tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28675885593385382182024-03-08T16:16:07.851-05:00Blonde Not DumbThe Meanderings of Nancy S. Reece, authorNancy Reecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896098700986000222noreply@blogger.comBlogger193125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2867588559338538218.post-72205289916444873012018-02-20T20:08:00.000-05:002018-02-20T20:08:22.032-05:00Winter Whimsy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5vP1HSlf_Tl_X4fyavX3cM8kEdFF1I6ZpnuVyIdPj3p3L1vDA4CuUM3eypkvqrMPQ3aPDpPIs9M4UJB9bP5u23VK-xY76Lsbuofe4wFfYsJefvymzKlLTjBqb5L5gnMopsUVtwlTfMIu/s1600/winter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="201" data-original-width="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5vP1HSlf_Tl_X4fyavX3cM8kEdFF1I6ZpnuVyIdPj3p3L1vDA4CuUM3eypkvqrMPQ3aPDpPIs9M4UJB9bP5u23VK-xY76Lsbuofe4wFfYsJefvymzKlLTjBqb5L5gnMopsUVtwlTfMIu/s1600/winter.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
February is one of my weird months. Things either go really well or really bad. There never is any between. This year has been no exception.<br />
<br />
The Winter Olympics are on. I must confess I was a little disappointed in the Opening Ceremonies. Perhaps I was expecting more from a technologically forward country like Korea but it was underwhelming.<br />
<br />
My darling daughter, after twenty years in the home, is moving out. An empty nest awaits me and I must confess I am excited for the challenge.<br />
<br />
I participated this winter in a tradition which dates back to when I attended college. That is the magic of no-shave winter. That's right, I didn't shave my legs since November. We did this in school as we were all female and it was a bonding experience in our freshman year that turned into a liberating statement for all of us.<br />
<br />
That being said, the weather here has been approaching springtime temperatures, and I wanted to be ready for the change of season. Which meant breaking out the shaving creme and a new razor. So that chore is done and now I'm headed to the Walmart for some Drano. Oh well, at least my legs look fabulous as I go.<br />
<br />
I've made the decision to go back to school a reality and need to go take the placement tests soon. A new direction for my life, and I'm finding myself excited for some writing I've been doing.<br />
<br />
I'm learning anew that life is a journey, and I shouldn't be so eager to race for the finish line. There's still a lot of time left in my dash, and I need to embrace each moment instead of always searching for the next one. It is nice to learn new tricks as I grow up.<br />
<br />
True confessions time: I found myself involved in writing fan fiction (I know, right?!) and it's awakened a new spirit of creativity that has been boundless. So far, I am like 100K words on this piece and only now see an ending. I'll never earn a dime from this, but I'm really proud of the work. I hope to carry this over into my real work writing and kick some writer's block ass on the three stories I have in various stages of development.<br />
<br />
Clues: An Archive of Our Own. Username: LadySansasDirewolf<br />
Check it out and let me know what you think!Nancy Reecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13908873992755194925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2867588559338538218.post-24875987108195934402018-01-05T17:56:00.000-05:002018-01-05T17:56:43.222-05:00Time to Change the Road You're On<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiywB0IeiGibJmh_0KOg4loujy6URHZ-4iEmSE4lpRyPutLI4jTYHA2959t06Qy60BaJ9vXCFtahfFwGSwx_HIiAO0LC3Y6DKQew-JelRCbw7Rw5p8lSEY6fRHgwLC1YAob-uaZ5Ntlldl/s1600/scot+snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="1023" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiywB0IeiGibJmh_0KOg4loujy6URHZ-4iEmSE4lpRyPutLI4jTYHA2959t06Qy60BaJ9vXCFtahfFwGSwx_HIiAO0LC3Y6DKQew-JelRCbw7Rw5p8lSEY6fRHgwLC1YAob-uaZ5Ntlldl/s320/scot+snow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
As a child, in my mind, when I pictured the change from one year to another, it presented to me visually as climbing back up a steep hill from December to January. It's odd, I know, but I've always been a visual person. It also gives me a chance to reflect on where I am, where I'm going, and what is meant to be.<br />
<br />
Last year, in my personal opinion, was probably the worst year of my life since I was in my late twenties. There is not one aspect of my life that hasn't blown apart in the last 365 days. To say that my sense of self-worth is low would be overstating low. I have none. I don't even feel strong enough to go out and pursue a new direction.<br />
<br />
But that doesn't move me forward. or sideways, or even backwards. It just keeps me stuck. Joyce Meyer says that frustration is a sign that I am acting independently, apart from the design the Creator has for my life. So I am watching myself carefully for that sense of not belonging to my own skin. Cocooning away from irritations in my real world in order to put my internal strife into place, I find a small growing kernel of self taking shape where previously there was only dissatisfaction with my own actions.<br />
<br />
I have resentments I have carried for years still hanging on my shoulders, old friends I cannot seem to separate from on this journey toward peace. My heart pleads 'Some day', while my head screams 'Never', and I understand regret.<br />
<br />
I've allowed hurts, real and imagined, to take root where previously only trust and confidence grew, and I stagger through the weight of failure and I understand my weakness.<br />
<br />
But perhaps worst of all, to protect those I love, I tried to take it all on me, and forgot that this life is a shared voyage. I became the martyr I always swore again and I understand now what breaking truly costs.<br />
<br />
It's time to stop, drop, and roll. We only have one shot through this life, and regrets are anchors pulling my soul to inaction. I cannot stay in this morass and I cannot find my way through, so I spend hours wondering. It's no way to live. It's time to once again learn to breathe in the air of acceptance and return to who I am, stop trying to ignore the truth of what comprises me.<br />
<br />
Once, as a teenager, my father stopped me in a hallway to tell me I was the one of his children most like himself, and that he pitied the journey that would take me on. How sad that it has taken me forty years to understand the wisdom of those words. As a teen, it filled me with pride to be compared to my father, who I idolized. It's only as I look back that I realize the curse of being who we are.<br />
<br />
When you can see the truth of a person, how to you reconcile their actions?<br />
<br />
So I have decided this year to search for the woman who has somehow gotten left behind in all of this upheaval. The one who knew her own mind and had dreams she wanted to chase. through addictions, and rejections, and loss and growth, the one who at the heart of it all only wants to be loved. I do not know where this road will lead, nor am I particularly afraid. At the end of things, it is only myself that I am chasing, not an unknown enemy. Who knows better than I the distractions I can throw to keep from success?<br />
<br />
As a child I often found myself hiding in the back of closets and under the bed, trying to hid but from what I never knew. How sad it is now to figure out the person I was hiding from was myself.<br />
<br />Nancy Reecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13908873992755194925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2867588559338538218.post-82498086700071480052017-08-21T20:59:00.000-04:002017-08-21T20:59:09.493-04:00I Refuse to Use the Obvious Title (Bonus Points if you know what I mean!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47ScgJTkarHWOP8zl0wKKOPP5itX4MFUYJC355LIQyOrvh4kyN_AmMnR3qSJPIEDPg2xaLeDuLHtI18YFwhXXIsn28Am43OdOceXwRLV0TBC-xEryug-jEugiWaL_ADqu5t1oJyU5HlHl/s1600/white_light_corona.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1090" data-original-width="1600" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47ScgJTkarHWOP8zl0wKKOPP5itX4MFUYJC355LIQyOrvh4kyN_AmMnR3qSJPIEDPg2xaLeDuLHtI18YFwhXXIsn28Am43OdOceXwRLV0TBC-xEryug-jEugiWaL_ADqu5t1oJyU5HlHl/s320/white_light_corona.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The Solar Eclipse was today. For a while, life in America stood still while we watched a miracle unfold. The sun and the moon have been dancing with each other since the first day, and still we gape at the uniqueness of Nature.<br />
<br />
I felt the energy of the world at odds with itself these past few weeks as we approached the eclipse, and it has been an extremely uncomfortable feeling. As if life were waiting, unwilling to be held in place by the day with no night and the night with no day. It's been a strange feeling, prickly sensation across my skin.<br />
<br />
The moment came, and the moment went, and after all the hype it was interesting and underwhelming all at the same time. But I will say this - the energy seemed to drain out of the atmosphere, and all I've wanted to do since moon and the sun swapped places is sleep. Since we heal when we sleep, I assume this is a good thing, and tomorrow will bring another day.<br />
<br />
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” (Isaiah 43:18)<br />
<br />
I intend to use this new energy, this new thing, to do the best I can every day, be the best 'Me' I can be be every day, and always strive to follow the path of my life to wherever it may lead. To grow and study so that I can make the most of every opportunity.<br />
<br />
<br />Nancy Reecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13908873992755194925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2867588559338538218.post-31874873670087238162017-07-11T21:51:00.000-04:002017-07-11T21:51:08.091-04:00It Is Well With My Soul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisANnp5t91-DHrivQ_N47h8iocSX04GMR-pew18ZXNuKjKHLRfMtmPxLOgbLaUD1e6uDhKKvOC8XcosXTlRs-ptXWjy6xj9IDu87qS2JCy_6kryunV59Db7r-0H1np1sfxS8lCdXSO7fG8/s1600/SRT-Hymns_instagram_day3b_alt.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisANnp5t91-DHrivQ_N47h8iocSX04GMR-pew18ZXNuKjKHLRfMtmPxLOgbLaUD1e6uDhKKvOC8XcosXTlRs-ptXWjy6xj9IDu87qS2JCy_6kryunV59Db7r-0H1np1sfxS8lCdXSO7fG8/s320/SRT-Hymns_instagram_day3b_alt.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
For the past few years my life has been a mess. Through a series of failures and misplaced actions, we've lost everything we had built - our business, our incomes, our retirements, my husband's health, all gone with the capricious winds of fate. But fate has a Master, just as we all do, and while I don't usually open a window into my soul, for some reason tonight I feel a calling to put where I am inside into the ether.<br />
<br />
One hundred and forty-four years ago Horatio Spafford placed his children on a ship headed for Europe and never saw them again. The ship sank and only his wife was saved. This after another child had already died at a young age. Upon arriving in Wales after her rescue, Mrs. Spafford cabled her husband, "Saved alone. What shall I do?"<br />
<br />
That pretty much describes where I have been these past few years. Saved, alone, doing what I thought I had to in order for all the balls to remain in the air. It's only now I can look back and see the wreckage with a clear head and an acceptance of my Lord's hand in things beyond my grasp. If not for the faith I have carried since childhood my personal ship would have sunk in rough waters a long time ago.<br />
<br />
Faith in something greater than ones self is hard. Faith in yourself is even harder, especially after fortunes change. More than one I have joking compared my journey to that of Job, but I now know for a fact every person's experience with trials is different. Regardless of religion. belief in a greater being gives hope that tomorrow will be brighter, that not all days are worth hiding from.<br />
<br />
I confess I have no confidence in my ability to change anything that is happening to us right now. Rugs are pulled out from under me with frightening regularity and my lack of coordination has brought about more than one face plant. But I get back up and I keep going because somewhere out there lies the answer, not within myself or within the walls of my house.<br />
<br />
I am by nature an introvert, which makes some of these disappointments seem large and menacing, and in reality some of them are. But even though I work at a low paying, crappy hours job, it helps pay the bills. And even though all I can see in all directions is unending turmoils, I take a deep breath and being to function on the second part of that cable: "What shall I do?"<br />
<br />
As Horatio Spafford raced to meet his distraught wife, the ship he was on passed directly over the spot where his young daughters now lay entombed. During that passage he penned the now famous Christian hymn, "It is Well With My Soul". The line which sticks in my head day after day as I listen to people gripe about things which are completely trivial is this: "Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, 'It is well, it is well with my soul'".<br />
<br />
Because at last I understand that I am where I am for a reason. Multiple reasons but the most important is because that is where my Higher Power, whose name is God, wants me to be. I fulfill a purpose, even though I have no clue what it is, and that is all I need to know right now. There are still immovable mountains ahead of us, and perhaps that is no other employment avenues have opened themselves to me. I don't know and that's okay.<br />
<br />
Now, don't get me wrong, that doesn't mean I'm not angry, and sad, and about a million other variations on the four basic emotions. I'm totally angry at the way things worked out, but what hand could I have played that would have worked out better? That also doesn't mean there aren't things I wish I had done differently. Hindsight is twenty-twenty. But for the first time in almost two years I no longer feel the Sword of Damocles hanging over my neck. It probably still is, but I have faith things will work out in the end.<br />
<br />
That, I think is the key to faith: the believe it will all work out in the end.<br />
<br />
If you've made it thought this, thank you. I know people are not all the same about religion, but I consider faith as more than a part of religion. Faith is a basic staple of life. Food, Water, Shelter, Faith. With these four man can create anything. I believe it.<br />
<br />
As for the Spaffords, they were reunited and went on to have three more children. In 1881 they moved from Chicago to Jerusalem, where they are buried.Nancy Reecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13908873992755194925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2867588559338538218.post-36384806054071493892017-06-21T11:59:00.000-04:002017-06-21T11:59:47.768-04:00Ain't No Cure for the Summertime Blues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntOEoEeDVYyMLL8DhJPGVHL0ItXKN1uku7OTCju9DGHlavojGmytKlVbhyju62hb8Edoej39VYOcIhyphenhypheny1VPiGYY54T6lyw0daP-kur-zGgM083xVxB4CQYp5MVocd2NIYAWsRJ8FhY4uV/s1600/solstice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="137" data-original-width="369" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntOEoEeDVYyMLL8DhJPGVHL0ItXKN1uku7OTCju9DGHlavojGmytKlVbhyju62hb8Edoej39VYOcIhyphenhypheny1VPiGYY54T6lyw0daP-kur-zGgM083xVxB4CQYp5MVocd2NIYAWsRJ8FhY4uV/s400/solstice.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Happy Mid-Summer's Day<br />
<br />
It's the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. From this point all our days will shorten until we reach the Winter Solstice six months from now. Animals will begin growing their winter coats after today, and already the harvest is ripening. This is the best time of the year, lazy hot days that remind us of childhood and time spent staring into azure skies filled with puffy white pillows.<br />
<br />
Who doesn't love summer, especially as a child? Days when everything was possible and our future was limited only by imagination. Time was spent chasing the wind and climbing trees, exploring the universe until the streetlights came on and the fireflies went to bed. Then you dragged yourself into the tub and scrubbed dirt from half of the county off your skin and avowed to your mother of having no idea how that hole got in the seat of your shorts.<br />
<br />
Days watching the fields grow, the baby animals of spring become the children of summer, and for one brief moment it seems possible that August will never arrive, that you will be allowed to stay in this land of sunshine and honeysuckle. Evenings you churn fresh ice cream with berries from the vines in the back yard, and debate the day's activities with gravitas and humor. Night is only to recharge and to dream of new adventures in distant lands, usually the neighboring woods and pastures.<br />
<br />
Summer is the season of growth for of nature, flora and fauna, the season of preparation. No matter what, this is when we must get ready, stretch and grow, tend to the harvest to come. As the days grow shorter a sense of urgency comes over us, to gather, to store, to get ready for the lean times of winter. That still applies, even in this age of devices and connections to the ether.<br />
<br />
So get your nose out of your laptop, grab some water, your sunglasses, and some sunscreen and head outside. Grow something, can something, make jelly, or just cut the grass, but enjoy the lazy days of abundance. Before your winter coat starts growing...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4z18fIhcbaXeXYbIE4LkL_PC9tNgX7veky9qK6-ChSw_aUo_whY4LSXHELb59Swi9Wv_U9oLtgWsev9xwcQjl4HLX6ZF3WLH_ETpr6tzorBMVwT4QM-rrYrl0vbzD6OGN0ssXuLxP8Vgn/s1600/summer-solstice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="480" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4z18fIhcbaXeXYbIE4LkL_PC9tNgX7veky9qK6-ChSw_aUo_whY4LSXHELb59Swi9Wv_U9oLtgWsev9xwcQjl4HLX6ZF3WLH_ETpr6tzorBMVwT4QM-rrYrl0vbzD6OGN0ssXuLxP8Vgn/s400/summer-solstice.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Nancy Reecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13908873992755194925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2867588559338538218.post-41693008070767876912017-05-09T09:11:00.000-04:002017-05-09T09:11:01.408-04:00Literary Love Savannah, 2018 VIP Ticket Program<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsn6xm9yLoNM1ketHLmNhhQtbY5Px7NgJHVkzcAC2p8dfhNeLS474IQERC0lFyFh6_m06RECTACYWx-4_SEtpqjCNg75qs6Nxjne2D6doP2boW0hF3qRGbc5W5iAzdD_16aIFU5fBtcnZA/s1600/VIP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsn6xm9yLoNM1ketHLmNhhQtbY5Px7NgJHVkzcAC2p8dfhNeLS474IQERC0lFyFh6_m06RECTACYWx-4_SEtpqjCNg75qs6Nxjne2D6doP2boW0hF3qRGbc5W5iAzdD_16aIFU5fBtcnZA/s320/VIP.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/literary-love-savannah-2018-vip-tickets-tickets-32326493412" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Literary Love Savannah-2018-VIP tickets</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline: none; width: auto;" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_5911be060ad080a31006070" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">
50$ VIP package (only 5 available!):<br />• VIP Laminate<br />• POSTER of books by the VIP sponsor authors<br />• Special not on sale books from VIP sponsor authors<br />• Limited edition swag<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;"><br />• Premium promotional item<br />• VIP meet and greet event<br />• VIP Program Group photo<br />• First choice on seating for Lunches, dinners and events<br />• Special line for Registration<br />• Early access (15 minutes) to the signings<br />• Special Pricing for bundles from VIP sponsor author<br /><br />75$ GOLD VIP package (Limited to 5 spots PER AUTHOR):<br />***EVERYTHING THE VIP PACKAGE GETS PLUS:<br />• Special group hangout<br />• Special VIP seating with your VIP author at the Welcome event<br /><br />100$ PLATINUM VIP package (Limited to ONE reader PER AUTHOR):<br />*** EVERYTHING THE VIP PACKAGE AND GOLD VIP GETS PLUS:<br />• Special one on one hangout with the author they chose (to be decided with the author)<br />• Ability to be the Authors “Assistant” for the duration of the event<br /><br />REMEMBER... THESE GO LIVE MAY 3RD, AND ARE ONLY AVAILABLE FOR 1 WEEK OR UNTIL THEY SELL OUT... WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. THESE WILL BE LIVE A MONTH BEFORE THE ACTUAL TICKETS... SO GET READY AND HELP US RAISE SOME $$$$ FOR THE ANIMAL SHELTER!</span></div>
<div>
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">Planning a trip to the Low Country in Summer of 2018? Come hang out with me a few hundred of my best friends! Regular program tickets go on sale next month, but this is a chance to get up close and personal with some of your favorite authors.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">All proceeds from the VIP program benefit the animal shelter in a nearby county.</span></div>
</div>
Nancy Reecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896098700986000222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2867588559338538218.post-54661978069241232232017-04-24T19:05:00.000-04:002017-04-24T19:05:41.798-04:00Thank You Sir, May I Have Another<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGn36nm4YMQpEwtMnlBxpvmDWd_srM31xYGdOvoHaFSxs9mQ1tJuEcoL9KghPKzlF_hnCJ9WdXxvaRFt03YF9TFo9hug-n6PQrtwqhSNk05vZ6CbVgf0Zsabt1fr-U07YZS2OjM7M0OMpw/s1600/fc%252C550x550%252Cwhite.u2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGn36nm4YMQpEwtMnlBxpvmDWd_srM31xYGdOvoHaFSxs9mQ1tJuEcoL9KghPKzlF_hnCJ9WdXxvaRFt03YF9TFo9hug-n6PQrtwqhSNk05vZ6CbVgf0Zsabt1fr-U07YZS2OjM7M0OMpw/s320/fc%252C550x550%252Cwhite.u2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Two more interviews. Two more turn downs.<br />
<br />
I swear I'm starting to get a complex.<br />
<br />
I know it's a tough job market, and there are literally hundreds of applicants for every position, but for crying out loud, I've been searching for eight months and the best I've got is $10 an hour and an entire trashcan of rejections. It's enough to make me question whether I have any marketable skills left after more than 35 years working in the public sector.<br />
<br />
A wise person once said to me that all I needed to be was myself and I would never lack for opportunities. These days however I question more and more who I am and what I have to offer to any organization. Sure I'm older than most of those being interviewed, but why do I feel like age is a minus, not a plus?<br />
<br />
But then I remember I'm on a journey, and I have no control over how long this road will be. Nothing will be mine before I learn what I must learn to progress to the next phase of my quest. The problem is, I'm not sure what is being asked of me.<br />
<br />
A friend at work said, "God is preparing you for what is to come next." Those words frighten me to the core, because what I've been going through has broken me. I am only a fleeting wisp of the woman I used to be, and what I wouldn't give to find that person again. However, the slow path only runs in one direction and a locked door will not open again.<br />
<br />
So I will continue paying my penance in purgatory, because that's what I need to do now. I need to win back those things which I have lost and the first of those is myself. Who am I when the lights are out and I'm alone with my thoughts? Not the person I hope to be, that's for sure. My confidence is shaken, my spirit not quite broken, but fragile nonetheless.<br />
<br />
Perhaps I will stop looking for a while, and let the wheel of fate turn as she will. I want to be in a certain area, at a certain rate, and those jobs don't come along every day. I need to make sure I am worthy when the time comes. There are a few quirks of my life that needs smoothed away, made right before I tackle the next phase. I'm almost ready to make the leap to the next ledge.<br />
<br />
I wait.Nancy Reecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13908873992755194925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2867588559338538218.post-20879741981083870222017-04-03T10:11:00.000-04:002017-04-03T10:11:59.158-04:00It's Raining...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTsI0VjwPgidHu9IQFPl-YVvh406Wk23_XNZU7IlZf4TvmkhfAJQ1cQBZEBo9ZJIwnvQ6O8-rIjYecWLNqIeebRCFQg4b-Zu_Z7rgku_XYGxaOar8XqKVcltP2wvQQ1lk1fl7mXeiqwxrF/s1600/pollen-in-car-400x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTsI0VjwPgidHu9IQFPl-YVvh406Wk23_XNZU7IlZf4TvmkhfAJQ1cQBZEBo9ZJIwnvQ6O8-rIjYecWLNqIeebRCFQg4b-Zu_Z7rgku_XYGxaOar8XqKVcltP2wvQQ1lk1fl7mXeiqwxrF/s320/pollen-in-car-400x400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I love Spring in Atlanta.<br />
<br />
I know, that's a loaded statement. Let me clarify by saying I also detest the pollen we are 'blessed' with during the months of April and May. When the allergy clinic reports the pollen counts are in the 4000's and the air is tinged a vague yellow from the wafting sperm of tens of thousands of varieties of trees, shrubs, and flower, I grab the Zyrtec and another box of Kleenex and carry on. What I love is the fresh coat of green the city wears, a soul thrilling change from the drab browns of winter.<br />
<br />
I love the warm breezes and sunshine that make you lift your face to soak in the vitamins and renewing energy missing during the short days of grey clouds and darkness. Pausing to watch in amazement as overnight the brilliant universe of colors from ancient azaleas and spreading dogwood trees burst forth, proudly displaying their Easter finery and challenging us to match their splendor.<br />
<br />
In the suburbs the hardware stores bring out racks and tables filled with every possible starter flats, including tomatoes and pepper plants. The smell of composting mulch fills the air as the weekend farmers sally forth with their trucks and SUVs to accomplish in one sun-filled weekend all they missed during the work week.<br />
<br />
Hanging baskets of every size swing in the breeze, reminding us of wide front porches with lazy swings and tables holding glasses of sweet tea and lemonade. Children run through the vibrant green grass looking for multicolored plastic eggs or just to feel the cool happy blades between their no longer woolen clad toes. Life is renewed and the earth welcomes plant and animal to the eternal change of season.<br />
<br />
Yesterday I sat on the swing and watched the clouds swing by and wondered to myself whether Heaven enjoys the different flavors of our seasons or if it is eternal spring. I came to the conclusion the reason we desire the return of spring each year is to welcome the promise of something better. Summer is freedom and fall is aging, winter is waiting but spring is renewal. It is possible to bear the waiting because something better is coming.<br />
<br />
Which is why Easter falls in the spring. The promise of something better coming is why Jesus committed himself to the cross and what millions of Christians like myself hold as the most sacred tenet of our faith. It makes the waiting and enduring of all the twists and turns of our life worth the pains and pleasures of this messy planet hurtling through the infinity of space.<br />
<br />
So again I say, I love Spring. In spite of all the turmoil our lives have experienced these past few years, I know better days are coming.Nancy Reecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896098700986000222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2867588559338538218.post-76337644111770340202017-03-27T10:25:00.000-04:002017-03-27T10:25:55.984-04:00When Life Gives You Lemons...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rR-H43TcEjhNI6OuvbtM8q37TbtjSzU7sMybwwpK0K8wEcTCYL0kyQmmnJyGgF6zm4Q48Mxmz0fa0mlN8oxyplyLXPvHK6URlmUW0SesUejpbyWqDbMZ-hqOsDcuIp2gvp7_kQk_ZIS8/s1600/images+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rR-H43TcEjhNI6OuvbtM8q37TbtjSzU7sMybwwpK0K8wEcTCYL0kyQmmnJyGgF6zm4Q48Mxmz0fa0mlN8oxyplyLXPvHK6URlmUW0SesUejpbyWqDbMZ-hqOsDcuIp2gvp7_kQk_ZIS8/s1600/images+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I haven't written much the past two years.<br />
<br />
There's a wealth of emotions tied to that one sentence, and even now I'm still dealing with the fallout of the wreck that has become my life. I've lost so much in two years. Some days when I reflect back on what's happened I can get a handle on everything, but other times I just cry.<br />
<br />
A lot of circumstances when added together can become a tidal wave from which there is no escape. Our tidal wave started in 2009. They say God doesn't give more than we can handle, but obviously he has a higher opinion of my abilities than I do. Six close deaths in eight years were just the tip of the iceberg, and things only got harder when my darling hubby broke his back, for the third time.<br />
<br />
So now the business is closed, the assets sold, and our unemployment is running out. I make $10 per hour and we are attempting to get the hubby on disability. My daughter is working two jobs to help with the expenses, and every penny is debated twice before spent. In the darkness that has been our reality, I've learned a few lessons I probably already knew but didn't adhere to.<br />
<br />
1) Without money, you have time to work on the problems you've ignored. Every little resentment we've developed in the thirty years of our marriage has to be dealt with. No longer do we have the luxury of moving in separate areas in order to keep from facing each other.<br />
<br />
2) When I'm stressed about finances and bills, the first thing that disappears are the voices in my head. I have three stories in various stages of development, and none of them are close enough to submission to be worth talking about. They have great story lines, but right now, every single character decided to head out on vacation.<br />
<br />
3) People may ask how you are doing, but they really don't want to know. Everyone has issues and problems, they don't want to constantly be surrounded by yours.<br />
<br />
4) Joy can be found in the most unexpected places. Take time to appreciate the small things you see around you. It's amazing how much you can get when you slow down and enjoy the ride. This life is all we have, don't spend so much time chasing money that you lose sight of what is truly important, and that is the relationships you have with the people around you.<br />
<br />
I'm trying to live with these lessons and others, but I confess it's been hard. Hard putting myself aside and letting God take control. Hard realizing I am not in control of my fate anymore. Hard giving up things that I'd taken for granted, like movies and new clothes.<br />
<br />
Each person's life is a journey, and though we we think the train has become derailed, that's all part of our journey as well. The Apostle Paul once said, :"I must decrease so that He may increase." I'm still decreasing, and I need to let Him increase instead of stomping my foot and demanding things of which I have not proven myself ready or worthy.<br />
<br />
So I'll embrace the lemons, and learn to make not just lemonade, but lemon pie, lemon curd, lemon jelly, everything that can be made from those lemons, because no matter what my situation, I need to be grateful for them. Those lemons came about because God sent them, and I want to master the lemon, so I can move onto the next challenge.<br />
<br />
And somewhere along the line, the lemons will become sweeter, and the journey will continue, winding down a path made for me leading to where I do not know. But I do know I will be stronger once it is complete.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxG_xebhwKTWETEYoYVYQgwFdlaNcZpv_6WASAWt-tEL47lzYCjYVdIwz3mMPHfHxbhhkMG9x1LC2lZQvETzYsWahpZxODpoxtx7GTtPICorkNWdoXF6MTcttBEizXqfgnniXYim1Zrnk/s1600/Valencia_market_-_lemons-1940x1454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxG_xebhwKTWETEYoYVYQgwFdlaNcZpv_6WASAWt-tEL47lzYCjYVdIwz3mMPHfHxbhhkMG9x1LC2lZQvETzYsWahpZxODpoxtx7GTtPICorkNWdoXF6MTcttBEizXqfgnniXYim1Zrnk/s320/Valencia_market_-_lemons-1940x1454.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Nancy Reecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896098700986000222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2867588559338538218.post-9137279140017649352017-01-16T10:50:00.000-05:002017-01-16T10:50:46.140-05:00Dear Scammers, Letter from a Job Seeker<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTyvN-4I2M_1UXlIMpga0tsy_D0qEKS3vn3cp-e9lXFo-FjEAZurcGrYkWww6cE7Hw354boDvrJnLoUHtwgOVojCEtBWbI87R7iHA2sYLpI9zlHVEMUrxPXO7RwDc5V8-l97w62UhvvsZ/s1600/catfish-season-header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTyvN-4I2M_1UXlIMpga0tsy_D0qEKS3vn3cp-e9lXFo-FjEAZurcGrYkWww6cE7Hw354boDvrJnLoUHtwgOVojCEtBWbI87R7iHA2sYLpI9zlHVEMUrxPXO7RwDc5V8-l97w62UhvvsZ/s320/catfish-season-header.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I've been looking for a new 'real' job.<br />
<br />
Sounds perfectly normal, right? Well, to be honest, it's been twenty-two years since I was unemployed and the market and methods have changed dramatically. No longer do you race out on Sunday to get the want ads to be the first to send out a resume, or make a phone call on Monday only to hear the position was filled two weeks ago and they forgot to pull the ad.<br />
<br />
Now, everything is electronic, This makes things super easy for employers, but for those of us on the other side of the equation, it has become another area where you have to watch out for people trying to separate you from your hard earned money.<br />
<br />
Here is an example that was sent to my email after spending an afternoon painstaking looking over a dozen web sites, trying hard to sort out the wheat from the chaff:<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Dear job seeker </span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
Our recruitment team viewed your resume published Application :Administrative Assistant- Full Time/ Part Time) and we are pleased with your </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
qualifications,we believe you have the required qualifications to </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
undergo an online interview.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
Your resume was shortlisted for an online interview with the interview</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
manager Mrs Carol Rawson via G-mail Hangout or Google talk with the</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
following email address (<a href="mailto:carolrawson2016@gmail.com" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">carolrawson2016@gmail.com</a>). Add Her to your</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
buddy list and message Her, She will be online waiting for you ASAP to</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
conduct the interview with you.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
Your verification code is ( XXXXXX ), this would serve as your</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
identification number throughout the online hiring process. Your</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
timely response matters a lot.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
We look forward to having you on the team.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
Interview Scheduled : Online.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
Time: <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_507790876" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">9am-5pm</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
Date: <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_507790877" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">January 16th-23rd</span></span> </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
Venue: On Line Via Google Hangout</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
Training is Available</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
Human Resources</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
Your swift and timely response matters a lot in this beneficial </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
position.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
Best Regard :</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
Yours Truly,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
Hiring Manager</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
Regards"</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
There are so many things grammatically wrong with this email it would be hard to believe a reputable business HR department put this together. Second, Google Hangout? Really?<br />
<br />
I followed one of these rabbit trails months ago when I was a fresh faced newly unemployed idealist. It led to a chat room where the contents of the front page of a real company website were splashed before me, which then led to a hiring offer. They would send a check to cover any expenses I might incur to get the 'new' district office up and running.<br />
<br />
Sure enough, two days later a delivery man dropped a parcel on my doorstep containing a cashier's check for $2700.00. I was to deposit it in my account, then send a new money order to so and so for the purchase of the equipment. Yeah, right. I bet there's a Nigerian prince in this mess somewhere.<br />
<br />
Look, all I want is a job. If I had money to be scammed I wouldn't be on the hunt for gainful employment. In preying on those who can least afford to be catfished, you are taking grift to a new level of lowliness. In the immortal words of Septa Unella from 'Game of Thrones', SHAME, SHAME, SHAME.<br />
<br />
Or maybe I am looking at this the wrong way. Instead of answering advertisements, I should place one: "Wanted: Admin/Office Manager/Receptionist/Lemming/Human Resources/Gerbil. Must have valid checking account for payments. Work from home trying to find new office space. Only the gullible need apply. Make your own hours all for $40/hour."<br />
<br />
Click to ApplyNancy Reecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896098700986000222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2867588559338538218.post-29756899762604230242017-01-08T20:13:00.000-05:002017-01-08T20:13:25.406-05:00Hello New Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_upLLLZ4C-Wy06_4_OECczLCV_3ngqC3CA0p0Q3C5h_yOBpv9GHkfEJ_Ic_9mwR2VwbeusEHe5ycR4dCq7JnuiIf3vq-HuP2DepDKH7eW2X-4XPgASdRWE3ilxLz7ZRwiihhKW3yy3EcR/s1600/winter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_upLLLZ4C-Wy06_4_OECczLCV_3ngqC3CA0p0Q3C5h_yOBpv9GHkfEJ_Ic_9mwR2VwbeusEHe5ycR4dCq7JnuiIf3vq-HuP2DepDKH7eW2X-4XPgASdRWE3ilxLz7ZRwiihhKW3yy3EcR/s320/winter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It snowed this weekend, always an exciting time here in the Deep South. Stores ran out of milk and bread, our DOT finally got to use all that road salt they had stored up. I made chili and watched my dogs stare at the ground with undisguised revulsion at the idea I wanted them to soil their delicate little feet. But snow always makes me reflective and since it's the first of the new year, I've decided to air a few of my annoyances and fears for the upcoming year.<br />
<br />
I'm not crazy about the incoming government, but I'm wise enough to be willing to give them the chance to make a difference. Who knows, it might actually be a great thing, if people are willing to look past their own pockets and put the common good first. Isn't that what the Democrats are always screaming?<br />
<br />
For the first time in a very long time, I'm unemployed. It's scary and the jobs market is a very different place from the one I knew more than 20 years ago. The industry I used to be in, computer hardware, is light years away from what I knew. While I'm great at a lot of things, I'm discovering I'm not special enough to stand out when there are literally thousands of applicants for every position.<br />
<br />
It's made me very reflective of who I am. I am more than a one page list of accomplishments and skills. I've spend a long time these past few years digging into my past, the fears and accomplishments as well as my place among others, and I've come to peace with who I am and where I want to be. Becoming unemployed ten years before I can catch Social Security wasn't anywhere on the radar, that's for sure.<br />
<br />
But I will endure. I've overcome loss before, and with God's help, I will again. Life is a journey, and this is part of my path. Doesn't mean I won't be frustrated; in fact, that seems to be my favorite emotion here recently. However, I will face my fears and my anxiety, and learn to grow with every experience.<br />
<br />
Breathe in through the nose, out through the mouth...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NXTOW3OOEzOrqHOfnPzpxOW2Y2QqLe11KX7yyf98-r1tiTG-d17L7um8c5P_adRm3jYb_YTgjytsDG6pQdgt0yCKxWnEOpD3ZT-YaC4Kb9LwGtjesBaXRvBOOnDSBjO-IdrNYKZshVIf/s1600/moon_meditation.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NXTOW3OOEzOrqHOfnPzpxOW2Y2QqLe11KX7yyf98-r1tiTG-d17L7um8c5P_adRm3jYb_YTgjytsDG6pQdgt0yCKxWnEOpD3ZT-YaC4Kb9LwGtjesBaXRvBOOnDSBjO-IdrNYKZshVIf/s1600/moon_meditation.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />Nancy Reecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896098700986000222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2867588559338538218.post-15989464109839528982016-11-30T10:32:00.000-05:002016-11-30T10:32:09.935-05:00And...PIVOT!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj114dlawvT3LAqiO3aoQMgB6o6jMbnjtfh9oN2cl-Nzh0iiBZ4EUb1Hp2rgh1s3WUY9c4pM7MjbmAEfV-15SHk40RsxLAmIxvTxyy__vK95QJ9BNoU3hdPmJ3h5kT5qq8v1pMpfz5-hkA3/s1600/Pivot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj114dlawvT3LAqiO3aoQMgB6o6jMbnjtfh9oN2cl-Nzh0iiBZ4EUb1Hp2rgh1s3WUY9c4pM7MjbmAEfV-15SHk40RsxLAmIxvTxyy__vK95QJ9BNoU3hdPmJ3h5kT5qq8v1pMpfz5-hkA3/s320/Pivot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Many times in my life I have found circumstances taking drastic, sometimes emotionally devastating turns. The first time I remember this happening in detail was December 1981 - January 1982. Within the space of these two months, my college roommate committed suicide, I was in a horrific crash involving a tractor trailer, and the man I had been dating since high school broke up with me by sending an invitation to his wedding.<br />
<br />
For two weeks after I lay on the bed wondering what had I been doing so wrong that God felt the need to crash my world down around my ears. In haste and fear I threw myself into a relationship with more downs than ups. Then I spent two years rectifying the mistakes made in my overwrought mental condition.<br />
<br />
Since then these upheaval collisions have only happened twice more: when I left my job in technology to go work for my husband's family business back in 1995, and in early 2015. Unfortunately that particular episode is still ongoing, and while I think I see the exit tunnel, things are still whirling around me like a sand storm.<br />
<br />
When I am unsure where to go, or what decision to make, there is only one direction I turn: my faith. It has sustained me when everything and everyone else deserted me, and I give my Higher Power, who is God, all the credit for keeping me sane and focused when much of my life is burning down around me.<br />
<br />
We are heading into the holiday season. Regardless of which faith you adhere to, this is the time to focus on others instead of our own selfish desires. If, for 31 days, we can all put our political, religious, or monetary problems on the shelf and bring out the damn Elf. Remember those who need us most: animals still suffering in animal shelters around the country. Take time and adopt, don't spend thousands on a pedigree animal. There are special pedigree animals waiting at your local shelter, I guarantee.<br />
<br />
So what is my point? I guess the point is, we have to be flexible when it comes to life, learn to roll with the winds and to replant when the storm is gone. That's where I am right now, replanting. Taking the good and discarding the bad; consider it early Spring Cleaning. Is this where I wanted to be so late in life? Hell no! But it is the life I have, and I want to enjoy every minute remaining to the fullest extent every day.<br />
<br />
This December, do a little cleaning of your own. Take all those negative posting people off your Facebook. Life is too short to always be miserable. Learn to tweet, and give inspiration to yourself and others each day. Lord knows we all need inspiration. Volunteer at the local animal shelter, or nearby hospital to hold premature babies as they grow and adapt to this big, scary world.<br />
<br />
I guess the point of all this is to say, don't stay in your season of defeat. Stand up, dust off your pants and keep walking. Who knows what is waiting just up ahead?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Don't forget to check out my newest release: "Welcome to the Family", available on Amazon.com, BN.com, and The Wild Rose Press website.<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Welcome-Family-Nancy-S-Reece/dp/1509209522/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480519574&sr=8-1&keywords=nancy+s+reece">https://www.amazon.com</a><br />
<br />Nancy Reecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13908873992755194925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2867588559338538218.post-44785942920825444622016-11-25T11:28:00.000-05:002016-11-25T11:28:14.686-05:00"Welcome to the Family"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzkaBUfHAYjeMhLrpmhkDuzlBOTi3bw8HqOcEk6jyLhBCWAf-1QI8IqWOO4X900-YKnBPPChuAvTPwHahM2vefU3LTG0cC3nqJlr9YHEVahzwHsBYQRPGWqmTxRLzngHKFzDO-m8pNz7M/s1600/WelcometotheFamily_w9961_med.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzkaBUfHAYjeMhLrpmhkDuzlBOTi3bw8HqOcEk6jyLhBCWAf-1QI8IqWOO4X900-YKnBPPChuAvTPwHahM2vefU3LTG0cC3nqJlr9YHEVahzwHsBYQRPGWqmTxRLzngHKFzDO-m8pNz7M/s320/WelcometotheFamily_w9961_med.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Now Available from The Wild Rose Press - Meet the Devlyns. Not your everyday relations.<br />
<br />
EXCERPT:<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<i>Silence then
reigned in the limo as Sean stared at the scenery flying past, remembering the
first time he’d made this particular drive. When Cassie at last relented and
took him to meet her father and brothers, they’d been together almost a year.
The trip ended up being a nightmare. The only plus side was the stronger bond
he and Cassie built when everything was said and done. It was the trip which
created the foundation point of their agreements. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<i>The Devlyn men
were whacked, especially when it came to Cassie.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<i>Kevin was
eldest, the only brother with whom Cassie maintained a cordial relationship. He
was also the most straight laced of the three brothers. After leaving the
service, Kevin got his law degree and worked for the family business as chief
counsel. Just like Cassie, his relationship with their father was complicated;
typical oldest son. Kevin had cleaned up more than one mess left behind by Martin
or Greg and was badly scarred himself from the process. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<i>Middle son
Matthew was a high functioning Autistic and frequently became a pawn, easily
swayed by youngest brother Greg. It was Greg whose neck Sean wanted to wring,
along with Martin himself. It was they who ruined relationships between the
siblings.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<i>Greg was an
evil, vile, sorry excuse for a human, and those were Martin’s words not Sean’s.
Ever since childhood, Greg’s vendetta against his only sister brought havoc
into their lives more than once. Doctors said he was a borderline psychotic,
but Sean knew he’d crossed the border long ago. Martin eventually dismissed him
to West Coast operations to keep distance between Cassie and her chief
tormentor, but family and business still brought him to Atlanta more than Sean
would like.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<i>One part of that
first meeting fiasco kept replaying in his ears, the speech her father gave
about why Ferguson wasn’t good enough for his only daughter. He still could
hear the derision in the man’s voice as he’d sneered, “The only son of a
mid-level bureaucrat thinks because he talks a privileged, naïve, innocent girl
into falling onto her back for him, we intend to accept this nobody into our
family? I would sooner wallow in the mud with animals than know my
grandchildren will be fathered by a damn Irishman!”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<i>That was the
only meeting he’d had with all the male members of Cassie’s family at one time.
They left shortly thereafter and hadn’t returned since, or at least Sean
hadn’t. Cassie occasionally stopped by to see her father, but at their Atlantic
Station headquarters never the house. Though eventually Kevin did make amends,
the other two brothers, Greg and Matthew, still didn’t speak to them. It
bothered him that they were taking out their disapproval of him on Cassie. She didn’t
deserve it. But what aggravated him the most was the damn hold they had on her
that kept one finger always in her business; she didn’t know how to say no to
the group of them.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<i>The limo slowed
as they took the Vinings exit off the freeway. Winding past the quaint Village
center, they turned right, over the Chattahoochee River and into the exclusive,
hidden neighborhoods on the northwest outskirts of Atlanta. At last they pulled
up to a large stone entrance with an exquisite wrought iron gate overlooking
the Chattahoochee River. The driver keyed a number into the key pad and the
gates swung open. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<i>“Welcome home,”
Joe quipped.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<i>“Shut the hell
up,” Sean muttered. Joe smiled in return.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Welcome-Family-Nancy-S-Reece/dp/1509209522/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1480089037&sr=8-9&keywords=Welcome+to+the+Family" target="_blank">AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM</a></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<i><a href="http://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/4663-welcome-to-the-family.html?search_query=Nancy+S+Reece&results=2" target="_blank">AVAILABLE ON THE WILD ROSE PRESS</a></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/welcome-to-the-family-nancy-s-reece/1124712742?ean=2940156754229" target="_blank"><i>AVAILABLE ON BN.COM</i></a></div>
Nancy Reecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896098700986000222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2867588559338538218.post-34171674223592912762016-11-05T23:54:00.000-04:002016-11-05T23:54:32.616-04:00Better Than An Election - A New Release<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgXy2cAOua5VjVTpI5ZNioc38ReeT1B_r6qhqGlbRzBFn22gRFdnu_X7ZPIkZS8NGVhWBQ_WLaL0c3tX2ZaG3MnA-IRcMXMSivyp-0mQWZzq9fFX9c2jE_1dErpSC1WuIwdu8hQk8x8eI/s1600/Spend+the+holidays+with+the+Family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgXy2cAOua5VjVTpI5ZNioc38ReeT1B_r6qhqGlbRzBFn22gRFdnu_X7ZPIkZS8NGVhWBQ_WLaL0c3tX2ZaG3MnA-IRcMXMSivyp-0mQWZzq9fFX9c2jE_1dErpSC1WuIwdu8hQk8x8eI/s640/Spend+the+holidays+with+the+Family.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Nancy Reecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13908873992755194925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2867588559338538218.post-82582848249989246142016-10-30T01:19:00.000-04:002016-10-30T01:19:07.130-04:00Haunted Halloween Hop - Part Five: Love Across Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLq53eI48sq4hSdJAMgbtGXOgxMN0cnS41Nhopu4rCoNLCBOTBHl58OmeSlBl-z2Ojbh863r-ToYkZsMWLtwIoJ-0q7srJVnrwon5lmbjbhw7NmNVCnPdjNcQUx_NzN6tHOMdXF9DNyPv/s1600/highland-springs-resort-california-wedding-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLq53eI48sq4hSdJAMgbtGXOgxMN0cnS41Nhopu4rCoNLCBOTBHl58OmeSlBl-z2Ojbh863r-ToYkZsMWLtwIoJ-0q7srJVnrwon5lmbjbhw7NmNVCnPdjNcQUx_NzN6tHOMdXF9DNyPv/s320/highland-springs-resort-california-wedding-15.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Sean swept Cassie into his arms and out the door into the formal gardens where the band held court. Lanterns hung from every tree and the smell of fall in the air mixed with the tang of salt water from the nearby marsh. She stared at him with hunger, drinking in every detail of his face.<br />
<br />
"What... how are you here? You're supposed to be in..." Cassie whispered into his neck as they twirled slowly around the dance floor.<br />
<br />
"Another place? Well let's just say my commanding officer pulled a few strings to put me on a resupply flight to Warner Robbins. A short hop by helicopter and here I am, all yours for the next few hours."<br />
<br />
"But what about my ghostly admirer?"<br />
<br />
Pulling her tight against his chest, Sean murmured against her ear. "I've heard the story of the Major and his widow before, though Linda might not appreciate knowing that her childhood home is haunted. We Irish have a different idea about shades than you Americans."<br />
<br />
She whispered again, this time letting her lips run lightly against his warm skin. "You're also a hopeless romantic my love."<br />
<br />
He shuddered in her arms at the touch of her breath in his ear. "Guilty as charged."<br />
<br />
As they continued their slow waltz around the yard, the rest of Savannah faded into the distance, and for that moment in time, it was just the two of them, eyes locked upon each other, knowing that too soon the dawn would separate them for who knew how long. Each imprinted the other's features for future memories, inhaling deeply of the scents of the night.<br />
<br />
Her signature scent of lavender and roses; his Bay Lime aftershave mixed with a healthy dose of pure male; the tang of the river, the breeze across the marsh bringing the salt of the nearby sound. The fall signatures of smoke and cinnamon and harvest. Each mingled in their senses to paint memories filled with emotion.<br />
<br />
By small measures both became aware of two other forces following them. Sean looked deep into Cassie's eyes, and both smiled gently in mutual agreement. They paused briefly in their pattern and allowed themselves to be transported, through Johan and Constance, to another time, another All Hallows Eve, at the Spivey home.<br />
<br />
Music spanned the bridge of time, a waltz now a waltz then, bringing together those separated by more than distance. Dancing to a tune know only to their hearts, the night became a blur of color and sound. When they found themselves back in the house, the early rays of dawn were beginning to creep over the marsh.<br />
<br />
When Cassie awoke the next day, body sore and heart content, she rolled over to find only a warm spot with the lingering scent of Bay Lime. If not for the excess of men's costume clothes spread around the room, she might have dreamed the entire evening. But a note on top of the pillow bore her name.<br />
<br />
<i>"Cassie - You looked so lovely asleep I couldn't bear to wake you. The time is running away from us, but I wouldn't have missed last night for the anything. I love you, my beauty. Write often, pray more, and if all goes will I'll be home before spring."</i><br />
<br />
It was signed <i>"Sean"</i>.<br />
<br />
She sat up and looked around before realizing she was in her hotel room back on River Street. Her dress from the previous evening was missing, though Sean's rented costume was in several locations around the room. Wracking her brain as hard as possible, she couldn't remember leaving the Masquerade at the Spivey's home. When pressed, none of the girls could remember seeing Cassie or Sean after they went outside. They had taken a cab back to the hotel when it got late, assuming they had missed connecting.<br />
<br />
Cassie spent the day on her own, avoiding the rest of the festivities around the city. As she gathered her book to head to a quiet corner, an envelope fell out. The archaic writing matched her previous notes from Johan.<br />
<br />
"Thank you dearest Cassandra and thank your noble warrior for us as well. Constance and I have been reunited, and my long penance on earth alone has ended. Farewell my friend, and may God bless and watch over you. Johan."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5IRP9jj0kgFYhw6TZqa_CwCwAIzIRqaxrqMPpEl9WltasZcPQJ9T80C3SlmNqsY1QI6slPbLOg81adcei4Qay5CseoHxZRF-WQOuhoE6lIVTTlfFAzdk0NHE2zhY0HfTEOEsGF8i_Mvp/s1600/scary-halloween-pics-for-facebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5IRP9jj0kgFYhw6TZqa_CwCwAIzIRqaxrqMPpEl9WltasZcPQJ9T80C3SlmNqsY1QI6slPbLOg81adcei4Qay5CseoHxZRF-WQOuhoE6lIVTTlfFAzdk0NHE2zhY0HfTEOEsGF8i_Mvp/s320/scary-halloween-pics-for-facebook.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I hope everyone has enjoyed my little short story. For more of Sean and Cassie's story, be sure to grab a copy of "Welcome to the Family" on November 9th.Nancy Reecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13908873992755194925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2867588559338538218.post-44922031605151563352016-10-28T10:33:00.001-04:002016-10-28T10:33:25.341-04:00A Break In the Action<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtP95tmv6yA8x-O26DweLsizEZ3HHdbjGT5SO5-nNCfLPkgKKrO8gnyKziMsPN7GdZAG6LSOYk3Qx7O4HfL1AqlBpmmFGbJXxi63Sehygjlgs_6YMlPJafFBoXpaFdwRxTMkfO_lnzYPna/s1600/scary-halloween-pics-for-facebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtP95tmv6yA8x-O26DweLsizEZ3HHdbjGT5SO5-nNCfLPkgKKrO8gnyKziMsPN7GdZAG6LSOYk3Qx7O4HfL1AqlBpmmFGbJXxi63Sehygjlgs_6YMlPJafFBoXpaFdwRxTMkfO_lnzYPna/s320/scary-halloween-pics-for-facebook.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Sorry to interrupt the Hop, but sometimes real life intrudes on our writing!<br />
<br />
<br />
The Conclusion to Cassie's Ghosts will be posted tonight. In the meantime, don't forget that Sean and Cassie's story will continue in "Welcome to the Family", a contemporary mystery which will be released by the Wild Rose Press on November 9th. Be sure to check it out!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Nancy Reecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13908873992755194925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2867588559338538218.post-90690932241007040642016-10-26T00:30:00.000-04:002016-10-26T00:30:05.645-04:00Haunted Halloween Hop - Part Three: Masquerade<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VVg9oKtZWof9roOCEFMpptIg3d6JwNPcQom3j24efotNl9Ix95KJ7bqlBnmp-hdUUv_SxeBnmAkOYmIOob4yeC92wvoukEHWMRVU9UQZlwjEbT_9qRLQigURM21kmG8ApVcr8CTNGkEz/s1600/Halloween+Decorations+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VVg9oKtZWof9roOCEFMpptIg3d6JwNPcQom3j24efotNl9Ix95KJ7bqlBnmp-hdUUv_SxeBnmAkOYmIOob4yeC92wvoukEHWMRVU9UQZlwjEbT_9qRLQigURM21kmG8ApVcr8CTNGkEz/s320/Halloween+Decorations+011.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
<br />
The house was one of Savannah's finest examples of Southern living. Candles lit every square inch of the mantles and tables, reflecting deeply polished mahogany and Georgia marble to every corner. Laughter filled the hallways, as ladies in silk and taffeta gowns swished against handsome gentlemen wearing 18th Century worsted wool and military colors. Cinnamon and cloves scented the air, and a chamber ensemble played in the back yard.<br />
<br />
Cassie and her friends had attended the Masquerade ever since college. The theme never changed, Oglethorpe's Savannah, but the cast of characters was constantly being updated to include the latest movers and shakers along the coast. The highlighted entertainment this year was a psychic who was guaranteed to help you make a connection with the other side.<br />
<br />
This year Cassie felt watched, not in the usual sleazy drunk frat boy way that most of these events ended up, but as though someone watched over her shoulder, a chill breath on the back of her neck. More than once the scent of Bay Lime drifted through the air. With Mike and Wendy as her bodyguards, she steeled herself against the nerves inside and started looking for her mystery date.<br />
<br />
Moving through the rooms and crowd, catching snippets of conversation here and there, none of which could be added together as clues to her admirer. While there were several handsome young men dressed in the Colonial blue uniform of the time period, British red dominated the night.<br />
<br />
In an attempt to get a breath of fresh air, Cassie burst through a doorway into what she thought was the front porch but turned out to be the solarium. Only a few people occupied the space, but all seemed to drift away quickly once the three girls appeared.<br />
<br />
Mike threw herself down on the chaise. "Well I've seen no one in Wedgwood Blue, whatever the hell that is. Can we go now? My feet are killing me. These moccasins have no support."<br />
<br />
Wendy threw her arms around Cassie and hissed at her partner, "Stop it Michelle. I refuse to leave my dearest friend alone with an announced perv stalking her. Now stop being such a downer and go grab us drinks. We'll wait right here."<br />
<br />
Complaining with every step, Mike left to find an available bar as Cassie drifted to one corner of the solarium to study a uniform on a mannequin. A card on the table announced it belong to a Prussian prince who had come to fight for the Colonists, only to die on Halloween on Bay Street as he searched for his wife, who was sick and housebound. His murder was never solved, and his widow, who survived the malaria which had consumed the area with a late burst of summer, had him buried in the cemetery, where she joined him some sixty years later.<br />
<br />
"Isn't it tragic, that he would die so close to home? His poor wife, how she must have wept." Cassie's face was somber as she looked at the well-preserved artifacts. "Worse is that no one was ever caught."<br />
<br />
Wendy shrugged. "I imagine that happened a lot more times than not back in those days. Without forensics and evidence such as we can collect today, you practically had to catch the person in the act to get an honest conviction. Listen, I've to pee like a racehorse. Tell Mike I'll be right back, OK?"<br /><br />
"Sure thing." Cassie watched Wendy leave then returned her attention to the uniform. There was a small portrait of the prince hanging beside the exhibit. "What an interesting picture. Hard to see what he truly looked like."<br />
<br />
A small gust of wind blew through the closed room, raising goosebumps on her arms, and a prickling sensation started on her neck, as if someone were breathing onto her skin. Part of her wanted to run away, while the rest wanted to turn around and see if there really was anything to be afraid of.<br />
<br />
Just when she'd worked up the courage to turn, a cultured French accent spoke directly into her ear.<br />
<br />
"I'm much more handsome than my portrait. You however, look lovely in the gown I picked out Cassandra. Very much like your mother."<br />
<br />
Cassie spun around quickly, only to gasp at the sight awaiting her.<br />
<br />
A ghost. A real live ghost was standing in the solarium staring at her like he knew her.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2UzxAR6oSZqc-ot_cUWUB0NxWGLFQZVc5nJoP4RaEpZz5a41gnXY7iBfS3t7Nivxl-NeaQS80BsOy_fAapc1R33-GPUd0LkMeVQUSxrLroPuhENW7TCkJRWQ610cnFv6lD0vje8THVyk/s1600/dekalb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2UzxAR6oSZqc-ot_cUWUB0NxWGLFQZVc5nJoP4RaEpZz5a41gnXY7iBfS3t7Nivxl-NeaQS80BsOy_fAapc1R33-GPUd0LkMeVQUSxrLroPuhENW7TCkJRWQ610cnFv6lD0vje8THVyk/s1600/dekalb.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Nancy Reecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896098700986000222noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2867588559338538218.post-42884472231989065312016-10-15T11:02:00.000-04:002016-10-15T11:02:42.880-04:00What Do I Do With The Lemonade?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_Jn8yABPJ6C0fbz79hSBNdmk7jDgaBsYnNC75XnimracKYKmS1jD9bIEvDiccKKirGJ0zkvcNo0LfbI51hnz_WLUybqvjBYupvXaWQnWBIrk5bdsQPwL0acETYrUHaQ5Icuesod8r9UH/s1600/when-life-gives-you-lemons-make-lemonade1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_Jn8yABPJ6C0fbz79hSBNdmk7jDgaBsYnNC75XnimracKYKmS1jD9bIEvDiccKKirGJ0zkvcNo0LfbI51hnz_WLUybqvjBYupvXaWQnWBIrk5bdsQPwL0acETYrUHaQ5Icuesod8r9UH/s320/when-life-gives-you-lemons-make-lemonade1.png" width="274" /></a></div>
<br />
I don't normally mix my personal and professional lives with my writing. First, it isn't fair to you innocent people to listen to me whine. Second, whining doesn't do any good period. However, I have to vent some of this out, before I explode.<br />
<br />
Recent things have brought about many changes in my life, some happy some frightening. Mostly I have been on a voyage of personal discovery, looking at what I dislike about myself, strengthening my relationship with me, stuff like that. Although I find this a needed project, it's been hard both internally and externally.<br />
<br />
There are stages to change, just as there are with death. Perhaps because change is a form of death, a good-bye to the habits we need to dismiss. I've been angry, sad, I've laughed, I've cried and mostly I've tried to bargain with the universe. Let me tell you, it really is true that if you want to hear God laugh tell him your plans.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzSeKGKsQ0gZIT4q9LVWCn_SixOXX_mh-ny96VwSsgDFPL-WUJlwn4G6czKimfMdNV9HCGNt3CGi2Qwd_fPl2E6VJdG_qBq0CITYNS6YfrQK1Ylq17xsYzO5COW0768O9IaKnsluZwNJA/s1600/when-life-gives-you-lemons-dont-make-lemonade2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzSeKGKsQ0gZIT4q9LVWCn_SixOXX_mh-ny96VwSsgDFPL-WUJlwn4G6czKimfMdNV9HCGNt3CGi2Qwd_fPl2E6VJdG_qBq0CITYNS6YfrQK1Ylq17xsYzO5COW0768O9IaKnsluZwNJA/s320/when-life-gives-you-lemons-dont-make-lemonade2.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<br />
Earlier this year, I decided to adopt Proverbs 3:5 as my life verse: "<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Arimo, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not to your own understanding." It perfectly summed up where I was at and what I needed most to work on - getting out of God's way and letting him work on and through me.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Arimo, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 15px;">Once I began to get out of the way, great things began to happen, and for months live moved as it should. Then in July we had another life changing event. Unfortunately that positive event has spawned other negative behaviors. (See Verse Above.) Am I mad? A little. Am I disappointed? Immensely. But sometimes the lesson to be learned isn't mine. Sometimes the lesson is someone elses' and I'm only caught up in the backwash. Doesn't make it right, doesn't make it hurt less, but it does allow me to take a deep breath, smile, and get out of God's way to let Him do His thing.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 15px;">When we are younger, the need to protect or best our enemies is strong. We are raising families, building family units, establishing ourselves in the corporate dance. As we grow older, we realize we worried about the wrong things. Our kids grew up fine, even if they did drink water from the garden hose, or use sunscreen with low SPF. The world didn't stop turning, and no one was left with some horrible disease from sucking on honeysuckle blooms.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9ZER6snxRsF1GeWfkMgsFotN7cbUcnMQnQ1dr083h7gNpsMVZz-Di-XYojbHU_b1S31GH3yQB9cjUO46w3kDVpo08Fg4Yjrmbmi-6cIdi1NKqxkkmxziOm4Z6rUFFRSWZUcSl0xV6pzZ/s1600/when_life_gives_you_lemons-377280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9ZER6snxRsF1GeWfkMgsFotN7cbUcnMQnQ1dr083h7gNpsMVZz-Di-XYojbHU_b1S31GH3yQB9cjUO46w3kDVpo08Fg4Yjrmbmi-6cIdi1NKqxkkmxziOm4Z6rUFFRSWZUcSl0xV6pzZ/s320/when_life_gives_you_lemons-377280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 15px;">These days it is getting harder and harder to maintain inner peace. The world seems especially bent toward the destruction of all that many of us grew up to respect: our military, our way of live, our political process. I could go on for hours, but everyone knows what I mean. I am proud of our political system. I am not proud of the circus we are being fed. It feels man-made, thrown us to detract us from the real questions. And I got too old for the circus a long time ago. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 15px;">There are many changes due for me this upcoming week, and if you think about it, throw some positive karma out into the universe on my behalf. Trust me, it will come back around to you increased.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDl4syY-Ywmd21fKKADYZJpA554H3RnGD0WgjN5Kbhw0fGCB2HfaeAq4NReU4DJNAVcCojcpY6K33nA17_DNVouR_xRwBcekW4Fgz8Pbe9EluL_zh8j-s7h5eZAJ_Vl_WWgXGCsKctB23/s1600/throw%252Bthem%252Bback%252Breally%252Breally%252Bhard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDl4syY-Ywmd21fKKADYZJpA554H3RnGD0WgjN5Kbhw0fGCB2HfaeAq4NReU4DJNAVcCojcpY6K33nA17_DNVouR_xRwBcekW4Fgz8Pbe9EluL_zh8j-s7h5eZAJ_Vl_WWgXGCsKctB23/s320/throw%252Bthem%252Bback%252Breally%252Breally%252Bhard.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 15px;">One side not - I will be participating in a Halloween Blog Hop 10/24 through 10/31. More details to come.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 15px;">Another note - Welcome to the Family has a release date of November 9, 2016. Be prepared to meet the Family!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div>
Nancy Reecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896098700986000222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2867588559338538218.post-15464525117062223012016-10-11T10:29:00.000-04:002016-10-11T10:29:39.330-04:00IT"S OCTOBER!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHApTpZTaIn4gFSaEsIxkPVDDG5SNkTpoi32pspkiiKKXkWzS421U4C0ZNp-0qDxppg3n51OWAhIUKhjoMzZ6cXs0S4bKm8lPj9KAm6LxbqGZpdqkPWeA4kXC8pnMrrHW8h1LUu_TpwE_y/s1600/Halloween-hop1-680x863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHApTpZTaIn4gFSaEsIxkPVDDG5SNkTpoi32pspkiiKKXkWzS421U4C0ZNp-0qDxppg3n51OWAhIUKhjoMzZ6cXs0S4bKm8lPj9KAm6LxbqGZpdqkPWeA4kXC8pnMrrHW8h1LUu_TpwE_y/s320/Halloween-hop1-680x863.jpg" width="252" /></a></div>
<h3 style="background-color: #fbfbfb; color: #333333; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 30px 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #d90f67; font-size: 32px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Authors Boosting Authors</strong></span></h3>
<h3 style="background-color: #fbfbfb; color: #333333; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 30px 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #d90f67; font-size: 32px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Haunting Halloween Hop</strong></span></h3>
<h3 style="background-color: #fbfbfb; color: #333333; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 30px 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #d90f67; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">October 24-31</strong></span></h3>
<div>
<span style="color: #d90f67; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><b>Come join us for a spook-tacular book hop!</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><b>GAMES!! PRIZES!! BOOK GIVEAWAYS!!!</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><b>More details as we get closer to the event</b></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #444444;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
Nancy Reecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13908873992755194925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2867588559338538218.post-26677352046002715322016-09-16T11:48:00.000-04:002016-09-16T11:48:16.013-04:00To Everything There is a Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://img.wallpaperfolder.com/f/65BB83417E5E/pathway-most-beautiful-places-world.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img.wallpaperfolder.com/f/65BB83417E5E/pathway-most-beautiful-places-world.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
My life right now is going in about 360 different directions. Everything is in an upheaval and all I really want to do is run away and change my identity. Of course that isn't possible, so I guess I'll try to power through, with help from the heavens and my family and friends.<br />
<br />
In seventh grade, long long ago when teacher still made you learn cursive writing and recess was an hour of kick ball and jumping rope, we were made to learn a poem; Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken". Even now it stirs of feelings of where did I make the wrong turn, whose council did I miss?<br />
<br />
As we fly rapidly through these last days of summer, think not of things ending, but of things returning. For everything is a circle, there is a time to every purpose. Enjoy my friends.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: larger; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
The Road Not Taken</div>
<div class="" style="position: relative;">
<div class="poem">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
</div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: inherit;">Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,</span></div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: inherit;">And sorry I could not travel both</span></div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: inherit;">And be one traveler, long I stood</span></div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: inherit;">And looked down one as far as I could</span></div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: inherit;">To where it bent in the undergrowth;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: inherit;">Then took the other, as just as fair</span></div>
</span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: inherit;">And having perhaps the better claim,</span></div>
</span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: inherit;">Because it was grassy and wanted wear;</span></div>
</span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: inherit;">Though as for that the passing there</span></div>
</span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: inherit;">Had worn them really about the same,</span></div>
</span><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: inherit;">And both that morning equally lay</span></div>
</span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: inherit;">In leaves no step had trodden black.</span></div>
</span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: inherit;">Oh, I kept the first for another day!</span></div>
</span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: inherit;">Yet knowing how way leads on to way,</span></div>
</span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: inherit;">I doubted if I should ever come back.</span></div>
</span><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: inherit;">I shall be telling this with a sigh</span></div>
</span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: inherit;">Somewhere ages and ages hence:</span></div>
</span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: inherit;">Two roads diverged in a wood, and I —</span></div>
</span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: inherit;">I took the one less traveled by,</span></div>
</span><div style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: inherit;">And that has made all the difference.</span></div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: inherit;">Robert Frost</span></div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: inherit;">Have a safe weekend everyone. See you in the fall!</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Nancy Reecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13908873992755194925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2867588559338538218.post-40988763261290463622016-08-14T21:26:00.000-04:002016-08-14T21:26:14.916-04:00Life Happened...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0H7-XciJ_RLdoOUSyqCiVPCbCbWNGpy9dsRQakCdzanSr4SilSjXAfl0R6H7SHpd_nV0ztQhmPR3wOuOPkWCUPURssdpXSKcMZxWe2rCdh7AOM0zCZmIDRjoZJZY3vZP93vzcKNe7s2Ke/s1600/summer-fun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0H7-XciJ_RLdoOUSyqCiVPCbCbWNGpy9dsRQakCdzanSr4SilSjXAfl0R6H7SHpd_nV0ztQhmPR3wOuOPkWCUPURssdpXSKcMZxWe2rCdh7AOM0zCZmIDRjoZJZY3vZP93vzcKNe7s2Ke/s320/summer-fun.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I looked at my blog to see what my last post was about and realized, I've let the whole summer go by without keeping up. That happens sometimes. I have a habit of letting life interrupt my writing. I wish I were as prolific as some of my friends. They can turn out a book a month, while my current pace is one a year.<br />
<br />
I wish I didn't judge myself against other writers, but I think that is human nature. We start looking at others to inspire ourselves, and then allow their accomplishments to sink our own ambitions instead of driving us to work harder.<br />
<br />
Summer is almost gone, and I've written very little since May. Sure I've edited a couple of books for friends, and we've had three family members pass away, but nothing new on paper for several weeks. In short, I feel empty.<br />
<br />
The people are still in my head, the stories are still percolating but opening the file never seems to happen. Even now, as I complain about me I'm watching the Olympics and surfing You Tube. The icon for my word processor mocks me every time I stare at the screen.<br />
<br />
Am I being too hard on myself? After all it's hard to write in the summer, what with the longer days making everyone miserable. Or am I letting dissatisfaction in other areas of my life to take control. Maybe my mid-life crisis is starting now, since people are living longer it's a thought. <br />
<br />
One I thing I do know is I cannot force myself to write. The children do not like to be forced. The last time that happened, I killed off one of my favorite characters. I buried that chapter and promised everyone I'd never fail them again. But here I go, failing.<br />
<br />
Everyone has a pity party once in a while, and this appears to be mine. I promise not to let it last too long. There's the promo to gear up for my next release - "Welcome to the Family", and sequels to write and new characters to explore.<br />
<br />
I just think I'll wait until the temps drop below 80.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMfaEn4sLU0MORsRuNiy5sSH3K1F1xs-81PcFDQooLz_najOHIzcNL-b1Hf__bKvoY1LMHYlvd_PCK0ikCfnJTJoJwzssfrljsJAdiUn4GvbarSD1EZ9_VcjXLad6aLjeQnTymZmUuLMu/s1600/happywoman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMfaEn4sLU0MORsRuNiy5sSH3K1F1xs-81PcFDQooLz_najOHIzcNL-b1Hf__bKvoY1LMHYlvd_PCK0ikCfnJTJoJwzssfrljsJAdiUn4GvbarSD1EZ9_VcjXLad6aLjeQnTymZmUuLMu/s320/happywoman.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
<br />Nancy Reecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896098700986000222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2867588559338538218.post-59871210754615210742016-06-19T22:41:00.002-04:002016-06-19T22:41:55.005-04:00Things My Father Taught MeMy father passed away when I was only 29. My son has few memories of him, and my daughter has none but I tell them his stories every chance I get. My father was a unique individual, and I miss him more every thing I thing about how long he has been gone.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/10373701_10154198076945644_6593402404255284508_n.jpg?oh=9edf9ef35e9650f6ae47902c9cfd9011&oe=57D438A5" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Walter was born in Allentown, New Jersey in August 1923. He grew up on our family's farm until going away to college in St. Louis at the age of 16. After receiving his degree in Aeronautic Engineering he joined the Army Air Corp, forerunner of the Air Force.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My dad was a man of many talents. He was a math genius who shook his head at my inability to grasp the concept of word problems. None of us inherited our parent's math talents, much to his never ending amusement. His voice was beautiful, a pure baritone and he taught me how to sing harmony before melody, a skill which I have treasured throughout the years.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
He sang with a Barbershop Quartet, and loved to act on stage. That's how he met my mother, through a play production. They met in April and married in July. It was 1944, and they married on the army base in Lubbock Texas in a heat wave that waiver daily over 100 degrees. My mother and grandmother walked from the front gate to the chapel (about one mile) in heels and a linen suit. Their wedding dinner was an all you can eat spaghetti dinner at the hotel in town.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After the war he went to work for Capital Air Lines. In those heady first days of aviation, at the smaller markets where he started, Daddy would write your ticket, check in your luggage, direct the plane to the gate, push up the stairs, unseal the door, help people deplane, unload the luggage on the arriving plane, load the departing luggage, check you in at the gate, assist with boarding, seal the door, remove the steps and help push the plane from the gate. Those were the days.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Though he walked away from the farming life our family lived since they came to America in 1600s, he never stopped putting his hands in the dirt. He always planted a garden and working outside in our family was not optional. From when I was small and picked up sticks and pine cones until I left home at 18 for college, if it was Saturday morning, we were in the yard. I even graduated to using the lawn mower when I was 14. Yay.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
He contracted a staph infection in his blood in 1982 and spent 9 months in intensive care in a coma. He came home a changed man, and the next nine years were a mixture of thankfulness for the time we were given, and grief for the strong protector I knew as my father. His body failed him on a daily basis but his mind never ceased its keen wit or treasure-trove of trivia. He still did crossword puzzles, but in large print. He watched cooking show after cooking show, especially when on a feeding tube, so he would know what he wanted my mother to cook.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
He watched from the window in his room as my sister married in the waiting room of ICU, and sat in his wheelchair in our living room four years later when I married my hubby. He held all of his grandchildren save my youngest, who I think he sent to me as a gift. She's so much like him.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
On this Father's Day I miss his strength. I miss his laughter. I miss his humor and the million small things we used to laugh over in those wee small hours of the morning when we would both arrive home from work. I miss our political discussions and often wonder what he would think about the state of things today.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I miss him everyday, and wish I could discuss things like we used to But as long as I remember, and pass that along to the new generations, he's still with us.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Happy Father's day everyone.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Nancy Reecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896098700986000222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2867588559338538218.post-33728102045903101072016-05-16T11:40:00.000-04:002016-05-16T11:40:35.131-04:00POETRY MONDAY - A New Way to Start the Week!<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Good Monday everyone!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Have you ever awoken with a song or piece of literature running through your mind, even though you may not understand why?</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
That's how I felt this morning when T. S. Eliot's poem, "The Love Song of Alfred J. Prufrock" spinning circle in my head. I haven't read this poem since high school (maybe college) and I cannot at this moment figure why it is here.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
But until I do, I designate this as Poetry Monday, and here is my first offering:</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.uvm.edu/~sgutman/eliotpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.uvm.edu/~sgutman/eliotpic.jpg" height="320" width="294" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
The Love Song of Alfred J. Prufrock"</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
by T. S. Eliot</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Let us go then, you and I, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
When the evening is spread out against the sky </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Like a patient etherized upon a table; </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Let us go, through certain half-deserted streets, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
The muttering retreats </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Of restless nights in one-night cheap hotels </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
And sawdust restaurants with oyster-shells: </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Streets that follow like a tedious argument </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Of insidious intent </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
To lead you to an overwhelming question ... </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Oh, do not ask, “What is it?” </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Let us go and make our visit. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br style="margin-bottom: 0px;" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
In the room the women come and go </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Talking of Michelangelo. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br style="margin-bottom: 0px;" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
The yellow fog that rubs its back upon the window-panes, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
The yellow smoke that rubs its muzzle on the window-panes, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Licked its tongue into the corners of the evening, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Lingered upon the pools that stand in drains, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Let fall upon its back the soot that falls from chimneys, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Slipped by the terrace, made a sudden leap, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
And seeing that it was a soft October night, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Curled once about the house, and fell asleep. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br style="margin-bottom: 0px;" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
And indeed there will be time </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
For the yellow smoke that slides along the street, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Rubbing its back upon the window-panes; </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
There will be time, there will be time </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
To prepare a face to meet the faces that you meet; </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
There will be time to murder and create, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
And time for all the works and days of hands </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
That lift and drop a question on your plate; </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Time for you and time for me, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
And time yet for a hundred indecisions, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
And for a hundred visions and revisions, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Before the taking of a toast and tea. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br style="margin-bottom: 0px;" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
In the room the women come and go </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Talking of Michelangelo. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br style="margin-bottom: 0px;" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
And indeed there will be time </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
To wonder, “Do I dare?” and, “Do I dare?” </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Time to turn back and descend the stair, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
With a bald spot in the middle of my hair — </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
(They will say: “How his hair is growing thin!”) </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
My morning coat, my collar mounting firmly to the chin, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
My necktie rich and modest, but asserted by a simple pin — </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
(They will say: “But how his arms and legs are thin!”) </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Do I dare </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Disturb the universe? </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
In a minute there is time </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
For decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br style="margin-bottom: 0px;" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
For I have known them all already, known them all: </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
I have measured out my life with coffee spoons; </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
I know the voices dying with a dying fall </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Beneath the music from a farther room. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
So how should I presume? </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br style="margin-bottom: 0px;" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
And I have known the eyes already, known them all— </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
The eyes that fix you in a formulated phrase, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
And when I am formulated, sprawling on a pin, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
When I am pinned and wriggling on the wall, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Then how should I begin </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
To spit out all the butt-ends of my days and ways? </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
And how should I presume? </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br style="margin-bottom: 0px;" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
And I have known the arms already, known them all— </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Arms that are braceleted and white and bare </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
(But in the lamplight, downed with light brown hair!) </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Is it perfume from a dress </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
That makes me so digress? </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Arms that lie along a table, or wrap about a shawl. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
And should I then presume? </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
And how should I begin? </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br style="margin-bottom: 0px;" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Shall I say, I have gone at dusk through narrow streets </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
And watched the smoke that rises from the pipes </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Of lonely men in shirt-sleeves, leaning out of windows? ... </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br style="margin-bottom: 0px;" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
I should have been a pair of ragged claws </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Scuttling across the floors of silent seas. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br style="margin-bottom: 0px;" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
And the afternoon, the evening, sleeps so peacefully! </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Smoothed by long fingers, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Asleep ... tired ... or it malingers, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Stretched on the floor, here beside you and me. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Should I, after tea and cakes and ices, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Have the strength to force the moment to its crisis? </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
But though I have wept and fasted, wept and prayed, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Though I have seen my head (grown slightly bald) brought in upon a platter, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
I am no prophet — and here’s no great matter; </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
I have seen the moment of my greatness flicker, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
And I have seen the eternal Footman hold my coat, and snicker, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
And in short, I was afraid. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br style="margin-bottom: 0px;" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
And would it have been worth it, after all, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
After the cups, the marmalade, the tea, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Among the porcelain, among some talk of you and me, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Would it have been worth while, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
To have bitten off the matter with a smile, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
To have squeezed the universe into a ball </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
To roll it towards some overwhelming question, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
To say: “I am Lazarus, come from the dead, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Come back to tell you all, I shall tell you all”— </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
If one, settling a pillow by her head </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Should say: “That is not what I meant at all; </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
That is not it, at all.” </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br style="margin-bottom: 0px;" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
And would it have been worth it, after all, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Would it have been worth while, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
After the sunsets and the dooryards and the sprinkled streets, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
After the novels, after the teacups, after the skirts that trail along the floor— </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
And this, and so much more?— </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
It is impossible to say just what I mean! </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
But as if a magic lantern threw the nerves in patterns on a screen: </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Would it have been worth while </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
If one, settling a pillow or throwing off a shawl, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
And turning toward the window, should say: </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
“That is not it at all, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
That is not what I meant, at all.” </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br style="margin-bottom: 0px;" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
No! I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was meant to be; </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Am an attendant lord, one that will do </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
To swell a progress, start a scene or two, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Advise the prince; no doubt, an easy tool, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Deferential, glad to be of use, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Politic, cautious, and meticulous; </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Full of high sentence, but a bit obtuse; </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
At times, indeed, almost ridiculous— </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Almost, at times, the Fool. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br style="margin-bottom: 0px;" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
I grow old ... I grow old ... </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br style="margin-bottom: 0px;" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Shall I part my hair behind? Do I dare to eat a peach? </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br style="margin-bottom: 0px;" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
I do not think that they will sing to me. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br style="margin-bottom: 0px;" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
I have seen them riding seaward on the waves </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Combing the white hair of the waves blown back </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
When the wind blows the water white and black. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
We have lingered in the chambers of the sea </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
By sea-girls wreathed with seaweed red and brown </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Till human voices wake us, and we drown.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;">
Enjoy the rest of your week, and I will have a new poem for next Monday. Until then, Wear the bottoms of your trousers rolled!</div>
Nancy Reecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896098700986000222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2867588559338538218.post-28977141205147660162016-05-10T19:28:00.000-04:002016-05-10T19:28:24.201-04:00Cover Reveal - Welcome to the Family<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm very proud to present the cover of my newest book</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
WELCOME TO THE FAMILY</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Published by the Wild Rose Press</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Available Soon!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08e0H6PUON_BmK4UIBS4a-zX5gV4-1EEABTYxrxseC24nTg5Vp6HDPICyF3kw0woB1kXBbIm2U33Cgq8nuc1GpAX5JxIcNYCjv5vTNGxu9mtZQ10VGHSOJVCZ5kd_Js-O4X6jJsXDCMX5/s1600/WelcometotheFamily_w9961_med.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08e0H6PUON_BmK4UIBS4a-zX5gV4-1EEABTYxrxseC24nTg5Vp6HDPICyF3kw0woB1kXBbIm2U33Cgq8nuc1GpAX5JxIcNYCjv5vTNGxu9mtZQ10VGHSOJVCZ5kd_Js-O4X6jJsXDCMX5/s640/WelcometotheFamily_w9961_med.jpg" width="396" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.08px; text-align: start;">Raised in a dysfunctional family, Cassandra Devlyn Ferguson has tried to leave the past behind and carve out a new life with her husband, former Black Ops speci</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.08px; text-align: start;">alist, Sean Ferguson. Her family’s shady business dealings never involved her, and she intends to keep it that way.Sean wants nothing more than to be a devoted, loving husband. But his new job sends him to the frontlines at some of the world’s most dangerous spots. For years he’s blamed his Irish wanderlust for the risks, but the truth is – he enjoys the rush of adrenaline danger brings. When the Devlyn family’s mistakes come looking for Cassie, it’s up to Sean to bring her home safely. The one positive? Cassie knows all about her family’s true nature and is willing to walk away from everything to stay with him. The negative? Someone wants them dead and will stop at nothing to keep all the skeletons in the closet</span></div>
<br />Nancy Reecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13908873992755194925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2867588559338538218.post-13111892081026610352016-04-28T21:26:00.000-04:002016-04-28T21:26:51.725-04:00Authors After Dark 2016 - Savannah Georgia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/11959976_10156050218470473_3521969193750985008_n.jpg?oh=8aa1ea570650840c89169f5bceff1041&oe=57C0554D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/11959976_10156050218470473_3521969193750985008_n.jpg?oh=8aa1ea570650840c89169f5bceff1041&oe=57C0554D" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This August, if you love romance in all its many genre, Savannah is the place to be! Not only will there be a plethora of amazing authors all hanging around, sharing about their books via readings and panels, as well as hosting some of the funnest games and parties you could every want to partake of.<br />
<br />
Authors After Dark is presented by Stella Price and her fabulous team at Romance Ink, Inc. More than 40 authors (best selling as well as debut) are attending AND Best Selling Author Sherrilyn Kenyon will be releasing her newest novel during the event!<br />
<br />
We are planning water park trips, a trampoline park, shopping trip, field trip to our charity shelter in nearby Beaufort SC, readings in dozens of genres, discussion panels - the list goes on and on. Not mention luncheons and dinners, including a Fantasy Bell on Saturday night.<br />
<br />
There are more events than I have listed here, but honestly? I cannot remember them all. Looking for a fun vacation in a great location with some amazing people? Check it out!<br />
<br />
http://authorsafterdark.org/<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Nancy Reecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896098700986000222noreply@blogger.com1