Month: September 2020

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Taking Inventory

It has been a long year. And it’s not over yet. I’m sure anyone who reads this blog will agree with both of those statements. It has been a year of struggles, disappointments, and challenges. I have not been immune, and I’m sure I share many of your frustrations that come on the heel of such a year. I’m finally catching my breath. I’ve been fortunate enough to remain employed and in my home. These are blessings. And I’m grateful. I remain in a place where I wonder and worry about my family and friends as they continue to muddle through the mess that, it has become evident, isn’t going away any time soon. Like many of you, my parents aren’t getting any younger and am concerned for their health. I have adult children who are out in the world, working. One is a nurse. Need I say more. I may not need to, but I will. She works tirelessly each day to comfort and heal the sick. She councils and calms those who are concerned about the current COVID-19 situation. She is brave and beautiful. Oh, and did I mention, she and her husband are pregnant. Someone’s getting old (Hint, it’s not me). In November I will be writing another blog about the latest addition to my family. My younger daughter spends her days making the world more beautiful by helping others feel better about themselves, working as a hair stylist. She is becoming a creative genius. She is a beautiful soul, usually sacrificing herself and her needs to make others feel better. I am blessed to have such wonderful children. The point of my blog today isn’t to brag about my family. I love my family. I know they’re not perfect, but what family is? We work to support and help each other when we can. What more can we ask of each other? So, the point of today’s blog is to mark this day as a new beginning for me. It is a means of holding myself accountable. To be a compass for my thoughts and actions. I’ve written three books all complete and edited. I have been querying agents. I continue to query agents. My blog is my accountability partner. Or should I say the readers of my blog are my accountability partner. I haven’t been assertive or diligent in blogging and trying to create a fan base or group of followers, because to be honest, I’m scared. I guess I’ve been afraid of rejection. Today that stops. Today is day one of what will become a life filled with hope and an opportunity to meet new people. It’s a day that brings with it the chance to connect with others. Whether a writer or reader or just a fellow human being searching for the silver lining in this life we live. I hope my beginning will prompt you to begin again too. Life is what we make it. Let’s make it wonderful together. Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. I look forward to getting to know all who choose to interact. Fair Use Notice: This article could contain some copyrighted material whose use has not been authorized by the copyright owners. We believe that this not-for-profit, educational, and/or criticism or commentary use on the Web constitutes a fair use of the copyrighted material (as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes that go beyond fair use, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Fair Use notwithstanding we will immediately comply with any copyright owner who wants their material removed or modified, wants us to link to their web site, or wants us to add their photo.
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Waiting For a “Yes”

Sometimes we need a distraction from life. It keeps us sane. There are days when I’m pulled in multiple directions and I feel like I’ve lost my center. When those days occur, I go home and settle in for the night. But before I do, I spend some time writing a scene of my next book.

This week has been busy. I’m preparing a baby shower for my daughter.  It’s a joyous event that has been somewhat dampened by COVID. I never thought I would have to plan an event that would require its attendees to wear masks and stay six feet apart. Such an occasion requires hugs. Something that will be lacking from the event.

We live in the North East. New Hampshire to be exact. I’m planning to have the shower outside under a 20-foot tent at the end of September. I’m holding my breath. I hope the weather holds, and that it will be a warm day.

Two years ago, I hosted her wedding. The wedding was on October 20th and it snowed. Yes, the wedding was outside. Thankfully, we planned appropriately, and rented sides for the tent, and heaters. We ended up needing them. It was a beautiful wedding. We had a wonderful time.

So, I’m hoping this event is blessed with a bright sunny day. There will be no sides to this tent. We want to make sure everyone is safe and to make extra sure, we will have fresh air flowing through the tent.

My younger daughter is working diligently to prepare the menu. She is making a special cake for the guest of honor. It’s a treat shared throughout their dad’s family and she’s making a special effort to please her sister. It warms my heart.

I’m ready for my part. The tent is reserved, party favors ready, and gifts are wrapped. Now we only wait for September 26th where we can shower her with love and gifts to usher in the new little one.

In between the excitement, that brings my family together, I write and wait. Hoping for the response all authors wish for.

Until then I wish you all a wonderful week hoping you realize your dreams.

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Suicide and Our Military

Did you know September is National Suicide Prevention Month? There is much focus on suicide in recent months. Any life lost is terrible, and the announcement that David Buckel, Kate Spade, and Jon Paul Steuer took their lives was sad, each announcement brought more attention to the epidemic.

Suicide is a national problem that affects communities and families. It also affects our military in a major way. If we look at the statistics of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, they report 20 veterans who commit suicide each day. Veterans’ suicides make up 18% of suicide deaths.

If you look at a research report in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings journal, you’ll read that Army suicides increased 80% from 2004 to 2008. The Army is not the only branch of the military affected by suicide. In a recent US Veterans Magazine article, they quoted Dr. Gerstenhaber to have said, “The suicide rate for our veterans and active duty is around 50% higher than for their civilian counterparts, showing what a serious issue we have on our hands.” They quoted him as also having said, “This group of people have a tremendous amount of stress, and they need to know it’s not a sign of weakness to seek help. We have programs in place that have been successful in helping to reduce the suicide rates, and we want to expand those to help others around the nation.”

Dr. Gerstenhaber works with the EOD Warrior Foundation to address the need to reduce suicide rates. Together they continue to study and work closely with families affected by suicide. They established the EOD Warrior Foundation (through a merger of the EOD Memorial Foundation and the Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation) on March 1, 2013. They work to assist the community of Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) technicians. This organization is just one of many working with our veterans to assist our military to eradicate suicide.

We live in a time not so different from our forefathers. The one advantage we have is an openness and acceptance within our communities. We have developed programs to assist those in need. We have taken the time to devote to studies and statistics. Now we have to band together to offer our veterans a hand up (versus a handout). We need to learn to recognize the early signs of suicide and support those that cry out silently for help.

We may not hear their silent cries, but we can learn to recognize the signs and reach out to those that give so much of themselves to their country. We owe it to them, their families, and our country.

Fair Use Notice: This article could contain some copyrighted material whose use has not been authorized by the copyright owners. We believe that this not-for-profit, educational, and/or criticism or commentary use on the Web constitutes a fair use of the copyrighted material (as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes that go beyond fair use, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Fair Use notwithstanding we will immediately comply with any copyright owner who wants their material removed or modified, wants us to link to their web site, or wants us to add their photo.

resources

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2018/06/21/va-reveals-its-veteran-suicide-statistic-included-active-duty-troops.html

https://www.usveteransmagazine.com/2017/09/shocking-military-suicide-rates-identifying-signs/ Photo by israel palacio on Unsplash

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Understanding Human Trafficking

I’m posting this video as a service to our children. We need to wake up.

Fair Use Notice: This article could contain some copyrighted material whose use has not been authorized by the copyright owners. We believe that this not-for-profit, educational, and/or criticism or commentary use on the Web constitutes a fair use of the copyrighted material (as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes that go beyond fair use, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Fair Use notwithstanding we will immediately comply with any copyright owner who wants their material removed or modified, wants us to link to their web site, or wants us to add their photo.

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25 Children Located as Sex Trafficking Busts Continue

Operation Safety Net recovered 25 missing children during a two week stretch in Ohio. Operation Safety Net has been operating for two weeks and will, with local law enforcement, continue to carry out their rescue mission.

You can read the article here.

Each time I hear about a rescue I feel relief. Yet I know there are hundreds of thousands more children that need to be saved. We can help by keeping our eyes open. Recognizing when something doesn’t look right. Reporting what might look suspicious.

Our military and law enforcement agencies are working to save the children. President Trump early in his term promised to do all he could to bring to justice those who participate in this horrible crime. No matter their station in society.

“We have things happening that you don’t want to know about.” ~ President Trump

We may not want to know about what’s happening but we can’t turn our back on the children.

Save The Children.

Fair Use Notice: This article could contain some copyrighted material whose use has not been authorized by the copyright owners. We believe that this not-for-profit, educational, and/or criticism or commentary use on the Web constitutes a fair use of the copyrighted material (as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes that go beyond fair use, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Fair Use notwithstanding we will immediately comply with any copyright owner who wants their material removed or modified, wants us to link to their web site, or wants us to add their photo.