Today I had the pleasure of interacting by email with Jay Rogers, a man knowledgeable about girl scout and boy scout history.  Our interaction began with a question about something I was offering on eBay.  In the email he provided me with a link to what he is working on, and the link lead to a publication that looked interesting enough to mention here.

I know from past experience selling collectibles that there are many who collect, or enjoy items related to Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America.  If you, the reader, are one of these people, then you will want to stop over and take a look at the 2nd edition of “Levy’s Boy and Girl Scout Cachet Covers of the United States“.

While the book focuses primarily on Cachet Covers, a phrase at the site states that in “…addition to everything else, the Catalog is actually a grass roots history of USA Scouting. The reader can find out what Scouts and Troops themselves were doing and really interested in from 1930 through 1960. For the Scouting enthusiast, even if he or she doesn’t collect US cachet covers, the Catalog will still be a most interesting read.” You can view sample pages of the publication and see the covers when you visit, so stop by!

On 3.25.09 I was to be part of a book tour for a wonderful eBook, “Family Folktales, Write Your Own Family Stories“, and didn’t have an internet connection for most of the day because they are doing work on Cable along our street, which then turned into not really being related to the work being done on the street at all. We had more issues, and had the cable service come out and fix things for us, so everything is working great…now as promised, let me tell you a bit about this wonderful book.

This book was particularly captivating to me, because I would like to write about some of the things that my grandfather shared with us about his life…he loved to tell stories from his life, in fact he spent hours when he was in his early 90’s sharing on video story after story…I treasure these tapes.

It has been hard for me to know where to begin, and reading Karen’s book has helped me sort through some of my concerns…including how historically accurate I want to make the book, Karen suggests that it doesn’t need to read like history, it can be from my perspective, the way that I remember the story being told. I felt “freed” by these words, and the thoughts began to flow!  You’ll find this happens often as you read the book.

Here are a few of chapter titles from this writing instructor’s new book:

• What Is a Folktale?
• What Do You Do with Folktales?
• Folktales Are for Everyone
• Let’s Get Started - People; Places and Events; Things; The Process
• Warming Up Your Writing Muscles

and there’s more!

Below you’ll find order and other info, and since this is a tour, please stop by and visit the following for more reviews: On 3.24.09 Carolyn Howard-Johnson provided an ebook review, then on 3.26.09 the blog tour continued with Julie McLaws.

Title: Family Folktales: What Are Yours
Author: Karen Pierce Gonzalez
Website: This, and other books available at http://www.folkheartpress
Price: Under $8.00

Following is a a review about a book written by a very talented young man, Christopher Shiveley Welch. Christopher’s mother, Debra, is also an accomplished author…please look for her name in the “Anything Book Blogroll” to the right. Christopher’s book has been reviewed by John Helman of allbookreviews.com and his review was passed along by Debra, so I thought I’d share it with you here:

“He is adopted and very proud of it,” reads the blurb on the back cover of this interesting little paperback. “Just Chris” begins just as one would expect – at the beginning of Chris. We learn some of the difficulties encountered in finding willing adoptive families for those babies, which on the outside lack the appearance of perfection. We grow along with Chris as he grows. We learn as he learns. We go through the painful surgeries with him, as he relies upon medical science and the love and support of his parents to become and to obtain what so many of us take for granted.

Chris just lives and grows and takes us along with him for the ride. We share with him some very rich and rewarding events along the way. What these are can only be discovered, by becoming a traveler alongside Chris in his young life.

This is a well-written little tome. It makes for very enjoyable reading due to its flowing style. The reader goes from place to place and event to event with grace. The author is sentimental without being maudlin and preachy. Chris lets the reader know just what he thinks, but doesn’t tell the reader what to think. That is one thing that makes this book refreshing. The reader is trusted just to go along on the journey.

Young Mr. Welch’s first book is called “Christopher the Bullfrog Catcher.” This book, as is available through any bookseller

To find a complete list of all of Debra and Christopher’s books, please visit Debra’s website.

This is a helpful guide for those who are going to school and training to work in the Social Work field, and attracted my attention because I have a sister-in-law in the field.  With the many changes that are affecting our economy, this is a field that will be seeing more activity, I’m sure.  If you are preparing to take the social work test as part of your education, this is a guide that will be helpful to you in passing the licensing exam. The titles include the following, and can be purchased individually, or in combination with each other as described on the socialworkguide.com website:

• The Complete Guide to Social Work - Bachelors
• The Complete Guide to Social Work - Masters
• The Complete Guide to Social Work - Clinical/Adv. Generalist
• The Strategic Guide to the ASWB Exam: Mastering Multiple Choice

The refund policy is excellent, if you aren’t satisfied, you can return your purchase within 30 days for refund…please read all details carefully at the site.

I have the pleasure of introducing you to a very special book written by a very special woman.  Pam Archer has written a book that is so timely, as many are planning their Spring and Summer weddings, or if you are an advance planner, fall or winter weddings!   I was planning my daughter’s wedding 5 years ago at this time, and know that anything that you can get your hands on to help is a blessing, and this book would have been on the top of my list.

The book is “99 Things You Wish You Knew Before You Planned Your Wedding“, part of the all new “99 Series”, many future books are in the works. The “99 Series” is a brain-child of Michael Wells and Helen Georgakalis.  But the focus of this post is on Pam’s wonderful book…it is available for download in eBook form for under $8.00 at the link provided, and will soon be available in book form through the author and on Amazon

Pam Archer’s sites include:

http://www.pamelaseventdesign.com and http://www.idoweddings.wordpress.com

A book entitled “Nice Average Guy” is written by a more-than-average guy named Ned Mansour. He’s a “more than average” guy because he donates the profit from his books to charities, I’ll tell you more about that at the end of this post.

The book is about a man living an every day life with his everyday wife, and widowed mother.  He is settled into an accounting position, until he is challenged to face up to what has the potential of being a mundane life, with the help of a therapist. He begins an introspective journey that leads him to face up to the basic fears that adults face, and to a life less mundane than he expected.

I suppose all of us have fears in common and different ways that we might deal with them. Things like what does the future hold? What will happen with my children? Things about relationships, our mortality, and more can be the beginning of a journey if we chose to approach these fears by looking inside..personally, I count on my faith and my God to make the way straight, but it will be interesting to see how our 43 year old accountant, Fitz, finds his way.

This is a story of redemption, lessons in self-worth, and meaningful relationships. Oh, and don’t worry, this isn’t all serious…it’s balanced with fun.  The profits from the sale of the book are donated to the TrinityKids Hospice Care, so when you buy this book, you’re not only receiving, but giving.

The holidays are over, and here in the Northeast, it’s time to settle in for the remaining cold months of the winter, which for many means time to snuggle up with a warm cup of something and read a good book.  I have a few in progress right now.

It also can be a time of bringing family together.  I look outside today at our ice-laden trees and feel the desire to cook something warm and soothing, good “home cooking” and that makes me think of a friend that I haven’t mentioned in a while, Betty Lynch, and her cookbook “Back to the Table with My Country Kitchen” which is available on Amazon and Lulu.com. I did a post over a year ago about Betty’s book, and thought it a good day to mention it again!

Stay warm, eat well, and happy reading!

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.

A delightful find!

• Title: A Tree’s Christmas
• Author: James Andrew Bowen
• Copyright: 2008
• Price:$9.95 plus shipping
• Beautiful Colorful Website: http://www.atreeschristmas.com