Monday, June 27, 2016

Children Learn From Their Parents ~ #MondayBlogs


Many… many years ago I got a Summer Stock gig in upstate New York. It was the summer of 1974 and I was excited. It was my first time living away from my parents’ home and on my own.

I met a lot of new people that summer, they came from all over the country and to a kid who grew up in “da Bronx”, NYC, it was interesting to meet so many and hear about all of their experiences. There was no shortage of fun times and parties and we each formed our own circle of pals.

I hung out with the light and sound crew (I was there as a lighting technician), I was the only female in this small group. One of the guys, I’ll call him Howard to protect his identity, came from a small town in Vermont. It was Howard’s first time away from home as well, his first time meeting people who didn’t live in his small town.

The first day we met I was wearing a Star of David pendent and I noticed that he was staring at me whenever he thought I didn’t see. Finally I asked him what was up. He apologized and a few minutes later he sat next to me at the dimmer board and asked me if I really was Jewish. I said yes and asked him why he wanted to know. He pointed to my necklace.

I was not expecting his next words. They were innocent and knocked the breath out of me.

“I never met a Jewish person before. I was always told Jews had horns.” And he quickly apologized. Howard told me that his parents, aunts and uncles all lived in that small town and went to the one church that everyone went to. Everyone was the same where he grew up and they all said that Jews had horns.

I laughed nervously and said, “Well we don’t.”

He asked a lot of innocent questions about my religion, my Spanish surname, growing up in a big city and more. In Judaism it’s a mitzvah (commandment) to teach and so I was happy to answer his questions, questions which came from pure curiosity — he was seeing the world outside of his small home town for the first time.

Howard called his parents that night to ask if they had ever seen a Jew with horns and they admitted that they never did. When he asked why they told him that there were horns they said that’s what they had been told by their parents as they grew up in that same small town. They expressed nervousness when he said he had a Jewish friend but at his insistence they decided to let him decide for himself who he could be friends with.

I did meet them later in the summer and they were actually very nice people. I don’t know what happened to Howard and his family when the summer was over, I went home to plan my wedding and we never really stayed in touch. But I would like to think that just maybe they stopped telling people the stereotype they were raised with. Just maybe they were a little bit more accepting of people who were different than them and maybe there was a little less prejudice in that small Vermont town.

Don’t teach your children prejudice because they like to believe that Mommy and Daddy are always right. Children learn from their parents.

Saturday, June 25, 2016

How did he have that kind of power? ~ Weekend Writing Warriors / #8sunday / 06/26/16

Hi! Welcome to another Weekend Writing Warrior and Snippet Sunday round. Every week writers post 8-to-10 sentences on their blogs from a published or unpublished book. Then we "hop" around and leave comments on each other's snippets. Whether our work is already published or in progress, the helpful comments help us become stronger writers on our next WIP. We welcome EVERYONE's comments.

See more at the
WeWriWa blog

& check out the
Facebook Snippet Sunday group


A long, long time ago I shared a few snippets from my Paranormal Romantic Suspense, Karma Visited (only 5) - and we didn't get a full taste of this story. Since I am working on a sequel and revisiting the story for myself, I'm sharing more with you and soaking up your comments.

Do you believe in karma? Annie Furman has a gift that allows her, while she sleeps, to visit people in their time of need - but who will be there for her when she needs help? Undersheriff Dave Turner is investigating a series of home invasions and homicides. He has no idea that solving this case will lead him to the woman of his dreams.

Last week Dave and Annie "met" and neither one could believe it. Annie is no longer dreaming, she can't understand how that Sheriff saw her and spoke to her - normally people only saw her when a life was in danger...

Creative editing alert!  Here are nine lines... 

Annie was shaking as she sat on the side of her bed while Scott was puttering around the room getting dressed and slamming the drawers shut as he took what he needed.
“Are you going to sit there all day?”
“No, I’ll go get your breakfast made,” she couldn’t look at him, she was afraid he’d see the truth and call her crazy again. She slid off of the bed and dug her toes into the soft plush carpeting.
“Just coffee, I’m in a hurry.”
Annie slipped her robe and slippers on and left the room.
She watched the dark brown liquid as the coffee dripped into the pot as she wondered how that man could see her? He spoke to her, he heard her, and how the hell had he seen her at the accident? How did he have that kind of power?


 ~~~~~
For more WeWriWa Snippets, go to: 


My life changed after I died.
It’s not like I had any special powers.
They just didn’t understand me.
They underestimated me.
I had a gift.

Buy Links



~~~~~
Just for fun trivia

If you like chocolate pudding, then today is your day!
June 26 is National Chocolate Pudding Day
In 1934, General Foods (Jello) introduced chocolate pudding mix as “Walter Baker’s Dessert.”

How do you like to eat your chocolate pudding?
Personally I like slivered strawberries and a nice big dollop of whipped cream on top.

Yumm, my mouth is watering just thinking about this.
Don't you think this would make a very romantic dessert for two?
What is your favorite dessert?



Monday, June 20, 2016

People in our lives ~ #MondayBlogs


“No one can cross the path that is your life without 

leaving some footprints behind” ~ Chelle Cordero



It is my belief that every person we encounter in our life changes us, sometimes significantly and sometimes barely. We have conversations where we can learn, we bump shoulders and get attitudes, we share a special smile and their cologne lingers. Later we smell the cologne and automatically smile, we see someone frown and we think of our annoyance, or we suddenly have an answer to someone’s query and can’t remember where we learned it.

There are strange friendships formed with random people. We find ourselves enjoying discussions and look forward to our next chance meeting. What is the reason these people are placed in our paths? Is there a higher power controlling these encounters? Or is it just plain simple chance? Whatever the reason for these acquaintances it helps us to grow and learn, and we should be grateful for these experiences. When we listen as well as talk we open our minds, we learn, and we think. We engage in conversations that interest us and these are the opportunities where we can immerse ourselves in topics that might not normally be part of our everyday existence.

While I do not like the vitriol that often accompanies political arguments before elections, I do enjoy the well-informed sharing of ideas. For the most part I admit that there has been no FaceBook discussion that has changed my mind about who to vote for, but when these cyber friends are willing to share researched and verified facts I like to absorb the information, and it is especially welcomed when they are willing to listen to other verified facts, even those that present another view; for me I have more clarity and confidence in my perspective and decisions. 

And while you may ask how we both present true facts and yet still disagree on our chosen candidate, we each have priorities and what may be important to me is not necessarily the most important to someone else. In Junior High School I had a teacher who taught us how to debate by arguing the side we did not believe in; he said that it taught us how to see things from other viewpoints and it certainly did.

Of course the people I believe have had the most influence in my life are my immediate family members: my parents, my sister, my husband and my children. These are the people who have taught me how to love unconditionally and still feel entitled to my own opinions. My parents, now long gone, left me lessons that help me work out problems and challenges even now, many years later. My family has shown me that true love means seeing someone’s faults and Laurels and still knowing how deeply you need and love that person.

My daughter once countered me during a disagreement by saying that we had only ourselves to blame for raising our children to think “for themselves”, something which, to be perfectly honest, I greatly respect them for. I learn from each member by hearing and seeing things through their ears and eyes. So as they have thought for themselves and married people just as headstrong, they have easily shared their opinions and given us lots of “food for thought”.


Value every person that you cross paths with. Every person adds something to your life even if it was just a momentary contact. Treasure the good experiences and rely on those memories when you need encouragement — and, while I hope they are few and far between, use the negative moments to help you make decisions which will avoid the disappointments in the future. 

...

Saturday, June 18, 2016

Just a joke? ~ Weekend Writing Warriors / #8sunday / 06/19/16

Hi! Welcome to another Weekend Writing Warrior and Snippet Sunday round. Every week writers post 8-to-10 sentences on their blogs from a published or unpublished book. Then we "hop" around and leave comments on each other's snippets. Whether our work is already published or in progress, the helpful comments help us become stronger writers on our next WIP. We welcome EVERYONE's comments.

See more at the
WeWriWa blog

& check out the
Facebook Snippet Sunday group


A long, long time ago I shared a few snippets from my Paranormal Romantic Suspense, Karma Visited (only 5) - and we didn't get a full taste of this story. Since I am working on a sequel and revisiting the story for myself, I'm sharing more with you and soaking up your comments.

Do you believe in karma? Annie Furman has a gift that allows her, while she sleeps, to visit people in their time of need - but who will be there for her when she needs help? Undersheriff Dave Turner is investigating a series of home invasions and homicides. He has no idea that solving this case will lead him to the woman of his dreams.

Listening to a woman no one else seemed to hear or see, Dave directed his officers to where the kidnapped girl was being held. Dave noticed the victim looked directly at the apparition he saw, but she said nothing, and no one else could see the woman. Dave stays behind after the victim is transported to the hospital and the police leave with the remaining kidnapper. With no one else to witness him, Dave turns back to Annie... 

Creative editing alert!  Here are eight lines... 

“They were all just pretending that you weren’t here, this is some kind of joke, isn’t it?”
“No one can see me, only the people I come to help, I don’t know why you can see me.”
“Wait a minute,” he stared in silence as recognition dawned, “I saw you at that car accident.”
“I wasn’t there,” she paused and then whispered, “what happened to the children?”
“They lived, come back to the office with me, I need your statement.”
“I can’t, I’m dreaming... in my bed... at home.”
Dave’s facial expressions went from confusion to disbelief, “you’re standing right here.”
“I think I’m ready to wake up now,” then she was gone. 
 ~~~~~
For more WeWriWa Snippets, go to: 


My life changed after I died.
It’s not like I had any special powers.
They just didn’t understand me.
They underestimated me.
I had a gift.

Buy Links



~~~~~

...and to all of the DADS out there

(& for single moms who do it all)




Monday, June 13, 2016

Missed Phone Calls ~ #MondayBlogs


There are times I go to pick up the phone to make a phone call, just to chat, and realize that some of the people I most enjoyed talking to are gone. The two who I miss the most are my parents, it was always great to speak to either one, work out problems, share the day and simply connect. My dad could be a no-holds-barred and would automatically tell me how he felt about the things I needed to talk about; my mom was super terrific and it was evident she never lost her talents as a social worker, she was an ideal sounding board during my teen angst years.

Today, June 13, is my mom’s birthday, she would have been 99 but since she passed at the ripe young age of 61 I really have no way of knowing what she would have been like if she were still around. So I am looking upward and wishing her a happy day and sending her my love and somehow I have confidence that she hears me. She’s also probably dancing up a storm with my dad (he was 58 when he passed), they loved to dance even though my mom was partially disabled — he never minded having her lean on him for support. I am so glad to still be able to hear their voices now and then, to remember them, and to have known them so well that when I am faced with a quandary I can think what would Mommy or Daddy do.

I was very lucky to have also shared wonderful conversations with others who have moved on, just to mention a few and hopefully they can hear how appreciative I am for the times we talked — Aunt Ruth & Uncle Erv, Aunt Sally, Titi Dolly, Aunt Wilma, my cousin Roberta, and yes there were others. In my present day I try not to waste time, I speak freely with my friends and family, and we share whatever is on our minds… in person when possible, on the phone when necessary, but always often. My husband and brother-in-law teasingly (I think?) say that without my sister and me the phone company would lose its purpose.

Aside from using this opportunity to wish my mom a wonderful birthday… 
        HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY!


I want to remind everyone to stay in touch with their loved ones, talk just for the sake of talking, never waste a day — because tomorrow all you may have left are the memories and you will want plenty to sustain you.

...

Saturday, June 11, 2016

WTF? ~ Weekend Writing Warriors / #8sunday / 06/12/16

Hi! Welcome to another Weekend Writing Warrior and Snippet Sunday round. Every week writers post 8-to-10 sentences on their blogs from a published or unpublished book. Then we "hop" around and leave comments on each other's snippets. Whether our work is already published or in progress, the helpful comments help us become stronger writers on our next WIP. We welcome EVERYONE's comments.

See more at the
WeWriWa blog

& check out the
Facebook Snippet Sunday group


A long, long time ago I shared a few snippets from my Paranormal Romantic Suspense, Karma Visited (only 5) - and we didn't get a full taste of this story. Since I am working on a sequel and revisiting the story for myself, I'm sharing more with you and soaking up your comments.

Do you believe in karma? Annie Furman has a gift that allows her, while she sleeps, to visit people in their time of need - but who will be there for her when she needs help? Undersheriff Dave Turner is investigating a series of home invasions and homicides. He has no idea that solving this case will lead him to the woman of his dreams.

Last week Annie found herself in a room with the kidnapped girl when "some force" seemed to pull her away. This week she is outside where there is a lot of police activity...  I had to edit a lot out in order to make this piece of action fit.

Creative editing alert!  Here are ten lines... 


Gunfire noise startled Annie, she was no longer in the room with the girl; she watched as a man running from the nearby house went down after another shot sounded.
“We have no clue where the girl is,” Dave was coming around the shed and shouting directions to the other officers.
Annie tucked herself even tighter against the wall of the weathered shed and looked at the face of the man lying on the ground, “that’s not him,” she whispered.
“What did you say,” Dave stopped short when he saw her, raising his handgun towards her, “who are you?”
She paused and looked at the gun in his hand, “you can see me, how can you see me?”
“Of course I can see you, where is the girl?”
“Hey Boss, there’s no one else in the house,” Tim and another officer jogged over to Dave, they both looked at his raised handgun curiously, “everything okay?”
Dave noticed that neither man acknowledged the woman he was speaking to, he slowly lowered the handgun, “any sign of the victim?”
“There’s another guy,” Annie said the words out loud and motioned to the shed they were standing next to, “there’s a secret room.”
Dave heard her, the others didn’t; Dave felt compelled to repeat her words.


 ~~~~~
For more WeWriWa Snippets, go to: 


My life changed after I died.
It’s not like I had any special powers.
They just didn’t understand me.
They underestimated me.
I had a gift.

Buy Links


~~~~~


If you live in America or listen to news reports in other countries, you probably are aware that we know have our "presumptive" major party candidates ~ and let the FaceBook battles begin!

Okay, not really begin, it's been going on a while as we whittled the selections down. But now we are certainly in the middle of a world-wide head-turning reality show. 

I wonder if anyone has truly changed their intended vote based on the arguments and postings on our FaceBook pages?

Without pushing for the candidate of my choice, I am going to try to influence every American of voting age to make sure you are registered and actually get out to vote. (and if you are overseas or traveling, make sure that you get your absentee ballots mailed IN TIME) Although a lot of people say it doesn't matter who WE vote for, the electoral college actually decides, our votes DO influence the decision.

As a matter of fact, historically the ONLY times that the electoral college decision has not agreed with the popular vote was when the tallies were really close and usually combined with low voter turnout. So if you really want to have a voice in choosing the next American President — VOTE.

We have two controversial candidates running, even if you have to vote for the "lesser of the evils" remember that if you DON'T vote, you might as well be casting a vote for the other candidate.

In the meanwhile let's try to be a bit gentle on Social Media. Informed debate is always healthy - name calling and broken friendships are NOT.





Monday, June 6, 2016

Enjoy Life's Everyday Marvels ~ #MondayBlogs



If you ever get “bored with your life” look around, there are so many stunning wonders around us. There are things that defy even the most logical explanations…

Seeing a rainbow after a rainstorm catches our attention; never mind that a rainbow is an optical phenomena caused by a combination of moisture and sunlight — to our eyes it is a wondrous colorful light display, it’s a treat for our visual senses. Rainbows are the source of many legends and superstitions, some people consider seeing a rainbow an omen of good fortune like the biblical rainbow after the great flood.

Spring flowers from bud to bloom are beautiful and miraculous as they spread their petals towards the sunlight. The flowers are fragrant and colorful, individual works of art done by nature. Let’s get “scientific” and talk about the nutrients in the soil and bees that pollinate the flowers – how do the flowers nourish themselves from the soil, even with store bought assistance? The very fact that these natural wonders appear should make us all smile.

There is an old saying “Stop and Smell the Roses”. It’s not a literal suggestion, not usually; the phrase means to take time to appreciate the little things around you. Spend time with loved ones, relax and read a good book, enjoy the sights on your way to work, sing along with the radio…

Taking the time to “Stop and Smell the Roses”.is a way to de-stress, we feel more satisfied with life as we appreciate the richness and beauty that surrounds us. Enjoying positive moments adds to our happiness. When we feel happy and content it’s easier to cope with disappointments that may come our way. Our lives seem fuller.

Wake up in the morning looking forward to the joys and beauty that awaits you. Have a great day.





Saturday, June 4, 2016

This dream was evil ~ Weekend Writing Warriors / #8sunday / 06/05/16

Hi! Welcome to another Weekend Writing Warrior and Snippet Sunday round. Every week writers post 8-to-10 sentences on their blogs from a published or unpublished book. Then we "hop" around and leave comments on each other's snippets. Whether our work is already published or in progress, the helpful comments help us become stronger writers on our next WIP. We welcome EVERYONE's comments.

See more at the
WeWriWa blog

& check out the
Facebook Snippet Sunday group


A long, long time ago I shared a few snippets from my Paranormal Romantic Suspense, Karma Visited (only 5) - and we didn't get a full taste of this story. Since I am working on a sequel and revisiting the story for myself, I'm sharing more with you and soaking up your comments.

Do you believe in karma? Annie Furman has a gift that allows her, while she sleeps, to visit people in their time of need - but who will be there for her when she needs help? Undersheriff Dave Turner is investigating a series of home invasions and homicides. He has no idea that solving this case will lead him to the woman of his dreams.

While Dave and his partner are busy tracing the missing girl's steps, Annie is having another dream.

Creative editing alert!  Here are nine lines... 


She heard a girl sobbing and a loud angry male voice; Annie shivered, this was different from all her other dreams.
She wanted to run back to the safety of her bed to feel the security of her blankets and pillow, this felt malicious, she wasn’t supposed to be here. Then she heard sobbing again and she knew she had to be there for the girl.
The room was no more than a tiny cubicle, dark and musty, Annie could see the young woman that was sobbing, black duct tape bound her hands and feet.
The angry man was wearing a dirty T-shirt and smelled like bad beer; he left the room and slid the door shut and she heard the sound of a padlock clicking.
The girl was staring at Annie, her eyes were wide with fright.
“Can… you… see me?”
The young woman just stared, Annie wasn’t sure the girl actually saw her, but when she moved she saw the other woman’s eyes following her.
“I need you to tell me something, anything, I’ll get help,” Annie looked around the room, it began to spin; she closed her eyes and held her head.


 ~~~~~
For more WeWriWa Snippets, go to: 


My life changed after I died.
It’s not like I had any special powers.
They just didn’t understand me.
They underestimated me.
I had a gift.

Buy Links


~~~~~

Hubby and I spent a whirlwind Memorial Day weekend
beginning with a ceremony at the Pentagon. Our nephew
was promoted to Lt. Colonel in the USAF... my goodness,
we are so very proud of him!
The following day there was a combination birthday party
for my grand-niece and grand-nephews (twins) and a wonderful
large family barbecue. Lots and lots of laughter.
No, no, that's not me, I don't believe in jumping out of a
perfectly good airplane, lol. The day after the birthday party,
which was the day after the Pentagon ceremony, my husband's 
sister decided that she wanted to skydive! And so we went to be with 
her and her husband and to see it with our own eyes.
Finally on our way home, Mark and I stopped for a few 
hours of pure US time and we had a blast! Got back and we both
got back to work and were very busy doing all the stuff (almost)
that we would have been doing if we weren't having so much fun.
~~~~~~c
...so I told you all this as my apology for not making the rounds this past week. I promise to try to do double duty this week and read as many snippets as possible. Please forgive me.


Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Writer Prompt Wednesday ~ June 1, 2016

Welcome back to my almost-weekly feature, just for fun.

On Wednesdays I am going to post a random picture I find online 
(and yes, I will make sure not to violate any copyrights)
and I will ask everyone to contribute to a "story" by adding a 
sentence in the comments.

Be sure to read the comments before yours so that we actually 
write a continuous story inspired by the picture.

Got the plan?   Good.
Here's this week's picture:



I'll start:

Falling to earth, so peaceful...
If there was a way I could freeze time
and remain suspended in the air forever.

Ok, now it's your turn —
add your sentence below




...and be sure to come back next week!