Showing posts with label June. Show all posts
Showing posts with label June. Show all posts

29 June 2018

Book Review: God Is ...: Lessons I Learned about God in College by Nysi Kilgore

God Is ...: Lessons I Learned about God in College by Nysi Kilgore

Going to college can be hard. Going to college in a different state makes it even more difficult and lonesome. In the book God Is...: Lessons I Learned about God in College by Nysi Kilgore, the author takes us along with her through her college years.

Along the way, Kilgore learned that she did not have to do it all alone. She did not have to be perfect and not everyone is your friend.

The author provides scripture references, most of them from The Message, regarding the issue discussed. If you are from a more traditional church background, you may want to keep a copy of your favorite translation of the Bible handy so that you can read the scriptures in a more traditional format.

We give God Is… all five stars. We feel this book is very well-written and timely for anyone getting ready to head off to college or who is already there.

This book would make a great reference for the older youth to use in a small Bible discussion group, so you may wish to buy multiple copies.

We were sent a complimentary copy of this book. We are under no obligation to write any review, positive or negative.

We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.


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Book Review: Warriors in Mr. Lincoln’s Army: Native American Soldiers Who Fought in the Civil War by Quita V. Shier

Warriors in Mr. Lincoln’s Army: Native American Soldiers Who Fought in the Civil War by Quita V. Shier

By now you have seen many books that would be a great addition to your genealogy library. You may be thinking, “Where am I going to put another one?” Warriors in Mr. Lincoln’s Army: Native American Soldiers Who Fought in the Civil War by Quita V. Shier is one of those books you will be glad you made room for on your shelf.

This book is very well-researched. It is broken down by each individual who served in Company K. The author provides as much information on each person’s life story as could be found.

The great thing about Warriors in Mr. Lincoln’s Army is that you could read it from cover to cover and love it. You could also just flip to a particular person’s story and find out all there is to know about that person.

Along the way, you will also learn about the conditions at hospitals, prisons, and on the field.

If you are at all interested in the War for Southern Independence, you will want to add Warriors in Mr. Lincoln’s Army to your “To be read" list.

We give this book all five stars. It is very well-written and extremely well-researched.

We were sent a complimentary copy of this book. We are under no obligation to write any review, positive or negative.

We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.

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Friendly Fill-Ins

This is a fun meme co-hosted by 15 and Meowing and Four-Legged Furballs. Be sure to visit and join in the fun!

New Friday_Fill-In_Badge

Here are the fill-ins:
  1. Fireworks ______________________.
  2. My favorite 4th of July picnic food is ___________.
  3. I begin every day with _________.
  4. _________ is the best thing since sliced bread.
bread-2190249_640
Here are my responses:

Fireworks are beautiful and fun, but very loud! I don’t like the loudness, but love the colors and trying to photograph them.

Well, we don’t go on 4th of July picnics, but I imagine one of my favorite picnic foods would be fried chicken.

I begin every day with a run to the bathroom and, most of a time, a prayer. That first prayer is often, “Please let me make it in time!”

David and our kids are the best thing since sliced bread. I couldn’t imagine life without them.

Our daughter Maggie has a new blog for her furbaby Martha. You can find it at: Martha’s Daily Mews.

Have a blessed weekend, y’all!


Image Source: Pixabay




Notice: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.
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25 June 2018

Instagram Today

Pottery Mark in Progress. Created & Photographed 25 June 2018. Wish me luck! The last one cracked. After this dries, I will use it to create a reverse image, which will hopefully work out to be my mark stamp. Have a blessed day, y’all.😊

Book Review: Perseverance: The Seven Skills You Need to Survive, Thrive, and Accomplish More Than You Ever Imagined by Tim Hague

Perseverance: The Seven Skills You Need to Survive, Thrive, and Accomplish More Than You Ever Imagined by Tim Hague

We are sent scores of books to review each month. It seems that the subject of Parkinson’s Disease is coming up more and more. Not to long before reading Perseverance: The Seven Skills You Need to Survive, Thrive, and Accomplish More Than You Ever Imagined by Tim Hague, we completed Fighting Parkinson's...and Winning: A memoir of my recovery from Parkinson's Disease by Howard Shifke.

The two books really work well together. With this book, Perseverance, we learn about the many challenges of living with Parkinson’s Disease, an incurable disease that is caused by lack of dopamine in the body. Tim Hauge decided he wasn’t going to let Parkinson’s Disease slow him down. He was going to live life to the fullest.

Fighting Parkinson's...and Winning is the story of the author who, like Tim Hague, learned he had Parkinson’s Disease. He also decided he was going to live life to the fullest. However, in this book the author decided that just because Western medicine says there is no cure for Parkinson’s that does not mean it is so.

The first part of Perseverance gives us the story of a mixed race child born in rural Texas and raised by a loving adopted family.

We follow the author through disappointment after disappointment. We see how he did not really fit in with any race. He was always too black, too white, or otherwise just not acceptable.

Perseverance will make you laugh, will make you cry, it will make you mad. AND, it will have you on the edge of your seat.

In Perseverance, we read the fascinating and exciting story of the author and his son competing in The Amazing Race Canada.

We see how Tim and his son Tim, Jr. worked to face all the obstacles head on. Even though we learn the outcome of the race early in the book, the excitement is still there. We still hang on every word.

We give Perseverance all five stars. It is very well-written and downright hard to put down. We think it makes an excellent tool to help others living with Parkinson’s Disease.

If, however, you or someone you love has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and you want to find a different tool box, one that offers a cure, then you will want to read Fighting Parkinson's...and Winning.

Interestingly enough, both books have a similar mindset. However, Shifke learns that Parkinson’s Disease is not caused by lack of Dopamine. He found it is that the body does not use what it produces properly and how to retrain the body to use it.

You will want to buy both books.

We were sent a complimentary copy of this book. We are under no obligation to write any review, positive or negative. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.  

Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.
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Please be sure to visit David over at Random Thoughts and Observations.

I respond to all comments on this blog, ideally within 24 hours.  Please check back here for a response to your comment.  Thank you!
 
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Book Review: Let’s All Be Brave: Living Life with Everything You Have by Annie F. Downs

Let's All Be Brave: Living Life with Everything You Have by Annie F. Downs
 




If you are struggling, wondering what God wants you to do with your life, Let's All Be Brave: Living Life with Everything You Have by Annie F. Downs may help you find the answers.

This book is the story of a thirty-something, single woman coming to grips with her life and what God would like her to do.  

Let’s All Be Brave can be funny at times. There are also times you will wonder why things happened the way they did.  

From Suz: There were parts of Let's All Be Brave that I found difficult to relate to. I was never a single woman in my 30s. I got married at age 19. So, I can’t understand all of the struggles that this young woman has had. However, I do understand the struggle with knowing what one is supposed to do, how to follow Heavenly Father’s calling, and dealing with the unknowns involved in leaving home.

We give this book all five stars. It is very well-written and entertaining. We think you will enjoy it. This book is part of our personal inventory.  

Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.

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Book Review: 150 Best Recipes for Cooking in Foil: Ovens, BBQ, Camping by Marilyn Haugen

150 Best Recipes for Cooking in Foil: Ovens, BBQ, Camping by Marilyn Haugen

When I was a young boy, I was a boy scout and a girl scout. You see, my mother was the troop leader and I went to all the meetings. I was about the same age as most of the girls, so I got to participate in the meetings.

The boy scouts taught some about outdoor cooking and outdoor living, but the girls learned much more. They learned how to make life outside a lot like it was indoors.

One thing they taught was cooking in the coals of a campfire using foil. Well, 150 Best Recipes for Cooking in Foil: Ovens, BBQ, Camping by Marilyn Haugen would be an excellent resource for those who want to make camping a lot more fun and a lot less like eating a brontosaurus burger cooked until it is burnt.

Once, we boy scouts had to cook on the fire for ourselves and our fathers. The fathers could not help. I made what we called Steak in Aluminum Foil. While the others were eating those burnt brontosaurus burgers and severely overdone hot dogs, Dad and I were chowing down on a delicious steak, potatoes, onions, and carrots. I can only imagine what I could have done had I had this outstanding resource. Even the eleven year old boy that I was could have made great food by following this book.

I have to give 150 Best Recipes for Cooking in Foil all five stars. It is very well-written and has many outstanding recipes.

We were sent a complimentary copy of this book. We are under no obligation to write any review, positive or negative. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.  

Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.
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I respond to all comments on this blog, ideally within 24 hours.  Please check back here for a response to your comment.  Thank you!
 
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Book Review: 300 Best Potato Recipes: A Complete Cook's Guide by Kathleen Sloan-McIntosh

300 Best Potato Recipes: A Complete Cook's Guide by Kathleen Sloan-McIntosh

Our family is mostly Irish. Therefore, we love anything to do with a potato. This is why 300 Best Potato Recipes: A Complete Cook's Guide by Kathleen Sloan-McIntosh was such a great book for us.

Not only are there all kinds of easy to follow recipes in this book, there are also a lot of “fun facts” about the potato. There is sort or a Ripley’s Believe It Or Else” section in the front of the book where readers are treated to some little known facts about the potato.

These recipes are easy to follow with a good bit of detail for each recipe. It makes following the steps so easy even a husband could follow them.

We think you will love 300 Best Potato Recipes like we do. We give it all five stars and a slab of bacon.

We were sent a complimentary copy of this book. We are under no obligation to write any review, positive or negative. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.  

Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.

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I respond to all comments on this blog, ideally within 24 hours.  Please check back here for a response to your comment.  Thank you!
 
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Book Review: The Flying Tigers: The Untold Story of the American Pilots Who Waged a Secret War Against Japan by Sam Kleiner

The Flying Tigers: The Untold Story of the American Pilots Who Waged a Secret War Against Japan by Sam Kleiner

If you like to read about fighter pilots or World War II like I do, you will enjoy The Flying Tigers: The Untold Story of the American Pilots Who Waged a Secret War Against Japan by Sam Kleiner.

This is a good account of what went on during the top secret days before the war. It is the story as taken from letters written back home to the families and friends of those infamous Flying Tigers.

This is a very interesting story written, while trying to be factually accurate, to tell the story of the leader and founder of the Flying Tigers and his fight to keep the Tigers flying.

To be honest, I never knew how involved the U. S. was with China at the time. Most of the books I have read mentioned the war in China more as a footnote than anything else.

We learn a little more about Pappy Boyington and his Black Sheep. We read about how a direct descendant of Robert E. Lee is buried in the rose garden at Lee’s home.

We give The Flying Tigers four out of five stars. It is a good book, but it just does not get to the level of “Can’t put it down.”

We were sent a complimentary copy of this book. We are under no obligation to write any review, positive or negative. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.  

Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.
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I respond to all comments on this blog, ideally within 24 hours.  Please check back here for a response to your comment.  Thank you!
 
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Book Review: Security Analysis, Sixth Edition by Benjamin Graham and David Dodd

Security Analysis, Sixth Edition by Benjamin Graham and David Dodd

In the forward to this edition of Security Analysis, Warren Buffett tells us that he has four books in his library that he treasures most. Two of those books are first editions: The Wealth of Nations and The Intelligent Investor. The other two books are both Security Analysis. One of those books was owned by Dodd and has notes throughout it to be included in the second edition of the book.

This particular edition is great in that it has the text of the second edition, but it also has the first edition on the accompanying CD. There are extensive notes on the CD.

Security Analysis is long, but it is not a dry, boring book. It is very informative and easy to read. The only problem I see with it is the inconsistency of the layout of tables. Some tables go from early years to later years and others run in reverse order. This means in order to digest the material, you first must take a look at the years column to see if things are improving or getting worse as the years go by.

This edition has a copyright of 2009, but it says practically nothing about the 2007-2008 situation. It would be great if the next edition also covered those years and if the editors would include a few color charts and graphs. It would also be great if all the articles referenced in the footnotes were included on the accompanying CD.

The authors speak of the Efficient Market Theory and that, if it is correct, all information is already included in the price of the security. This could only be true if humans were not a part of the equation. As long as we have humans, we will have people who believe in one idea and most others will follow in their footsteps.

Since the Market is a voting machine, there will always be the opportunity to find a security that is not trading at its true value. Most investors trade with the crowd. As long as that is the case, those who actually analyze securities will be able to find value stocks.

Our library obtained this copy of Security Analysis from another library. I was the first ever to check this particular copy out. It has been sitting on their shelf nine years and never been opened. It is a pity that such valuable wisdom is sitting on a shelf and has never been read. You should be the one in your group to buck the trend and obtain this valuable information.

Most in the financial world have not read this book. You will have a secret source of insight into Mr. Market once you read this.

We have to give this edition all five stars. Although it was written in 1940, it is just as useful today as it was many years ago.

We checked a copy of this book out from the Wharton County Texas Library through their Interlibrary loan service.

We are under no obligation to write any review, positive or negative.  We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.  

Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.
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I respond to all comments on this blog, ideally within 24 hours.  Please check back here for a response to your comment.  Thank you!
 
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Book Review: When God Happens: True Stories of Modern Day Miracles by Angela Hunt and Bill Myers

When God Happens: True Stories of Modern Day Miracles by Angela Hunt and Bill Myers

Goosebumps, that is the best way to describe what I felt when reading When God Happens: True Stories of Modern Day Miracles by Angela Hunt and Bill Myers.

Many people do not believe in angels. I would imagine that most do. It is amazing how angels often appear when we least expect them. We enjoyed every story in this book and really hope the editors are able to create the series.

Each story in When God Happens was written by one of the people who actually experienced the miracles of God. Too often we are willing to listen to the world and believe that what we have experienced is just coincidence or just a fluke or dumb luck.

We are told that we often entertain angels unawares (Hebrews 13:2). If we just allow ourselves to let go and let God, we can often see His amazing work.

This book deserves all five stars. It is very well-written and very inspiring. If you like to hear inspirational stories about Christians who believe in the power of prayer and in letting Jesus Christ speak to them, this book is for you.

We feel that this would make a great small group book to read together at a church or with a prayer group to discuss and build faith.

You will find yourself not being able to put When God Happens down. It is just that good. You will probably want to buy several copies to give your friends and a copy to put in your church library.

As a side note, this is the 100th book we have read in our Goodreads 2018 challenge. We think it is awesome that this is the one that put us over the top.

We were sent a complimentary copy of this book. We are under no obligation to write any review, positive or negative. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.  

Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.
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I respond to all comments on this blog, ideally within 24 hours.  Please check back here for a response to your comment.  Thank you!
 
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23 June 2018

Book Review: Doodled Cats: Dozens of Clever Doodling Exercises & Ideas for Cat People by Gemma Correll

Doodled Cats: Dozens of Clever Doodling Exercises & Ideas for Cat People by Gemma Correll
 



Doodled Cats: Dozens of Clever Doodling Exercises & Ideas for Cat People by Gemma Correll is a cute little book about ways to draw cats. The book is divided into four sections. Part 1 is All About Cats and has fun-fact type information, including 20 Signs You’re a Cat Person. This had us really laughing!

Part 2 gives us step-by-step instructions on how to doodle a cat. The examples are very basic and we think most folks will be able to follow their examples and make some really cute cat doodles.

Part 3 is like a kitty fashion show in that it shows doodled cats in various hats and outfits to help inspire you in your own doodling.

Part 4 is a template section to help you get started with your own doodles. Doodled Cats is a fun little book. There are 160 pages, but it is a very short and funny book. We think that it will bring a smile to the faces of most cat lovers out there.

And, for you dog lovers, they also have a dog version called Doodled Dogs!

Both are available for pre-order right now on Amazon.com. Release date is 26 June 2018.

We were sent a complimentary copy of this book. We are under no obligation to write any review, positive or negative. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.  

Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.

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Please be sure to visit David over at Random Thoughts and Observations.

I respond to all comments on this blog, ideally within 24 hours.  Please check back here for a response to your comment.  Thank you!
 
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22 June 2018

Press Release: One Company Gives Back to Injured Veterans, Helping them Every Step of the Way




One Company Gives Back to Injured Veterans, Helping them Every Step of the Way

With the iWALK2.0, injured veterans are able to have better mobility

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – (June 18, 2018) – According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are 18.5 million veterans in the country. Like the rest of the population, they experience lower leg injuries, resulting from any number of issues. One company has created a way to help them every step of the way, making it more comfortable for them to have better mobility as they recover. The iWALKFree company gives back to veterans, by giving those with lower leg injuries the iWALK2.0.

“We are extremely grateful for everything veterans have done for our country,” explains Brad Hunter, the innovator of iWALK2.0 and the chief executive officer of the company, iWALKFree, Inc.  “Being able to give back and help them even a little is the least that we can do. We are happy to know that our device helps make their injury recovery a lot more tolerable.”

The iWALK2.0 has been designed to help with all types of common lower leg injuries, as well as those with amputations. To provide veterans with the iWALK2.0, the company has teamed up with the Travis Mills Foundation. The foundation was created by Retired U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills, who is a wounded warrior, having lost of his arms and legs during combat. He became an advocate for veterans and amputees, starting the foundation to help with those efforts. During 2017, they helped 84 veteran families with being able to attend a healing retreat that included such as activities as yoga, archery, boating, fishing, hiking, painting, culinary arts, and much more. 

One of the wounded veterans helped by the iWALK2.0 is Leslie Smith, a veteran of the U.S. Army who served in Bosnia in 2001-2002. Her rigorous training required her to wear combat boots that lead to a blood clot. The condition led to an amputation of her left leg. Though she was fitted for a prosthetic leg, what many people don’t realize is that wearing them for any length of time can lead to severe skin irritation and extreme pain at the knee and upper thigh. Typically amputees give up their prosthetics from time to time so that these side effects can heal.  And many military vets who have lost their legs have given up on prosthetics altogether due to these side effects. The iWALK2.0 helps her through those healing periods.

"The iWalk allows me to be and feel like a whole person,” explains Leslie Smith. ““The iWalk gives me freedom, confidence, and independence. I do not have to rely on a wheelchair or crutches. Having the ability to use my hands freely is of great importance especially being legally blind and having a service dog. The iWalk has removed any and all stress or worry that I will not be able to continue daily activities, work, travel, and anything fun, like shopping. I have no fear of missing out on what I need to do!”

With the iWALK2.0, Smith no longer has to hop, crawl, use a wheelchair or crutches, in order to get around when she was taking a break from her prosthetic to heal. This helps to avoid injuries, bruising, falls, and soreness.  Plus, it’s empowered her life because she can get around with ease and feel safe doing so. 

The program that iWALKFree has in place to give back to those in need provides people with the opportunity to donate their used iWALK2.0 to a variety of charities. Along with the Travis Mills Foundation, they provide devices to the Adaptive Training Foundation, Canada Africa Community Health Alliance, Serving Us Veterans in Need, Globus Relief, Hands of Hope, Physicians for Peace, Limbs for Life, World Rehabilitation Fund, Marshall-Legacy Institute, and Volunteers for Inter-American Development Assistance. 

In addition to giving back to veterans to help with their injury recovery, the company also provides help to other charities where they provide free iWALK2.0 units to those in need who do not have the means to otherwise pay for them. The device retails for $149, but their mission with that charity is to help those in need have access to a more comfortable way to recover from injury that will also help them be more mobile.

The product does provide benefits to those veterans who used it, because the iWALK2.0 offered them easier mobility while they were recovering from an injury. Rather than them spending their time recovering from a lower leg injury using crutches, which can be painful and limit mobility, they were able to get around easier and with less pain. 

The iWALK2.0 is hands-free, pain-free alternative to using crutches and leg scooters.  It’s easy to learn to use, intuitive, and safe. From the knee up, the leg is doing the same walking motion that comes naturally to it. The device is essentially a temporary lower leg, which gives people their independence and mobility back as they recover from an injury. The device is pain-free, and makes it possible for people to engage in many of their normal routine activities, such as walking the dog, grocery shopping, and walking up or down stairs.

Clinical research, the results of which are on the company website, shows that patients using the iWALK2.0 heal faster, and have a higher sense of satisfaction and a higher rate of compliance. The iWALK2.0 sells for $149 and is available online and through select retailers. Some insurance companies may cover the cost of the device. The device can be used with a cast or boot, and comes with a limited warranty. For more information on the iWALK2.0, visit the site at: http://iwalk-free.com. To see a video of the iWALK2.0 in action, visit: : iWalkFree.

About iWALKFree
The iWALK2.0 is a hands-free knee crutch, made by iWALKFree, Inc.  It’s a mobility device used instead of traditional crutches and knee scooters. It offers more comfort and independence, with the hands and arms remaining free. The device offers people a functional and independent lifestyle as they are recovering from many common lower leg injuries. For more information on the iWALK2.0, visit the site at: http://iwalk-free.com.
  



Source:


Image Source: Pixabay


Notice: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.
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I respond to all comments on this blog, ideally within 24 hours.  Please check back here for a response to your comment.  Thank you!
 
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Book Review: A Better Place: A Memoir of Peace in the Face of Tragedy by Pati Navalta Poblete

A Better Place: A Memoir of Peace in the Face of Tragedy by Pati Navalta Poblete

We would love to say that A Better Place: A Memoir of Peace in the Face of Tragedy by Pati Navalta Poblete is an excellent “How to grieve” book. We can’t because there is no such thing.

What we can say is that the author takes us through the stages she went through while coping with the sudden loss of her son from a not so random armed robbery.

While reading this, I found that there would not have been one good thing to say to this woman in an attempt to comfort her. All of the go-to things that people say, and usually mean, seemed to make her mad.

No two people grieve in the same way. There is no such thing as “Getting over it.” Poblete has found a way to help her heal, at least somewhat. Perhaps by reading this book others will see that there is nothing wrong with them. Perhaps they can see that we all grieve in our own way. Some continue to grieve the loss of a parent thirty years later and may still feel it just as intensely as if it happened just yesterday. Others may lose a child at a very young age and show little grief on the outside just a few days after the loss. This does not mean they are not hurting.

A Better Place shows us that there might not be a right thing to say to some people while they are trying to find a new normal when there is no such thing for them as a new normal.

I think the big takeaway from this book is that it is okay to not be okay. It is okay to not see the comfort offered by others. It is okay that the attempts at comfort offered by other people are not comforting to you. That doesn’t make them any less sincere. It just makes it okay for you to grieve in your own way and to heal, if possible, at your own rate.

We were sent a complimentary copy of A Better Place. We are under no obligation to write any review, positive or negative. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.  

Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.
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Please be sure to visit David over at Random Thoughts and Observations.

I respond to all comments on this blog, ideally within 24 hours.  Please check back here for a response to your comment.  Thank you!
 
Please subscribe to David's YouTube Channel. Thanks!

16 June 2018

Book Review: Am I Enough?: Embracing the Truth About Who You Are By Grace Valentine

Am I Enough?: Embracing the Truth About Who You Are By Grace Valentine  

Am I Enough? by Grace Valentine is a book of encouragement for those of us feeling like we are never enough. Grace is a young, single woman and her book is primarily aimed at younger women. However, we older gals can learn a thing or two from this young lady.

Where Grace has been, we have been and maybe still are, feeling like we are not and can never be enough, as judged by the human eyes and hearts in this world.

Grace encourages us to see ourselves as Heavenly Father sees us, beautifully made in His image. He made us and He doesn’t make junk. We are each beautiful AND enough!

One thing that I learned while reading this book is that one doesn’t necessarily have to be happy to be joyful. I can be sad, but still have joy in knowing that He has this all covered, including whatever may be causing my sadness.

“Out of the mouths of babes,” as they say. Grace tells it like it is and gives us questions to ponder along the way. Am I Enough? Has been an eye-opener for me in a multitude of ways. We older ladies are supposed to teach the younger ladies, but I think that we also should be open to learning from them.

I give Am I Enough? 5 stars and hope that you will get as much from it as I did. I hope that you learn that you ARE enough, enough for Him, your Creator.


We were sent a complimentary copy of this book. We are under no obligation to write any review, positive or negative. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.  

Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.

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Please be sure to visit David over at Random Thoughts and Observations.

I respond to all comments on this blog, ideally within 24 hours.  Please check back here for a response to your comment.  Thank you!
 
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15 June 2018

Book Review: Overcoming the Hand You Were Dealt by Kisha Taylor

Overcoming the Hand You Were Dealt by Kisha Taylor

From time to time, we get a book that is just screaming, “Me next, me next.” Overcoming the Hand You Were Dealt by Kisha Taylor was one of those books. There are over 53,000 books in our to be read file, each with the hope that it will receive a review.

It is difficult to believe that this book is the first book out of the chute for this author. Taylor is a master storyteller who tells the story very well.

It does not matter that there are times this old Southern white male needed a hood-to-redneck dictionary. We speak the same language, Christian.

The author writes in such a way that you can feel the pain. You can feel the betrayal. Readers follow as one person after another in the main character’s life hurts her in one way or another.

Then, we read in this true story of how the main character overcame all odds. How she pulled herself up by the bootstraps she did not have and overcame.

We think Overcoming the Hand You Were Dealt would make a good book for a small group Bible Study. The author makes no excuses for her character and she admits to mistakes along the way.

We give this book all five stars. It is one of those books you won’t want to put down. One that you want to think everything is rosey in the end, but it is about real life. You will want to buy a copy for all those independent black women in your life and maybe a copy for that redneck man, too.

We were sent a complimentary copy of Overcoming the Hand You Were Dealt. We are under no obligation to write any review, positive or negative.

We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.
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I respond to all comments on this blog, ideally within 24 hours.  Please check back here for a response to your comment.  Thank you!
 
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Friendly Fill-Ins

This is a fun meme co-hosted by 15 and Meowing and Four-Legged Furballs. Be sure to visit and join in the fun!

New Friday_Fill-In_Badge
Here are the fill-ins:
  1. My favorite Disney character is __________________.
    2. If I could stay any age for life, I would choose to be age ___________________.
    3. _________ is my secret talent.
    4. Life is like a _________.
sandcastle-1546788_640_crop

Here are my responses:

My favorite Disney character is Grandma Tala from Moana. She is such an expressive, loving, and supportive grandma. She knew what was inside Moana to do, her destiny, and helped her to it. She is the one that speaks one of my most favorite lines in that movie: “There's nowhere you could go that I won't be with you.” It gets to me every time I hear it.

Part of me says that I would choose to stay 17, but, although David and I were together then, we weren’t yet married and I was still under parental authority. So, I will choose 19. At 19, I was a young married girl with my whole life ahead of me and no clue of the many things that were ahead for me or would be removed from me. It was a time of hope and excitement. AND, a much better body!

I think any talent I have must be a secret because I haven’t found an actual talent yet. Maybe that will change once I get more into the pottery making. I sure hope so. I don’t want to disappoint my ancestors, too.

Life is like a big puzzle without a picture on the box front. Maybe you can find the edge pieces with no problem, but the rest you’re on your own trying to get all figured out. Each piece is a surprise.

Our daughter Maggie has a new blog for her furbaby Martha. You can find it at: Martha’s Daily Mews

Our Marine needs your help. Please see New York or Bust.

Have a blessed weekend, y’all!



Image Source: Pixabay


Notice: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.
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Please be sure to visit David over at Random Thoughts and Observations.

I respond to all comments on this blog, ideally within 24 hours.  Please check back here for a response to your comment.  Thank you!
 
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11 June 2018

Book Review: It’s All About You: A Guide to Good Mental Health and Wellness by Cynthia Rapazzini

It’s All About You: A Guide to Good Mental Health and Wellness by Cynthia Rapazzini

If we were to decide how good or bad It’s All About You: A Guide to Good Mental Health and Wellness by Cynthia Rapazzini is based upon whether or not we agree with everything the author writes, it would fail miserably.

Our family has had many experiences with the mental health care system, all bad. We have dealt with ADHD, Depression, PTSD, Psychosis, Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder, and more. In every case, the mental health care system made the situation worse. Once to the point suicide was seriously a possibility.

Somewhere some self-appointed expert decided that if a situation lasted more than two weeks, it was mental illness; we beg to differ.

Too often all the mental health “professionals” have to offer are drugs. One so-called professional did not offer anything other than a drug and then said, “You are crazy if you don’t take it.“ Those are the exact words.

But, a review is supposed to be about the book and not about how well we agree with what the author has to say. In this case, we don’t agree with very much.

Rapazzini attempts to explain the mental health care system. She says we should choose our mental health care providers carefully. It would be great if it worked that way for poor people. When you have to go through non-profits and government programs to get mental health care, you don’t get to choose.

The author tells us that there are laws in place to prevent abuses. Tell that to our family member who found herself handcuffed to a bench after speaking with a mental health professional.

We cannot say this book is well-written because there are a few occasions where the author, or someone on her behalf, went back to edit her work and left an extraneous word or two. The most glaring problem is the misuse of the word “whether”. In school we were taught there was always another option given when the word whether was used. “I don’t know whether OR NOT I am going the the show.” Maybe that is nitpicking.

On pages 42 and 43, we are given statistics on suicide for 18-34 year olds. The two groups most likely to commit suicide, each with double digit figures, are Native Americans and Whites. The other two groups were the lowest Hispanics and African Americans, both with single digit figures. The author goes on to say that minorities are less likely than whites to seek mental health care. It would appear that the African Americans and the Hispanics benefit from this since their rates of suicide are lower. This would imply that you are less likely to commit suicide if you DON’T seek the help. We doubt this is always true but, statistically speaking, there is a case to be made.

We give It’s All About You three stars. We do not feel it is a useful tool in our toolbox.

We were sent a complimentary copy of this book. We are under no obligation to write any review, positive or negative. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.  

Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please be sure to visit David over at Random Thoughts and Observations.

I respond to all comments on this blog, ideally within 24 hours.  Please check back here for a response to your comment.  Thank you!
 
Please subscribe to David's YouTube Channel. Thanks!