Hodge Podge of Events

Well, It's been awhile since I've blogged.  Recently I read an article that said you should blog every day.  Sorry, but that's a big load of...  Not only for the blogger, but for the followers.  Time is short for all of us these days as we try to fit everything we can in one day.  Blogging should be when you have something you want to share, however often that is.

As a blogger, I must admit I have been remiss in certain areas.  Some of my friends have spotlighted people.  I will start that too.  I know just who I want to spotlight first.  He is a writer and artist who loves Sci Fi, but is pretty quiet on websites and blogs.  I also have not done book reviews.  Sorry, author-friends.  My problem is I write terrible reviews.  Something like:  'C.S Lewis's book 'Narnia' was pretty good.  I liked most of the characters.  I liked all of the stories.  He seems to be a good writer.  You should read it sometime.'





But I won't get better if I don't try.  So I will begin to do Book Reviews.

I also have my next round of guest bloggers set up.  I think you will enjoy them.  In the meantime, I was priviledged to guest blog on two other blogs:
The Gentle Heart of a Poet   This blog belongs to my dear friend Florence Fois, a writer of New York life.  Her stories are quite interesting.
And:  http://threehoodies.blogspot.com/2011/07/my-first-guest-blogger.html by my friend Roger Lawrence.  Roger has a wonderful sense of humor in his writings.
I want to thank both Florence and Roger for the opportunity to guest blog.  If you aren't following these two blogs, well, you just should.  I love discovering new fun authors, and these two certainly write some fun blogs.

My life is still crazy with personal things going on.  I will tell you, I am attending Nami classes once a week.  A couple of family members, whom I love dearly, have been diagnosed with mental health issues.  Along my Italian grandmother's line runs some depression, anxiety, bipolar, panic attacks.  I've dealt with some of these my whole life, so I was saddened to find another member diagnosed.  Nami is a wonderful organization, set up to help people understand and cope with mental illness.  Check them out.  If you or a family member suffer from a serious mental health issue, give them a call.  They are understanding and helpful.  Nami.org  Needless to say, this is time consuming, but well worth the time.
 
I also have a dear cyber friend who is quite ill, and yes I worry about her.  I want her to be better, so I am burning a pink healing candle for her every day.   My prayer for you, dear April, is that your health will return to you and you will be well.




When I can, I continue to edit, revise, and correct my novel and poetry in preparation of e-publishing.  You may have noticed my writing and poetry posts are gone.  Well, they are changing and evolving for the better, so I deleted them from here while I make needed corrections.

Needless to say, I've been a tad frustrated.

Which brings about my temper.  I have to say, normally I am a sweet caring person who loves using positive re-enforcement.  But I have a side to me that shouldn't be challenged.  As if I am not busy enough, and trying to find stability in my life, I ordered a locket for my birthday.  As many of you know I have health issues (yes, mental and physical health issues).  One in particular can be most frightening and can go on for hours - I have had it last over 12 hrs, and that's Meniere's.  A very mean illness.  Anyway, I now wear a medallion of the Archangel Raphael.  It gives me great comfort when I'm in the throes of an illness holding it; plus plenty of prayers.  So I decided I also wanted a medallion of Jesus holding a lamb too.  With every thing going on, I received my medallion - the wrong one.  It was of Mary holding the dead body of Jesus.  Maybe in the future, I'll see the humor in this; but not yesterday.  I went ballistic on this company.  They are trying to work this out (peacefully) with me.  As many of you know, I am not religious, but spiritual, so please don't think I'm going to head into some tirade about religion or Christianity; because I also talk to Kwan Yin, Ganesh, Buddha and Bo Dai.  I accept all good paths as the right path which can bring peace and happiness.

So I am willing to work with this company in the hopes I re-center myself and not go ballistic again.  Trust me, you don't want to fight with me.  I don't like that side of myself and have tried to contain it, but every once in a while, my monster gets angry and escapes.



These are what is going on in my life right now, so if you don't hear from me for a while, well, now you know why.  All of you mean a lot to me.  I send pink healing love to my two family members and my dear sis, April.  When I meet a friend - in person, on the web, over the phone - that person is included in my eternal family circle, and I am honored by that friendship.  When we get off our paths, things go awry.  Happiness brings me back to the realization of who I am and where I am going.  So, let's all use love, honor and respect and 'be happy.'
     

Time for Some Humor

As many of you know, I have  some personal business to take care of.  It has been quite a busy time for me.  So I thought it was time to do one of my 'what Donna thinks is funny' blogs.  Sometimes, we just need a good laugh.

In 'Always' the character Dixon says to Simon, 'Family matters.  There's always family matters.'  I wrote that for two meanings.  The first being 'family does matter' and and second that families keep us hopping.

So, what do I do when it weighs me down?  Here are 3 of my favorite youtube tv skits.  I hope no one is offended by any of these. 

This first one is from 'That 70's Show' when the guys head off to Canada to buy beer and Fez can't find his green card to get back into the country.  What do I find funny about this skit?  Come on, I'm from the 60's, and I get a kick out of Chong's replies:

The next video is one I've watched often.  It is from 'Spin City.'  The governor needs an interpreter for the hearing impaired, since their usual one can't make it.  They hire a guy who lied on his resume:

Finally, I selected one from Saturday Night Live that is a classic.  I know it's not Christmas, but who isn't in the mood for Schwetty balls?

Let me say that there is nothing traumatic or sad in my life right now, just family business that must be taken care of.

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't point out this most specail day.  Part 2 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows opens today.  Sad to see it end after all these years.  Have you signed up for the JK Rowling's new website yet?  I have.  My tribute is not a poster or a clip from the movies.  My tribute is this: 

LHR, friends.

Guest Blogger Roger Lawrence

This has been an amazing summer for me because of my guest bloggers.  I love seeing the answers to their questions and their blog.  This next guest is an author from England I recently met on Shelfari.   I have been very impressed with his works.  I don't believe he gets as much attention as his writing deserves.  Besides his fun stories, he is a kind person and supportive of his friends, and he has a great sense of humor. If you aren't already following him, I know you'll want to:   
http://threehoodies.blogspot.com/  Take a look at his blog and see for yourself.

Roger had to be away for work so he was able to answer the questions.  He has also allowed me to use part of 'Three Hoodies', which is one of my favorite stories of his.  So, let's get to the questions:

1. I've noticed on your website, all of your writings have a touch of humor. Is this a natural part of your writing, or do you work at humor?

I've tried to write in a more serious way. In fact I wrote four novels without any intentional comedy. Unfortunately even I could see that they just weren't very good. Certainly not good enough to send to a publisher or agent. But more to the point I didn't enjoy it. My friend's all think that I'm slightly strange but after a number of years spent in the Royal Marines, in places where life was very grim, it was humour that saved me. And as I enjoy writing it I see no reason to change. It reduces my potential market but ultimately I write because it's fun. If that were to end I'd just have to find another hobby.

2. Three hoodies is very interesting. Do you think it will be your favorite writing? If not, which one is?
Three Hoodies is my favourite because it was the first series I began. I have almost finished the third of four. There is another series about four old men who never really grew up and rampage through time causing all kinds of accidental mischief. It is their cynicism as opposed to the boys' naivety which makes it fun. I really like both series' equally because it requires a different frame of mind to switch. 

3. If you could live on any planet besides earth, which one and why?
I wouldn't like to live on any particular planet since I have the attention span of a gnat. What would really thrill me is a ship that would allow me to cruise around the galaxy, and then as soon as I got bored I could hit the Warp Drive and simply find another.

4. Did you have a favorite show growing up that influenced your life?
Star Trek. When I was about six the TV was full of ads promising us this new show from the US. Then for some reason it was postponed for nearly a year. I was devastated and was a much more world-weary seven by the time it finally arrived but was well worth the wait. Coming from a very racially mixed part of Birmingham there was always a lot of tension. The idea that we could all live in a world where race had absolutely no bearing was a revelation.

5. If you could meet any famous person, past or present who would it be?
Leonardo da Vinci. That man was so ahead of his, and possibly our time. To meet such a brilliant man would have been the most thrilling thing I could or ever imagine

I have reprinted just a portion from Chap 1 of 'Three Hoodies'.  Sadly, my system refused to open much of the document.  Here, at least, is a sampling of his fine writing.

‘She bought you an actual star? Big deal.’

    It had taken a lot of work but David’s image in the mirror was just right. Blue eyes gazed coolly out at the world the way he’d seen Vin Diesel do so many times. The Tee shirt he’d stuffed down the bottom of his bed nearly a week ago was impressively creased. And just to add extra polish, his freshly torn jeans were faded in just the right places, even if they were so baggy that the waist band kept slipping below his hips making him waddle like a penguin. It didn’t matter. A week of not washing it had made his unruly blond hair achieve exactly the right greasiness. It itched a bit, but all the others said that was cool, and soon he’d be old enough to start getting spots. A final pump of his Hydro-Pneumatic Air-Trainers and he fled the house.

    He was fairly pleased with his new hoodie. His mum had got it right for a change. It was better than the last one which must have been designed for a gorilla with a hump. The hood had been so big that it had kept slipping over his face causing him to bump into things and look like a complete plonker. He didn’t even like wearing them but everyone said it was like a uniform, and if he didn’t he would automatically join the group at school whose days were spent in terror of the spectacularly nasty tricks which school kids were so good at. The idea of extracting his head from the toilet held little appeal; and as to what it would to his credibility didn’t bear thinking about..

    His one insistence at individualism that made the ‘uniform’ bearable were the half dozen lurid badges of imaginary US fighter squadrons he’d found at a boot-sale. All in all, just the biz. Normally the stuff she got for him was about eight eons out of date. Last Christmas she’d actually bought him a pair of flairs!

    Saturday awaited.

    Two whole days until school so there was a lot to do. Two days could last for ever when a really inventive mind was put to work, and if he was anything he was inventive. Aunty Joan had recently said that in the deliberately annoying tone adults usually adopted when they didn’t really want you to know what they were talking about. And although he’d never been entirely sure there wasn’t some kind of slur lurking within the remark, it sounded good provided you didn’t actually think about it too much. Anyway, who cared?

    But this star thing his mum had given him. It was just a white dot in an endless sea of other white dots. He might not even have been looking at the right one. And why had it required a few clumps of his hair to pay for it? She was probably just winding him up. It wouldn’t be the first time. His mum’s sense of humour was sometimes as unfathomable as that of all adults; which is to say, not funny at all.

    The glossy five by eight photo now lay in the wardrobe with all the rest of his treasures; junk mostly that he knew should have been chucked out years before, especially the stuffed frog. That was getting a bit pongy now. But it was also the one thing he couldn’t throw away because he’d given it to him. Still, he was fourteen now and if the lads ever found out they’d never let him live it down.

    First stop, Edna’s Caff, the nearest thing they had to a burger bar in this wilderness so far away from anywhere even remotely resembling civilisation. His friends would be waiting, both eager to know what his birthday had brought in the way of stuff. And Sad-case, well he’d be just like he always was when someone got something he’d never had: scornful and unimpressed.

        David would confidently have staked a year’s pocket money on how Sad-case would react to his news. On what he would say and exactly how he would say it. Even though he was one of David’s two best friends he was a real pain at times. If David’s birthday present had been the Empire State Building he’d have laughed scornfully and say he had two. Nothing could ever impress him since he had, and knew absolutely everything; or claimed to, anyway. He’d seen the film and bought the tee-shirt; although he hadn’t read the book. In fact any book, ever, as far as David could recall.

    It wasn’t that he was thick or anything. Sad’s fundamental philosophy was: if there was time to do anything even remotely constructive, like homework, then why not use it to antagonise a girl, or, better still, annoy a grown up. And with his unusually large and heavily muscled body he usually got away with it. David had heard the science teacher whisper to someone a couple of months back that he was either a mutant, or a throw-back. He had no idea what either meant but guessed they probably weren’t compliments

    Sad-case wasn’t his actual name of course – even his parents didn’t hate him that much. But such was his loathing of his real name and his complete refusal to respond to it even from teachers regardless of how many lines or hideous punishments they meted out to him, David had pronounced him to be a terminally Sad-case. His new friend had seized the tribute with a strange pride and thus he had become. 

Thank you so much, Roger, for taking the time to guest blog for us.  I know all of us want to read more of this story.

Guest Blogger Lena Winfrey Seder

It is my pleasure to introduce you to my next guest blogger, Lena Winfrey Seder.  I met Lena in Poetry Corner in the Writers Digest forems.  Lena's poems speak of deep emotional pain, healing and love.  I can honestly say Lena is someone whose heart is big enough to love the entire world and accept everyone for who they are.  She is a friend of mine that I admire greatly.  Here is Lena's post:

1.  What motivated you to write your book?

      Recently I published "The Metmorphosis of a Muslim."  I have always enjoyed writing and truly find that writing just tends to flow from me, or you might say just comes naturally.  I wrote this particular book with the aim of imparting wisdom from life experience and sharing my journey through my conversion and my world travels.  I've been fortunate enough to have lived in several different countries and to have visited many others, particularly in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. 

2.  Our world is in turmomil right now.  What one solution do you use daily?
 
     Actually it is a combination of things.  I use prayer, meditation and writing, especially poetry.  I find writing can be therapeutic.  And most of all taking a deep breath and being very patient.  No one can survive well without patience!

3.  What is the greatest gift we can give our chidlren?

      Firstly, education.  Education and skills to think and analyze are as vital as air and water.  Unfortunately, the quality of education has gone down and so has the true fire of desire for actually learning.  I want to inspire the youth to thirst for true knowledge.  They need to see the benefit and enjoyment of learning. Secondly, being a good role model and imparting to my kids how to have a good, honest character and nice manners.  It is so important for all of us to teach our youth how we should really treat others.  "Treat others as you wish to be treated."

4.  You are at a restaurant that serves any food you wish.  What do you order?

      That is difficult!  I like a variety of food from different countries.  Can't I just order an international platter?  I like Chinese, Italian, Arabic, Indian, American, Greek, and so forth.  Hmm...if I had to choose I might think to choose my mother's kitchen, as she is such a great cook!  I miss some of the Southern foods like gravy and dumplings. Yum!  At home, I cook a lot of Arabic foods, so when I go out I usually want something different.  If I went to a restaurant, I might choose Italian.  I honestly love great pasta with a nice salad.  It would be tough though.  Either pasta with shrimp or lasagna.  I grew up with my mother cooking a lot of Italian food, so again we would end up going back to Mom's kitchen!

5.  You are given the gift of shape-shifting.  what one thing would you choose?  Pegasus, as I would be elegant and beautiful with graceful wings that would propel me to fly very high and very fast.  I think I would love the feeling of soaring fast and free. 

My Blog:

Writing is to me like water and air.  I need it to survive.  It is my passion, and it is a way to express my inner feelings.

Writing is also a powerful tool that can be used for good or for evil.  I hope to do a lot of good with my writing.  It is my goal to teach, to inspire and to help others.

My main goal is to bring people of different backgrounds, nationalities and religions together to cooperate, share and make this world a better place for us and for our children. 

I am currently planning a collection of poetry.  Also, I am working on my second non-fiction novel.  And I want to delve further into writing fictional novels as well as screenplays.  Film is my other passion, so it is my dream to one day make films.  My current novel:  "The Metamorphosis of a Muslim" can be purchased through my publisher at:   www.iiphonline.com

Thank you, Lena for your efforts towards uniting us all.  Keep writing.  The world needs writers like you.

Until next time, my friends.

LHR (love, honor, and respect)

Let's Keep Motivated

Working in the humanities can be frustrating, no matter what field we are in.  Writing stories and poetry sometimes takes all we got, and that may not be enough.  So many writers and poets out there already.  It's easy to get discouraged.  The other day I was ready to delete my precious 'Always'.  Luckily, I didn't.  But I had reached a point where I wondered if it would ever get published.  This is a tough business to break in to.  So, I had to motivate myself again. 
First, I thought of Disney's 'A Dream is a Wish':

A dream is a wish your heart makes
When you're fast asleep
In dreams you will lose your heartaches
Whatever you wish for you keep

Have faith in your dreams
And someday
Your rainbow will come smiling through
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
The dream that you wish will come true


Who better to know dreams can come true than Walt Disney himself.  Look at the empire he built!  But he's not the only one rewarded by it.  All of us Disney freaks love the make believe too.  He made many many people and children very happy over the years.

Yep, that's my son and me many years ago in front of the castle.  I love Disneyland.

William Shatner.  He's someone whose very egotistical.  But you know what?  He's right about his acting ability.  He has made a success out of the many characters he's played.  In Star Trek surveys he is still the favored captain.






He brought joy to many Trekkers. 

Who else motivates me, you ask?  Andy Stewart.  How many of you remember him?  He loved his singing career, he loved Scotland, he loved performing and he loved writing songs.  To this day, I still sing many of his songs.  Here is my favorite:

What an amazing tribute to Scottish soldiers.  Look at his castle!  That's what he got for loving what he did and not giving up.

Speaking of soldiers, let's not forget Sgt Barry Sadler of the Green Berets.  His song during the Vietnam Era helped many of us to see that war for what it was and was a great tribute to the Green Berets.  Ok.  I'm a little prejudiced.  My husband was a Green Beret.  Many men and women enlisted because of his song.

What else motivates me?  The Susan Boyle Britain's got Talent.  The audience was laughing at her as she awaited her turn to perform.  She was so nervous.  Before she entered the stage, she said 'I'm going to rock the audience.'  Well, she rocked the world.  Everyone thought she was going to flop.  Dressed in her Sunday Go To Meetin' Dress, looking the best she could, she stated her dream to the judges.  Even they rolled their eyes.  But when she started singing, Simon Cowell got dollar signs in his eyes.  I listen to her whenever I wat to give up.

 Phew!  Tell me that doesn't motivate you.  I still get chills and tears in my eyes when I listened.

JK Rowling was rejected 8 times before an agent accepted her.  What she gave to the world was a tale to be read over and over again.

Amanda Hocking said for the first 18 months her books only did ok.  They took off after that.  Why?  She said it was because of her research on books of her genre and her decision to go with trolls.  She just signed a $2 million contract.

Never lose heart.  And part of the secret, then, is to do it your way.  This man did and people of all ages all over the world still adore him.  No one has had the career he has.  Truly the king of entertainment.

Shakespeare said it best:
Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.

Finally, if this doesn't motivate us, nothing will.  A fourteen year old girl with an amazing talent:
Melissa Venema playing 'Taps'

What a career ahead of her.

So, back to work, all of us.  One of us just might outshine these successful people.

LHR