JUST TO LET YOU KNOW……A Nosegay of Violets can be purchased locally in Warrenton, North Carolina, at Lloyd’s Bakery at 108 S. Main St.; Friends Two at 126 S. Main St. and Oakley Hall Antiques & Art at 119 N. Main St. for $15.00. Tell ‘em I sent you.
And online at Amazon.com Thanks. Enjoy.
Filed under books, living with ghosts, Memoir, paranormal, women, writing
These SNAPSHOTS are indeed as varied as the photos that lay in your own drawer at home. Martin’s snaps are words from the life she lived growing up on a Bracey, Virginia farm to Virginia Beach to Manhattan, New York to time spent across country, around the world, and back to holding events in the Dairy Barn on the farm. Her adventures in the big cities as a literary agent and executive producer for television are balanced between recipes from her passion of cooking for friends.
As her spirituality grows, so does her intensity of life. Dreams play a major role as she executive produces the series of The Power of Dreams for the Discovery Channel, interviewing names that every household recognizes.
Martin is a woman who has lived a fascinating life by making things happen, by following her intuition, listening to her dreams, and doesn’t mind talking about it. This is a fabulous read that will inspire others to go ahead, step out, and take a chance on life. I LOVE THIS BOOK!
Filed under book review, cookbooks, dreams, Memoir, New book release, paranormal, reflection, women, women's stories
THE MUNICH GIRL by Phyllis Edgerly Ring
Over the years many books about WWII have landed in my lap. I thought there couldn’t possibly be another avenue to look at this war. Until now. This is a hard-to-put-down book, giving another viewpoint of the well-known, but not much known about person, Hitler’s wife, Eva Braun. (She is rarely, if ever, referred to as his wife.)
Yet, she is only a small part of the story, the part entwined with Anna and her mother, the every day part that we all live. The story blends those who were inside Germany, but not followers of Hitler, and the Allies who came from outside Germany to defeat him.
There is so much going on in this fictional story that reads like it is true, probably because of all the detailed research the author conducted and the personal feeling she brings to the page. There are surprises to unwrap. Nothing is predictable, which makes the story even better. I LOVE THIS BOOK! And it’s a book that I will re-read.
Filed under book review, women, women's stories
Women’s Open Forum Event * FEATURING: Linda Smith
FINDING YOUR AUTHENTIC STYLE: WORKSHOP
30 April 2016 * Saturday * 11:00 to 3:00 pm Reserve Now / Pay $35.00 at the door
Bring Your Lunch Give yourself permission to dress for the Ageless Goddess you are.
There will be A CLOSET AUDIT, everyone bring an item from your closet that you are willing to part with. We will put them all together so everyone will go home with a new treasure for their wardrobe.
We’ll have demonstrations on wearing your clothes differently, how to accessorize and how to have FUN doing it.
Talking about our clothes in a whole new light will reveal secrets I’ve learned, that will give you joy. Open discussion is interwoven. Held at: “The Gathering Place”
115 Magnolia Court * Wildwood Point * On Lake Gaston * Littleton, NC 27850
For further info: ellienewbauer@gmail.com
Filed under Uncategorized, women, WOMEN'S OPEN FORUM, WORKSHOP
What’s more exciting than winning a 2-hour consultation with Build the Fort author Chris Heivly? Actually having my consultation with him, at his headquarters on W. Main Street in Durham! That’s what.
Always aware of my surroundings, I was especially delighted in the set-up laid out before me. It is like a bee hive with all the different pockets of work spaces filled and everyone in them happily busy at work. This is a cheerful place, full of bright colors that instill confidence at first glance. It’s a place where dreams are confided and fulfilled. I’ve read the book (review posted already) loved it and now I am here to fill in the blank spaces. That’s with Chris’ guidance, of course.
The time has come to branch out, to make a plan to learn what avenues I need to travel in order to offer my talents and services to those who will benefit from them on a business level. I’ve been volunteering for many, many years now and it’s time to spread my wings and fly.
Chris is fabulous! He’s easy to talk to, immediately understands all my inadequate feelings of not knowing, how and where, to proceed next. We talked with comfort like I’d known him since he was born. That is very cool. He was also very helpful in getting me on my feet. I came home with a notebook loaded with ideas and scribbles that will direct me with confidence. I’m ready to set out and set the world aglow!
Thanks to LISA HAGAN BOOKS! For this great opportunity in winning this champion of wins!
A bunch of thanks to Chris Heivly, instructing me on how to Build the Fort! I’m on my way!
Filed under book review, books, general, Uncategorized, women, women's stories, writing
Well, really, don’t you remember building forts when you were a kid? We were lucky enough to have a small wooded area that we neighborhood kids converged on (and later my own four sons). Actually we built a tree house with connecting logs running to other trees. I cannot imagine how one of us didn’t break a bone in the process.
On rainy days, my brother and I built forts inside, using sheets and blankets incorporating the dining room table and chairs. It was great fun that left me with fond memories of building a fort. Thinking of those days pulled at me with interest to read Build the Fort by Chris Heivly.
This book came to me just in time. I’ve been wanting to spread my wings and help guide readers who want to become writers. I know what I want to do, but need to know how to go about it. This book is all about ‘how to’ in an easy way to follow.
Chris is the co-founder of MapQuest and The Startup Factory, sharing his knowledge with passion, about facing fear, overcoming it, and how to handle building your business with confidence. He breaks it down to five easy steps that he uses building a fort as a metaphor to make the task simple for the reader to understand.
He tells us how to socialize our ideas, choosing who to socialize it to. While he encourages us, he guides us to miss the pitfalls, laying it all out before us so it is clear. He isn’t shy about revealing his weak spots-the ones he doesn’t want to deal with and tells us how to do that, too.
In reading the book, learning about bartering is included, along with giving something back. Really, Chris covers it all. It’s a great little book, one the reader doesn’t get lost in, but finds her way to exactly where she wants to be. Get a copy. Today, if possible.
Oh, and yes, I love the way he lays out the plans for Building the Fort. It brings back memories.
Filed under book review, Uncategorized, women
I would have chosen a different path if I had this book to read when I was a teen. Montana’s journey through life reads so amazing that I sat up all night to finish it. Her sincerity, brutal honesty, and deeply touching moments jumped off the page and into my heart. It took tremendous courage for her to just pick up and do, trusting in the universe to support her when she wasn’t sure of it herself. Montana’s life reads like a feminine Indiana Jones, yet it is true. Reading of her stamina that got her through the tough parts, followed by the tenderness of cat Grace sitting on her lap at the computer brought home the complexity of a woman; this woman and so many of the women out there, including me. This is the best memoir I’ve read in twenty years!
Filed under book review, Uncategorized, women, women's stories
Longbourn. The very name of the manor house of the Bennet family of Jane Austen fame will perk up the ears of any reader and avid fan of Pride & Prejudice. Yet there are so many offshoots of the Jane Austen novels that are not worthy of a true fan of hers. I found that Longbourn by Jo Baker is an excellent read. The story comes from the voice of Sarah, an orphan servant below stairs. As she comes of age, she tells the story from her viewpoint, longing for love and wishing a man would rescue her from this life.
When James Smith comes on the scene as a footman, it is obvious to Sarah that there is a secret to uncover; something to do with Longbourn. Secrets must be uncovered, she says to no one there.
Ptolemy, a freed man of Africa, who takes on his master’s name of Bingley enters the picture with big, wild, dreams of his own and he’d like Sarah to share them. Sarah longs for a life away from the drudgery and doesn’t mind going after what she desires.
Jo Baker does an exceptional job of writing. She keeps the language of the early 19th century, only revealing what the downstairs servants would have known or heard of what was going on upstairs, and describing what their lives would truly have been like. She also shows a different view of Mr. Bennet and Mr. Collins. Brava to you Ms. Baker.
Filed under book review, Uncategorized, women, writing
Thomas Park of the Warren Artists’ Market (WAM) declared the First Friday Poetry Night in June to be a tribute to the memory of Maya Angelou; a great idea for a great lady who influenced many people in her lifetime. Several folks read a poem or two of hers. I had just recently taken “Maya Angelou: The Poetry of Living” by Margaret Courtney-Clarke out of the library, so I brought it along. In the book there are over a hundred pages of comments from people whose lives she touched, along with a few comments of her own.
To accent my chosen readings from the book, I added two poems that touched me especially. “Alone” was one and the other “Touched by an Angel” surely she had personal experiences with both.
Sterling added some soft jazz in the background and gave us all a special treat by playing a recording, bringing Maya Angelou’s voice right into the room with us! A delightful experience!
Maya cooked with words of all varieties. She also was a kitchen cook. Reading her cookbooks, The Welcome Table and Great Food, All Day Long, etc. that sit on my cookbook shelves, are filled with recipes for elegant dining, the best recipes for leftovers, and a running conversation. They make me feel as if she is in the kitchen with me. A blessing and a comfort, indeed.
I hope she got her cool drink of water before she died.
Filed under book review, books, Poetry, women, writing
Looking for a Lost Relative
The trouble women face, not as often today as in the past, is the name thing. When we get married and take our husband’s name as our own, we lose our identity. This makes genealogy searches on women extremely difficult. And when we marry a second time, it makes it twice as difficult.
It also makes it hard when cleaning out old files and boxes full of photos that the next generation will know nothing about. Which brings me to my dilemma; I have photos of a first cousin, who I only remember meeting once or twice in a lifetime that spans two centuries. (The last one and this one-I’m not over 100 years old.)
The photo posted was Janet Bice at her Holy Communion, born in Trenton, New Jersey area, I think. in the late 1930s. Daughter of William Bice. Not sure, but I think her mother’s name was Helen. The last I heard, she lived to Texas. This would have been in the 1970s. If anyone has an idea of who she or her family is, please let me know. I know someone out there would love to have these pictures.
Filed under general, lost relative, opinion, reflection, women, writing
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