Spotlight on Harry Potter Series

Update on reading blogs and emails

I am finally getting (ever so slowly) caught up.  I am down to 618 blogs and 460 emails.  I'm getting there.  This will teach me to fall behind!

Time for Spotlights

The next few blogs, I'll be putting the spotlight on various blogs or books.  I have several already lined up.

   

Spotlight on the Harry Potter Series 

Every year I re-read Harry Potter, and I have yet to get bored.  Last night, I finished book seven and wanted to cry because it was over.  I love this series, and although most of you have read the Harry Potter books, there are still those who have not.  So this is  a SPOILER ALERT.  I may give some details of the books away.  Sorry.

Book one had come out in 1997, and I thought, 'How wonderful.  Finally, a child's book selling so well.'  I didn't buy it.  After all, it was for children.  Next came book two in 1998, and stores were running out of books.  I wondered what could be so great about this story.  Still, it was a child's book, so I wasn't interested in purchasing it.  

When book three came out in 1999, we were getting ready for a long trip and I was home-schooling my son.  Lines to buy the book went around city blocks and stores were running short of books again.

I couldn't take it anymore.  Now, I had to know what was so great about this series.  I rushed to our local bookstore and bought all three books to take on vacation.  My husband and my son watched me with deep curiousity because I wouldn't set these books down.  Soon, my son was reading them and my husband too.  And so it went through the years with all of us reading the books and of course watching the movies.

My son met his future wife in a Harry Potter chatroom for teens, and he made friends from all over the world as they chatted about Harry Potter and Hogwarts.

 

Amazon.com Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

When I started this book, I couldn't see the excitement - why did readers like it?  The first 7 chapters were ok, but nothing great.  It seemed to be about a young boy who lived in a tiny closet under the stairs.  However, from chapter eight on, I was hooked.  It was magical.

Harry Potter is 10-years-old at the start, with his birthday around the corner.  He doesn't know much about his parents who were killed not long after he was born.  He does know he's 'different' from other children, but doesn't know why.  He can even speak Parseltongue (snake language - a rare gift usually posessed by evil wizards, but Harry doesn't know this).  He lives with his relatives the Dursleys - Vernon, Petunia, and their son Dudley - none of whom care much for Harry.  Harry has a tough life - the Dursleys make sure of that.  No school friends - Dudley would beat up anyone who wanted to be Harry's friend.  Harry wears Dudley's hand-me-downs, which are way too big for him and is pretty much ignored by the Dursleys unless he does something wrong.

Suddenly, Harry starts receiving mail by owls to attend a private school, but his uncle makes sure Harry doesn't get the paperwork - until a half-giant knocks down the door and hand delivers the papers and takes Harry to buy his school necessities for Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry.  Harry finds out he's a wizard and his name has been down to attend the school since he was born.

To Harry's surprise, he is rich in wizarding money and he's famous.  Everyone in the wizarding world knows who he is.  He discovers that his parents had been killed by the most powerful evil wizard of all time (Lord Voldemort), but Harry survived and is known as 'the boy who lived.'  He has a lightening-shaped scar on his forehead. an accidental mark left by the evil Voldemort when the spell backfired, leaving Voldemort less than alive. 

Only Harry and a handful of wizards dare to call Voldemort by his name.  He is widely known as He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.  During his reign of terror, there were consequences for daring to speak his name - horrible consequences. 

When Harry receives his wand (the wand chooses you, by the way), the wand maker Ollivander says that it's quite curious.  The reason - one other wand shares the twin phoenix core in Harry's wand - Lord Voldemort.


And as we all know, there really aren't any 'accidentals' in the books.  Everything, including the scar, has a reason, and we find most of this out in book seven.

And thus is the basic premise for all the books.

In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry's courage and fortitude are tested at the young age of 11-years-old.  He gains two close friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger who believe in him and help him throughout all the trials in all the books.  He meets Voldemort again - or should I say, what's left of Voldemort (scared me), and again lives through the confrontration. 

Ron comes from a pureblood wizarding family and is the 6th son.  He has a younger sister, Ginerva (Ginny).  It is a pure-blood family, and Ron has always had to walk in his older brothers' shadows.  Attending Hogwarts with him are his twin brothers Fred and George - mischief makers, yet smart, and Percy who is a Prefect.

Hermione comes from a muggle family (non-wizard), but is extremely talented and smart.  Her favorite spot in Hogwarts is the library.

Sorting is the first task done upon their arrival.  There are 4 Houses:

Griffindor - courage, bravery, and chivalry

Hufflepuff - hard work, patience, and loyalty

Ravenclaw - intelligence, creativity, and wit

Slytherin  - ambition, cunning, and leadership
They are sorted by the wizarding hat, which when placed upon the head shouts out the house.
 

The Sorting Hat 

The Weasleys, Harry, and Hermione are in Griffindor.  By the way, each house also has a ghost.

The classes are unusual:  Charms, Transfiguration, Potions, History of Magic, and Defense Against the Dark Arts are the main ones.  The headmaster is none other than Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, the only wizard that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is afraid of.

Harry finds he fits in well and is an expert riding brooms.  In his first year, he becomes the Quiddich Seeker (the wizarding world's sport, played on brooms high up in the air).  This is a rare honor, not often given to a first year.

He meets his roommates in the Griffindor tower, who will stay his roommates throughout all the books:  Ron (of course), Dean Thomas (a half-blood wizard), Seamus Finnigan (a half-blood wizard), and Neville Longbottom (a pure-blood wizard who is not very adept).  Harry's lineage, by the way, is his father James (from a pure-blood line) and his mother Lily (a muggle and his Aunt Petunia's sister).  But there is much more to Harry's ancestry that we don't find out about until book seven.

He also makes enemies - Draco Malfoy of Slytherin House and Professor Severus Snape of Potions.

Harry is introduced to trolls, rememberalls, wands, owls, Gringrotts vaults, goblins, the Sorcerer's Stone, the baby dragon Norbert, and so many interesting magical things.  Of course, we don't want to leave out the candy - Chocolate Frogs, Acid Pops, Ice Mice and Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans (among the many yummy ones, such as chocolate, peppermint and marmalade, there are some very ucky ones, including such flavors as pepper, earwax, grass, and um, well, bogeys).
   http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/bertie-botts-every-flavor-beans



Harry's adventures in book one keep the reader interested in his story all the way to the end of the book.

Ok.  So let's see how many of you need to re-read or first-time read this amazing tale.

This is for your remembering only, no need to leave the answers in your comments.

Here are some quotes.  Who said them (answers will be in the next post).

"There is no good and evil, there is only power, and those too weak to seek it..."

"Brazil, here I come...thanksss, amigo."

"So it's true then, what they were saying on the train.  Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts."

"She's mental, that one."

"What happened down in the dungeon between you and Professor Quirrel is a complete secret, so, naturally, the whole school knows."

This is for your remembering only.  No need to leave the answers in the comments.

Who did Harry meet in the Forbidden Forest that later becomes a teacher at Hogwarts?

Why couldn't Voldemort kill the baby Harry?  Why couldn't he touch Harry in the dungeon?

What happened to Harry whenever Harry came near Voldemort or when Voldemort was angry or extremely happy?

What spell stopped the troll?  Who performed it?

What was the sorcerers stone?

What did Hagrid have guarding the stone?  What was its name?

What amazing Christmas gift is Harry given in this book?  (Something that belonged to his father) 

Please, tell us your favorite memory from book one.

  

Amazon.com Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

In Harry's second year at Hogwarts, he hears something whispering throughout the castle threatening to kill, but only Harry hears it.   Harry is accused of being the Heir of Slytherin because he can speak Parseltongue, and he just happens to be the first on the scene of all the petrified fellow students, ghosts, and Mrs Norris (a cat).  

Harry's adventures in this book are traveling by Floo Powder, discovering Knockturn Alley, dueling with wands, meeting and being threatened by Lucius Malfoy (Draco's father), meeting Moaning Myrtle, having a run-in with an ancient tree, learning about Slytherin and his heir, using Skele-Grow to grow back bones in his arm, freeing Dobby, killing the monster in the Chamber of Secrets, ending Tom Riddle's life by an ingenious attack of a diary, and saving Ginny Weasley's life. 
wikia.com

They get a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Gilderoy Lockhart, who is totally useless but very handsome and popular among the older witches.  Harry also meets Dobby (a house elf), who while wanting to save Harry's life, almost kills him several times.  Dobby insists Harry must not return to Hogwarts because of something dangerous.  Harry ignores Dobby's warning.  Harry also meets Aragog, an old friend of Hagrid's (a friendly sort of fellow... if you, um, like that type).

Again, at the end of the book, Harry faces He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named as a young teenager, and Harry lives to thwart Tom Riddle's plan.

Snape continues to hate Harry, who hates Snape too.  Harry has found out that Severus Snape and Harry's father were enemies.  Harry is sure Snape is loyal to Voldemort, not Dumbledore.

At the end of the book, Professor Dumbledore reveals more of Harry's secrets to him.


This is for your remembering only.  No need to leave the answers in the comments.

Here's some quotes for you (who said them?):

"Broken?  There's no bones left!"

"You must be very brave to mention his name.  Or very foolish." 

"Reading?  I didn't know you could read."

"Follow the spiders?  Follow the spiders?  If Hagrid ever gets out of Azkaban, I'll kill him!"

"Oh, Harry?  If you die down there, you're welcome to share my toilet."

"Noone asked for your opinion, you filthy little Mudblood!"

This is for your remembering only.  No need to leave the answers in the comments.

See if you can answer the following questions.

What creature was in the Chamber of Secrets?

By being loyal to Dumbledore while in the Chamber of Secrets, three things came to Harry to help him survive.  What were they?

How did Ron and Harry get to Hogwarts this year?  What did they run into on the grounds?

How did they escape from Aragog?

What is Azkaban and why was Hagrid sent there?

What did Hermione brew to find out if Draco had unleased the monster?

Whose house did Dobby belong to, and how did Harry set him free?

And the easiest of all:  Tom Marvolo Riddle is an acronym for what?

Now, please tell us your favorite part of book two.

If you can't answer the bulk of the questions in book one and two, it's time to pull out your Harry Potter collection and start reading.

Both books are available at amazon.com for $8.79 for the paperback versions or the boxed set for $50.85.  Or you can get the Kindle versions for $7.99, the boxed set for $57.54.

Harry Potter books by JK Rowling 

What house would you be sorted into?  I'm always a Hufflepuff.  Take the challenge by clicking on the link below.

Take the sorting test

I give both books five out of five wands.

              

Next time, I'll be looking at books 3 and 4.  I hope you'll join me. 

Trailers from Warner Brothers:

LHR, my friends.

 

 

Defining Love in Womens Fction

UPDATE:  DUE TO EDITING MY NOVEL AND MY RECENT HEALTH ISSUES, I AM BEHIND 500 EMAILS AND 801 BLOG POSTS.  BE AWARE I WANT TO READ ALL MY FRIENDS' EMAILS AND POSTS, AND I AM CATCHING UP AS QUICKLY AS I CAN.  THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING.

 

In my novel Always, Love is Complicated in Many Ways

 Love has no desire but to fulfill itself.  To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.  To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving.  ~Kahlil Gibran

The topic of love is quite common in fiction writing.  Very few stories exist that don't deal with love or a relationship/attraction.  The various genres handle this topic in ways best to fit the story.

For instance, in the Romance genre, the main conflict revolves around the love of a man and a woman.  Often, melodramatic, the writer passionately takes the reader on a journey ending in a happily-ever-after.

Chic-Lit, on the otherhand, is often light-hearted written with the 20's-30's woman in mind.  While struggling with romance, the chic-lit heroine also struggles with common issues for women in this age group.

My novel, Always is in the genre of Womens Fiction, and although Womens Fiction has similarities to the Romance genre in dealing with love, it is a more complicated look at emotions and circumstances, often diving into the depths of topics such as abuse or struggles.  The women characters in Womens Fiction are often found struggling with personal issues/adversities.  In other words, the characters in Womens Fiction struggle deeper with their issues and as such, the story is more complicated in many aspects, weaving a tale carefully laid in an tangle of emotions.  

Womens Fiction, for the most part, cannot be defined as a good 'beach read'.  It is a more involved read that takes time to absorb the storyline.

As the editing and proofing of Always comes to a close, I have realized how important the theme of love is to this book.  Not just love of a man and woman, but love among family and friends too.  Not only does my female heroine suffer in her desire for a man who rejects her feelings, but the male protagonist suffers more in dealing with his own feelings and wants as he tries desperately to control the uncontrollable - emotions.

The story starts out introducing the protagonist, Simon.  Simon is 36-years-old and lives only with his butler.  He has found that his life is much less complicated this way, and as the reader is introduced to Simon, Simon appears cold, brusque, never wanting to be involved in any relationship again.  The reasons are all there in the first chapter, and the reader comes to understand the hurt and loneliness that intruded into Simon's life.

In the 2nd chapter, we meet the heroine, 16-year-old April, who has had a crush on Simon since as long as any family member can remember.  She has now made the decision that it is time for Simon to realize they belong together forever.  And therein lies the first struggle the reader sees between these two- Simon's non-interest in a child, April's goal to prove him wrong.  To complicate the matter more, Simon's best friend, Dixon is April's uncle.  And when it comes to complicating staunch Simon's life, Dixon will go to no ends to watch the situation make Simon's comfortable life become uncomfortable.

But there is more to the complications of love in this book as other characters struggle with their feelings and how they express their satisfaction or unhappiness centered around their love for another character.

In Womens Fiction, not everything is solved in a happy manner.  There are those scenarios frought with emotional pain and loss while at other times, the happiness of welcoming a new family member is bound to bring strong joyful emotions into the family/friend circle.

Here are some excerpts from Always to illustrate the complexity of Womens Fiction (and the interesting read of this book). 

Excerpts from Always

 Unable to sleep due to his surfaced emotions, Simon attempted to drown his persistent thoughts in a bottle of Scotch. Damn Dixie.  Damn all women, he thought.  

 

“Do you want a slice of Aunt Tillie’s gingerbread?  I…I helped her make it.”  April blushed, as she leaned in a little too close to Simon.

     Simon threw himself back hard into the chair to get a proper distance from her, almost spilling his tea.

 

Dixon raised his glass too.  “And to one more adventure.”

     “Another?” asked Simon.

     “Have you already forgotten, dear chap?  We are on a quest to find you love?”

     “To the hunt then,” agreed Simon.

 

Placing his hand on his hip, his jaw set tightly, he whispered, “I miss you both.”  He looked across the cemetery grounds.  So many graves meant lots of sad people left to forever mourn their loved ones.  I should come here more often.  It seems… proper.

 

“Perhaps you can find a jinx breaker of some sort.”

     Simon studied his friend, concerned.

     Dixon clarified. “Poor Dixie.  She’s covered in bumps and bruises.  She slid down four stairs this morning.  Lucky her fiancé caught her or she would have slid down several.”

     “I don’t remember Dixie prone to accidents.”

     “Never was before.  I think she’s getting cold feet and is in too deep.”

     “She doesn’t want to marry…” Simon read the name on the invitation, and continued, “Steven Wood?”

 

Simon paced the room, flexing his hands, his jaw set tight.

     I’ve had enough of being weak.  I won’t let her get in my head.  Stupid child.  That’s all she is.

     Simon heard a soft knock on his door, and he let the hooker in. 

     “What do you pre…” she started to say when Simon cut her words off.

     “I don’t give a damn what you offer.  Let’s get this over with.”

 

April smiled up at him.  “Thank you Simon.”  She continued to gaze at him.

     Simon felt uneasy and looked away.

     Before he knew what was coming, April lay both of her hands on the sides of his face as she pressed her lips tightly on his.  He instinctively drew her closer and caressed her perfect, sweet lips with his.  They tasted delicious and he couldn’t help but kiss her passionately.  Jasmine filled his nostrils, clouding his mind. He craved more.  More of her. He held her tighter and mumbled, “Kitten.”  Shocked over his intense response, Simon forced her arms down.

     “April, no.  I mean no!  You have no idea what you’re doing.”

 

Dixie and Steven briefly exchanged vows.  As the newlyweds kissed, Simon caught two unmistakable things. Dixie looked at her husband with sheer revulsion.  At the same moment, April’s swollen eyes found Simon.  Her face wet from weeping caused Simon to feel remorseful over his treatment of her. A solitary tear filled one of her eyes.  She blinked constantly to keep it back.  The image of April so lovely, crying, seared upon his  heart, and he knew in his guilt that he deserved such pain.

Simon enjoyed the company of his guests and the pleasant dinner.  He rarely saw Dixon and Jesse together and this time, Simon threw in a cough or two.  Dixon found the humor; although with each cough Jesse would say, “Mon Dieu” or “enfant.”  Then she would smile lovingly at Dixon.  Simon felt pangs of jealousy as he witnessed their deep love for each other.

 

“Excuse me, sir.  The young ladies sent me to fetch you.  They want to treat you to breakfast.”

     “I’m about to leave with Duffy.”  Simon handed Lester a credit card.  “Allow Jesse and the girls to buy whatever they wish.”

     “Yes, sir.  However, I’m afraid that I cannot deny them their request.  They stated that angels cannot fail.”

     “I see your dilemma.  I’ll be down in a moment.”

     “They are waiting for you in the tea room, sir.”

     “What?  No, Lester, not that.” 

     “They fancy it is a perfect way to thank you, sir.”

     “You informed them that men aren’t crazy about tea rooms?”

     “I did, sir.  They are insistent.”

     Simon drew a breath and let it out slowly.  “I’ll meet them there.”

 

“Dixon, how do I survive two young girls?”

     “If you drink enough tea in a darling little tea room decorated with such delightfully coloured butterflies, in those fancy clothes of yours, you might metamorphose and flitter away.”  He fluttered his hands to imitate wings in motion.

     Simon tightened his jaw.  “Are we going fishing?”

     “I had anticipated meeting a few fish, unless you prefer to spend more time in the tearoom?  Tell me, old boy, did you use a demitasse?”

 

“You’re the one that they brag about, the guy they wanted to marry Dixie.  The chosen child,” scoffed Steven. 

     “You getting to a point?  Or are you trying to intimidate me?”  Simon remained calm, although his fists ached to fight and his thumb pulsated.

 

Lester entered with a cup of tea for April.

     “Tea, sir?”

     “No, Lester, not this time.  I’ll drink my brandy straight.”  His gaze remained on April.

 

“I don’t care.  For the next year, we both live our lives.  After I turn 18, and if neither of us has a fiancé,” April stared accusingly at Simon, “then we marry.  Deal?”

     Simon’s eyes opened wide.  “Are you asking me to marry you, April?  Shouldn’t I request your hand?” 

 

“What happened, Dixon?  Why are you covered in blood?” Simon asked. 

     “Lester.  If it weren’t for him-”

     “Lester?”  Dixon wasn’t making sense.  Simon’s thumb twitched and he tightened his jaw.

     Dixon didn’t change his gaze.  He still ran his hand through April’s hair and drank some water.  When he talked, he spoke monotone and curt.

 

“Here, Jesse.  Let Simon see how you fight,” said Dixon.

     “Alors.  I am glad you are in a better mood even though you act like a child.  Enfant.  You do not command me.  I will get you tonight, you will see.”

     “I can’t wait, dear.  It is a deal?  Notice, Simon,   they’re fighters, out to win.  They’re tigers, quick to temper, swift to scratch, and relish the hunt whether after prey or being chased.  You haven’t taken a sip.  Down a good one, man.  Where are your manners?”

 

“If it was business, I’d leave you alone.  You’re smart in business deals, but dumber than a jackass about dating.  Simon, she’s 19.  She wants to date her man. My niece didn’t even hint, just outright said it. You turn her down and organize a kid’s party instead.  I myself can’t wait to play Poke the Jackass, a new game I’ve been inventing this afternoon.  I’m hoping to take several turns.  I bet good money the women will want to play too.”

 

“The desires of a husband and wife can be strong,” said Jesse.

     Telulla shrieked.  They turned to her, surprised.  Telulla stared at April, elated.  She pushed her glasses up.  “Don’t you get it?”  She looked from Jesse to Aunt Tillie.  “Can’t you tell?”

     “Mon Dieu!” 

“I’ll repeat your Dieu and throw in my God,” shouted Aunt Tillie, slamming her hand down on the table.

     The three women stared at her.

     “Oui.  I see it,” said Jesse.

     “What?  What are you seeing?  A rash?  What is it, Aunt Jessie?” April asked.

I sincerely hope you enjoyed these extracts from my novel.

 “Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.”
― Alfred Tennyson, In Memoriam 

 Hold me close and hold me fast
The magic spell you cast
This is la vie en rose

When you kiss me heaven sighs
And tho I close my eyes
I see la vie en rose

When you press me to your heart
I'm in a world apart
A world where roses bloom

And when you speak...angels sing from above
Everyday words seem...to turn into love songs

Give your heart and soul to me
And life will always be
La vie en rose

The great Louis Armstrong playing the trombone and singing 'La Vie en Rose':

 LHR (Love, Honor, and Respect - notice Love is the first word) , my sweet friends.

Seven Lovely Blurbs

We Have Winners

Before I write this post, I want to announce the 2 winners of Roger Lawrence's Kongomato, Kindle version.  Congratulations to Joleene Naylor Amaranthine Night and Kelly Hashway Kelly Hashway - both accomplished authors.  I know you'll enjoy this book.  Of course, you'll never look at birds the same again, and you'll never sleep alone when you're done reading...

The best part of Mr. Lawrence's writings is his talent for twists and turns in stories.  Be prepared for these because they have a habit of jumping out of nowhere.

Mr. Lawrence Three Hoodies Save the World is truly a gifted author.

One Lovely Blog Award

 

I have been graced by one lovely blogger, Sally K Witt to receive the One Lovely Blog Award.  Thank you so much, my sweet friend.  For those of you who don't know Sally - well, you really should.  This woman knows about internet social media like no other.  Heck, she has over 11,000 followers on Twitter.  I thought I was doing pretty good when I hit 600.  

If you haven't visited her blog, you really should.  She blogs about a variety of topics, and I look forward to her new posts.  Bruce/Sally Witt, Social Media and Ministry  

Thank you, Sally, for this award.  I am to pick 7 other people, but to be honest, I no longer pick anyone as so many of us have been through these awards many times.  Now, I'm supposed to tell you 7 items of interest about myself, so let's get started.

Summertime and Me

 

I am a summer gal, and in particular a desert summer gal.  I feel my best when it's summer and the temps soar into the 100's with the dry desert heat.  Since I have Cold Sensitivity (who knew that was really an illness?), late fall, winter, and early spring I am often in bed, sick.  There is something about bright, hot summer days that bring me dancing out of my Cancer Crab shell.  And to be honest, with me, the fewer the clothes, the better. Bright and colorful halter tops, tank tops, short or long summery skirts or dresses, sarongs, no shoes or socks (uck!  flip flops and platform sandels outside), fun and bright jewelry (the bigger and gaudier, the better), and of course, flowers in my hair.  And yes, I prefer short or long dresses to pants or shorts. There's just something about them swishing when I walk that I just love.

Illness Can Make me Disappear

I've mentioned that I have many health issues, so when I disappear for a week or more, that's usually because one of my many illnesses has struck.  Do not feel sorry for me.  Thanks to the grace of God,

I have nothing life threatening.

I was born a twin in 1950, and you know, back then, they often couldn't tell if a woman was carrying more than one baby.  During delivery, it was common to put the woman under anesthetic, and what a surprise for my mother to wake up and find out she was blessed with two babies - a healthy baby boy and a barely over 4lb girl.

Normally, I don't talk about my health issues because I don't want that to be how everyone thinks of me.  But today I will.  So here they are, some of them at least:

Migraines/sensitivity to bright light and sound

Menieres (a horribly scary thing when it strikes) which is now causing deafness in one ear

Recurring BPPV in both ears, which is rare

Recurring sinus infections - thanks to a dear friend who led me onto pure carrot juice (big yuck, by the way) it really does help with sinus infections.

IBS - so fun.  With it goes lactose intolerance, MSG intolerance, gluten & wheat intolerance (so what do I eat - very, very little processed foods and lots of meats, veggies, and fruit)

Epstein Barr Virus (did you know most people carry this virus and it never acts up for them)  I'm one of the lucky few that the virus loves and visits me quite often.

Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome - once I come down with something, CFIDS can and often does strike.  If it strikes hard enough, it can cause the Epstein Barr Virus to activate.  This last week, I came down with another sinus infection and slept the week away, thanks to CFIDS.  You have to have CFIDS to understand the sleeping.  There is no way to fight it, so I like to refer to myself as Sleeping Beauty.  lol  But CFIDS is not just about sleeping.  It is an Immune Dysfunction, and has many other debilitating symptoms.  The British term for this persistant state is much better than ours:  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (say that 3 times quickly).

Intolerance to Cold - my poor family.  Our house must stay a constant 75 degrees.  If it drops, I'm in bed, sick.  I prefer 78 or 80 degrees, but that is much too warm for everyone else.

Chronic Hives - how fun!  Caused by intolerance of certain foods or stress and CFIDS.

Depression/Anxiety  I believe all creative minds suffer from this, and people with all sorts of illnesses do too.  Creative minds are thinkers, and we wander into all sorts of subjects, sometimes leading us down the saddest paths.  Be honest.  How many of you cry when writing a sad scene in one of your own books?

There are other minor illnesses that don't strike often or are personal in nature, but I keep those to myself.

My husband and I laugh at my pill carrier because I take a lot of herbal supplements too.

 

Yet, beyond any doubt, I have had the best life imaginable, and what makes life wonderful is knowing that you're loved, and I am loved.

Intuition/Connection with the Other Side

 

Through my Grandmother's line comes limited psychic abilities.  I cannot talk to your Aunt Mabel for you, unless she chooses to come to me, by the way.  I can do readings for you and often interpret your dreams, but I usually do this for family and close friends only, as it takes a great deal of energy to do so.  I have had many experiences, but I rarely talk about them.  They are very personal to me.  Along with this, I am on a Spiritual track - not a religious track - a Spiritual track.

People will often say I look familiar to them, and I give them my standard answer:  "Well, I was either famous or infamous in a previous life - probably infamous."  It takes them by surprise and then they laugh. 

Writing/Poetry and Me

If you are my friend, then you know this is my heart's desire.  I am calmest and happiest when I delve into my creative side.  When I read stories and poems I've written, it fills my soul with a peaceful joy.  It is similar when I work on other creative projects.

I've just ordered this book and can't wait to make several:

How cute is this!  This is from Annies, one of my favorite craft places:  Annies  I see all sorts of possibilities with this pattern.

My Birthday

 

I have a birthday this week and I have already been over-blessed by my family with gifts and sweet treats.  My son and Ange got me a gift card to Michaels, my favorite craft store.  I can't wait to use it.  My husband has ordered several things I've wanted.  How spoiled am I?  But then, I've often said, I must have been a spoiled child on the Other Side, or I wouldn't have been born in this glorious country.

My Sun Signs

   

I won't go into details here because I just did a post on this.  But I am a true Cancer sign (and I can use my pincers really well) and Chinese Tiger.  If I like you, I'm loyal to you and I will go out of my way to help you, if I can.  I love with an open heart.

But don't ever lie to me, be dishonest,  go behind my back, or try to force me to do something, because that's the end of the friendship.  Although I must forgive myself and you for any fighting for my own good, I am not required to be a friend anymore and I won't.  Nor do I forget.  And I have no qualms fighting with anyone if pushed to it.  My Tiger temper is instantaneous.  My Crab temper is slower, but more dangerous.  I refuse to kowtow to normal mortals, no matter how dirty they choose to fight.  

The loving and the anger is who I am.  It can't be taken away from me.

William Shakespeare said it best:  "This above all:  to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night and the day, Thou cannot be false to any man."

Believe in Yourself

 

I developed this motto through my journey in illness.  For me, these illnesses have only made me into a stronger person.  In 1991, I started a journal of uplifting quotes.  Today, it is huge as I continue to add to it.  I've learned to believe in myself, and one of my goals in life is to help everyone that I love to believe in themselves.

That's why I'm such a strong supporter of Indie Authors.  That's why I've adopted the PAWS for Success - Poets/Artists/Writers supporting one another for Success.  And because of this, I have some of the most amazing friends online and in person.  Truly, I believe in each and every one of you, and love you too.

Through my Church (yes, I may not be religious, but I do belong to a religion) I was given a blessing once when I was very ill.  I was told that being ill was given to me to help and understand others, so you see, to me, these illnesses are not negative things, but a force of good.  Truly, God does work in mysterious ways.

Each of us - every single one of us - has missions to complete and lessons to learn.  But we never walk this Earth alone.  Besides our Earthly family and friends, we have an army surrounding us that we can't see.  

As Rogers and Hammerstein wrote in "You'll Never Walk Alone",

When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don't be afraid of the dark

At the end of the storm
Is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of the lark

 LHR, my friends.  Believe in who you truly are, and let no one take that gift from you.  And tell those you love that you do love them - every single day.