Dog Days of Summer

I always wondered why they were called the Dog Days of Summer.
I finally figured it out! The dogs don't want to come inside - it is too nice outside, or it is too hot inside. Either way they don't want come inside. The sun stays up later, it feels like a weekend night even when it is a weeknight. Maybe they should be called the weekend days of summer.
This is the time of year kids get into trouble - they're graduating and think that makes them adults and they are infallible. All this does is push them out of one door and into another - pretty scary now seeing as how the new door is pretty bleak.
You know what else really, really never made sense to me? Why does summer start on June 21? That is summer solstice - right? That is the longest day of the year - right?
Everyday from there gets shorter - how does that make sense? So in essence summer gets shorter right from the beginning. Who came up with this stuff anyway?
Maybe the dogs are really the smartest after all - stay outside while it's cool - enjoy the weather while we can - and don't complain - besides no one likes to hear a whiner!

Kismet

The definition of kismet is fate or fortune. I think of it more as destiny. I believe this is my second blog entitled kismet.

For those of you who follow my blog on a regular basis, or read my novels, you are aware of my firm belief in "Everything happens for a reason" and "There is no such thing as a coincidence." I believe that everyone is here for a purpose, not that we all necessarily know what that purpose is, or that we are necessarily fulfilling that purpose, but that we are here for a purpose.

In 2006 I realized a portion of my purpose. I could give a voice to those victims who were either silenced or afraid to speak. I could give a voice to those who did not even realize that they needed a voice. By doing this I have brought vision to so many that the knowledge alone has brought me satisfaction. I have often said that writing is my passion, not my fortune.

In 2008 I realized another portion of my purpose when I began giving of myself to those less fortunate, asking nothing in return. To this day I garner the most internal satisfaction on Saturday mornings when I am doing this charitable activity.

But nine months ago the most remarkable co-mingling of minds happened. I had become fed up with online book reviews and the way independent authors were treated by reviewers and review sites and decided I wanted to do something about it. I had the idea, but had no idea how to turn it into a reality. How and/or why our paths crossed is not a question I have ever asked, but my friendship with Ruthi Cox has grown - sometimes backwards - over the past nine months into a bond of respect, and I would have to say that the fates have played a part in our partnership.

So, here's to you Ruthi Cox and thank you for everything you do behind the scenes and in front as well. I will be the first in line to buy your book!

BY

Book Review - Reasons by Tracy Fabre

Reasons is a 222 page jigsaw puzzle. Tracy Fabre weaves a story of a young woman who at the age of twenty-six seems to have led a fairly sheltered existence in Pennsylvania as an only child. Her decision to spend the summer with a family in Colorado that were old family friends comes a surprise to her parents who then let her know that the reason they no longer visit that family is because one of the sons almost killed her nine years earlier. Leaving out the open-ended question of why would that subject never have been brought up before, Delphi insists on maintaining her plans and finds that once in Colorado she is torn between keeping her secret and following her heart.

Fabre does an excellent job of bringing the reader into the inner turmoil of love’s rollercoaster ride and along the journey gives a hint of what living with a family member burdened with guilt might look like.

Reasons is a good read and might even bring tears to your eyes!