IWSG Wednesday And Did You Know Thursday

 

The first Wednesday of every month is officially IWSG day. IWSG was formed by Ninja Captain Alex Cavanaugh. Members post about their doubts and fears, discuss struggles and triumphs, and offer words of encouragement to others who are struggling.

 

Twitter handle: @TheIWSG  

Hashtag: #IWSG 

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the

November 5 posting of the IWSG are Jennifer Lane, Jenni Enzor, Renee Scattergood, Rebecca Douglass, Lynn Bradshaw, and Melissa Maygrove!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Remember, the question is optional

November 5 question - When you began writing, what did you imagine your life as a writer would be like? Were you right, or has this experience presented you with some surprises along the way?

One thing my writing journey has brought me is friends that I would probably never have made if I hadn't been writing.  These friendships are, and will continue to be, invaluable.  I'm not sure anyone else besides another writer can truly understand the highs and lows that is involved.  For the friendships I've been blessed with, I'm thankful:)

*Writing takes many forms: novels, reviews, shorts, poetry, journaling and blogging. 

 October/November Reviews in no particular order.

* Disclaimer. If I run into an occasional typo, I ignore them and don't factor them into my review.

 

BEYOND THE FETTERS by Balroop Singh

BEYOND THE FETTERS tells the story of Earthy and Dolly’s friendship and what they and the average female had to endure in India in the 1960s from childhood on. While the story and characters are fictional, there is a lot of factional information on society’s norms in India and the fetters put on the female sex—and how these two women eventually broke free. Kudos to the author for telling a story that needed to be told.

Available at Amazon 

 

 

 

THE DIAMOND JACK by Mae Clair

In THE DIAMOND JACK, Mae Clair once again shows her prowess as an author.

Shey Lafferty, a young man with a reputation, falls for the new school marm, Leah Holt, who is eight years his senior.  If the age difference and his reputation aren’t enough of an obstacle, danger raises its ugly head when Monk Sunday comes to town. An hombre who’s a threat to not only Shey, but nearly everyone Shey loves.

Now Shey must not simply prove himself to Leah, but keep those he cares about safe from a sinister hombre.

In this compelling tale, the author weaves a story involving both romance and danger with the Old West as backdrop. The read is visual, allowing the reader to slip effortlessly into the story. The world-building is spot on and the characters are well-developed. So, grab your beverage of choice and settle in.

THE DIAMOND JACK is a definite recommend for those who love western romance.

Available at Amazon 

 

ABRAHAM LINCOLN: America’s 16^th President by Steven Otfinoski

I grew up near Springfield and New Salem, so I was anxious to read this particular book. Like the rest of the series, it hits interesting highlights of the president. There's always something in these books that I find particularly enlightening. In ABRAHAM LINCOLN: 16th President it was learning that Mr. Lincoln's son Robert not only lost his father to an assassin's bullet but had been nearby when Garfield and McKinley were killed as well. After that, he got out of politics and concentrated on business at which he was quite successful.

Available at  Amazon

 

*I’ve also been doing a lot of J.D. Robb/Nora Robert’s rereads😊 I’ve reread the first eight in J.D. Robb’s Death series.  Highly recommended for readers who love a mash of sci-fi, suspense and romance with heat. And writing under her Nora Robert’s moniker I’ve been rereading THE THREE SISTERS ISLAND TRILOGY great for readers of paranormal romance and romantic suspense, again with heat.

 

AND

Did you know, Truman Capote wrote BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S?  I blush to admit I didn't.

For more information: Wikipedia      

 

 

Ketch-Up Day

 

Whacha been up to while I was playing ketch-up?  We finally got to see the Grands and, of course, thoroughly enjoyed them.  We especially wanted to see the youngest before he has his surgery at St. Judes. I loathe the fact that he needs the surgery, but I am so relieved that he will be having it there. It's a delicate procedure and one the surgeon specializes in.

AND

I had a mammogram the other day and as I left, they gave me a silk rose.  

 

AND 

It's after Halloween but I got such a kick out of these pics that I wanted to share. One is my sister and one is my SIL.

 

AND

 In our area, it's local elections and yes we voted (early).

AND

It's also

 

And on that sweet note, I'm going to leave you...at least until tomorrow;)
 

Brief Hiatus

 I'll be back next week, Blogger Buds. Be well.

Ketch-up Day

 

Look what I got from CJ. Isn't this great? I love both pieces, but that envelope is especially amazing:) Thanks, CJ:) Much appreciated.

 AND

Critter pics

 

I realize this is short and sweet. We were gone for a few days.  I'll ketch-you-up soon.  Hope all is well on your end.

It's The Weekend

 

Writerly Wednesday AND Did You Know Thursday

 What's your synonym, sentence or definition for:

 Definition: Rearrange

AND 

Did you know, carrots were originally purple?

Source: Carrots were originally purple, not orange. Here's what happened 

 

 

Ketch-up Day

How are you? Have you won the lottery? Written that best seller? Painted that famous picture? Listened to a good band? Gone on a lovely vacation? None applies to me, but here's hoping one does to you:)

Here's how my last week shook down.

How Not To Get Repeat Donors

So, I received a request for money, along with the other six or seven that appear daily, for charitable organizations. If you're in the United States, you're probably familiar with this particular one.  They always send a 'real' stamp along with the donation request.  They've been doing it for years and who can't use a stamp? I saw it  and thought, "Great. I can stick that on my SIL's Bday card. Which I did.  It didn't look like the stamps I'd received in the past, but I figured it was just a forever stamp. Luckily I took a closer look at it before it went out the door.

What the? 

 Yup. It was a real stamp alright. But it was for a penny.  I pulled the request out of the trash and read that the real stamp was only for a penny but the return envelope for my check was for the full amount.  Oh, thank you so much:) You know, some poor smuck--which was almost me--went ahead and mailed their envelope with that stamp thinking it was for the full amount like they've always been in the past.  

Hmm, in my humble opinion,  they might want to rethink their charity drives. 

AND 

I'm taking part in Denise's writing challenge. The idea is to write a short or a poem about the picture she's chosen for the challenge. 

Here's the picture.

 

                                                 Untitled by aarigalangg from Pixabay

Here's my poem:) 

Sam and His Cat

Sam and his cat crept through the darkened forest,

Surrounded by ancient, shadowy oak,

Whose skeletal branches moaned when the wind blew.

Mist hung low, 

Reaching out for the boy's thin, shivering arms.

Leaves cracked and crunched underfoot,

All while he prayed for quiet.

Frightening creatures stared from dead, misshapen bushes.

The night eerie,

Black as his father’s coal bin.

And cold. So cold.

He took one more step.

Heart pounding,

Relief flooded his small frame as he and the cat broke free of the grove.

A smile tipped his lips. Fear forgotten.

Ahead, warmth and light streamed from a small cabin’s windows.

They were home.

AND

The little holly tree. 

 That's about it folks. Did you get a penny stamp? Deluged with charity requests? No? I bet you won the lottery:)