Six Word Saturday on Sunday

Helping others always completes my week

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WOW....this is a hop from Show My Face and it is WAY cool... you really need to go check it out for yourselves.....

But for me....I really feel like this week's highlight was yesterday's work with the homeless. I have spent the past day and a half TRYING to get over writer's block and I finally had a break through and just as she always does ..... my guardian angel of the internet sent me this link!    <3 Ruthi!

Saturday with a Friend

I can't help but wonder, as I go out and join my very good friends on Saturday mornings and feed the homeless that the world is becoming so much scarier than it was when I started this labor of love four years ago.  This morning there were only 15 other volunteers --- I find that word so funny because I no longer think of myself that way as it is just what I do every Saturday - it is who I am now --- anyway - I digress --- When I began there were 30 to 40 every week - now even the volunteers are few and far between.

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So...what happens when the politicians stop playing their game of chess and realize they are dealing with real people who have families to feed and bills to pay (or did they forget that those are the people who sent them there in the first place?)
I chose this particular print because it seemed appropriate - New York - 1872  - Who knows - New York - 2022?


What about you - - - how are you handling all of this mess that seems to be raining down around all of us? It doesn't seem to be going away. When I got home Michelle and I sat down and did a jigsaw puzzle together for a little while before we both went our separate ways. I am still enjoying the limited time before she leaves -- the days are numbered and I am not looking forward to that last day.  


Check out this puzzle we finished last week!

Saturday Shop Hop - End of July

Shop Hop Saturday with my good friend Ruthi from Poetic Creations by abitosunshine. This weekly hop is for those of us who do business online and blog about it. So, if you have a business blog, hop along! We'll encourage, support, and promote each other. Whatever your business, whatever your shop, whatever your wares -- let's share!

I have to say that I personally had one of the absolutely worst work weeks that I can recall in a very long time and I firmly decided this morning that I am going to rise above it and do this instead today....SO ----

First:  Reviews4reviews 

This is my online venture where authors sign up for FREE and swap books with other authors and write reviews. It is a great way to read good books and a great way to hone in on reviewing skills.

For the last couple of weeks we have been getting new authors registering with us. It is nice to see that lots of months of work are finally beginning to see some bits of success. 

  I started a new lenses - Making a Name - but at this point it is still a work in progress and we will have to wait and see what happens....stay tuned for the progress.

 

I am absolutely loving being an All Posters Affiliates....and you can see my tastes though out my posts. I have more fun now than ever writing and posting. I am sure that the money will just start pouring in. If you're interested in becoming an affiliate, let me know!

I actually received my first ever money from Gather! That was pretty cool!

OH....and Disrupted Lives is now available on Kindle....that means all books are now available electronically.

Have a great week

Friday Book Blogger Hop - New book!

Friday being Friday means I get to join Jen at Crazy for Books on her Friday Book Blogger Hop. She gets a LOT of followers and it is a great way to meet new bloggers! I have met so many new friends this way!

The Hop lasts Friday-Monday every week, so if you don't have time to Hop today, come back later and join the fun! This is a weekly event! And stop back throughout the weekend to see all the new blogs that are added! She gets over 200 links every week!!

This Week's Prompt:

“Highlight one book you have received this week (for review, from the library, purchased at the store, etc.) that you can’t wait to dig into!”

This is such an easy question for me because I already finished the book! It is The Butterfly Cabinet by Bernie Mc Gill. I am a member of the FreePress book tours on Book Blogs and they offered this book as part of the review group for a review to be posted on August 9th. I got the book and the cover was so cool that I just opened it right up. I finished it in 4 days! I honestly do not remember reading a book that fast before --- people say that about my books!

So what are all my hopper friends dying to dig into to?

Follow Friday Four Fill-In-Fun with Beachie Last Friday in July!

Four Fill In Fun Blog Hop

This Hop is so MUCH fun! This is the deal: Feeling Beachie is the host of this Hop.

Each week, she plans on listing four statements with a blank for us to fill in on our own blogs. If you want to join the fun and come up with four fill in’s of your own check out her site. If she uses them, she will add you as co-host to the hop! This week’s co-host came up with the last two statements and the co-host is ---- ME!

1. I find _____ helps me relax when I come home from work

2. I always think my significant other looks best when ____

3. Someday I'm going to ___________________________

4. When I open my eyes in the morning, I want to _________________

MY ANSWERS:

1. I find taking my shoes off, wiggling my toes and taking my dog for a walk helps me relax when I come home from work

2. I always think my significant other looks best when ____   I don't have a significant other so unless it is the other side of the mirror and we all know how that goes ---

3. Someday I'm going to _be able to spend all of my time doing the things I want to do, not the things I have to do. Can you imagine a time when you could actually volunteer every day? WOW - wouldn't that be the coolest thing ever?

4. When I open my eyes in the morning, I want to capture that last dream!_________________

Pondering with a Purpose - X marks the spot

Welcome to Pondering with a Purpose - Thinking on a Thursday

This is a weekly hop that started quite a while ago -- WELL actually 24 weeks ago! and to be honest with you I don't have many hoppers and I'm not sure why...so this week I'm asking you to tell me....

I started this weekly hop because simply put: I am a writer - that is what I do, and as I was hopping around and writing reviews and reading other reviews, and meeting new people I discovered that I had lost a bit of me along the way and I wanted to find that. I also wanted to inspire a bit of creativity in others, so I wanted to created a hop with a Purpose  -- something that people could think about and then write about. Once they wrote about the same things they could come back and hook up here! We could all check out each other's links and comment --- sort of an old fashioned book club about a new book we all just wrote together.  But I found myself all alone on the playground.  SO.... I'm starting over this week with a twist:  Same thing --- BUT - I want you to write about the picture: What does it make you think about? Dream about? remember? anything you want?

Here's the picture:  

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Rules are simple:

1.   Grab the Pondering with a Purpose Badge (in my sidebar)

2.   Look at the week's prompt - this week it is a picture - copy it and put it in your post

3.   Post something on your blog that relates to the prompt - it can be a story, a poem, a picture -- anything you want it to be.

4.   Come back here and add the URL from your post to the linky list below.

5.   Go check out the other bloggers who have added their links to the list.

6.   AND most of all....   Have fun!

My Post:


I absolutely fell in love with this print, especially after all the comments and my special guest on Tuesday. How much fun is it to share your love with a kitten and a puppy. And just look at that dog, you know it is just ready to pounce on the food.
I have been having an especially emotional week as I watch the army drag its feet joining my daughter with her husband. She is inhabiting my home, but I know she doesn't want to be here; and I know she is leaving and will never really be home again. It is as if I am watching the window to her childhood close in slow motion and I am powerless to ease this burden. Just a foreshadow of the many years of mothering to come as I stand on the sideline and watch all three of my children forge on ahead and build families of their own.
Perhaps it is time for me to build a new family - kittens and puppies anyone?

WOW Weekly 100 - The Butterfly Cabinet

First I need to say WOW! and welcome to WOW Weekly 100 words which is a weekly hop hosted by my really good friend Ruthi from Ruthi Reads. This is where we all get to share a bit of the book we are reading and talk all about it. Then we hop over to Ruthi's house and add our post to her linky list and then go visit the other bloggers and see what they're reading. 

I picked up a book on Thursday night and I have to tell you I finished it Tuesday night. I have to write a review for it for the Free Press Book Tour on Book Blogs and it cannot be posted until August 9th - SO I don't want to give away too much.... but let me reiterate WOW! I honestly do not remember EVER reading a book in 4 days - That is what people say about MY books!!! Holy Cow!!!

So....I will tease you with 100 words and you will have to wait for the review.....

here are 100 words from page 194 . . . . 

Such talk of fire and brimstone and the sulfurous fires of hell conserved in scented fabric. What would he say if he could see me now? He would be turning in his room y graveled grave. And be unsurprised that I ended here; evidence, he would no doubt say, that if one sleeps with the devil one will rise with horns. I never met him. Mother never spoke to him after she married Father, and she never spoke of him to me, but I cannot help but feel that I have inherited something of his direct opinions. There is much….



What are you reading?

Book Review - The Carpentier Diaries

The Carpentier Diaries – A Book Review


There sits at the beginning of this extraordinary tale a 798 word introduction from the author stating that the diary of one Maximiliene Carpentier was located while he and his wife were visiting a small maritime museum along a western Danish coastline. His introduction further states that he verified some of the information from this diary and it bears factual with historical events, thereby leading me to believe that this book might in fact be non-fiction. However, when I did a bit more research prior to writing this review this book is listed as historical fiction, so I suppose it is up to the reader to decide its fate.

None of that matters when reading this book. It is in fact broken into two distinct parts. The first being the diary of Maximiliene Carpentier and the second being the diary of Emilie Carpentier. I am led to believe that the original publication of Maximiliene’s diary was published as ‘The Islander.’
Opening this book will lead you back in time to a world of exploration, kingdoms with legal systems unlike those of today and the open seas. This author weaves a tale of family betrayal, greed, treachery, trickery and down-right underhandedness that would make the Harry Potter’s of today blush. If in fact John Allen used words that were written hundreds of years ago then Maximiliene and Emilie were poets, but having read other works written by this author I’m of the mindset that this work can only be attributed to Mr. Allen.
The Carpentier Diaries is a wonderful read and should be on everyone’s ‘What to give someone who has everything’ list. It will definitely be my number one gift to give this year!

This review was originally posted on Reviews4Reviews.com 
This book was given to me as a swap for one of my books in exchange for a book review.
For more information on this book exchange program visit Reviews4Reviews
For more information on this author see John Allen.

Tuesday's Spotlight - McGuffy Ann

Welcome to another Tuesday's Spotlight - - -  This Week's Guest is McGuffy Ann from McGuffy's Reader

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I have decided that Tuesday is my favorite day of the week! I get to share someone with the rest of you that I met while traipsing along this blog highway we all discovered one way or the other doing what we do. And I decided that Tuesday was going to become Tuesday's Spotlight and we would all get to learn a bit more about someone special. BUT before I share, I get to tell you WHY she is special....Now...I have found that there are ALOT of cat people out there....and I mean A L O T!!! I, am not such a big fan of cats (don't start hissing at me people!!!) I am a huge dog fan and never really learned to love the cat family....I'm sure I could be persuaded, and I this woman ...or this cat...not sure which.... well... you be the judge....this is what I discovered when I found McGuffy Ann's blog:

now, I'm sorry, but you cannot stage this picture....and that is how we became friends....SO.....without any other introduction necessary, I am turning the spotlight on my cat loving friend McGuffy Ann:

How long have you been blogging?

I have only been blogging for a few short months.

How did you start blogging?


Curiosity got me. I thought it might be a good way to record my book reviews and thoughts. It is, too! But I also want to use it for my writing, too.

How much time do you spend blogging?


I spend time on it almost every day, in some way. I really love to read other people's blogs, too.

What do you blog about?


I post mainly about books and book reviews, but I am a serious animal advocate and that is becoming more evident. I'm all about books and critters!

What draws you to a blog site?


Content. I need to be able to relate. If it is book blog, I check it out. If I can relate, I will join. If it is an animal blog, it is of special importance to me.

What things do you not like on other blog sites?


I hate to be negative. Personally, I am not into complicated contests and giveaways, especially where you have to rack-up points. I also am not into horror, sci-fi, paranormal, vampires, or "adult content", eroticism, etc.

What is your favorite blog hop?


I love Cat Thursday, by The True Book Addict. I also enjoy Friday Four Fill-In, by Feeling Beachie. I am looking into others to perhaps join. I like to support those who support me.

What advice would you give a new blogger?


Be true to yourself. Go for quality, not quantity. Don't stress!

How many blogs do you have?


I have only one blog (McGuffy's Reader), which is plenty for me!

What have you learned about yourself since you started blogging?


I have learned that people are interested in what I have to think and say, and that it may matter. I can make a difference, even in a small way: I can be a voice for some.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?


I would like to thank those who support and follow me! You keep me going and prompt me to do my best. I also want to thank Brenda for this opportunity! You are wonderful!  Oh, and PS...my name really is McGuffyAnn! 
And especially in Maggie's honor, I am dedicating this picture:
Laziness                            Buy This Allposters.com

Mondays Musings - Last Monday of July

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Where is the summer going...going...going...gone?

It is so hard to believe that there are only five months left in this year... WOW!! Onto the Musings of the day.... I was a bit under the weather so did not partake in Saturday's normal antics...BUT do have some other exciting tidbits to share:

FIRST....Disrupted Lives is NOW available on Kindle! And there is a magnificent lens created about that along with a Q&A on Squidoo by my good friend Ruthi.

I also spent some of my down time creating a new lens for a new author we have on Reviews4Reviews.

I still have to get around to fixing all of the other lenses.....

BUT the most interesting thing that has happened to me in a very long time is this....I received two new books to review and one of them: The Butterfly Cabinet by Bernie Mc Gill

is so riveting that I am almost done with it! I started it on Thursday night. Stay tuned for more info.


How was your weekend?

Friday Book Blogger Hop - Genre

Friday being Friday means I get to join Jen at Crazy for Books on her Friday Book Blogger Hop. She gets a LOT of followers and it is a great way to meet new bloggers! I have met so many new friends this way!

Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word! This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs to read! So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start HOPPING through the list of blogs that are posted in the Linky list below!!

The Hop lasts Friday-Monday every week, so if you don't have time to Hop today, come back later and join the fun! This is a weekly event! And stop back throughout the weekend to see all the new blogs that are added! She gets over 200 links every week!!

This week's question is:  

What’s the ONE GENRE that you wish you could get into, but just can’t?

I really wish I could get into the whole fantasy thing. I have tried several times but it loses me every time I try it. I don't know if I get lost with all the made up worlds and names, or just the concept of something new. I'm not sure. I know there are a LOT of people that follow that genre...

I can hardly wait to hop and find out what all my friends have to say about this question.


Have a great weekend everyone!

Happy Hop day!

Follow Friday Four Fill-In-Fun with Beachie 4th Friday in July

Four Fill In Fun Blog Hop

This Hop is so MUCH fun! This is the deal: Feeling Beachie is the host of this Hop.

Each week, she plans on listing four statements with a blank for us to fill in on our own blogs. If you want to join the fun and come up with four fill in’s of your own check out her site. If she uses them, she will add you as co-host to the hop! This week’s co-host Jen from What would Jen Do she came up with the last two statements

To join the Fun:

Please add the Follow Friday button to your post, or your blog.

Please follow Beachie. If there is a co-host, please follow them as well. Leave a comment!

Please link your Follow Friday Four Fill-In Fun post to the linky on Beachie's site. Feel free to grab the linky and post on your blog…


This week’s statements:


1. I probably ______ way more than I should

2. I just tried ____ for the first time

3. If I had to have a large flower bouquet with only one type of flower in it, it would be made of ______

4. I ____ a Snuggie


MY ANSWERS:

1. I probably overthink way more than I should. This is not a probably...it is a definitely. I don't make a decision, I ponder a decision and then I toss it around and decide if the decision is right or if the decision making process is right --- holy cow! When did I become my mother?

2. I just tried pineapple on my pizza for the first time and it is really good! You should try it!

3. If I had to have a large flower bouquet with only one type of flower in it, it would be made of roses - definitely! NO questions asked....

4. I bought my daughter a Snuggie and I was shocked at what it really was! I had no idea it was a blanket with two holes for your arms. That's it! Whoever came up with that idea is a millionaire and it is so simple!

Okay.....now I'm hopping....I can hardly wait to see your answers :)

Pondering with a Purpose - Wanderlust

Welcome to Pondering with a Purpose - Thinking on a Thursday

This is a weekly hop that started quite a while ago because simply put: I am a writer - that is what I do.
AND
This is all you have to do

1.   Grab the Pondering with a Purpose Badge

2.   Look at the week's prompt

3.   Post something on your blog that relates to the prompt - it can be a story, a poem, a picture -- anything you want it to be.

4.   Come back here and add the URL from your post to the linky list below.

5.   Go check out the other bloggers who have added their links to the list.

6.   AND most of all....   Have fun!

Thanks for hopping!

This week's prompt is                       Wanderlust

First....I have to say that I do believe in fairies ... I do! I do!
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and as I am sitting here writing this post it brings me back twenty one years when Hook came out and I had just had my second child. I went to the movies to see the film and I cried through the whole thing...was it post partum depression? Was it grieving for my own childhood? Was it wishing that I could keep my children young forever? I have no idea...but I do know that sitting here writing this I recall so many happy moments with my children acting like a child that I don't believe that age has anything to do with growing up! I think if we all dig deep enough inside there is a bit of wanderlust buried that just wants to come out!

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What does Wanderlust make you think of?




Post your URL to the linky below and thanks for hopping!