Thief

Markus Zusak writes with such poetry and figurative language that you'll find yourself reading passages several times over just to hear the music the words play in your ears. Also, unlike with The Kite Runner, this book left me with a renewed faith in mankind that even in the midst of war there can be love and kindness.  However, I'm holding back on giving it five stars (on Goodreads) for a couple of minor personal annoyances. I didn't care for the use of foreshadowing by the narrator (death). I didn't want to be told what was going to happen before it appeared in the book. Let the story flow naturally down its path. It felt at times to me as though it interrupted the rhythm of the story. Because of this extra narration, the book probably could have been shortened a bit. But even with that being said, it was a beautiful and touching read and I look forward to seeing that portrayed in the movie.  

Don't Forget to Wear Red Today!

Pull out that red sweater, strap on those red shoes, throw a red scarf around your neck, or jump into those red long johns, because Friday, February 7th is National Wear Red Day! 

In 2004 the American Heart Association created Go Red For Women to educate women about heart disease and stroke. There was a great need for this campaign since heart disease was typically viewed as an older man’s disease.  So National Wear Red Day was formed to bring awareness to this number one killer of women.  That’s right; heart disease kills more women than any other disease, including all forms of cancer, a staggering 500,000 lives of American Women are claimed to it each year.

Won’t you join me today to bring awareness to such an important topic?  If you have a mother, sister, wife, female friend or co-worker, or if you yourself are a woman, you should be concerned and informed about this silent killer.

To learn more, check out the American Heart Association website to find out anything and everything about the heart.  This site will give you information about events in your area, recipes, warning signs and ways you can help. 

Please show your red!

All Right, Alright, or Just Okay?

So when do you use the words "all right" and when do you use "alright", and what's the difference anyway?  Well, this is a very common mistake that I myself have inadvertently fallen into in the past.  Since then, I have come across numerous articles on the popular subject.  The verdict?  Quite simply, although "alright" is commonly accepted and used everywhere, it is not actually a word.  However, "all right" is the technically correct form used by dictionaries, grammar books and writing group critique partners (you know who you are and I thank you).  But if you find yourself in a quandary and in doubt, I supposed you could always fall back on the unmistakable "okay".  There you have it, your grammar lesson for the day.  All right?

"The Danger Zone" Illustrator Link-up

Good Morning,

This morning I received my illustrator link-up for my next story, "The Danger Zone", scheduled to appear on The Story Shack on March 13, 2014.  On this collaboration I will be paired with the very talented Delilah Buckle from the United States.  Click on her name to see her website and a sampling of her work.  I'm excited to see her vision of my story.

Enjoy your day!

"She Continues Onward" live on Leaves of Ink

Good Morning,

Today my poem "She Continues Onward" goes live on Leaves of Ink (http://www.leaves-of-ink.com/2014/02/she-continues-onward.html).  Please check it out when you have a few minutes.  Also, if you didn't read "Vehicle", you can find this poem on Leaves of Ink as well by entering the title or my name in the search box.

Thank you and have a great day!