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Any time we do not feel well is a cause for depression, isn't it? We just don't like to be feel yucky and it is so very easy to allow negtivity to creep in and dictate how we deal with it. Multiple Sclerosis is for sure an illness that invites those negative thoughts to invade and take up residence in our minds and bodies. But MS should not dictate little pleasures that life throws us. For many of us alcohol consumption is not a priority or even an issue; but there are those folks who feel that drinking a few questionable beverages can do not harm. I mean, we already stumble, sway and slur through our daily  business, why not add a visible reason for our "inebriation"? At least an alcohol level is understandable to the rest of the world that does not understand MS. Boy-oh-boy, that's an ironic statement if I ever made one. There is nothing understandable about MS. Why am I able to walk well enough to hold a full-time job when my younger friend is confined to w

I don't know about you, but my favorite season is winter and I am absolutely loving this snowy winter. I didn't always like the cold and the snow. In my youth I was a serious sun worshipper. My first job was as a life guard at a local private swimming pool. I enjoyed this gig for nearly 10 years and I had a strict rule. On the first day of pool season I felt it was my duty to get as much  sun as possible. For some reason I thought that if I aquired a harsh sun burn on the first day, I wouldn't burn again for the rest of ther summer. This is not good advice. The skiin will continue to burn all summer long and the damage acrued is permenant. There is no turning back once the human skin is fried in baby oil and iodine (yep, that's how serious I was about my tan). But, this space is about MS, not skin cancer. I have yet to look forward to that condition.   While I basked in my summer glow and dreamed of living at the beach when I was an independent young adult, I never once

I don't know about you, but my favorite season is winter and I am absolutely loving this snowy winter. I didn't always like the cold and the snow. In my youth I was a serious sun worshipper. My first job was as a life guard at a local private swimming pool. I enjoyed this gig for nearly 10 years and I had a strict rule. On the first day of pool season I felt it was my duty to get as much  sun as possible. For some reason I thought that if I aquired a harsh sun burn on the first day, I wouldn't burn again for the rest of ther summer. This is not good advice. The skiin will continue to burn all summer long and the damage acrued is permenant. There is no turning back once the human skin is fried in baby oil and iodine (yep, that's how serious I was about my tan). But, this space is about MS, not skin cancer. I have yet to look forward to that condition.   While I basked in my summer glow and dreamed of living at the beach when I was an independent young adult, I nev

Let it Snow is as collaboration by John Greene, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle of three holiday YA romances that takes the lives of Gracetown teens on a snow storm adventure that changes lives and creates a new sense of understanding for the participants. When Jubilee Dougal sets out on a snowy train ride to her stay with her grandparents in sunny Florida, a chain of unexpected events unfolds over the course of three novels. An avid fan of these authors, I was totally captivated by the warm cohesiveness of their writing. What a surprisingly delightful read!

Let it Snow is as collaboration by John Greene, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle of three holiday YA romances that takes the lives of Gracetown teens on a snow storm adventure that changes lives and creates a new sense of understanding for the participants. When Jubilee Dougal sets out on a snowy train ride to her stay with her grandparents in sunny Florida, a chain of unexpected events unfolds over the course of three novels. An avid fan of these authors, I was totally captivated by the warm cohesiveness of their writing. What a surprisingly delightful read!

Recently I obtained total control of my first YA novel, Abby . With that came some busy-work to get it back in circulation. I think I am finally finished with that and she should soon be available on Amazon with a new look and a new price. I have cartons of the original Abby in my basement and would love to share these with classroom teachers who think this this would make a good addition to their classroom library or ELA curriculum. Many WV teachers are faced with the added lesson plan of RTI and are in need of something extra to challenge their students. I have developed a curriculum planner for Abby that is included in my offer of 15 copies of the novel for $65.00. I will cover shipping and handling or will hand deliver if you are in Marion County, WV. If you are not familiar with Abby , it is an easy read formatted as a journal and is appropriate for readers in grade 5-8. Written by the teacher; edited by her students, Abby, is the Hallmark greeting card of young adult fiction

Recently I obtained total control of my first YA novel, Abby . With that came some busy-work to get it back in circulation. I think I am finally finished with that and she should soon be available on Amazon with a new look and a new price. I have cartons of the original Abby in my basement and would love to share these with classroom teachers who think this this would make a good addition to their classroom library or ELA curriculum. Many WV teachers are faced with the added lesson plan of RTI and are in need of something extra to challenge their students. I have developed a curriculum planner for Abby that is included in my offer of 15 copies of the novel for $65.00. I will cover shipping and handling or will hand deliver if you are in Marion County, WV. If you are not familiar with Abby , it is an easy read formatted as a journal and is appropriate for readers in grade 5-8. Written by the teacher; edited by her students, Abby, is the Hallmark greeting card of young adult

Trish LeSage Why Authors Should Use A Facebook Personal Profile Page Posted by Trish LeSage | 3 Comments 14 January 2014 “Why Authors Should Use A Facebook Personal Profile Page” There are many reasons why authors should use a personal profile page on Facebook in addition to using a business page. Creating a personal profile page is very beneficial and advantageous and can increase book sales if you are an author. First of all, Facebook only allows your posts to be seen by 10-20% of the people who have “liked” your business page. If you want a higher percentage of people who have liked your page to see your posts, you must pay Facebook in order to do so by clicking on the “boost post” button in the lower right hand corner of your post. On the other hand, this is not the case with personal profile pages. Your posts on your wall of your personal profile page are not limited to

Trish LeSage Why Authors Should Use A Facebook Personal Profile Page Posted by Trish LeSage | 3 Comments 14 January 2014 “Why Authors Should Use A Facebook Personal Profile Page” There are many reasons why authors should use a personal profile page on Facebook in addition to using a business page. Creating a personal profile page is very beneficial and advantageous and can increase book sales if you are an author. First of all, Facebook only allows your posts to be seen by 10-20% of the people who have “liked” your business page. If you want a higher percentage of people who have liked your page to see your posts, you must pay Facebook in order to do so by clicking on the “boost post” button in the lower right hand corner of your post. On the other hand, this is not the case with personal profile pages. Your posts on your wall of your personal profi

This story has been whirling around in my seldom empty brain (there's always something there, even if I can't remember what it is) and I wanted to throw the intro out there for some response. My main character  is America (Meri) Washington, a sixteen year old high school junior. She loves classical music and dreams of owning her own Baby Grand piano, but for now enjoys time spent tickling the ivory of her piano teacher's instrument. America is drop-dead gorgeous: flawless, porciline skin; naturally straight, white teeth; a beauty queen figure; enchanting blue eyes. She's theh poster child for the all-American beauty. Her grades are perfect; she has no enemies; she is focused and knows where she is headed; her parents love her unconditionally. I know, of course, what Meri's problem is; I want to hear what you think. ********************************************************************************** “There she is, Miss America. There she is, your ideal.” The off key

This story has been whirling around in my seldom empty brain (there's always something there, even if I can't remember what it is) and I wanted to throw the intro out there for some response. My main character  is America (Meri) Washington, a sixteen year old high school junior. She loves classical music and dreams of owning her own Baby Grand piano, but for now enjoys time spent tickling the ivory of her piano teacher's instrument. America is drop-dead gorgeous: flawless, porciline skin; naturally straight, white teeth; a beauty queen figure; enchanting blue eyes. She's theh poster child for the all-American beauty. Her grades are perfect; she has no enemies; she is focused and knows where she is headed; her parents love her unconditionally. I know, of course, what Meri's problem is; I want to hear what you think. ********************************************************************************** “There she is, Miss America. There she is, your ideal.”

On Thursady January 9,2014,an estimated 5,000 gallons of Crude MCHMursday, leaked into the soil on the banks of the Elk River. This chemical leached through the soil and into the river, contaminating the water supply in nine West Virginia counties. Hotels have closed their doors; restaurants are no long open; school have shut down. The public has been warned to use tap wter for absolutely no reason , which includes bathing, drinking, washing clothes, washing hands. Fluching the toilet is the only acceptable reason to use the water and even then you are advised to keep the lid down. This sounds pretty darned serious to me. Yet, a seminar that I am supposed to attend on Monday is supposedly not cancelled. Well, I am not real excited to drive two-three hours to stay in a hotel with no water, eating out of my personal cooler because there are no eateries open, after hauling my own case of bottled water to my  hotel room. This is an educational seminar. One would expect educated people to

This is the best writing style guide I have had the opportuity to read. Just like anything the Master writes, King held me spellbound from page one by  sharing his own writing experience in a manner easily understood. This no-nonsense tool to the trade was enjoyable as well as instructional, proving that education doesn't have to be stodgy. I thoroughly enjoyed hanging out with one of my favorite authors. His words made me feel like he was taking a personal interest in my writing. This is a necessary addition to any writer's collection.

This is the best writing style guide I have had the opportuity to read. Just like anything the Master writes, King held me spellbound from page one by  sharing his own writing experience in a manner easily understood. This no-nonsense tool to the trade was enjoyable as well as instructional, proving that education doesn't have to be stodgy. I thoroughly enjoyed hanging out with one of my favorite authors. His words made me feel like he was taking a personal interest in my writing. This is a necessary addition to any writer's collection.

Abby shared The Artisans Shop 's photo . 4 minutes ago Start reading a new book...this is the first in a series of 3

Abby shared The Artisans Shop 's photo . 4 minutes ago Start reading a new book...this is the first in a series of 3

You just cannot make this stuff up. Say what you mean;mean what you say. Language is so much fun, but as a writer, you need to choose wisely. One of my least favorite words in the English language is fruition. What is yours?

You just cannot make this stuff up. Say what you mean;mean what you say. Language is so much fun, but as a writer, you need to choose wisely. One of my least favorite words in the English language is fruition. What is yours?

So, I log onto my blog page and find the background image that I successfully deleted two days ago. It's haunting me and will not go away. I love the picture, actually, but really do not want it being the first thing I see when working on my blog. I am not surprised by the audacity of this, though. I am not having much luck with anything computer oriented. If it's not the CreateSpace debacle, it's my own blog insisting on debate. I just really, really dislike conflict. I think I will just go watch mindless television. Of course there is nothing interesting on TV tonight. It's a conspiracy! Me against technology!!!

So, I log onto my blog page and find the background image that I successfully deleted two days ago. It's haunting me and will not go away. I love the picture, actually, but really do not want it being the first thing I see when working on my blog. I am not surprised by the audacity of this, though. I am not having much luck with anything computer oriented. If it's not the CreateSpace debacle, it's my own blog insisting on debate. I just really, really dislike conflict. I think I will just go watch mindless television. Of course there is nothing interesting on TV tonight. It's a conspiracy! Me against technology!!!

Okay, so I have been working on converting my ready-to-print files from my former publisher in order to publish on Amazon. This process began December 23, 2013. Today I finally relented and decided to just retype the entire manuscript. I could have had it done by now. This has been a ridiculous journey of wasted time. I have worked with the PDF files I was sent and I cannot delete whatever that crazy  little circle thing is in the margin that is creating such a mess. My trim size is evidently not correct but I have no guidance as to what the trim size should be and it won't convert to another size  any way. There is text  outside the margin but I cannot find it. There is also line art outside the margin but I did not include any line art. (I think it must be that crazy little circle thing that I cannot delete.) If I had an agent I would not need to be tearing my hair out with all of this silly techie crap. Being rejected by multiple agents is a much faster process. I send the query

Okay, so I have been working on converting my ready-to-print files from my former publisher in order to publish on Amazon. This process began December 23, 2013. Today I finally relented and decided to just retype the entire manuscript. I could have had it done by now. This has been a ridiculous journey of wasted time. I have worked with the PDF files I was sent and I cannot delete whatever that crazy  little circle thing is in the margin that is creating such a mess. My trim size is evidently not correct but I have no guidance as to what the trim size should be and it won't convert to another size  any way. There is text  outside the margin but I cannot find it. There is also line art outside the margin but I did not include any line art. (I think it must be that crazy little circle thing that I cannot delete.) If I had an agent I would not need to be tearing my hair out with all of this silly techie crap. Being rejected by multiple agents is a much faster process. I send the q

Abby, Written by a teacher; edited by her students, has been lauded as a Hallmark card of YA fiction. Compared to Judy Blume's Are you there, God? This is Me, Margaret, Abby is the story of seventh grader Abigail Van Buren Masterson. Abigail's BFF is her diary until an uninvited, mysterious disease forces her mother to move their bohemiam family to a home that neither Abigail nor her brother knew existed. After attending five different schools in seven years, Abigail is finally situated in the loving security of her strange, if not eccentric, family. Still dependent upon her diary, Abigail realized the importance of human inneraction and even falls into a bit of a romance with her French partner, Adam. While learning more about her mother's diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis, Abigail copes with the attrocities of that disease as well as the reality of falling prey to HeadCheerleader Sheila, the school diva, drama queen and school bully. If you do not already have your  copy

Abby, Written by a teacher; edited by her students, has been lauded as a Hallmark card of YA fiction. Compared to Judy Blume's Are you there, God? This is Me, Margaret, Abby is the story of seventh grader Abigail Van Buren Masterson. Abigail's BFF is her diary until an uninvited, mysterious disease forces her mother to move their bohemiam family to a home that neither Abigail nor her brother knew existed. After attending five different schools in seven years, Abigail is finally situated in the loving security of her strange, if not eccentric, family. Still dependent upon her diary, Abigail realized the importance of human inneraction and even falls into a bit of a romance with her French partner, Adam. While learning more about her mother's diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis, Abigail copes with the attrocities of that disease as well as the reality of falling prey to HeadCheerleader Sheila, the school diva, drama queen and school bully. If you do not already have your 

"Where are you? Why haven't I heard from you?" I knew the panic in my voice couldn't be masked, yet I assumed the brightest one I could. "I have called and called and you haven't returned any of my messages!" I couldn't remember a time in our friendship when so much time had elasped between our conversations. Even when she left home to attend college or when my marriage took me to another state; we always found time to catch up or at least check in. It wasn't as if we were co-dependent upon one another; we just needed the other's presence to maintain balance.  When she married Jai, things changed, though. I chalked it up to newlywed-i-dus initially; but when my bestie ecame evasive about otherwise incidental things, I have to admit that I got a little jealous. Jai didn't approve of our friendship and didn't understand our connection. Juliette and I no longer discussed the best sellers that we consumed like some people binged on chocol

"Where are you? Why haven't I heard from you?" I knew the panic in my voice couldn't be masked, yet I assumed the brightest one I could. "I have called and called and you haven't returned any of my messages!" I couldn't remember a time in our friendship when so much time had elasped between our conversations. Even when she left home to attend college or when my marriage took me to another state; we always found time to catch up or at least check in. It wasn't as if we were co-dependent upon one another; we just needed the other's presence to maintain balance.  When she married Jai, things changed, though. I chalked it up to newlywed-i-dus initially; but when my bestie ecame evasive about otherwise incidental things, I have to admit that I got a little jealous. Jai didn't approve of our friendship and didn't understand our connection. Juliette and I no longer discussed the best sellers that we consumed like some people binged on choc

The tree is packed away, decorations carefully stored, and my living room is so less intersting too look at; but it's done. Christmas is no longer a visual implant in my home, but I hope to keep the Christmas spirit alive throughout 2014. Until next time...Now, let's enjoy those snow days!!!

The tree is packed away, decorations carefully stored, and my living room is so less intersting too look at; but it's done. Christmas is no longer a visual implant in my home, but I hope to keep the Christmas spirit alive throughout 2014. Until next time...Now, let's enjoy those snow days!!!

Christmas 2013 has come and gone. The gifts, so frantically purchased and wrapped, are bare of tinsel and bow. The turkey and ham sliced for sandwiches; new toys properly broken in; a time of peace and relaxation impending and building up to the next big celebration: New Years Eve. For the first time since our marriage, my husband and I are actually going out this year. I am excited to have a real "date" (compliments of our dear, dear neice) and am entertaining the idea of shopping for something new and fun to wear, even though it is a casual event. This is also the time to commit to prmises of huge proportions that we forget them as soon as it becomes a chore. At least that's what I once thought, but 2013 showed me that resolutions really, really do work. After 50+ years of marriage and 40+ years living in a mobile home, my parents purchased a house. That was one of last year's resolutions...to make this move happen. I didn't give up on the search, even when the

Christmas 2013 has come and gone. The gifts, so frantically purchased and wrapped, are bare of tinsel and bow. The turkey and ham sliced for sandwiches; new toys properly broken in; a time of peace and relaxation impending and building up to the next big celebration: New Years Eve. For the first time since our marriage, my husband and I are actually going out this year. I am excited to have a real "date" (compliments of our dear, dear neice) and am entertaining the idea of shopping for something new and fun to wear, even though it is a casual event. This is also the time to commit to prmises of huge proportions that we forget them as soon as it becomes a chore. At least that's what I once thought, but 2013 showed me that resolutions really, really do work. After 50+ years of marriage and 40+ years living in a mobile home, my parents purchased a house. That was one of last year's resolutions...to make this move happen. I didn't give up on the search, even when