The Beginning of the End

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

~Martin Luther King, Jr.~

What things matter to you?  Will you/do you speak up...or will you/do you remain silent?  My Daddy used to say:  "Sometimes it's better to keep you mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt!"  I ask:  who determines a fool?  

Thank-you, MLK, Jr., for risking speaking up rather than silencing your voice!  You made a difference...and that difference continues today!  

99/PIF/Joy

When you hear the number 99 what comes to your mind? Perhaps the song “99 bottles of beer on the wall”? LOL! Or maybe it’s the story of Jesus leaving the 99 sheep and going after the one that was lost? (that was my first thought! For my eldest daughter 99 represents 1999, the year she turned 18…and graduated high school…and got married! For one special lady 99 represents one more year until she reaches the age of 100~ a centenarian! That dear and lovely woman, “Mrs. M” I’ll call her (for the sake of privacy) turned 99 years of age yesterday…and we had a small party! Some background: Mrs. M fell 5 years ago and broke a hip. She was not a candidate for surgery, due to a heart condition. From the rehab center, she returned to the home she and her beloved spouse built in 1956. She has been a widow for many years; she and her husband had no children. Yet, he took great care to ensure that she would be set for life. So, when she chose to come back home from the rehab center, that meant 24-hour care. We are now beginning our 5th year with her having that care. She is, for all intents and purposes, bedridden. She COULD get up in the wheel chair, but she will not do it, for fear of falling again. Her mind is incredibly intact and physically she is doing quite well. Weighing all of about 90-pounds, and being almost blind in one eye, one would think she would be riddled with sores, aches and pains. But she’s not, albeit a few little things. Mrs. M has handled this phase of her life quietly, gently and with all the integrity of a Godly woman. It is my joy and honor to care for her on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and all day on Friday. Again I wish Mrs. M a blessed and happy birthday and upcoming year!     

                                            

                                                  

One desire for this coming year and my future new blog site is to share some examples of “paying it forward”. This is in no way to be braggadocios…or to elevate myself above anyone else. Rather, the purpose is to share the blessings I receive when the Lord gives me opportunities to reach out and touch someone! It jacks me up!!!! I WILL tell you that the recipient of such acts usually does not know who offered the random act of kindness. That would ruin the joy and fun of it and truly it is now necessary for anyone to know who did what. The reason I may occasionally share here is to encourage you to go and do likewise and often…then sit back and get ready for the joy and blessing you will receive!

PIF #1: My man and I ate dinner out at a Cracker Barrel recently. When it came time to pay the bill and determine the tip, we calculated on a 15% basis, which is our norm. However, we were going to be $1 short of having the right amount. Rather than getting change when we paid and bringing it back to the table, we chose to just leave what we did have, which ended up being about a 35-40% tip. Our waitress was lovely, attentive, courteous, pleasant and working hard. So we decided the extra was much deserved! I walked out of the restaurant on a cloud~ it felt SO GOOD to bless someone else’s life! How sweet of our Lord to lay that opportunity before us! (Ssssshhhh…don’t tell him I told you, because he’s a very private person, but I think it even made my man feel good!)

I previously mentioned that I have chosen this year to participate in “The Joy Dare”. Before joining, however, I was already working on my 1,000 things to be thankful for (thank-you, Ann Voskamp)! Over the next few posts I will be sharing the first many I had done before receiving the awesome outline for “The Joy Dare”. It is going to be a HUGE blessing in my life to walk this journey with so many others…to see what others are thankful for and to express how blessed the Lord has made me! Won’t you join us? I hope so.

And, BTW, if you feel so led, would you please share my blog site address with your family and friends and ask them, on my behalf, to visit here and leave a comment. That would make me a very happy lady indeed!

1000 Grace Gifts: 

      1.            God of the Universe who loves me in spite of myself.
      2.            Friends who love me unconditionally and are willing to do life with my family and me.
      3.            Eyes that still work, in spite of being legally blind in L eye since 3^rd grade.
      4.            A job where I can care for another person in a relaxed environment while being able to do other things while working.
      5.            Safety for Rodney as he travels so much.
      6.            Cars that are holding up for us, in spite of being very old.
      7.            The springtime, where everything is budding and blossoming, splashing color all around me.
      8.            That I do not have environmental allergies.
      9.            The love of music and the ability to sit and play the piano for enjoyment and therapy.
  10.            Doctors who can help us find health restoration.
  11.            My ladies in my Tuesday group who yearn for more of God’s Word and enjoy studying it right along with me.
  12.            That Janna, Mike, Carleigh and Macie are living with us right now, so I have 2 of my 3 children at home, and we are all enjoying one another.
  13.            Financial provision by my husband.
  14.            The ability to communicate with others through many types of modern technology.
  15.            The tinkling sound of wind chimes at Chris’ house and the smile that sound brings to my face.

Happy New Year & I DARE you!

Its 2012~ WOOT!  WOOT!  I’m so stinkin’ excited to see what God has in store for all of us this year!  Do you even remember the Y2K hype?  Seems like forever ago, huh?  Then the world was predicted to end again recently, for the 2^nd or 3^rd time…remember that?  Somehow I don’t think the Lord got the memo!  Gas prices up, gas prices down; housing market good, housing market bad…etc., etc.., etc.  Who knows what this year holds for each of us?  Not you…not me…but I DO know the One who does know and I’m ready for the journey with Him.  I hope you are, as well.

I’m not big on New Year’s Resolutions, as I rarely keep the ones I make.  I do, however, like to set goals and see how close I can get.  So, I have already established a few goals for this year:

      Move from Blogger to Word Press (pray for me!  I likely will have to get someone else involved in this project!) Along with this the purpose of my blog will shift a bit to include some new and exciting things (at least for me, and I hope if you are reading this you will glean much from it, as well….details upcoming! 

      

      Take a photography course.

      

      Paint more (watercolor).

      

      Finish my son’s scrapbook and catch up on both of granddaughter’s scrapbooks (that’s a   lofty goal, I tell ya’!) 

     

      Re-learn how to sew (got a sewing machine for Christmas!  YIKES!)

      

      Exercise at least 3 times a week (please get on your knees right now and pray about this one!)

      

      Deepen relationships, beginning and continuing with my relationship with Jesus!

      

      Spend less; buy only on sale; use coupons; do without; save more!

      

      Travel, travel, travel!  Several trips on the horizon (I hope), beginning with one to Arizona on January 25 with my hubby to see our Dominican daughter, her husband and son, and go with them to the mountains to go sledding and snowmobiling for a couple of days!  I can’t wait!

      

      Take the Joy Dare!

There will be more, to be certain.  Those are good for starters, eh?  Please let me know what you have in store for 2012!

Blessings and love,

Lolli (aka Lisa)

Thanksgiving in Early America

Most of you know by now that I was recently honored to read and review The Promise of Deer Run by Elaine Marie Cooper....AND....to participate in a glorious giveaway by Kathy Carlton Willis     One of my readers who left a comment on one of the previous 3 posts about this book will be entered into the drawing of this fabulous prize.  Elaine has written the below article about the first Thanksgiving and, again, I am honored to share it with you!  Be richly blessed as I am in reading and learning!  Have a blessed Thanksgiving season!

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Thanksgiving in Early America

by Elaine Marie Cooper

When we sit down at our Thanksgiving meal this month, we’ll be recreating a celebration that is as old as our country: sharing food with loved ones while thanking the God Who has provided the abundance.

While we understand that the First Thanksgiving was celebrated here by the Mayflower survivors along with the Indians that had helped them, the first official proclamation that was decreed to celebrate such a holiday was in 1777. It was a recommendation to the thirteen states by the Continental Congress to set aside December 18th that year as a “solemn thanksgiving” to celebrate the first major victory for the Continental troops in the American Revolution: the Battle of Saratoga.

The Battle of Saratoga has significant interest for my own family since one of my ancestors was a soldier there. But he was not on the American side—he was a British Redcoat. After surrendering to the Americans, he escaped the line of prisoners and somehow made his way to Massachusetts and into the life and heart of my fourth great-grandmother. *SIGH* L’amour!

This family story was the inspiration for my Deer Run Saga that begins in 1777 with The Road to Deer Run. There is an elaborate Thanksgiving meal scene in this novel as well as in the sequel, The Promise of Deer Run.

Some may wonder why such detail was afforded this holiday in my novels set in Massachusetts, while Christmas is barely mentioned. The reason is simple: Thanksgiving was the major holiday in the northern colonies, with Christmas considered nothing more special than a workday. According to Jack Larkin in his book, The Reshaping of Everyday Life, “The Puritan founders of New England and the Quaker settlers of Pennsylvania had deliberately abolished (holidays) as unscriptural.”

But Thanksgiving was begun as a way to give thanks to God for His provision. It usually began with attending church services in the morning, followed by an elaborate feast in the afternoon. The food for this meal was prepared for weeks in advance.

Since the individual state governors chose their own date to celebrate the holiday, it was theoretically possible for some family members—if they lived in close proximity—to celebrate multiple Thanksgiving meals with family and friends across state borders. The dates chosen could be anywhere from October to December, according to Dennis Picard, Director of the Storrowton Village Museum in West Springfield, Massachusetts.

Chicken was most commonly served, said Picard, as it was readily available in the barnyard. And the oldest woman in the home had the honor of slicing the fowl for dinner.

Pies were made well in advance of the holiday and stored and became frozen in dresser drawers in unheated rooms.

“I like the idea of pulling out a dresser drawer for, say, a clean pair of socks, and finding mince pies,” said Picard, tongue in cheek.

Indeed!

Have a BLESSED Thanksgiving!

Elaine Marie Cooper grew up in Massachusetts but now lives in the Midwest with her husband, her three dogs and one huge cat. She has two married sons and triplet grandchildren who are now one years old. The Promise of Deer Run is dedicated to the triplets and to veterans who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.Elaine has been a magazine freelance writer for many years, and is a regular contributor to a blog on the Midwest called The Barn Door (www.thebarndoor.net) and a blog on Christian living called Reflections In Hindsight (ReflectionsInHindsight.wordpress.com). She is the author of The Road to Deer Run and the sequel, The Promise of Deer Run. Prior to becoming an author, Elaine worked as a registered nurse.

Almost a $300 giveaway of some Spode!

The past 2 days I have blogged about The Promise of Deer Run, a historical novel of the highest caliber!  The author, Elaine Marie Cooper, has a keen sense of writing to the senses and emotions.  I truly felt as though I was living in the plot itself, as a character IN the play, not a reader on the periphery.  This 2^nd book of a trilogy appeals to audiences of all ages…and you don’t have to be a history buff to appreciate it!  I know that for sure, because I “aren’t” one (a history buff, that is)!!

Kathy Carlton Willis, host of this giveaway (and with an impressive site full of awesome services, I might add) has put together a basket with a retail value of $, and it includes some cool Spode stuff:

• Basket
• $25 Starbucks gift card  
• Spode Christmas teapot  
• Spode Christmas mugs   
• Yankee candle
• Hardbound copy The Road to Deer Run
• Hardbound copy The Promise of Deer Run
• Bath and Body Paris Amour scent 

All you have to do is leave a comment on this blog post (and you may want to go back and leave a comment on the 2 previous days’ posts, as well) to be entered into a drawing I will do among all commenters.  I will draw one name and send it to Kathy Carlton Willis to be entered into this huge drawing. I’m convinced one of my readers will win this incredible gift basket. 

So please hurry along, leave me a comment, and, while you are at it, please let your friends and family know about this giveaway, as well, so each of them can be entered!  Meanwhile, make it a great day!

An Absolutely Charming Tale!
Once again, Elaine Marie Cooper pens an absolutely charming tale of eighteenth century Americana. War, no matter the era, takes its toll on both soldiers and families. The Promise of Deer Run is a precious next story following Mary and Daniel’s story in The Road to Deer Run, picking up with Mary’s sister, Sarah a few years down the line. Be sure to read the first book too! As a historian and author, I am grateful to Elaine for her dedication to authenticity.  —Lisa Lickel,  author of A Summer in Oakville

About The Promise of Deer Run:
America’s war for freedom from England has been over for seven years, but the wounds of that conflict still haunt the minds and hearts of the residents of Deer Run. Young American veteran Nathaniel Stearns has withdrawn to a life of isolation as he awaits his father who never returned from the war.

A near-tragedy in the woods brings Nathaniel face-to-face with nineteen-year-old Sarah Thomsen, someone he had long admired but he assumed had eyes for another. This chance encounter opens a crack into the door of his heart as mutual affection quickly blooms.

But slander and lies soon mar the budding romance, rendering both Sarah and Nathaniel wounded and untrusting as their faith in both their God and each other is shattered. Set in 1790, this book continues the story of the Thomsen and Lowe families as they struggle to survive in the aftermath of the war that birthed the United States.

Great book, con't. and Giveaway!

 Yesterday I told you about a fan-tabulous book I had just read and reviewed, The Promise of Deer Run, a historical novel!  IT is ab absolute MUST READ!  You will pick it up and not want to put it down.

Elaine Marie Cooper has done an outstanding job of developing the characters and plot so that my mind can picture it all.  It is like a movie playing in my head, and I don't want to leave until I find out the ending.  The clean sweet romance captured me and allowed my mind again to be a part of the plot! 

Below is a bit of information about the back story of this novel:

The Story Behind the Story:
How The Deer Run Saga Was Birthed
By Elaine Marie Cooper

When I was young and first heard that one of my grandfathers had been a Redcoat during the Revolutionary War, I was somewhat embarrassed. Growing up in Massachusetts had made me proud of our country’s heritage. But instead of finding zealous patriots in my bloodline, my DNA was from an enemy soldier named Daniel Prince!

Calmer reasoning prevailed, however, as I thought about the reality of his story. Living conditions in Colonial times were difficult, to say the least. It was a frightening period of our history for both Americans and the British. And in the midst of our nation struggling to be birthed, two people on opposing sides in a bloody war met and fell in love.

This story from my family’s history was transformed in my thinking into an inspiring one of romance, unhindered by the politics of the day. It became, purely and simply, a love story.

And so was birthed the idea to create a fictional account of actual events. Since the story is from my imagination, I opted to change last names, the names of the communities, and many other details of the time. However, many of the historical events are documented facts.

The particular information on Daniel Prince’s military background was discovered thanks to the diligent work of Betty Thomson, independent researcher at The National Archives, Kew, in England.

In book one, The Road to Deer Run and now in the sequel, The Promise of Deer Run, I made every effort to stay true to the colonial times. Descriptions of food, homes, clothing, farming, worship practices, medical care, etc. are the result of extensive research.

It has been a personally inspiring experience to write these novels. While the times have changed since the 18th century, the same struggles of their day are our own. Forgiveness, fear, pain, illness, despair, the pain of having a family member at war, the death of a loved one—these are all the battles we contend with in the 21st century. But we also share faith, laughter, love, the excitement of that first kiss, the wonder of looking at a newborn. These are the same joys that we share with our ancestors who are so much a part of who we are.

Their journeys are interwoven with our own.
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And then i told you About the giveaway coming up in a couple of weeks, with the grand prize winner receiving:
                         Retail Value: $297.38

• Basket
• $25 Starbucks gift card  
• Spode Christmas teapot  
• Spode Christmas mugs   
• Yankee candle
• Hardbound copy The Road to Deer Run
• Hardbound copy The Promise of Deer Run
• Bath and Body Paris Amour scent

      
All you need to do to enter is to leave a comment on this blog.  On Nov. 18 I will choose one person's name to send to Kathy Carlton Willis, sponsor of this giveaway, to be entered into the grand prize drawing.


Sp, please  go ahead and leave a comment...then please refer your friends to this site to do the same!  I'm thinking just maybe one of you will win the grand prize!  Woot!  Woot!


                                

A Must read and giveaway!

I was recently privileged to review the 2nd in a series by Elaine Marie Cooper called "The Deer Run Saga"...and you MUST get it!  I was so enamored by Cooper's writing style and captivated by the story line that I did not want to put the book down. 

Elaine Marie Cooper grew up in Massachusetts but now lives in the Midwest with her husband, her three dogs and one huge cat. She has two married sons and triplet grandchildren who are now one years old. The Promise of Deer Run is dedicated to the triplets and to veterans who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Elaine has been a magazine freelance writer for many years, and is a regular contributor to a blog on the Midwest called The Barn Door   and a blog on Christian living called Reflections In Hindsight She is the author of The Road to Deer Run and the sequel, The Promise of Deer Run. Prior to becoming an author, Elaine worked as a registered nurse.

The Road to Deer Run won the following honors:

Finalist: 2011 Next Generation Indie Book Awards

Honorable Mention: 2011 Los Angeles Book Festival

Best Romantic Moment: ClashoftheTitles.com, February 2011

Tomorrow I will post my personal review of this book, and you will want to check back here for that!

What is most exciting is the huge giveaway that will occur on Nov. 21 and I am determined that one of my followers will win it! The Grand Prize is valued at $297.38!!!! It contains:

Basket

$25 Starbucks gift card

Spode Christmas teapot

Spode Christmas mugs

Yankee candle

Hardbound copy The Road to Deer Run

Hardbound copy The Promise of Deer Run

Bath and Body Paris Amour scent

So here's the deal! If you will leave a comment on my site each day for the next 3 days, then on the weekend prior to the drawing I will select one winner from the group to send in as a "finalist" and send it to Kathy Carlton Willis, hostess of this giveaway. The grand prize winner will be announced on Nov. 21, 2011.

So, whatcha waitin' for? Go ahead, please, and leave me a comment today...then come back tomorrow for more!

Meanwhile, enjoy this beautiful season of the year and be thankful!

Lolli (aka Lisa)