I Am Black and An American, Darn It!

Yes, I am on another rant about the unnecessarily absurd political correctness we've been bogged down with in this country.

So, I pose this question: Why is it that a black person is automatically labeled African-American? I mean, how did we come up with this deduction? Why is it assumed that my ancestors came from Africa? What if they were from Jamaica or the Bahamas or Fiji, or even South America for that matter? Or maybe they were blacks born in Greece or Scotland. Why are all blacks dumped into the same ancestral gene pool? Who died and made the powers-that-be "Kings of So-Called Political Correctness," or rather "Political Incorrectness?"
My father's grandmother was half-white, and my mother's grandmother was a full-blooded Black-foot Indian. That would make me a mix-blooded American, wouldn't it? But I'll just settle for Black-American, or better yet, just plain old American, because that's what I am. Do we ever hear white people called Dutch-American or French-American, or Egyptian-American? (Actually, the last one would be pretty funny:-) Even the Native Americans' ancestors came from somewhere else. Almost everything we've been taught about history is poppycock!

So, to sum up this rant that could go on forever (and I do mean forever) let's just dump all this political correctness garbage in the garbage because that is where it belongs. I am black, and I am an American! Do you hear this, people? I am an American! And I'm a nice one, too. Really, I am:-)
Have an awesome day, my fellow Americans!

Suggested Reading

Book: The Third
Author: Abel Keogh

This is a book I couldn't wait to read because I knew it would be good, and I wasn't disappointed. Imagine living in a time when it is illegal to have more than two children unless you pay the government for the privilege. (Not hard to imagine since our country is slowly heading in that direction anyway.) This story is about a family that finds themselves in this dangerous situation when the wife becomes pregnant and the husband is unable to purchase the mandatory credit needed to be approved of the right to have a third child.

The Book

In this stark and haunting look at the not-so-distant future, an environmentally minded society elects to limit the number of children couples can have, enforcing dire consequences for lawbreakers. But when his wife gets pregnant with a forbidden third child, Ransom Lawe is forced to choose between the government who's trying to save the world from ecological disaster and the family he loves dearly.

When Ransom Lawe, a recycler in the Pacific Northwest, finds out his wife is pregnant with their third--and therefore illegal--child, he's forced to choose between the government who proclaims a desire to save the planet and his hope for a place where his family can live in freedom. But with the Census Bureau Sentinels closing in on his wife and unborn child, Ransom's choice will either save his family or tear them apart forever.

Abel Keogh offers a stark and haunting look at a not-so-distant future in this chilling new novel. Crossing lines between good and evil, freedom and oppression, and political and environmental responsibility, The Third is a gut-wrenching tale of intense loyalty and unconditional love.

I finished this book quickly because I couldn't put it down. Very thought-provoking story, not to mention the author is a great guy:-) Get your copy of The Third by logging onto Amazon.com

Sick People Have Feelings, Too!

This was a pretty emotional Mother's Day for me for various reasons ranging from one end of the Girl-o-Meter to the other. I feel renewed gratitude for my children and the amazing people they are, and I'm thankful for a husband that loves me and the spastic children he helped to create. I, too, am a little spastic at times, but since this communicable ailment rubbed off my children onto me, I think my husband deserves the credit because they get it from his side of the family. (He will beg to differ:-))

Today I found myself pondering my mothering skills, wondering if I've been doing my job okay and vowing to do better. I've had different examples to follow.
My mother-in-law is as patient as they come and has raised some great kids who are doing their best to raise good kids. My mother, who was an alcoholic all her life, did her best for us when she was sober, which was not often. Despite her weaknesses, I learned from her the art of survival, which got me through some tough times in life, including my suffering the consequences that came from past poor choices.
My grandmother was one of the sweetest women in the world and was a major influence on me. She suffered many trials, but she stayed strong and held onto her integrity until until she passed away in 2007. I've really missed her, even more so today, and I was grateful for the time I was able to spend with her during her last weeks before she succumbed to ovarian cancer. She was incoherent a great deal of that time, but when she was coherent, she communicated well for the most part and we had some wonderful conversations. Other than taking bathroom breaks and jaunting to the kitchen to grab a plate of food, I never let her side for the time I was there, even when she was sleeping, because I knew she knew I was there. For me, that was the most important thing.
Yes, I miss my grandmother, and I'm sure I always will, but how grateful I am for the opportunity I had to just be there, to let her know she wasn't alone. She was sick, but she still had feelings, even when she didn't, or couldn't voice them.

Which brings me to a neat little booklet I read last week. Communication for the Cognizant, Nonverbal Patient was written by Jean Alleman, Trudy Brown, and Susan Robison, and is an excellent resource for anyone caring for a sick patient who may not be able to express their needs.

About the Booklet
If you're a patient whose mind knows what to say but whose mouth is unable to convey those thoughts, you've probably become very frustrated with finding a way to get your needs met. If you're the caregiver watching or trying to help the patient, you've likely become frustrated as well. Communication is about to become easier. With the help of this book, patients will finally be able to express their needs without speaking.

Simple sentences such as 'I am thirsty. May I have some water?' and so forth allow patients to point out the thought they need to share so caregivers know just how to help. With colorful illustrations and an easy format, Communication for the Cognizant, Nonverbal Patient is the book that will give a voice to patients.

To order this helpful booklet, log onto tatepublishing.com or mycompanionvoice.blogspot.com for the ebook.

Thinking For Ourselves - Think About It

"Is there any vestige of truth left in our declaration that we think for ourselves? Or do we even trouble to declare this any more? Perhaps the man who says he “thinks for himself” is simply one who does not think at all; because he has no fully articulate thoughts, he thinks he has his own incommunicable ideas."
Thomas Merton

I have always been a person who likes to go against the grain. I don't like to conform to what society deems "important." I never have. I am not politically correct, and I don't read the newspaper or listen to the news and accept it all as truth. I mean, how many of us have the "Of course it's true because it was on the news or in the paper" mentality? How many of us take what the medical profession says as gospel? How many of us believe everything we've been taught by the world? And if we do, why is that?

From the time my children were young, I've always encouraged them to learn as much as they could and strive to stay informed because I didn't want them to grow up letting someone else do their thinking.
Thinking for ourselves is so important, especially with all that is going on in the world. We are faced with information (sometimes indoctrination) coming at us in every direction. There are many paths to choose, varying in length, ease, and difficulty. There are also endless possibilities placed before us, and it will always be that way on this journey we call life. It is up to us to not just choose the good part, but choose the better part. If we strive to do this, there is no way we could ever be led astray. And when we do this, we are truly thinking for ourselves and will not be swayed by the media, by celebrities, or any worldly thing.
In the complicated world we live in (and it's only going to get more complicated,) truly learning to think for oneself is is definitely a priceless and crowning achievement, one that does not boast with pride or sound a trump glorifying the fact, but an achievement that will earn one the blessing of hearing an affirming inner voice whisper, "Well done. Now let's continue on, shall we?"

Are You Rich?

I am often asked how many books I have written. I usually say I don't know because I've stopped counting. Then the person will ask me how many of my books are published. Again I answer that I don't know. Eight out of ten times, the person then replies, "Wow, you must be doing good! Are you rich?"
My new reply now is, "Why, yes, I have been very blessed." And no, it isn't a lie because I am. I'm rich in blessings:-)
Writing is a labor of love and if a writer is in it for the money, then it isn't truly labor of love, it's work. Of course getting paid for your work is good, and making a lot of money is great. Becoming a best selling author would be even better! But that isn't why we do it.
We do it because of our love of the written world. We do it because it's a creative release and we're just oozing with creativity. We do it because if we don't give our rampant ideas an outlet, we will one day spontaneously combust, releasing all that pent up creativity, and leave brain fragments scattered all over the desk and computer screen or kitchen table, for family and loved ones to clean up. That would be pretty messy, and the visual is actually making me a little ill. (Another idea for a book, maybe?)
So the next time someone assumes you're doing really well and getting rich from your writing, you say, "Heck, yes, I'm rich!" Because your God-given talent is truly producing some major blessings. It is bringing new people into your life and taking you to places you never thought you would go, and you're soaring to new heights you never thought you would reach.
Now I'd say that's rich, wouldn't you?

Suggested Reading

Book: Hearts Through Time
Author Marie Higgins

I started Reading Hearts Through Time on Monday and couldn't put it down. Then I caught the flu and was in bed for a couple of days. As sick as I was, I forced myself to sit up for a couple of minutes here and there to read more of the book because I just had to find out what happened next. A couples of times I felt like I was dying after doing this and had to sleep for a couple of hours because it took so much out of me. But as soon as I woke up, I struggled to read another paragraph or two. Now this, people, is the sign of a great story!

The Book
A love story that transcends time . . .

When a woman claiming to be a ghost from 1912 appears in Nick Marshal's office and begs for help in solving her murder, he thinks he has lost his mind. A scandal that rocked Hollywood almost destroyed his law practice, so he doesn't need any more fireworks as he rebuilds his life. Still, he is intrigued by Abigail Carlisle's plea, and he needs clients, even if this one insists she's dead. The more secrets Nick uncovers, the deeper he falls for the beautiful ghost.
Abigail believes Nick is her heart's true desire, but how can happily-ever-after happen when she's already dead? The more time she spends with him, the more real she becomes, until Nick can finally touch her.
In a strange turn of events, Nick is suddenly whisked back to 1912, two weeks before Abby's murder, but she doesn't remember him. When he attempts to win her over so he can save her from a tragic destiny, Abby thinks Nick is courting her for her inheritance. But even if he can rescue her and make her trust him again, how can they be together forever?

This book was a sweet lighthearted read that immediately drew me in and moved quickly, and there wasn't one dull moment. The cover is absolutely beautiful and exactly how I would picture Abigail. It was such a fun story and the author's personality clearly shines through her writing.

I asked Marie how she came up with the story.

Marie: How did I come up with the story? Well... Three years ago (or so) paranormal was getting bigger, and I wanted to write a paranormal romance, but vampires and werewolves were just not interesting. Ghosts were. I wanted the woman to be my ghost from 1912. Why that era you ask...because I love their clothes! Ha ha ha! So before actually plotting my story, I whipped out the first chapter. Little did I know there would be such a mystery surrounding her murder. After chapter four I realized I had to actually plot the story. lol I can honestly say, my characters wrote this story for me. I never knew I could create such a plot.
To find out more about Marie Higgins and her books, stop by her blog at http://mariehiggins84302.blogspot.com/

My First Crush . . . Ah, Puppy Love (Sigh)

I had a lot of favorite television shows in the late 70s and early 80s. All In the Family, Good Times, The Jeffersons, The Brady Bunch, The Partridge Family, Nanny and the Professor, The Incredible Hulk, Wonder Woman . . . the list goes on and on.
But all of those shows could never compare to my absolute favorite, Starsky and Hutch! That was my show with a capital S, because I had a major crush on both David Starsky and Ken Hutchinson. I'm talking major, people! I was engaged to them both and they had no idea. They were both going to wait for me to get a little older, then marry me. They were going to pick me up in Zebra-3 and we'd ride off into the sunset.
Yes, people, in my young little mind, I was already a teenage bigamist!

Now that I am much older with a capital M, I still love the show and watch the reruns wherever I can catch them, and I plan to own the complete series before the year is over. (Thank goodness for Amazon.) And though the love affair with these sixty something year-old guys has ended (I'm married to my own handsome blond-haired, blue-eyed Hutch) they will forever have a place in my heart as the most awesome cop duo and my first crushes.

So, what were your favorite 70s and 80s shows, and who was, or were your heart-breaking hunks? Leave a comment and I'll send you an ecopy of the revised edition of my contemporary romance Against the Odds with the gorgeous new cover!

Perspective

Lately I have been thinking a lot about perspective and how differently we see things from time to time. But do we really truly see?
Here are a few of my favorite quotes on perspective.

Those who believe they can do something and those who believe they can't are both right.
- - Henry Ford
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
- Anonymous
Before criticizing a man, walk a mile in his shoes.
- Old English Proverb
Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.
- William James
He who believes is strong; he who doubts is weak. Strong convictions precede great actions.
- Louisa May Alcott
Recognizing my blindness is the first step toward regaining my sight.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

So . . . How Did I Use the Best Opening Line Contest Winner?

I'm so thrilled to share with you an excerpt from my next book in the Challissian series. It includes the winning entry. The tentative title is The Light of Day.

Excerpt

I will never forget the day I died. I remember it like it was yesterday. The translating of my body from mortal to immortal had taken no more time than the blinking of an eye.

The pain I suffered at the moment of my demise had been brutal but quick, the dagger piercing my heart with one-hundred percent accuracy. Of course, being held against the wall by my murderer while he did the deed insured accuracy.

Closing my eyes, I shake my head, shuddering slightly as I attempt to push the memory away. The event is now in the past and I have no desire to remember it any longer.

Let you mind be at ease, my heart.

My husband's deep voice enters my mind as his muscular arms enfold me in his warm embrace. Staring out our bedroom window at the beautiful mountainous Challissian landscape, I lean back against him and sigh, soaking in the comfort his warm being provides. He bends and rests his chin on the crown of my head.

You are safe now. You are mine and my blood now flows through your veins. You are home, and we will never be separated again.

Turning in his arms, I reach up and pull his head down. Pressing my forehead to his, I tangle my hands in his silky blond hair. How grateful I am for that.

He closes his violet eyes and sighs as his warm mouth meets mine, and the last lingering thought of my past life fades into nothingness.

Journey of Honor

I've been slacking on my blog posting, but now that I've been able to come up for oxygen, I am finally back. I've been pondering the importance of positive thinking again and came across a few good quotes.

Reality is the mirror of your thoughts. Choose well what you put in front of the mirror.
Remez Sasson

Attitudes are contagious. Are yours worth catching?
Dennis and Wendy Mannering

If you don't think every day is a good day, just try missing one.
Cavett Robert

Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day.
Author Unknown

Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same.
Francesca Reigler

To be upset over what you don't have is to waste what you do have.
Ken S. Keyes Jr.

Suggested Reading

I had the privilege of reading Journey of Honor: A Love Story by Jaclyn M. Hawkes. It's a tender love story about a young woman who relies on her faith after suffering a terrible act of violence and a man searching for a truth and a happiness only she can give him.

The Book
Disowned, she came to American anyway. Attacked and left pregnant by a vicious mob, she still pressed on. Finally in spite of being accused of theft by the vilest of her attackers, Giselle tries to remain as upbeat and uncomplaining as a prairie wildflower as she travels on to Zion.

Thoroughly disillusioned with the ugliness and cruelty of slavery in the South. Trace Grayson leaves his young medical career to go west, hoping to leave bigotry and hatred behind. He begins taking goods by teamster train to sell in the territories. However, this fourth time across in July 1848, he's stuck in St. Joseph, Missouri, waiting for enough wagons to join the train so that they can leave.

Knowing that if they don t start west soon, they ll be caught by snow in the mountains. Trace is thrilled when the final wagon signs on. Then, when the beautiful young Dutch girl traveling with the last wagon is falsely accused of stealing and is detained, the whole trip is jeopardized. Thrown together by circumstances, Trace and Giselle team up to begin to figure out just how to make this epic journey across a continent a success.

With a deep sense of honor and an equally strong sense of humor, together they learn to deal with everything except the one trial that neither of them can overcome.
This is a journey through the refiner s fire.

This is a great book and a fast read. I was easily pulled into the story and uplifted by the way Giselle and Trace handled the trials. This a a book you will want to read again and again. Get your copy of Journey of Honor by logging onto http://www.jaclynmhawkes.com/ or Amazon.com