You Can Judge A Book By Its Cover

I'd like to share my author friend, Sahar Abdulaziz's, Tuesday blog. It contains faccinating information about how to choose a book cover, plus so much more...

Enjoy!

Sahar's Monday Morning ‪#‎Blog‬ on ‪#‎Tuesday‬ !

COVER ME CRAZY

Truth be told, nothing does it for me more than seeing a book cover finally come to fruition. It is the single most visible telltale sign that a book is close to completion and will formally have a home and name.

SAHARRAZIZ.COM

My novel, Between Heartbeats Kindle edition, is FREE - Today, February 14 through February 15, 2016.  Buy your Valentine a gift. Download on Amazon links: 
Download a FREE Kindle copy

You've Got Mail in the Good Old Summertime.

Yesterday I watched "You've Got Mail" for maybe the 20th time. For anyone who's lived on Mars the last two decades, it's Nora & Delia Ephron's version of a much older movie, "The Shop Around the Corner" with James Stewart, and Judy Garland and Van Johnson's, "In the Good Old Summertime." I saw another version at Oregon Shakespearean Festival's indoor theatre a couple of years ago called, "She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not." (I think that's the title). All had the same premise, updated for the audience, and were comedic love stories.

Anyway, the story of love almost lost and then found, with the twist of secret pen pals, mistaken identity, and the natural competition/frustration in the work place is funny, sad, and a "right on" story that spans generations. I was thinking of my life and how fortunate I was not to have been put through such drama in the workplace or of the heart. I met my best friend in college and we've been married for almost 42 years. We wrote only a handful of letters, and mailed them from the same city, as we lived just a few blocks apart. But think about the thousands of singles, and not so single, of all ages who chat and connect online in today's computerized world of email, Facebook, twitter, and texting. Some relationships work out, but I bet most don't go anywhere or fail at some point, causing heartbreak, at the least. Using the Internet responsibly should be the rule, but one can be duped and hurt by dishonest people. A month or so ago I received a text, I hope by mistake, from a stranger. It was pretty racy. I just hope he realized he had sent it to the wrong person and was embarrassed. Now, as spring fever sets young and old hearts racing, I hope love is in the air for those who seek it - true and lasting love.

Spring is Breaking

Today heralds the first day of Spring Break for our area. Our grandkids are looking forward to a week's vacation. Unfortunately, it has been wet and will be wet most of next week. Ah well, that's the norm for the Pacific Northwest. But . . . we are blessed in that we don't experience hurricanes, tornadoes, or floods, but are host to a steady wind that brings in the change of seasons.

Most of the trees have blossomed, daffodils are in full bloom, tulips are peeking up, pansies have emerged from their winter's hibernation, and the grass is greening up nicely. I love spring, next to autumn that is. No, right now, I love spring the best.

Spring: Nature coming to life, a new grandbaby, now two months old, a new book I'm working on, and new friends (or old really), that I've reconnected with - making them new - again.

Happy Spring everyone!

Mall Psychology and the Shopping Experience

Serious mall shopping is an activity I don't experience all that often; actually it only happens during the Christmas season. Yesterday my daughter and I spent most of the day together, which was special in its self. She's married and works full time, so it's hard to coordinate our schedules, but the stars aligned just right.

After a delicious lunch at our favorite Mexican restaurant, we hit the stores. For a Tuesday, it was quite busy, and it didn't take long for us to get caught up in the spirit of things. My daughter needed an item in Bath and Body Works, which I had visited the day before, so I was sure I was immune to impulse buying. But I fell for the first special staged at the front door. "SALE: Today Only - purchase 3 for $6, regular price $15." Who could resist? Not me!

Next, we went to Eddie Bauer, strictly to say "Hi" to my friend who works there. Right. Twenty minutes later we walked out with two more purchases. Ka-Ching. We were on a roll. On to Penny's to find socks for the men in our family. But why buy one package when you can buy two, especially when they're on sale?

We were getting pretty thirsty by then so we stopped at the Starbucks Cafe in Barnes & Noble. But first, why not look at books? You guessed it, we each bought a book as well as a delicious beverage.

Lesson for the day: Combine shopping buddy with a mall chock full of fellow shoppers, irresistible specials, restaurants, and Christmas and it's the perfect formula for the ultimate social experience.

Christmas Cards - A Vanishing Tradition?

Each year we get fewer Christmas cards than the year before; if only by one or two. My brother wants to "save trees" so he makes a phone call, which is really a wonderful way to say, "Merry Christmas." Some may Facebook or email their Christmas wishes this year, which is clearly economical, but rather impersonal.

Our postoffice was busy today, but everyone seemed to be in good spirits and didn't complain about queuing into the lobby. Maybe they were happy that our city has a working postoffice this year. Who knows what the future will bring?

I hope the practice of sending Christmas cards never dies out. From mid-December on, I look forward to checking the mailbox, and so far I haven't been disappointed.

Freezing Cold Outside, Warm and Toasty Inside

In my previous post, I spoke metaphorically of heavy fog and its ability to envelop our physical environment as well as our emotional and spiritual world. In reality, bone chilling fog and ice has settled into our community, but my heart has never been warmer and more at peace.

Last evening I hosted a book signing at Hastings Books and I saw two friends from my past, one coincidentally and one who came specifically to buy my book. It was one of those serendipitous moments, a welcome interlude, a small miracle.

God brings people and situations into our lives, not by accident, but by design. I will never understand His plan, but am grateful to be a part of it.

So keep an eye out for your little Christmas miracle, the moment that warms your heart on a freezing, cold night.