Protect Your Hearts...

It has been raining quite a bit lately... and the rain has come down hard and heavy. There is flooding throughout the area, but so far, we are still unaffected. Chicago is experiencing major flooding and incoming flights are being cancelled. I just saw a news report showing a sinkhole that opened up on the South Side, it swallowed a car, the driver suffered minor injuries, and then two more cars and drivers piled in atop the first one. From the roadside view, the crumpled rear portion of a silver or white car could barely be seen. OUCH!

This morning I awoke to news that a fertilizer plant down in Waco, Texas blew up like an atom bomb in the midst of firefighters working to put out the original fire. They are still unsure of the amount of casualties to both firefighters and local residents. Latest estimates were 5-15 dead, mostly firefighters, and 180 injured. Whole blocks of houses were blown apart by the blast impact. Most of the residents were eating their evening meal when this occurred. According to an ex-CDC director, the scene is much like the aftermath of a battle.

Just the other day our nation was jolted by a horrific unprovoked attack upon the City of Boston during its most celebrated annual event: The Boston Marathon. Two of four bombs placed within trash receptacles at the finish line exploded killing and maiming many people. I don't know the count... my heart was heavy enough after the three funerals I attended last week. I had to turn away from the television news reports. So far, they are still investigating in hopes of discovering the perpetrator(s). It is being treated as a terrorist act. Several of my friends who work in large cities like Chicago, were sent home from work early in fear of there being other attacks around the country.

All I can say is how horrific are any such attacks no matter where they occur. There prime purpose is to instill fear into the populace and governments. I might revisit this subject in a different post. For now I want to remind you that Jesus Christ said that in the end or latter times that people's hearts would fail them because of fear. And, I see that this is certainly the case. Heart attacks and strokes are still the leading cause of death in our society and the trend is continuing to climb at an alarming rate, especially among women.

Jesus also told us to not let our hearts be troubled or afraid when we see or experience these horrible situations of disastrous proportions in weather, industrial accidents, wars, and acts of terrorism. He told us to keep our eyes on Him and trust in Him as we trust in God and He would see us through these times... for He declared that He has already overcome the evil, the pain, and the tragedies of this world.

The Winter of Springtime

This past Friday, April 12, 2013, I attended two funerals. One was a close friend and fellow church member, the other was a close friend and family. Both were strong, beautiful women as was the one who had her memorial the previous Saturday, April 6th. She was the mother of one of my best childhood friends.

Wowsers... three awesome saints gone within a few days. God bless their families and friends.

The weather on Friday was unusually cold with mixed rain and sleet. Not the best weather to be standing by a gravesite. Still in retrospect, perhaps even nature mourned along with us at the loss of the presence of these precious souls? It is a nice thought that warms me while the lingering winter still chills me.

Have a wonder filled life and be sure and enjoy those around you. Shalom.

MIA or What?

Sorry for being missing-in-action... but, I have been exceptionally busy with other projects as well as still dealing with kidney stones and pain... lots and lots of pain.

I thought getting a laptop would help me to keep up with things here in cyberspace. So far, I am still off the main shipping lanes hoping to get back in the groove soon.

Haven't even had opportunity to start taking the new writing course I posted about earlier.

To those who've been checking out my blog and finding it static and stale, I apologize with all of the sincerity I can and thank you for your patience hoping you will come back again. I do have some new short stories I am working on and one for the new KINDLE ALL-STARS ANTHOLOGY: FanaticFiction. This anthology is open to EVERYONE who wants to submit a story. Find out how on our fearless leader's official blog post here: Klaatu Barada Necktie, Mother Frakkers

I've gotta come up with an article for Billie A. Williams monthly newsletter:  You can check it out this month's issue on Evernote via this link: The Mystery Reader's Connection - April 2013 If you would like to subscribe to this FREE newsletter, you can do so here at: http://www.billieawilliams.com/ The subscription link is on the right-hand column. Billie is an awesome friend and a wonderful writer of mysteries (winner of many awards for her many published books) as well as a writing coach.

Last thing, if you would like to check out HOLLY LISLE'S HOW TO THINK SIDEWAYS: ULTRA COURSE along with me and many other published and aspiring to be published authors, please consider doing so via my affiliate link. I do get compensated should you join us... and, I'd appreciate it. The money I make will go toward paying for my course and the other courses I plan on taking after I've completed this one. If you've never read any of her stories or her excellent online articles, do yourself a favor and do so. Holly is a straight shooter, no BS sorta gal who I trust and highly respect; as an author, a teacher, and a wonderful human being. Here's the link: Holly Lisle's How To Think Sideways ULTRA

Thanks again for stopping by, should we not connect again, have a wonder filled life.

HTTS: Lesson 1 Has Arrived!

I am so excited to be able to say that I am now a student of Holly Lisle's HOW TO THINK SIDEWAYS: ULTRA course. I have long been an admirer of Holly and have followed her blog and articles as well as purchasing her course books. She is good people and an honest, hard-working, no BS kinda gal who's middle name is 'servant'.

I have wanted to take this course from its onset but was prohibited because of finances or should I say a lack thereof. I have been out of work for over five years. I do freelance and side-jobs but nothing steady as I did for well over 30 years.

Even though our finances are extremely tight, for my birthday my beloved wife, Cathie, who believes in me even more than I believe in myself, has insisted that I take this course and allow myself the freedom to explore more fully my love of writing. The best part of it is she is going to take the course with me. Just as she believes in me I have been encouraging her to let the genius within her free. Now, she and I are going to embark on a new adventure together. We are going to write stories and children's books together. Even if we never publish them traditionally, they will be heirloom treasures for our grandkids.

I used to work as a freelance cartoonist and commercial artist up in Chicago in the late 60's and early 70's; started while I was still in high school. I gave most of it up when I went to work in a local steel mill to help our my family and found myself stuck when I married a woman with three kids. I could live off of Peanut Butter and out of my car but I could not expect my new family to do the same. I do not regret my decision to work the long hours to raise my new family. I do however regret that I allowed my now ex-wife to convince me to quit drawing and focus on making more money doing practical mule jobs. Somewhere along the way in a marriage that was doomed from the onset, I lost my creativity, my genius, my love of art and writing.

It has taken my best friend and now wife of 21 years most of our marriage to help me get my head back on straight. She has always been my biggest cheerleader. I don't know why it has taken me so long to believe in the inherent genius of God that has always been within me... but, I am going to hold back no longer.

RELEASE THE KRAKEN!

How To Think Sideways ULTRA: Career Survival School for Writers

Caught up in the struggles of writing a novel? Frustrated by the blinking cursor? Fighting with blank pages, soggy plots, or on-strike characters?

If you'd like to regain--or, perhaps, find for the first time--your joy in writing, learn How to Think Sideways from established novelist and well-loved writing instructor Holly Lisle. She's taught thousands of writers a unique, systematic, repeatable method for creating not just fiction, but really good, rich, deep, meaningful fiction. Fiction better than anything they ever imagined they could write.

Starting today, Holly invites you into How to Think Sideways ULTRA: Career Survival School for Writers, a 32-week online writing course, at the 2011 legacy pricing. At noon (EDT) on Friday, March 15, 2013, the price goes up.

What if you sign up and decide the course isn't for you? Holly guarantees that you can quit at ANY time and receive a full refund of your current lesson and all remaining paid-for lessons. No questions, no hassle.

You have nothing to lose. And even by trying out the course, you'll learn more about the process of writing than the last ten how-to books you read even hinted at. Promise.

I'm a graduate of How to Think Sideways. Some of Holly's methods didn't resonate with me, but many of them did. . .and still do. I learned how to find great ideas that work for me. I learned how to watch for surprises while writing, and use these gifts to their full advantage. I learned how to create a simple but effective plan for my stories' revisions. In short, I learned to Think Sideways.

To join me in class, or just find out what all the fuss is about, go here:

How To Think Sideways ULTRA: Career Survival School For Writers

Please note that I'm a course affiliate. You'll be helping me if you buy through my link.. and I appreciate the help.

If you know me: I only recommend things I  personally believe in. See for yourself!

A Winter's Day in March

It is snowing heavily right now. The weather prognosticators are warning of levels of snowfall from 5-10 inches by tomorrow morning. In like a lion and out like a lamb comes to mind. It is March and not January is it not?

Having been born in late January I have always admired the beauty of a winter snowfall. Who of us here in the snow belt areas of the United States of America have not enjoyed as school-age children a snow day or two? And, who of us has not stood in awe when looking out over a brace of trees or even a single tree covered in glistening ice in lieu of leaves?

I no longer play in the snow as I once did. Still, I enjoy watching the neighborhood kids as they do, and I remember when I was as they rolling and sledding and fighting fervent but playful snowball wars.

The snow is at least 3 to 4 inches deep and shows no sign of easing off. That's okay with me, I am enjoying the white wonderland effect lauded in song and story since man discovered how to keep his bahookie warm.

Speaking of which, I have to go and prepare dinner for me and my beloved.

Have a wonder filled day... wherever you are.

I started this blog with the hopes of gathering together a reflection of myself through a collection of stories, witticisms, snarks & rants, and other musings all in one place. So far, it has not been working out as I'd hoped. But, I am not dismayed. If nothing else, being on this earth for 60 years has taught me that some things just take more time and more effort than we first imagine. And, those things that time the longest are either projects we never should have started because we haven't the passionate interest to complete them, or they are the projects that like a crafting a wondrous tapestry, comes together in all its brilliance, color, and shades of nuance telling a great story over the course of a lifetime.

My hopes are that this blog will be the latter. I don't know if anyone will read this or anything else I write. Yet, I will write it anyway. I cannot keep what is in my heart to myself forever and I do not wish to pass from this earth with my song still unsung or my stories untold.

I have been experiencing some mechanical difficulties of late, dealing with kidney stones and related issues for over 6 months now. Having ADD/ADHD as well as being a bit wonky does not always help to keep me consistent... but, it tries its best to keep me unfashionably late and forgetful.

Thank God, I am so blessed to have my beloved wife, Cathie to keep me on even keel. I would be lost without her... and, my life barren and bereft of the joy and laughter we share together. I have dedicated this blog to her and our journey together as much as to myself and my egocentric yearnings.

If you do read my posts, I thank you in advance.

I cannot promise you will see what you like or that you will see only the best of me... but, I can promise that you will see the truth of me through my words, even amidst the fictional tales.