I just finished reading an enchanting story written by James Andrew Bowen called “A Tree’s Christmas”. Christmas comes and goes, and with it the events that make Christmas a time when families can seize moments to look deeper into the things of family life, and embrace all of the emotions that come with looking at Christmas this way.
The story includes a father, grandfather, young girl, a dog named Lucky, a few other family members, and a talking Christmas Tree. First we see Christmas from the perspective of the family, but then, something wonderful happens. The tree itself tells it’s story after Christmas is over, and it is gently and lovingly laid in what will be the families vegetable garden, the living trees surrounding taunt the tree, only to hear a most remarkable story of love, life, death, tears, joy, happiness, so very many events that cause so many emotions all wrapped into one single Christmas.
It is a story that reminds us that Christmas, though a happy time, is also a time when we shouldn’t be ashamed to shed tears for those we remember that are no longer present, and so very much more. At the same time, the story is told with enough light commentary by the family dog, and other happy moments, so that it is not at all depressing.
I have had some time to travel through the mountain climbing skills of Don Mellor, and the camera lens of Olaf Soot and view the grandeur of 10,000 miles of mountain peaks that run from the Arctic to the Patagonia. As I traveled (from my comfortable couch in the living room) the visual experience was breathtaking. When I wondered what I was looking at, the text with the pictures helped me understand the geology, or the history of the area, and sometimes even a philosophical perspective of what I was viewing.
I have never been a mountain climber, but I understand the majesty of mountains from travels in Colorado, my husband’s home, and Arizona, on extended business trips with my husband. Mountainous regions have great extremes, you can be in a warm green woodland one moment, then in cold and snow the next, then in a stark area devoid of trees because you are above timberline, and trees cannot grow…the ground is more like an arctic tundra, and that is just in the Midwest. I can only imagine…no…I can actually experience through this book what it is like to go look at the cold arctic regions, and then at a hot, smoky volcano in Mexico.
Coming back to earth now, after letting my imagination run a bit, let me tell you that this book is beautiful…it is a large table-top type book, so the photographs are grand. The book is broken down into Chapters that look at a specific mountain grouping each.
So go on an armchair Mountain adventure, or maybe you have dreams of climbing one day yourself, this book will inspire you.
Title: Alpine Americas; An Odyssey Along the Crest of Two Continents Photographer: Olaf Soot Essays/Text: Don Mellor Publisher: Horizon Editions, LLC Copyright: 2008 Description: 12″ x 13.3″ Hardcover with Illustrated Dust Jacket Page Count: 256 Visit: http://www.horizoneditions.net
A while back I told you that I’d be reviewing the book, “Cole Family Christmas”. I spent time last week reading the 74 page book, and looking closely at the delightful illustrations, I couldn’t resist, the artwork is beautiful!
The story is a true story, handed down through the family, and told as recollected by the family members of Hazel Cole Kendle. She shares in the “Foreword”, “Christmas has always been a treasured time in my family. When I was growing up, my sister, Ruble, the storyteller of the family, often spoke of a very special Christmas that took place when my father was working as a miner and our family was living in the town of Benham, Kentucky. I think back and wonder how, on a coal miner’s wages, and with so many mouths to feed, Papa and Mama managed to make that holiday both memorable and meaningful. The family never forgot the magic of that special Christmas”.
I don’t want to share much about “that special Christmas” because I want you to read it for yourself…I will tell you that more people will relate to it now than ever, as more try to figure out how to make ends meet. This book gets to the heart, as the Cole family children learn that gifts from the heart are the best gifts of all. How do they get to that point? You must read the book to find out!
This is one of those kind of books that I can picture being read to children on Christmas Eve or Christmas day, with the soft glow of the Christmas tree nearby, and if you live where I do, a wood stove or fireplace warming the room.
Author: Jennifer Liu Bryan with Hazel Cole Kendle Illustrations: Jenniffer Julich Illustrated Hardcover and Dustjacket Published by New Chapter Press Copyright 2008 Visit http://colefamily-christmas.com
Here’s a book review I found at my own article site that looked interesting in light of the present economic situation we as a people and nation find ourselves in. It’s a review of a book teaching children how to manage money…sometime I wonder if we all don’t have a bit of a “child” in us, and could learn a thing or two.
Book Review: Millionaire Babies Or Bankrupt Brats?
By Jim Fay & Kristan Leatherman
Review By: Simon Barrett
Love And Logic Solutions To Teaching Kids About Money
The Love And Logic series of books has garnered a good deal of interest, they are designed as guides for parents who want to avoid the parenting traps that are oh so easy to fall into. This latest book by authors Jim Fay & Kristan Leatherman introduces us to the world of money and kids. Cutting to the chase here, the one fact that is without question, is that teaching kids at an early age about money will pay dividends later when they take their first footsteps in the adult world.
How soon should you start? Well Jim and Kristan maintain that it is never too early. Before the baby can walk and talk, why not set up the framework for the future, a savings account, or some other small financial tool. So many people do not realize the amazing power of compound interest when it is applied over many years. Those few regular and not missed dollars every week or month easily pays for college, with much left over.
Once a child is old enough to learn to count, let them play with money, either real or pretend. Play shopping games, let the child count out the change. This provides some context between material items and the more ethereal world of money. Teaching these skills early can avoid those dreaded shopping excursions that almost always include “But I need this mommy, just get more money from the bank,” or other regularly heard phrases in the store.
The older child requires more mature rules the authors tell us. A question that is often posed is that of allowance. Should a child s allowance be tied to household chores? The Love And Logic solution is a resounding NO. That is not to say that a child should not be responsible for helping with the chores, just do not directly join the two concepts together. That is not to say that there cannot be an indirect linkage. There can be consequences, but not punishments, and these should be delivered with empathy not animosity. If a bedroom is left dirty, yet the bedroom was on the chore list, then when Allowance Day comes around give the child the entire amount, but include your ‘bill’ for doing the chore for him or her, and make them pay you, there and now.
The fact that they have their money, and then lose a portion, brings home the idea of worth. But make sure that you charge a reasonable rate. If the allowance is $20, and you charge $1 for cleaning their bedroom, chances are they will just learn to live with that solution. But, if you charge an hour of labor at $7, this is another deal entirely. You have charged ‘minimum wage’ yet shown how important wages are. Maybe the most important part is how the ‘blow’ is delivered, do it with empathy. “Oh, I feel for you”, “Maybe you could check out the local cleaning services,” or “maybe pay your sister to help.” The possibilities are endless, and the results, fruitful. Once again the child finds fiscal knowledge.
If I have a problem with Millionaire Babies Or Bankrupt Brats, it is the length. Yes, it is compendious in the situations and responses that it uses, it is a hugely helpful book, but at over 400 pages, it is a long read. The authors may have been better splitting this book up into two or three smaller books aimed at parents with a child within a specific age group.
That said, it does offer a very clear, and very sensible road map. A road map that many parents could use that would avoid many of the ’sink holes’ that may of us parents have found ourselves in while dealing with our children.
If you learn just one skill from the book, make it the needs versus wants. Every child needs and wants things, but teaching the difference between this similar words can make a wold of difference. A need is a basic requirement for life, a want is something that would be nice to have.
I saw a great example of this today, my step son ‘needed’ a tricked out Mustang car, something that he could be cool in. This was not a ‘need’ it was a want. He would like to be the alpha male in his peer group, and a Mustang would buy prestige. But can he afford it? The simple answer is no. What he needs, is a cheap and reliable car. Wants and Needs, are two very different concepts, teaching the difference to young children will make it less of an issue as they become older.
You can get your copy of Millionaire Babies Or Bankrupt Brats from Amazon. Author Resource:-> Simon Barrett is the senior editor for http://www.bloggernews.net and maintains a personal blog at http://zzsimonb.blogspot.com. Now semi retired in the depths of Mississippi he has plenty of time to read books by up and coming authors.
We have just the book for you to help you plan your trip!
Today it’s my turn on the current blog tour to share a few thoughts on “Girls Getaway Guide to Key West” by Casey Wohl. If you stop by here often, you’ll remember the last blog tour was about a book that teaches writers how to write about travel, well I’d say that Casey Wohl’s book is a great follow-up.
The book is well organized and gets to the point, and very easy reading. It starts out with a bit of history about the area, and then fills your mind with dreams and ideas as she shares how to get there, places to stay, places to visit while you’re there, where to go to get that pampering that you so well deserve, and of course, the best places to eat.
Short on time? Casey share’s her favorite spots to visit.
I liked the book because it shared just enough, and was well organized, including maps, and just for fun, throughout the book you’ll find quotes by famous people.
Here’s the table of contents for you:
Introduction to Key West with maps of Key West and the Duval Street Area
Where to Stay
Where to Shop
Where to Eat
Where to get Pampered
Where to Find Galleries, Museums and Nature Attractions
Where to Find Night Life
Where to Find Sports, Recreation and Outdoor Activities
Where to Go for Side Trips
Annual Area Happenings
Personal Faves
Helpful Resources to Plan Your Trip
Your going to want to visit girlsgetawayguide.net, here’s the information you’ll need to visit the site, purchase the book, and follow the book tour:
Yesterday the blog tour was at Judy Davids blog The Mydols and tomorrow it will continue with Wendy VanHatten at Travels and Escapes.
It’s time for another blog tour, and what more appropriate theme for a “tour” than “Travel”. Today I’d like to introduce you to an eBook for those who have dreamed of publishing articles for magazines, or writing books, about travel.
In my typically over-active imagination, I’ve always thought, wow, travel writers are as lucky as can be because they can eat at the best places, stay at the best hotels, and visit all those historic or fun destinations that most of us just dream of visiting. Then after a long day of having all kinds of fun, they can sit back in their lounge chair on the beach or beside a pool, or in their luxurious hotel room, pull out their laptop and whip up an article about their experiences. Then when they are finished, put everything away, and go out for an evening of more fun-fun-fun!
My bubble was burst, well maybe not entirely burst….let’s just say it was a “reality check”… to read and review “Travel Writing as a Freelancer”, a 64 page eBook for those who are interested in writing about travel as a profession. It still sounds like it would be great fun, and very interesting, but like most things, it does require some expertise and work.
The Author, Wendy VanHatten, provides point-by-point information on the does and and don’ts of writing about travel. Along with MANY helpful points in her book, you will be guided through the step-by-step process of writing your first article, how to find places that might publish it, how to communicate with publishers, and so very much more. You will want to have the publication close at hand as you work through the steps necessary. It’s actually written in the form of a course on writing, with assignments.
Here are the chapter titles for the book to give you just a tiny taste:
What You Need
Course Overview
Class Outline and Assignments
Topic #1 - Specializing & Specifics
Topic #2 - Bright Ideas
Topic #2 - Selling Your Article
Topic #4 - Building Blocks
Topic #5 - Story Structure & Headlines
Topic#6 - Writing Finesse
Topic #7 - Travel Photography
Topic #8 - Toning Up
Topic #9 - Ethics & Etiquette to Nuts & Bolts
Habits
FAQ
Back to the Beginning
Have those headings, and the idea of writing about travel and how to do it, got you curious? Then please head over to Travels and Escapes for more information about this instructional eBook and how to purchase it…I believe you receive 3 free reports with the eBook.
To read other impressions and thoughts about this book, follow the tour…the next stop will be at “Blogging Roads” by Julie Roads either later today, or tomorrow, November 18th.
I have another delightful book to review! I can tell just by the cover, the illustrations, and the little bit that I’ve read on the dust jacket that I’m in for a treat! So now I have two books to snuggle up with, hot cup of coffee in hand, and review - the one pictured in this post, and the one two posts before this.
From a quick skim I can see that this is a based on a true story passed down in the family and written by Jennifer Liu Bryan with Hazel Cole Kendle. Jennifer Julich did the beautiful illustrations.
Please do save the feed to, or bookmark, this blog, and come back for the full review. (Updated 12/10/08 - click here for the review.)
A day or so ago I received a beautiful table top sized book with magnificent photography to review. On skimming through the pages, I can see that the photography is beautiful, and am looking forward to a little free time to take it in.
The book is entitled “Alpine Americas, An Odyssey Along the Crest of Two Continents”, with incredible photography by Olaf Soot, and descriptions of the scenes by Don Mellor. Any mountaineer or lover of mountains (like my husband from Colorado, he was drawn to the book as soon as he saw it sitting on the table and has already looked through the whole thing) will want to do some armchair climbing through the pages and eyes of Olaf and Don.
I am going to be back with a full review, but if you want to read more about it now, click the image in this post.
All eBooks you purchase from me are $1.25 and have full resale rights. To view only posts reviewing ebooks I have available, click here. Some titles are free!
We have just the book for you to help you plan your trip!
