Happy Thanksgiving!!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving full of family, friends, and good food. We went to our oldest son’s house. He and his wife put on a magnificent spread, despite the fact he broke his leg this week. His in-laws were there as well as our other sons and their families, my mother, and brother and his family. It was a houseful and absolutely wonderful. I am so very, very thankful for all of the blessing bestowed upon me and my family.

I’m yawning as I write this, which is good since I plan on calling it an early night. My daughter-in-law is picking me up at 4 AM so we can hit the stores. I’m not a huge Black Friday fan, but since my son (as mentioned above is in a cast) can’t join her, I said I would.

My niece told us a story about last year’s Black Friday at the store she works at in downtown St. Paul. A woman was checking out at my niece’s register and a man came along, lifted the woman’s baby (in an infant carrier) out of the shopping cart, set the carrier on the floor, and started to walk off with the cart. My niece stopped him and told him to put the baby back in the cart. He said no, that he needed the cart. She told him again to put the cart and the baby back. She said it was a stand off—over a shopping cart of all things—which ultimately ended with him leaving the cart and stomping off. I know carts are hard to come by on Black Friday, but good grief! You had to hear my niece tell the story—she’s a little thing, but a gymnast, and very strong willed.

On the writing side of things, I’m finishing up the synopsis for the collaborative story I’m working with another author, and the fourth Quinter brother story is coming along very nicely.

Once more—Happy, happy Thanksgiving all!

The Holiday Season has begun...

Radio stations are playing Christmas music, the stores and houses along with city streets are decorated, and the TV commercials for holiday specials are starting to appear. I on the other hand, am not quite as ready as some. I have a few (few usually means 3-7) gifts bought, mainly because I was at a jewelry party and knew I needed to buy something. I truly haven’t figured out what I’m buying for most people. But, I know I’ll be ready by the 24th of December, I always am, so I’m not stressing over anything.

My Christmas story, A Solider for Christmas, will be released in e-book on December 11th. It’s one story in the American Rose Christmas Anthology. Blurb: Southern belle Marybeth Dawson discovers Santa Claus can't cross the Mason Dixon line--but handsome Union soldier, Trevor Sutton can.

My story is just one of six wonderful holiday tales.

I love Christmas stories, and hope readers enjoy this one. I just discovered (as I typed this blog I went to the Wild Rose Press to insert a link) the print book is available as an early bird special!

The guys are up north hunting again, so it’s just me and the dogs again this week. I have a wedding to attend tomorrow and perhaps I’ll do my Thanksgiving dinner shopping on Sunday…

Releases

The weather here has been unseasonably warm, and that is so delightful! I didn’t even wear a coat today—unbelievable for mid-November. Now, if it would just keep up until February or so.

I forgot to mention last week that Badland Bride was released in ebook. I’m getting wonderful feedback from readers on this story. Some have said they cried at the end, and others have thanked me for such a wonderful ending. I love hearing from readers. (Sigh)

A writer friend of mine had a book released this week. Enchanted Scandal by Tammy Mate', writing as Tammy Sotnos. This is one hot romance. Blurb: MURDER, ROMANCE, MYSTERY, HEARTACHE, SEX... What more could one want in a story? Set in 18th century England with its strict class structure, Baron Campbell, a prominent citizen of the town of Painswick, falls for Samantha, an abused woman of the "labouring-class"... After a year fraught with discord, strife, love, and romance; Samantha expresses her gratitude in prayer: Thank you, dear Lord, for the magnificent time I have had with John. He has been a fantastic escape. Not only has he been kind, loving, and wonderful; he has been thoughtful and courageous. Please watch over him, and keep him safe.

Yes, Samantha has reason to worry about John’s safety! If you’re interested in trying out a new writer, I’d suggest giving Enchanted Scandal a go!

It’s deer hunting season here, which means I’m a weekend widow. I’m not complaining-I like to have the house to myself at times. The hours simply fly by when I’m deep in a story. But, I am a chicken. I hate being home alone at bedtime. Thank goodness the dogs don’t deer hunt!

H1N1 Prevention

I hope the Trick or Treaters were good to you! Here’s a picture of a pirate and Snow White!


I received an email with the below advice, and thought it was worth posting here!

Prevent Swine Flu - Good Advice

The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):

1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).

2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face.

3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water . *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.* Neti pots and sinus rinse kits are available at the drug store and relatively inexpensive, under $15.

5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C. *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

Stay healthy!