It is almost upon us. Another year is about to sneak over the horizon and surprise us at dawn. We will ask ourselves, "Where did 2010 go?" We will contemplate making New Year's Resolutions, or scribble down lists of goals.
And so today's quote seem most appropriate.
Not much is known about James Allen (1864-1912), an inspirational writer, who in a mere nine years wrote nineteen books. A friend said this about him, "He would talk quietly to a small group of us then - English, French, Austrian and Indian - of meditation, of philosophy, of Tolstoy or Buddha, and of killing nothing, not even a mouse in the garden."
Whoever he was, James Allen, left us this thought to contemplate as we approach 2011.
For true success ask yourself these four questions:
Why?
Why not?
Why not me?
Why not now?
Happy New Year.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Random Thought Thursday
Today's quote is from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
I think most of us recognize the old man from many wonderful photos. But here he is as a young man looking rather dashing. I see a bit of mischievousness lingering at the corner of his mouth. And there is a look in his eye...as if he knows something he's not telling us about.
Perseverance is an element of success. If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody.
Here is a voice from the past (by 1850 he was already well known) telling us the same thing that so many keep telling us:
Keep sending out those manuscripts.
Keep sending queries.
Don't give up, don't give in.
Someone will hear you.
As it is Christmas, here is a favorite poem, it is also a favorite Christmas song, though two of the verses are left out when singing the song. This poem was written when the end of the Civil War was still months away. The north, as well as the south, were weary with war. I love how Longfellow expresses his own despair at the bloodshed ever ending, and then how gloriously hope rings out at the end. Gives me chills every time I read it, sing it. LOVE that last verse.
Christmas Bells
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Till, ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said:
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!"
Merry Christmas everyone!
I think most of us recognize the old man from many wonderful photos. But here he is as a young man looking rather dashing. I see a bit of mischievousness lingering at the corner of his mouth. And there is a look in his eye...as if he knows something he's not telling us about.
Perseverance is an element of success. If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody.
Here is a voice from the past (by 1850 he was already well known) telling us the same thing that so many keep telling us:
Keep sending out those manuscripts.
Keep sending queries.
Don't give up, don't give in.
Someone will hear you.
As it is Christmas, here is a favorite poem, it is also a favorite Christmas song, though two of the verses are left out when singing the song. This poem was written when the end of the Civil War was still months away. The north, as well as the south, were weary with war. I love how Longfellow expresses his own despair at the bloodshed ever ending, and then how gloriously hope rings out at the end. Gives me chills every time I read it, sing it. LOVE that last verse.
Christmas Bells
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Till, ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said:
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!"
Merry Christmas everyone!
Monday, December 20, 2010
Arrival
This is an updated/edited post from 2007.
December 20th, 1955, marks the day we arrived in the Virgin Islands. I was five years old. We had journeyed all the way from California on a freighter called the Pasadena. (Pictured here.) The three week trip took us down the West Coast, through the Panama Canal and into the Caribbean.
Then, from the top of the darkened stairs, Grammy appeared. She carried a glass lamp in her left hand. Her right hand rested on the banister. She was wearing a long white night gown. Her waist-length silver-white hair lay in a long braid over her left shoulder.
“Is this my grandmother?” I thought. “Do I have an angel for a grandmother?”
December 20th, 1955, marks the day we arrived in the Virgin Islands. I was five years old. We had journeyed all the way from California on a freighter called the Pasadena. (Pictured here.) The three week trip took us down the West Coast, through the Panama Canal and into the Caribbean.It was growing dark as we came into the harbor of Charlotte Amalia. Christmas lights twinkled around the harbor and hills. They were colored jewels reflected in the calm waters of the bay.
At the dock we were met by uncle Ralf, my mother’s younger brother. As we waited for our personal luggage to be unloaded, we went to a small palm thatched bar at Yacht Haven. I had my first Virgin Island coke (there used to be a bottling plant on St. Thomas) but it was too sweet for my liking and I think that’s why I have never been much of a soda drinker.
When we finally got our luggage we piled into a Willy’s station wagon and drove over dark, steep, winding roads from Charlotte Amalia to Red Hook on the far east end of the island.
From there we got onto a 20 foot launch and traveled three miles across Pillsbury sound to the island of St. John.The night was clear and dark. The Milky Way was a silver sash across the sky. My father directed my attention to the wake of the boat. There, to my amazement and delight, were more stars! Dad explained about phosphorescence. But I knew better. I knew the lights in the water were shooting stars that had fallen into the sea. I couldn’t decide which was more beautiful, the diamond studded sky or an ocean full of stars.
At the Creek, in Cruz Bay, we got into a jeep and drove over steep, rough, dirt roads. In some places four wheel drive was needed to traverse the rutted trail.
By the time we got at Trunk Bay it was close to mid-night. Grammy, my mother's mother, had left instructions that she be awakened when we arrived.We waited in the foyer at the bottom of the stairs. A single kerosene lamp pushed back the darkness. Outside coquis, geckos and crickets sang. Palm trees rustled in the breeze. And behind it all was the low ever-present melody of the ocean.
I had never been to Trunk Bay, never met my grandmother, yet everything seemed very familiar. I had seen, heard and smelled it all before. I recognized the small table in the corner, knew where the door on my left went. I had a wonderful feeling of coming home. I didn’t realize it at the time, but it was my first deja vu.
Then, from the top of the darkened stairs, Grammy appeared. She carried a glass lamp in her left hand. Her right hand rested on the banister. She was wearing a long white night gown. Her waist-length silver-white hair lay in a long braid over her left shoulder.
The soft light from the lamp she carried enveloped her like a halo. As I watched her come down the stairs I knew I was seeing an angel descending from heaven.
“Is this my grandmother?” I thought. “Do I have an angel for a grandmother?”Suddenly she was among us, turned into a human being. She showed us to our rooms and put us to bed.
In the morning I awoke to the sounds of thrushies whistling, banaquits chirping and mourning doves cooing. And there behind it all was the low ever-present melody of the ocean.
I got up and went outside. Out of the darkness a miraculous view had appeared. An ocean was spread at my feet containing more colors of blue than I knew possible. Islands of different sizes and shades of green floated on the waves. Above me great towering clouds of white and gray and lavender hung in a azure sky.
I knew in that moment I belonged, that I was home.
All my life I have remembered that night and the following morning as clearly as is if happened yesterday. My grandmother turned out to be a wonderfully warm and loving human being. But in my little girl’s heart she remains my fairy god-mother, my guarding angel, a star come down to earth to help light my way.
The 20th of December was a gift. It became a family anniversary of our homecoming. It became the day we put up our Christmas tree and marked the beginning of our Christmas holidays.
I got up and went outside. Out of the darkness a miraculous view had appeared. An ocean was spread at my feet containing more colors of blue than I knew possible. Islands of different sizes and shades of green floated on the waves. Above me great towering clouds of white and gray and lavender hung in a azure sky.
I knew in that moment I belonged, that I was home.All my life I have remembered that night and the following morning as clearly as is if happened yesterday. My grandmother turned out to be a wonderfully warm and loving human being. But in my little girl’s heart she remains my fairy god-mother, my guarding angel, a star come down to earth to help light my way.
The 20th of December was a gift. It became a family anniversary of our homecoming. It became the day we put up our Christmas tree and marked the beginning of our Christmas holidays.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and hope you make many wonderful Christmas memories.
And here's one way to make a memory. Between 11:55 PM tonight and 2:53 AM (CST) we have the opportunity of seeing a winter solstice total lunar eclipse. The last time this happened was like 400 years ago. Get your kids up, make hot chocolate and go watch it. I hope it's clear where you are.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Random Thought Thursday
She was Albanian.
She left home at the age of eighteen.
She studied for a short three months in Ireland before embarking on a journey that would take her deep into the heart of poverty.
She won the Nobel Peace Prize.
She has been beatified.
Today's quote is from Mother Teresa.
Do not allow yourselves to be disheartened by any failure as long as you have done your best .
I struggle not to be disheartened, to not think of myself as a failure. The truth is I am riddled with doubt and uncertainty.
What about you?
She left home at the age of eighteen.
She studied for a short three months in Ireland before embarking on a journey that would take her deep into the heart of poverty.
She won the Nobel Peace Prize.
She has been beatified.
Today's quote is from Mother Teresa.
Do not allow yourselves to be disheartened by any failure as long as you have done your best .
I struggle not to be disheartened, to not think of myself as a failure. The truth is I am riddled with doubt and uncertainty.
What about you?
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
CRITTER IS UP FOR AUCTION
The following is from Christy Evers.
Click here to go directly to Critter's auction on e-bay!
It has been 15 month, and the time has finally come for Critter's auction! Along with Critter in all his autographed glory, I also made a nice little 20 page scrapbook documenting his travels. you can see the details of the scrapbook by clicking here.
This is a picture of what artist,Robert Bateman wrote on Critter's backside.
Are you just finding out about Critter right now? Who is Critter?
Good question.
For over 14 months Critter has traveled the world visiting talented writers, artists, and authors: while exploring their world. Christy Evers sent out Critter after an interactive art project, directed by the cutting edge artist, Ian Sands.
Critter has visited (and was signed) by PJ Hoover (author of the Forgotten Worlds trilogy) and the Texas Sweethearts, in Texas. Beth Revis in North Carolina (whose debut novel, Across the Universe, coming out in January 2011, is expected to be a HUGE success!). Christina Farley in Korea, New England with Nandini Bajpai, Illinois with Kelly Polark, (who is frequented in Highlights magazine), MG Higgins in California, Rena Jones (author of multiple picture books) in Montana, Cynthia Leitich Smith (NY Times best-selling author) in Texas, Bish Denham in the Virgin Islands, Jacqui Robbins (author of “The New Kid and Me”, and “Two of a Kind”) in Michigan, Tina Ferraro, (author of “How to Hook a Hottie, Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress, and The ABC’s of Kissing Boys) in California, Cynthia Chapman Willis, (Picture book author of “Dog Gone” and “Buck Fever”) in New Jersey, Jill S. Alexander, (YA author of “The Sweetheart of Prosper County”) in Texas, Ellen Oh in Virginia, Alberta, Canada with Angela Ackerman (the blog-genius behind the “Writing Thesaurus”. The World-famous artist, Robert Bateman, also signed Critter (on his backside) as an honorary host.
Critter’s Travels have caused him to be beaten around the edges and cracked just a bit, but I think that adds to his charm . . . scarred like a foam-board Indian Jones (for St. Jude) or something like that. It hasn’t taken away from the integrity of the signatures, though. He has traveled the globe in 14 months. He looks pretty good (for being handled by the U.S. post office) The signatures of fabulous people (in addition to his worthy cause) well makes up for his worn edges. Upon his return trip to me he was cracked a bit, but it was easily repaired with super glue.
The winning bidder will receive THE autographed (by the notable people mentioned above) Critter as well as a 20-page scrapbook documenting his travels.
He will be shipped in the flag-case, as shown in the picture, along with the 20 page scrapbook (designed by Snapfish).
You can view Critter's travels on the sidebar of my blog at http://ChristysCreativeSpace.blogspot.com
%100 of the winning bid will go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Click here to go directly to Critter's auction on e-bay!
It has been 15 month, and the time has finally come for Critter's auction! Along with Critter in all his autographed glory, I also made a nice little 20 page scrapbook documenting his travels. you can see the details of the scrapbook by clicking here.
This is a picture of what artist,Robert Bateman wrote on Critter's backside.
Are you just finding out about Critter right now? Who is Critter?
Good question.
For over 14 months Critter has traveled the world visiting talented writers, artists, and authors: while exploring their world. Christy Evers sent out Critter after an interactive art project, directed by the cutting edge artist, Ian Sands.
Critter has visited (and was signed) by PJ Hoover (author of the Forgotten Worlds trilogy) and the Texas Sweethearts, in Texas. Beth Revis in North Carolina (whose debut novel, Across the Universe, coming out in January 2011, is expected to be a HUGE success!). Christina Farley in Korea, New England with Nandini Bajpai, Illinois with Kelly Polark, (who is frequented in Highlights magazine), MG Higgins in California, Rena Jones (author of multiple picture books) in Montana, Cynthia Leitich Smith (NY Times best-selling author) in Texas, Bish Denham in the Virgin Islands, Jacqui Robbins (author of “The New Kid and Me”, and “Two of a Kind”) in Michigan, Tina Ferraro, (author of “How to Hook a Hottie, Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress, and The ABC’s of Kissing Boys) in California, Cynthia Chapman Willis, (Picture book author of “Dog Gone” and “Buck Fever”) in New Jersey, Jill S. Alexander, (YA author of “The Sweetheart of Prosper County”) in Texas, Ellen Oh in Virginia, Alberta, Canada with Angela Ackerman (the blog-genius behind the “Writing Thesaurus”. The World-famous artist, Robert Bateman, also signed Critter (on his backside) as an honorary host.
Critter’s Travels have caused him to be beaten around the edges and cracked just a bit, but I think that adds to his charm . . . scarred like a foam-board Indian Jones (for St. Jude) or something like that. It hasn’t taken away from the integrity of the signatures, though. He has traveled the globe in 14 months. He looks pretty good (for being handled by the U.S. post office) The signatures of fabulous people (in addition to his worthy cause) well makes up for his worn edges. Upon his return trip to me he was cracked a bit, but it was easily repaired with super glue.
The winning bidder will receive THE autographed (by the notable people mentioned above) Critter as well as a 20-page scrapbook documenting his travels.
He will be shipped in the flag-case, as shown in the picture, along with the 20 page scrapbook (designed by Snapfish).
You can view Critter's travels on the sidebar of my blog at http://ChristysCreativeSpace.blogspot.com
%100 of the winning bid will go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Random Thought Thursday
Today's quote is from Rachel Carson, writer, scientist and ecologist.
Those who dwell among the mysteries of the Earth are never alone or weary of life.
I seem to be most content when I am walking through woods or along a beach or by a river.
I am stilled by the stillness of trees. Though the wind sings songs through their leaves and branches they are rooted to one place.
I am awed by the ever changing ocean. When I rest my body upon her bosom I know that every molecule is miraculously displaced to give me space.
I am moved by the flow of rivers. They are the veins and arteries of earth, always and forever, seeking their way home to the heart of planet earth, the oceans.
Where are you most content?
Those who dwell among the mysteries of the Earth are never alone or weary of life.
I seem to be most content when I am walking through woods or along a beach or by a river.
I am stilled by the stillness of trees. Though the wind sings songs through their leaves and branches they are rooted to one place.
I am awed by the ever changing ocean. When I rest my body upon her bosom I know that every molecule is miraculously displaced to give me space.
I am moved by the flow of rivers. They are the veins and arteries of earth, always and forever, seeking their way home to the heart of planet earth, the oceans.
Where are you most content?
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Random Thought Thursday
Today's quote comes from David L. George, someone I have never heard of. When I Googled his name there several different David L. Georges, therefore I am unable to provide a picture or any kind of biography. Whoever he is/was, this quote attributed to him has found it's way into my collection.
Don't be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated. You can't cross a chasm in two small jumps.
Sometimes I can be timid. And yet, most of the major decisions I've made in my life have been spontaneous leaps off cliffs or across gulfs, without a parachute or springs on my feet. And always, always, I have landed safely at the bottom or on the other side.
That's not to say that once I landed there weren't adventures, both good and bad. What I am saying is, the leap into the unknown isn't really the hard part. The hard part is what to do once you get to there. That's when the real work/fun begins.
But then, isn't every day, every minute even, a leap into the unknown, a jump across a chasm of time, for which there is no certainty and no sure landing?
So...are you a cliff hanger-oner or an Evel Knieveler?
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Talli Roland Websplash!
Help Talli Roland's debut novel THE HATING GAME hit the Kindle bestseller list at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk by spreading the word today.
Even a few sales in a short period of time on Amazon will help push the book up the rankings, making it more visible to other readers.
In the United Kingdom, click here: Amazon UK
The Hating Game is coming soon in paperback.
Even a few sales in a short period of time on Amazon will help push the book up the rankings, making it more visible to other readers.In the United Kingdom, click here: Amazon UK
In the United States, click here: Amazon
No Kindle? Download a free app at Amazon for Mac, iPhone, PC, Android and more.
Keep up with the latest at Talli's website. And check out her blog.
About THE HATING GAME:
When man-eater Mattie Johns agrees to star on a dating game show to save her ailing recruitment business, she's confident she'll sail through to the end without letting down the perma-guard she's perfected from years of her love 'em and leave 'em dating strategy. After all, what can go wrong with dating a few losers and hanging out long enough to pick up a juicy £2000,000 prize? Plenty, Mattie discovers, when it's revealed that the contestants are four of her very unhappy exes. Can Mattie confront her past to get the prize money she so desperately needs, or will her exes finally wreak their long-awaited revenge? And what about the ambitious TV producer whose career depends on stopping her from making it to the end?
Keep up with the latest at Talli's website. And check out her blog.
About THE HATING GAME:
When man-eater Mattie Johns agrees to star on a dating game show to save her ailing recruitment business, she's confident she'll sail through to the end without letting down the perma-guard she's perfected from years of her love 'em and leave 'em dating strategy. After all, what can go wrong with dating a few losers and hanging out long enough to pick up a juicy £2000,000 prize? Plenty, Mattie discovers, when it's revealed that the contestants are four of her very unhappy exes. Can Mattie confront her past to get the prize money she so desperately needs, or will her exes finally wreak their long-awaited revenge? And what about the ambitious TV producer whose career depends on stopping her from making it to the end?
The Hating Game is coming soon in paperback.
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