Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Giving Thanks



 A few years ago, I began a practice of gratitude. I’ve always been aware of my blessings, but this was different. Each day, I looked for something specific to be grateful for. And I have posted this on Facebook each day—with very few exceptions.

After all this time, I can assure you it makes a difference.

Sure, I get frustrated and angry just like everyone else. But by forcing myself to “count my blessings,” as the song says, I am able to find the balance in life. No matter how bleak things look, there is ALWAYS something to be thankful for.

I believe we humans are stewards of all the earth. What is a steward? According to the dictionary: someone who manages or looks after (another's property). Whose property is the universe? Bottom line, I believe EVERYTHING belongs to God. We are only temporary caretakers.

How does this play out in real life?

In 1984, we purchased a condo in San Juan Capistrano. We used it on the weekends, but for the first year, it sat empty during the week. (After her high school graduation, Kim lived there and attended Saddleback College. We still came down for the weekend.)

One of the first things we did after we moved in was to invite our friends in the area for brunch and a “house blessing.” How did it work? The pastor went from room to room and asked God’s blessing on all those who visited there, slept in the beds, ate at the table, cooked in the kitchen, etc.

It truly became a place of peace and rest for manyincluding us.

  • ·         My mother and her sister and a couple of her friends spent days there enjoying each other’s company and exploring the area.
  • ·         A young couple (friends of Kim’s) became pregnant and married suddenly. They had no money for a honeymoon, so we handed them the keys. They spend several days enjoying a real honeymoon they never expected.
  • ·         Several friends needed a place to get away, and the condo became their retreat.
  • ·         The choir director needed a place to shower and change his clothes after he ran. He lived too far away to go home. We gave him a key.
  • ·         Our neighbors in Arcadia had their parents here for a visit. They had never seen the ocean, so, of course, it was on their agenda. We invited them to take the family to the condo. They were able to go to the beach every day. One evening the grandparents babysat, and the parents went to Swallows Inn for dancing. They had a ball!


In 1987 we bought our current house in Dana Point. Of course, we had a house blessing here as well. Our friend, Tony, grew up in Japan. Buddhists believe salt repels evil spirits. The same in the Shinto religion. During their housewarming ritual, salt is usually sprinkled in front of the house to keep evil spirits away. So, Tony spread salt on the threshold and repeated some words of blessing in Japanese.

Then we entered, and the pastor repeated his blessing of every room. Afterward, we enjoyed brunch.

In 2007, we tore out our whole yard and redid it—including adding a waterfall.

Once again, we held a blessing ceremony. The yard is now overgrown, but the sound of the waterfall is still soothing and joyful.

I have always loved the idea of a mezuzah, the Jewish holder for a blessing placed on the doorpost. It serves as a reminder of the blessing of home. I found one with and angel. (My house is filled with them. I have collected them since I was a child.) When we replaced the front doors, I forgot to remove it. But a few years ago, I found another. It is back in its place next to the door.

Once again, as we approach Thanksgiving, I am convinced we should give thanks every day. We have much to be thankful for.

Wishing you and yours a blessed Thanksgiving Day.

Monday, November 18, 2019

The Joys of Republishing


I am currently in the process of republishing the six Aspen Grove Romance Anthologies, co-written with Sherry Derr-Wille, Luanna Rugh, Christie Shary, and Cheryl Gardarian. Along with re-editing each of them and adding new covers (which Larry created—and they are gorgeous), I have had to create new video trailers.

I do these myself using PowerPoint and Moviemaker. These aren’t the slick productions some authors create for their books. We don’t have the budget. I like to think they are homey and appealing. And they might draw interest to the books. (I hope)

The first one republished was An Aspen Grove Christmas, number four in the series.

This one is Len Rugh’s favorite of the six anthologies. Larry also likes my novella, “Mistletoe Magic.” (He has reread it several times.) Here’s a link to the new video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTPxAgXH2r8

Next, I tackled the first book in the series, Snowflake Secrets. I have always loved this story since it takes the reader from 1958 to 2007, the year it was published.

This is the new video for this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW449L67E2g. I had to redo it three times. For some reason, the first one looked fuzzy. Don’t know why. The music I chose for this one is a guitar piece by our good friend Dan Gilson. I hope you like it as much as I do.

Jean Ruda Habrukowich, the same producer who recorded …And a Silver Sixpence in Her Shoe, is currently recording this one. So far, we are thrilled with the results.


I just finished republishing …And A Silver Sixpence in her Shoe, the last of the six in the series.
This morning, I uploaded the new video for this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lFxeYSB0UE.

Jean Ruda Habrukowich did a great job recording this one when the first edition came out. https://www.amazon.com/Silver-Sixpence-Her-Shoe-Aspen/dp/B013V6RNF4/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=and+a+silver+sixpence+collins&qid=1574095934&s=books&sr=1-5. I sent ACX the new cover art, and they will replace the old cover on the audiobook soon. (If you would like to hear this one, let me know. I have a few free codes.)

My novella, “Something Old” features a story inspired by the wedding dress my mother wore. She was married during WWII, and she borrowed it from a friend. I have always loved it. (The photo at the beginning of the novella is actually my mother in the dress which inspired the story.)

If you love romance, please check these out. And if you love Christmas stories, the first two are perfect!

I am now starting on another in the series and hope to have all six completed very soon.

Monday, November 4, 2019

Audiobooks




I just finished working with the producer (voice actor) on the audiobook of our book, Murder...They Wrote (Agapé Jones Mysteries). We are awaiting approval from ACX on the release. It should be available soon.

Now, nine of our books are completed. The producers (voice actors) don’t just read the books. Instead, they act out the characters to bring them to life.

I worked with Paul Janes-Brown on a Hawaiian anthology I edited several years ago, Paradise, Passion, Murder: 10 Tales of Mystery from Hawaii. He did a great job on that one, and I was thrilled when he agreed to do this one. He lives in Hawaii and knows the Hawaiian pronunciations. He also enjoyed Agapé. All proceeds for Paradise, Passion, Murder go to Read Aloud America.

I also worked with Tracy Arlene on the audiobook for Savannah Angel’s A Wolf's Magic, published on Savannah’s twelfth birthday. Tracy had the perfect young voice for this YA fantasy.

I just started working with Jean Ruda Habrakovich on the romance anthology Snowflake Secrets, the first book in the Aspen Grove Romance Anthologies series.

She recorded ...And a Silver Sixpence in Her Shoe (Book 6 in the series). I loved her voice on this one, and the sample she recorded for Snowflake Secrets is dynamite.

We have some codes for free audiobooks on Audible. If you’d like to know more, let us know.