Monday, December 31, 2012

Update

Hello Everyone!
   The year 2013 will find 'Grandpa's Grapevine' with a contract from a book publisher, proposals for movie-rights and hopefully a contract for the second story in the trilogy- 'Mama's Bookends'. I will be writing the last story in the trilogy, 'Walking with Angels', this summer.
   Please stay in touch via my website for the latest news and information regarding book sales and how to purchase. I will be making a few changes to my website in the coming months and adding a facebook page, as well as some other 'goodies' to stay in touch and provide some give-aways!  Please do not purchase 'Grandpa's Grapevine' now, as this version is not the updated/revised edition from the present publisher. 'Grandpa's Grapevine' will be available in the spring. I will let you know as soon as I do when it is available for purchase.
    Happy New Year!

Friday, December 28, 2012

Acts of Kindness

Just a thought... make your New Year Resolution to complete one act of kindness every week!
Some suggestions:
   1. Call a family member or friend you haven't heard from in a while.
   2. Write someone a letter- not an e-mail or text, but a real hand-written letter!
   3. Help a neighbor with their yard work- shovel their walk or buy a plant for their yard.
   4. Say good morning to every co-worker...even the cranky one!
   5. Speak nicely to the telemarketer when they call during dinner.
   6. Leave a generous tip for the waiter/waitress and tell the manager about the great service!
   7. Compliment the mother who is brave enough to take three kids to the grocery store.
   8. If you notice a service member at a restaurant, pay for their meal.
   9. Surprise your family and come home early from work- they're worth it!
  

Favorite Quotes

It's often a quote that inspires a short story or creates a character. Here are some of my favorite quotes- Enjoy!

   'One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn't pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself.' Lucille Ball

   'I keep my ideals, because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart.' Anne Frank

   'I'm a slow walker, but I never walk back.' Abraham Lincoln

   'Most folks are about as happy as the make up their minds to be.' Abraham Lincoln

   'Once you say you're going to settle for second, that's what happens to you in life, I find.'
John F. Kennedy

   'The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.' Saint Augustine of Hippo

   'Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindness.' Mark Twain

   'The writer must write what he has to say, not speak it.' Ernest Hemingway