Sunday Inspiration: “Unplug the Christmas Machine”
The Christmas Machine has this power over us because it knows how to woo us; it speaks to the deepest, profoundest, and most sacred desires of the human heart. If it appeared as a monster, we would rise up and stop it. But the commercial messages of Christmas appear as promises that bring tears to…
Read MoreFiction Friday: An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving by Louisa May Alcott
Welcome to Fiction Friday, my opportunity each week to post an excerpt from one of my own books or those of my friends and colleagues. Today we have a special treat, an excerpt from a short story written in 1882 by Louisa May Alcott (beloved author of Little Women) and republished by Berkley in 1995.…
Read MoreHave a Happy and Memorable Thanksgiving
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. — John Fitzgerald Kennedy If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, “thank you,” that would suffice. — Meister Eckhart On Thanksgiving Day we acknowledge our dependence. — William Jennings Bryan…
Read MoreSunday Inspiration: “Let us give thanks for a bounty of people…”
Prayer “Let Us Give Thanks” by Max Coots Let us give thanks for a bounty of people: For children who are our second planting, and, though they grow like weeds and the wind too soon blows them away, may they forgive us our cultivation and fondly remember where their roots are. Let us give thanks:…
Read MoreFiction Friday: The April Tree
Welcome to Fiction Friday, my opportunity each week to post an excerpt from one of my own books or those of my friends and colleagues. Today’s novel is from a long-time friend, Judith Arnold. Judith and I have been in the book biz together for a long time, and I’ve always especially enjoyed her wit…
Read MoreWebsite Dos and Don’ts. I Really Want to Know
Today I’m asking for your feedback and help. After promising I would soon update my website, I’m finally getting around to the nuts and bolts. The decisions are going to make me “nuts” and while I’m not going to “bolt.” I might consider it a time or two in the months to come. My website…
Read MoreSunday Inspiration: “We must find time…”
This week is the 50th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s assassination. All of us who are old enough probably remember where we were and what we were doing when we heard the terrible news of his death. And we probably remember what a painful time it was for our country. Here are some of his…
Read MoreFiction Friday: You Cannoli Be Glad You Read This Author
Welcome to Fiction Friday, my opportunity each week to post an excerpt from one of my own books or those of my friends and colleagues. Today’s excerpt comes from Shelley Costa, another of my brainstorming partners. Shelley was a friend of Casey’s and she’s one of those people you like immediately. I’m so glad to…
Read MoreHow Can We Help?
Once again as we sit in our homes, warm and well fed, our televisions show a different picture of life across the oceans. Right now estimates for loss of life in the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan top 10,000. And survivors will have years of rebuilding ahead, as well as picking up the pieces of their…
Read MoreSunday Inspiration: Happiness Is. . .
Remember the Charles Schultz book Happiness is a Warm Puppy? Happiness is a warm beagle had a certain ring for me. There were lots of other happiness quotes to remind us not to miss the joys of life’s simple moments as demonstrated by Charlie Brown and his friends. I was reminded of the Peanuts gang…
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