First Car

I stopped by BEYOND THE GARDEN GATE a few minutes ago, and Tete had posted a photo of her first car.  It reminded me of the first car that I guess my name was on the title.  

It was a Plymouth Sport Fury convertible

Mine was Black with red interior.

I took my driving test in that car, and

I had the top down, because I had a bit of a problem seeing out of the

rear  window, with it up.  But, being a funny guy, the tester

made me put the top up.  I had to go up a hill, then, back up, and I will bet that was one of the slowest drives that car ever made.  

The car was a special order car, and had been stolen in Michigan.  When found, the former owner's insurance had already paid it off, and the owner no longer wanted it.  So it was pretty much optioned out, including a set of 3-2 barrels.  I was just thinking what a gas hog it probably was, but at .319C a gallon, we didn't worry about it much then.  

Before that car, I drove this, but it wasn't mine, or at least my name wasn't on the title.

It was not nearly as nice as the one in the picture.

as I remember it had a hole in the back floorboard.

It was metallic blue-green with a white top.

Then there was this baby

1966  Chevelle in this color, and a real metal top, not a ragtop.

Back in the 1960s used cars were cheap so 

it wasn't hard to purchase something that still had a shine on the paint 

for a decent price.  

New Contest Win a copy of Healing Love

I have been given an extra copy of a new release by Laura V.Hilton

to give away on my blog.  

The name of the book is 

HEALING LOVE

My day to review this book is 

November 8th.

There is 285 pages in the book, standard size print,

and I read fairly fast...

Here is how the contest is going to be run.

I will give you the number of pages in the book,

and 

You are to guess how long you think it will take me to read the book.

Guesses are to be in this format...

hours and minutes only

as in

7 hours and 10 minutes

I'll write down the time I start reading

and the time I finish, every time I pick up the book.

You have to be a follower to be elgible

and you can get a 2nd chance, by posting

the contest on your blog.

The day I review the book, I will go through the guesses, and 

announce the winner.

You will then send me your name and mailing address,

and I will mail you the book.

Good Luck

tell all your friends to 

come guess, and then come back, read the review to see if they've won.

As We Forgive by June Foster

This is book 2 in the Bellewood Series, I have not read book one, but this book stands alone, and you don't feel you've missed much.  I would like to read book 1, and if there is a book 3, I would also enjoy reading that one.

Tim is a Youth Pastor who is spending a year at Bellewood, hoping to go into counselling.  But, he is required to spend this year, and get good reports on his work, before he can hope to move up.
A couple of the teens in his youth group are giving him a very hard time, and he is getting little support from the parents and not much more from the pastor.

Roxanne is a new convert, who has offered to help with some fundraising with the youth group.  She was running a bit late, because of her job at a beauty salon, so when she and Pastor Tim collided, he assumed she was one of the teens, who was too lazy to show up on time.  Imagine his surprise when he discovers she is there to help.

Johnny is a troublemaker, and he is trying his best to cause Pastor Tim to leave.  His brother, Chris, is also a young minister, and he and his family wanted Chris hired at Bellewood, and were very unhappy when he got passed over.

You now have the basics of this book.  Now for my opinion, It is very well written, and is a great book. I enjoyed it from the moment I started reading.  If you purchase this book, you will not be wasting money at all.  I'd give it 5 STARS

.http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=as+we+forgive+by+june+foster&rh=n%3

Here is a link to the book on AMAZON

I was given a Kindle edition of this book to read and review by LovenGod Promotions to read and review.  I am not required to give a favorable review.  All opinions expressed here are my own.  You can find LovenGod Promotions on Facebook.  

Author Interview, and prize packages

Meet June Foster,  Author 

I had a chance to ask some interview questions about her new book that I am going to review in a few days.  I may not be very creative in asking questions, but Ms Foster is a very creative writer.
And down at the bottom of the page, you'll find a contest that you can enter for some very nice prizes.

Me:

How long were you writing, before you actually submitted something to a publisher?　

June:

I sat down at my Toshiba laptop to write my first story in January of 2010. The Lord continued to pour stories in my heart, and I read all the "how to" books I got my hands on. I wrote a book called Give Us Day and decided to make it a trilogy. I had an idea of what would happen in the next two books and also gave them titles using short phrases from The Lord's prayer. I submitted Give Us This Day to Gail Delaney at Desert Breeze in the summer. Then in September 2010, she sent me an email saying she wanted to publish all three books. I was so excited but at the same time knew I had two more books to write on a deadline. I have enjoyed every minute writing the Bellewood Trilogy.

Me:

How long did it take you, after you came up with the subject of 'AS WE FORGIVE', before you actually started writing it?

June:

Since I was on a deadline, I began writing it immediately after I turned in Give Us This Day. Within weeks, really.

Me:

Are any of the characters in 'AS WE FORGIVE" patterned after people you know, or are they all from your imagination?

June:

Yes, I know several people who struggle with anger issues because of serious childhood experiences. So Tim Garrett is really based on a combination of real-life people. Roxanne always strives to look perfect - her makeup and clothes just right. That's pretty much me. In the past, I thought people wouldn't like me if they saw the real me. Allowing God to teach me who I am in Christ has made all the difference.

Me:

What is your favorite part of writing?  Least Favorite?

June:

My favorite part of writing has got to be writing the first draft of dramatic, compelling scenes that seem to flow out on my computer. Really, I love most ever aspect of composing a novel. My least favorite is the marketing process. If I could just compose stories all day, I'd be so happy.

Book #3, Deliver Us, will be available April 1, 2013. I'm so excited about this book. I think it's my most favorite in the series. A Christian obstetrician must live with the knowledge she once aborted a baby before she gave her life to God. An ex-con who came to the Lord while in prison, can't tell the doctor he fathered her child even though they've fallen in love.

No Foolin

This is Petey, our granddog.  He's visiting while daughter and grandson are on a

Cub Scout camping trip.

This is 

Huckleberry and Buddyboo

our two fur kids that live in the house.

Last night, Huckleberry kept going to the door, like he wanted

to go outside, but when I would open the door, he wouldn't go.

He never does this, so I couldn't figure out what his issue was.

Yes, it was showering a bit, but he still goes out on the porch, to see

if Flash has any food out there.

Flash

Then I look to his favorite spot in the living room, a couch cushion, where he always lays.  There, in his spot was Petey, curled up asleep.

He was trying to convince Petey he needed to go outside, so he would move from his spot...

Now don't try and tell me that he isn't smart.

and no, it didn't work.

Multiplication

Found this, and 3 others on Thursday, but the other 3 didn't make it.

Somehow they had gotten into the sun,.

This is Snowball, named for the first cat I ever remember having, I was around 2 1/2 or 3.

I thought I knew who his mom was, so offered him to her, and she took him.

But,

Then I find an orange and white on Friday and she took him too, even though he is at 

least a week, or more older than this one.

Today, I look out the kitchen window, and what do I see?

Another kitten, black and white, just a bit bigger than the orange and white.

No mother claimed him, so guess where he went....

Yes, right inside the carrier with the other two.

And yes, mom took him just as if he had been there

all the time

I took them out of the carrier for this photo, then

back in they went.

As you can see, Snowball is a little slower than the bigger ones

but he knows his way to the corner.

And he doesn't mind the snuggle pile one bit.

He manages to get right in the middle.

I hope I don't look out in the morning and find anymore.

We are over capacity as it is, hubby complains of the

dog and cat food we go through,

 but I am sure God will provide the funds for another bag, when this is gone.

If not, I'll ask for donations.

9/11/01

On 9/11/01, I was taking care of my first grandchild.  He was 17 months old, and had no interest in news programs, so we were watching Sesame Street or something similar.  
I had planned on going to town that day for a haircut, so I called his mother to see if she wanted to have lunch with us.  When she answered the phone, I asked the old standby question, "what are you doing?"  "Watching tv!" was her answer, and that kind of threw me, since she was an office manager at her workplace, and that wasn't part of her job description. 
She told me that a plane had hit one of the towers at the WTC, and I switched channels just in time to see the 2nd plane hit.  I said "Bin Laden"  that was my exact and full statement.  

I went on to town, and bought groceries, filled up the car, and had lunch with daughter.  Before getting out of town, the lines were beginning to form at all stations, as everyone realized the true impact of what had happened.  I talked to my other daughter, who worked at a Co-op, later in the day, and she said they had lines past closing time, thank goodness, they had already ordered extra fuel, so they didn't run out.

I was alone that night,as my husband was on a trip in his 18 wheeler.  We talked, and he wasn't sure when he would get home, he did say he was keeping his tanks full, and fuel had already begun to go up in price.   
My computer room at that time faced east, and I remember the eerie silence.  No planes, nothing, and I'm to the west, on flight path from a major airport, and a military base, planes cross here often. Then,either that night, or the next,  as I sat there, a plane crossed the sky, and that was even more scary than the silence, but as it got closer, I recognized the sound and was pretty sure it was a military plane. 

God bless the USA and all the families that lost members that day.  I pray that nothing like this ever happens again.

TAMING THE WIND by Tracie Peterson

Bethany House Publishers
324 pages

Carissa Lowe is a widow with a nearly 2 year old daugher, Gloria.  After the terrible marriage she has had, she no longer trusts her choices, and has no intention of marrying again.  She is visiting her sister, Laura, and husband, Brandon, on their horse ranch, while her parents are visiting relatives.
Tyler Atherton, lives on a ranch nearby, helping with their work, while trying to recover his father's ranch, that the government had seized, because he had fought for the Confederacy during the war.   He had helped save Carissa, when her husband had thrown her into the waters off Corpus Christi, during her marriage.

Gloria loves Tyler, even, as time goes on, starts calling him papa.  Carissa knows she needs a father,but after the fear of making another mistake, keeps her shackled to the past.

This is a very interesting book, showing that people can overcome their fears, as they move farther from the past.  It is part of a 3 book set, but I haven't read the others, and it didn't keep the book from standing on it's on.  You will enjoy it a lot.

Tracie Peterson is the award-winning author of over eighty novels, both historical and contemporary. Her avid research resonates in her stories, as seen in her bestselling Heirs of Montana and Alaskan Quest series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana. Visit Tracie's Web site at www.traciepeterson.com and her blog at www.writespassage.blogspot.com

I received a copy of this book to read and review from Litfuse.  No other compensation  was given.  All opinions expressed here are my  own, I'm not required to give a positive review.

Hummingbird Haven

Walked out to let dogs have some yard time, and the Hummers were buzzing the feeder with the new nectar.

I grabbed the camera and stood just inside the glass door. 

One of the birds came to investigate what I was doing.

Got within 16 inches of my face.

I think they must like the new food better than what I've been making

Aren't they just about the most delicate looking things you ever saw.

I had cropped the photos and sent them to my album, but they hid, so I'll try tomorrow to put up the cropped ones, they show so much better.

Just Catching Up

I know most of my posts lately have been book reviews, I'd gotten behind in posting some, and needed to get caught back up.  I've only got 3 books, right now, to review, of course the mail hasn't run yet, today.

Hurricane Isaac turned in to a tropical storm, then a tropical depression before he arrived here for his visit.  Living on a tree lined street, we did get power blinks a couple of times, but other than that, just rain, slow and gentle, most of the time.  Just what this drought parched land needed.

See how dry the soil is next to the polk berry stalk

btw, one of my dogs thinks he looks good stained in

the juice of these, and always has spots of color when these

are ripening.  For non southerners, no the berries aren't good to eat.

   He arrived on Thursday Afternoon, and before those bands left, we'd gotten about 2 inches of rain.  Last night, the back part passed over, and we probably got another inch.

Here are a couple of photos I took on Thursday, as he was making his way north and west.

During Isaac's stay, we had a blessed event take place.

My buddy, Kathy, became a grandmother for the first time, yesterday.

Meet Olivia Emilie

Are you a grandmother?  If so, do you remember the birth of that first 

grandchild?  Right now, my friend is floating on air. 

Olivia missed her birthday by less than 12 hrs. 

Dad, mom, and Olivia are doing well.

And now, for a shot you probably will wish I'd left on the Camera.

It is quite a shot and I'll let you guess what I was trying to get

a photo of, when this happened.

No, I didn't turn the photo upside down, this is just the way

I took it.

So now, guess what I was trying to get in the shot.

THE HAVEN, by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Sadie Lapp is headed back home to Windmill Farm, after spending the winter with her sister, Julia, and her husband, Roman, get settled into their new home.  
Sadie has a surprise for her family, but she gets the first surprise, when everyone for miles around are at Windmill Farm, to see and hear about the commendation letter,  given to their father, to honor their brother, Menno, spotting the most rare birds in the state before his death. And now the game warden is there, telling them that another rare pair of birds is nesting in the area, and they will put Will Stoltz on the farm to supervise, to keep the birds safe until they fledge.
Sadie shows the family her surprise, and shocks everyone with an infant.  She finally makes them understand that the baby isn't hers, someone had left it while she was napping at a station waiting for her next ride..  But, gossip starts spreading that Sadie has had a baby.  Her old suiter, Gideon Smucker offers to marry her, even claiming he is the father, to save her reputation.

OK you now have to read the book to find the rest of the story.  As usual, Suzanne Woods Fisher has written a wonderful story, which draws you in, and makes you want to just keep reading.  She has me hooked, and any book she writes, will be in my collection.

I received this book from Litfuse to read and review.  No other compensation was given.  All opinions expressed here are my own, I'm not required to give a positive review.

Over the Edge by Mary Connealy

Callie and Seth were married when he was in the hospital, recovering from injuries suffered in a battle in the Civil War. A few weeks later, he disappears, and Callie doesn't know what happened to him. She finds herself pregnant, and has a beautiful baby boy. After losing her home, and her father, to a land grabbing rancher, she heads out to find her husband's family, hoping they will take her in. On the way, the stage coach is attacked, and she fends off the attackers, sending the other occupants to find help, and sending her son with them.

Who first shows up to help? Her no good husband, that's who, and she threatens to shoot his worthless hide. Then to complicate things more, a young cowboy named Heath shows up, wanting his part of the land his father had left. Seems their father had a secret life, and another child that none of them knew about.

This is just the beginning of this book. Seth and Callie have a long way to go, he doesn't remember much of anything about his time in the war, or the hospital. Callie goes home with him, to his brothers ranches, to get to know him, and decide if they have a chance.

Though westerns are not my favorite type of reading, this series has really held my interest. Callie is my type of heroine, strong but ladylike. I'm waiting for the author to write the story of Heath, the young half brother who shows up in the beginning of this story.

I received this book from Litfuse to read and review.  No other compensation was given.  I am not required to give a favorable review, all opinions expressed here are my own.

WHEN HOPE BLOSSOMS by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Amy Knackstedt has bought a home on farmland just outside Waverly KS, she felt it was time to move away from her father's home, and the town where her husband, Gabe, had died in a fall from a Silo.  She is Old Order Mennonite, and her new neighbor, Tim Roper, seems to be put off by their religion.  When her two youngest children, Parker and Adrianna wander into his apple orchard, and pick branches off the trees, damaging them, he takes them home and tells Amy she should keep better watch on her children.

Amy has a quilting business, Threads of Remembrance, and Tim is asked to help her set up a website where she can advertise.  Bekah, Amy's oldest, works out a deal to pay Tim back for his help, by cleaning his home.  Parker, the middle child, who was injured in an accident when he was 4, decides he can help Tim in the orchard, hoping that they will be able to get some apples to can and make applesauce in the fall.   Adrianna, the youngest child, at 5, doesn't remember her father, and both she and Parker become very attached to Tim.  He feels a pull toward Parker, because his child had also been disabled, born with Downs Syndrome.

Will Tim go back to his Mennonite roots?  Or will he let his disagreement with his father, years before, keep him angry and distant.  Will Amy stay on in Waverly, or will something make her move back to her hometown, even with it's bad memories?

This is a very interesting book, I've read a lot of Amish stories, but this is the first Mennonite story I've read.  Kim  Vogel Sawyer has brought everything together seamlessly, to make you feel you know these people.

I was given a copy of this book by Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing to read and review.  No other compensation was given.  All opinions expressed here are my own, I'm not required to give a positive review.

AND THE WINNERS ARE!!!!!!!!

The winners in the EBook give away of the copies of 
Deadly Image by Tamelia Tumlin are

Lavender Dreamer
Maple Lane

I need to know your preference, either PDF or PCR copies, and send your email address to the author who will fill your orders.

I want to say Thank you to all who entered, and to Diana for 
putting out the word about the give away.  
Isn't she a sweet heart?

And I also want to say Thank you to the author, Tamelia Tumlin, for writing a very interesting CHRISTIAN  story, and allowing me the privilege of reviewing it, and giving away these copies. 

Also, if you like Amish books, Cindy Woodsmall is giving away an autographed copy of her newest book,  A SEASON FOR TENDING on her blog, this week.  Here is a link to her blog:http://www.cindywoodsmall.com/2012/08/27/aug-27/

I'll be receiving a copy of the book to review in the next few days, so keep checking back, to read my review.

Book Giveaway UPDATE

I have everyone's name printed out and numbered.  I'm awaiting a message from the author, before drawing the names. I want to make sure how she wants the information sent to her.

The book will be an electronic copy, either  a PDF copy, or a PCR copy, which can be downloaded to a kindle or other device is in PDF format, which is the way I got my copy.

So, Hopefully on Monday Afternoon, I'll be able to let you know who the 2 winners are.

Oh, and btw, I will be doing a 'home day spa' give away in a few weeks.  I make  Milk Bath, Goats Milk Soap, and Body Butter.  I plan on giving away a set sometime around the end of September, so check back for this too.

Vietnam Hero Home at Last

PFC James R. Maxwell

• BORN: February 20, 1957
• DIED: May 15, 1975
• LOCATION: Center Ridge, Arkansas

James R. Maxwell, age 18, passed away May 15, 1975 off the coast of Cambodia, while serving his country in the United States Marine Corp during the Vietnam Conflict. He was born February 20, 1957, in Memphis, Tennessee, a son of William "Lindbergh" and Ula Mae Louise Maxwell.
PFC Maxwell was involved in the "Mayaguez Incident" in 1975, in which a Marine Corp helicopter was shot down off the coast of Cambodia. After many years of extensive military effort, PFCMaxwell and others remains were located at various times over the past few months.
Current survivors include his brothers, Paul and Gary Maxwell and sisters Patricia Cates and Janie Estes, all four of Center Ridge.
Funeral services with Full Military Honors will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 30th at Mt. View Missionary Baptist Church with burial at Woolverton Mountain Cemetery by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening, the 29th from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Our local sheriff is asking that we line the streets to the funeral home on Tuesday when his remains arrive.  I hope to be standing beside the road with my right hand over my heart, to give homage to this young man and his family.

RAIN DANCE by Joy DeKok

Jonica is at the doctor's office to tell him she doesn't want to do any more procedures trying to get pregnant. The costs are too high in both financial and emotional ways.
Stacie is at the same doctor to consult about an unwanted pregnancy, and get a reference to have an abortion.  A chance conversation in the waiting room, and a magazine that Jonica offers Stacie bring the two women together, when Stacie shows up on Jonica's doorstep, madder than the proverbial wet hen.  She accuses Jonica of trying to push her religion off on her, and she wants no part of it.

In spite of the differences in their lives, they are drawn together, and become friends.  Stacie grieves her decision to abort her baby, and Jonica grieves not being able to get pregnant.

This book goes through a year in the lives of these two women, as life
deals with them both in different ways.
Will Jonica find joy in other things, and accept the fact that she will not have children of her own?
Will Stacie ever accept the fact that God can forgive her for having the abortion, and accept him?

I really enjoyed reading this book, I liked both Stacie and Jonica, and could feel their pain. I think that any woman who has either struggled with the decision of unwanted pregnancy, or with knowing that they will never be able to have a child of their own, would get a lot out of this book

If you would like a copy of this book to read, you can find it on Amazon.com

I was given an electronic copy of this book to read and review, by the author.  No other compensation was given for this review.  All opinions expressed here are my own, I'm not required to give a positive review.

THE STARS SHINE BRIGHT by Sibella Giorello

Raleigh Harmon is threatened with suspension from the FBI because of not following the rules on her last case.  Offered a chance to partially redeem herself, she takes an undercover job posing as the niece of a wealthy stable owner.   Horses are winning, then suddenly they are not winning, and are ill, some are dying.
Her first night hidden in the barns, she is almost killed by a horse, when the barn catches fire at their stall.
Will she be able to solve this case without getting herself, or someone else killed?  Will she be able to keep her job with the FBI?  Is she sure she wants to marry her Fiance?

I enjoyed this book, but I think I should have read one of the earlier ones first, I think it would have helped me know what was going on, especially with her trouble with her job.

I was given a copy of this book by Litfuse, to read and review.  No other compensation was given.  All opinions expressed here are my own, I'm not required to give a positive review.

DEADLY IMAGE by Tamelia Tumlin

 

I gave this book a 5 star rating on Amazon.com

Lexi has moved away from her family, with her 3 year old daughter, to try and relieve the stress of her minister husband's death in an auto accident.  Only 23, and a widow adds stress to her already stressful life.  Taking a day off work to redecorate her daughter's room, when she goes to pick up her daughter, they tell her she picked her up 2 1/2 hrs earlier, and had told them she wouldn't be there the rest of the week.

This is the beginning of a drama that keeps unfolding into a deeper mystery.  The police and FBI agent, Ace, believe she's done something with her daughter, only her parents seem to believe her.  Was the stress of the past year getting to her?  Had she really picked up her daughter, and then had no memory of it?

Some say the Christian aspect of this book was unnecessary, to me it was very necessary, it brought a lot to the story. The local church pulling together with Lexi to have a candlelight prayer vigil, and what it brought forth was a wonderful addition.

I was given a digital copy of this book by the author, to read and review.  No other compensation was given.  All my reviews are my own opinion, I'm not required to give favorable reviews.

I am giving away  two free copies of Deadly Image (PDF or PRC)  

Please respond to this post, and become a follower to be eligible.  Also, if you will mention my give away on your blog, and let me know, you'll receive an extra chance to win.  I'll do a random drawing in a few days to let you know the winner.

 www.tameliatumlin.com to enter to win one of two $10.00 Amazon gift cards Ishewill be giving away at the end of her  tour. Thanks so much!

Tamelia Tumlin

Personal Website

Romance Author Tamelia Tumlin Facebook

twitter.com/tameliatumlin

Steel Magnolia Press Website

 

 

My Romance Books Available Through Steel Magnolia Press

Catering to the Italian Playboy $2.99

A Dragon's Seduction $1.49

Deadly Image $2.99

SHORT STRAW BRIDE by Karen Witemeyer

When Hiram Ellis threw 10 year old Meredith Hayes lunch bucket onto the land owned by the reclusive Archer family, she had to go get it, even though the signs said KEEP OUT. When she got caught in a trap, and Travis Archer showed up and carried her home, she daydreamed about the handsome Archer brother from that day forward.
After her parents died, Meredith lived with her father's brother and his family. Limping because of the accident with the steel trap about 0 years earlier, they didn't think she had much chance of marriage, so when Roy Mitchell showed interest, and he was a well to do 'gentleman' they pushed the engagement. Overhearing him and another man talking of forcing the Archers from their land, Meredith set out to warn the Archer family.
Injured while trying to help them save their barn that was set on fire by the people trying to run them out, she was unable to go home, and when her uncle came looking for her, and found her in a home with 4 men, he gave them an ultimatum, they had ruined her reputation, so someone had to marry her. Travis and his brothers drew straws, and Travis got the short straw, so they were married the next day.

Would Travis ever love her? Would her cousin, Cassandra, marry Roy Mitchell, as her mother insists?

I enjoyed this book, it is a good fantasy and very entertaining.

I was given a copy of this book by Bethany House publishers to read and review. No other compensation was given. All opinions expressed here are my own, I'm not required to give a positive review.

THE CHOICE by Robert Whitlow

 Sandy Lincoln was 17 and a cheerleader in high school, when she found herself pregnant by her boyfriend, Brad Donnelly.  They considered running away, but had  differences of opinion, so they broke up, when he wanted her to have an abortion.  She moved to Atlanta, to live with her aunt, and finish school.  On the way to Atlanta, in a convenience store where she had stopped to get a drink and stretch her legs, an old woman looked at her, and told her that she was having twins, and that they should never be together or one of them would die.  Twin boys were born to her, one went to a couple in California, and one to a couple in Georgia.

The story picks up 33 years later, when Sandy is a teacher, who tries to help a young Mexican girl who finds hereself pregnant  She helps her find a lawyer, and imagine Sandy's surprise, when she sees a photo of the home he grew up in, and realizes he is one of her twin boys.

I could not put this book down, I finished it in two days, even with 3 grandkids visiting.  It is realistic, for the most part, and very gripping.  Having known a few young women who found themselves in this circumstance, it makes me know how hard the decisions were, especially in the 1970s.  If you want a good book, that will make you wish it didn't end, you'll want to read this book.
Thomas Nelson Publishing
418 pages


I was given a copy of this book to read and review, by Litfuse no other compensation was given.  I'm not required to give a positive review, all opinions expressed here are my own.

Oh what a day it has been

I guess that I am getting old, and change isn't good.  We got a new internet service today.  After 14 years of trying, we finally got DSL.  A self install kit arrived yesterday, and dh was ready to install then, I told him it wouldn't be turned on until  sometime today.  At about 8:30, the technician called and told me he was coming out to check the lines, they'd discovered that we had static, and had to replace some of the connections in the outside box...

This morning, I was in the bathroom and the phone rang, I'd been looking for the 2nd handset for 2 days.  I could hear it ringing, but couldn't find it.  I moved everything in that area, and finally, 2 hrs later, found it had fallen in the bag that the bath tissue came in, between rolls.  Anyway, it had gotten turned on when it fell, so I ended up having to unhook the cordless phones, and use a corded one, until it was found

.My keyboard quit, it isn't the keyboard, it is the computer connection, and it comes and goes.  after trying 5 keyboards tonight, I finally got the 2nd one I tried to work....

I'm having a heck of a time keeping drinks around here, I buy several 2 liter bottles of soft drinks, and they end up empty, so I'm forever picking up bottles and telling the kids to drink water.. I fix kool aid and it disappears too.

On the good side, school starts on the 20th, and then I will have my days to myself.  I may still have to put them on the bus, and fix them a snack in the afternoons, but I'll have the day to do my stuff.
I love them dearly, but it has been a long hot summer, and I'm ready for cooler weather and calm around here.

Cats everywhere,

Once upon a time, several years ago, we were a one cat family.  

Then my Tom disappeared and 3 days later a Red Tabby female 

showed up in his place.  

Now, it is like a Red Tabby Haven around here.

Yesterday, we had them coming 

Out of the chairs.

And

sleeping in laps.

or

Sleeping on 

'Mom'

That is Fluff, who Skylar adopted a couple of weeks ago

Growing like a weed, 

both of them

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What happens when

You decide to take a nap and the grand kids are around...

Skylar decorated his head with a cap,

and Stephen 

used his IPod to take his photo.

He was awake enough by this time to refuse the 

pink one.

Quick throw together meal

On Tuesday evening, a phone call let our church know that it was our turn to feed the Doctors and Volunteers at the CC Christian Clinic which is free to low income with no medicaid or Insurance.  I received a frantic call, could I help with food and work delivering and serving on Thursday evening?  I said yes, and since I had purchased some unbleached flour, made 32 cinnamon rolls, and a large egg salad.
At 4:00pm we left the church and headed to the clinic.  We were all set up by 4:20pm, and found it would be 5:15 or so before the first came in to eat.    We served fried chicken, potato salad, cole slaw, baked beans, egg salad, homemade rolls, and 2 cakes, an apple cobbler, and the cinnamon rolls.  Tea, coffee, lemonade, and water for drinks.  All the cobbler was eaten, the cakes were barely touched, cinnamon rolls, I came home with 3, but I did give some to the ladies that helped serve.

We serve twice this month, then our turn doesn't come around for about 2 1/2 years again.  I think we will be doing spaghetti and garlic bread for the next one, since we have a little notice on that one.

Learning to be a Mom

Learning to be a mom at 9 years old is a large learning curve.

You find that not everyone considers that your baby

needs certain items.

Yesterday, in the local Kroger store, Skylar wondered  where to find the kitten diapers.

The store employee looked at us a little funny, and said he didn't think they had any in stock.

I think he probably asked someone if there was any such item, as he walked away.

And we keep telling her he needs to be left out on the grass for awhile to do his business.

This morning, she took him out, came back in a few minutes and said he'd gone to the bathroom.

Well, a few minutes later she brought him to me, and I almost told her he needed to go back out.

Too late, he'd used his blanket as a potty, lol.  Which meant he needed a bath, and his blanket needed washed.

Then we took him out to let him nurse his mom, and Skylar found the rest of the litter down in the 4 wheeler tires that dh has stacked beside the woodpile.  She managed to get one of them, and I just flat told her no way would we consider 2 of them in the house.  Mom had raised kittens before, and she knew what she was doing.

I'm not so sure about that, but it's my story and I'm sticking to it.

I did give in and bring Fluff in last night when it was thundering.  Was afraid he would get wet, if it rained and get pneumonia... He's getting quite playful, and anything that moves, including your mouth, is attackable.

We did get about .3 inch of rain last night, enough to settle the dust.

Morning surprise

Hubby came to the house on Tuesday morning, and asked me to help him for a minute..

So I follow him down to the shop, and he asked me to move some things he had found.

Of course, Skylar grabbed as many as she could and brought them all into the house.They have teeth, and can eat soft food.

There are 5 of this color, some just a bit darker than the others.  

The one in the corner, mom donated  to the kids, lol.

She hid all the rest, and this one was left.  She comes back and feeds it

but refuses to take it to the new hiding place.

So 'Fluffy' gets to eat in the house, sleep in Skylar's shirt, and he now thinks she is his 'mom'.

She cried when I told her he could not stay in the house, as the dogs wouldn't allow it.

He's been known to sleep in the bathtub on a towel.

He still nurses when his mom comes to the house, to eat and feed him.

But he doesn't even try to follow her off.

Since I have lost Pink, who disappeared about 2 months ago, I think I'll keep this one to love on, if it is allowed.

BTW, Skylar 'spanked' mom for being mean to her baby, lol.

The Widow of Saunders Creek by Tracey Bateman

Six months after Jarrod Saunders was killed, his wife, Corrie, left Dallas Texas for the hometown of her late husband, Saunders Creek Missouri.  She and Jarrod had intended to fix up his grandparents' home, and live in it, since it had passed to him.  She had hired Eli, Jerrod's cousin, to do some repairs on the old house, and when he arrived , he found her asleep on the swing, where she'd fallen asleep the night before.
Eli is a minister, and he warns her that many people believe the house had 'spirits' and had seen and felt things in the house.  He tells her that whatever is there, is not from God.
When she feels the spirit, she feels it is Jerrod there to comfort and help her get through her grief.

This isn't my first Tracey Bateman book, and it won't be my last.  I read the first chapter online, and couldn' wait to get the book so I could finish it.  It is  spiritual and otherworldy at the same time, and until the very end, I wasn't sure what was going to happen.  I would love for this story to be continued in a 2nd book.

I was given this book to read and review from Waterbrook through their Blogger Review Program.  I was given no other compensation.  All opinions expressed here are my own, I'm not required to give a positive review.

Don't spew food or drink

Get up from your computer, take any food or drink into the kitchen, and leave them, then come back.

You don't want to ruin your keyboard, or choke on something, my arms are not long enough to do the Heimlich  on you.

OK, Ready?

We decided to take a short trip to the next town, to a farm and household auction this morning, and neither of us was hungry, so we stopped and got some sandwich fixings and chips.  I took 4 liters of water, and some sodas, so we could stay hydrated.  Last time we went without taking drinks, the concession stand ran out of water, and we drank sodas, which don't do a thing for me.

You know what water does to you don't you?  For those that don't know, it runs downhill, and soon looks for an outlet.  And the only place to outlet was a 'port-a-potty'.  After watching awhile, it didn't seem to have many customers, so I eased that way, fussing at myself for having a small bladder.

In I go, making sure to lock the door, and easing myself over the stool.  All is quiet, I straighten up, and turn to pull my pants up, which were a bit hard, since it was about 98 degrees and water was running down my back, in a stream..  

About that time, the door rattled hard, and OPENED, I'm standing there screaming at some guy, I didn't see his face, but he got MOONED...He said you should have locked the door, I screamed I DID.

He did have the grace to leave the area before I came out of there.  I looked all around and saw no one staring, so I walked down and told Mrs. Miller that she needed to send someone up to fix the latch, because we'd just had a peep show...

No, there are no pictures,

and you can now go get your food and drink, as soon as you quit rolling in the floor....

Shakespeare's Lady by Alexa Schnee

Emilia Bassano was sent to court to be one of the Ladies in Waiting for the Virgin Queen.  She was given to Henry Carey, one of the queen's advisors, for his pleasure while he was at court. When she became pregnant, a marriage was arranged for her with Alfonso Lanier, a musician that traveled the country playing with his troupe.
Alfonso and Shakespeare were friends, and he came to their home to visit, and before long Emilia and William were having an affair, which lasted for years.

OK, so here are my thoughts on this book, it is well written, the author created a good story.  But, I felt it was a bit drawn out, and a bit too much was put into the affairs of court, and heart.

I was given a copy of this book by Guideposts to read and review, no other compensation was given.  I am not required to give a favorable review.  The opinions expressed here are my own, and may not reflect other readers opinions.

IN TOO DEEP by Mary Connealy

Audra Gilliland had been married and had small children, when her husband died.  She and her stepdaughter were raising the children, when Julia met a neighbor man, Rafe Kincaid and they married.  Audra felt as if she was interfering in their life, so when Ethan, Rafe's brother, asked her to marry him, she said yes, and they moved to the Kincaid farm.  Along with Ethan, and Rafe, there was Seth, a brother who was a bit addled, after serving in the war.  His memory wasn't great, and though he loved the kids, Audra didn't feel that they were safe with him.
When men started showing up, looking for the money her deceased husband was supposed to have made away with, it put the whole family in danger.  The caves on the property that Julia and Rafe lived on, became a hiding place, even though Ethan was afraid of them, because of what had happened when he was a child, in them.
I really enjoyed this book, though I wasn't too sure when I first received it.  There is a book #1-Out of Control, that tells the story of Rafe and Julia.  And I suspect there will be a #3 that delves into Seth Kincaid, and the secret of his life.  I want to read them when I get a chance.

I was given a free copy of this book by Bethany House Publishing to read and review.  No other compensation was given.  All opinions expressed here are my own, and I am NOT required to give a positive review.

Skip Rock Shallows by Jan Watson

When Lily Corbett graduated medical school, she was offered a position to 'shadow' a retiring doctor in the coal mining community of Skip Rock Kentucky, not too far from where she grew up.  When she arrived, she found that the doctor had died and that the people didn't 'take' to a woman doctor.  A mine collapse, and saving the leg of her patient, helped some, but not a lot.  A strange man in town drew her attention, he didn't want her to know who he was, since he had known her as a child, when his father had kidnapped her.  He didn't think she would keep his secret, that he was working to get the mines safer for the workers.

When I started reading this book, some of the story seemed familiar.  Then I realized that I had read the story of Lily as a child in STILL HOUSE POND.  And I still have that book, because it is one that I want to pass on to my granddaughter when she is a year or so older.  Now I have a 2nd book to share with her.

Another great book from Tyndale Publishing and Jan Watson.

I received this book free, to read and review from the publisher, no other compensation was given. I'm not required to give a favorable review, an     d all opinions expressed here are my own.

The Scent of Cherry Blossoms by Cindy Woodsmall

  When Annie and her mother had words, her mother sent her to spend time with her grandfather. Her grandfather sent her to help the neighbors who owned a cafe that he had part interest in, never thinking that a Mennonite would fall in love with an Amish man.  Annie and Aden had known each other for years, but now that they were older, the attraction began to worry both his parents and her grandfather.Annie and Aden would meet in the cherry orchard at night, and walk through the trees.  Aden's twin, Roman, was disabled from a farming accident, and he expected Aden to stay with him and help him navigate life. 


I really enjoyed this book, Cindy Woodsmall put a good twist in this story, and I had no idea where it was going until the very last.  I kept wondering how she was going to end this story, as I could not figure out a solution to the Mennonite/Amish problem. I give this book a 5 star rating.


I received this book from  the publisher to read and review. I recieve no other compensation for my  honest review.  All opinions expressed here are my own, and I am not required to give a positive review.


http://www.amazon.com/review/edit-review?ie=UTF8&asin=0307446557&reviewID=R3HP52QHQ5C1CH

Amazon post of review.

www.speaker.com  
cooper 105.5

My grandson has set up his own radio station online, he has 1 advertiser and 211 followers...And for his 200th follower, that person got to rename him for 3 days.  It turned out to be one of his friend's mother, and she renamed him Sweet Cheeks   He's on for 30 minutes at a time, and has 20 hours air time free.  After that, he'll  need to pay $10 for a years air time.  I'm thinking of paying it, but then, that means my computer is tied up while he is broadcasting, or poppy's....
He plays Christian music, have you heard of 11th hour?  How about His Song?  Both are groups that we've had at our church, and both are quite good


.http://www.reverbnation.com/11thhourgospel


http://hissongonline.com/

I'm waiting until grandson figures out how to sing and play live online, too.  He plays guitar and sings quite well.  He's part of a quartet at church, their ages range from 12 to 4 years old, and none of them are afraid of a microphone.