Monday Morning

by Carol15 Comments
Okay, I know it's actually the afternoon now, but I've been kinda slow getting going today. We dropped Amber off at camp yesterday, so she's not home for the week. Of course it's going to be miserably hot anyway, so I probably won't get much done. Here's the stack of books I got since my last list. Mailbox Monday is taking a blog tour. This month’s host is Gwendolyn of A Sea of Books. Bought for me: The Daily Writer by Fred White The Pocket Muse by Monica Wood Bought for Amber, but I'm hoping she'll let me read them too: The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner Magic and Other Misdemeanors by Michael Buckley The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin From Harlequin Ambassadors: The Best Laid Plans by Sarah Mayberry Should be some good reading. It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. I posted a couple of reviews last week and talked about a Native American tale I had never heard before. "Three Blind Mice" by Agatha Christie "The...
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Game Night Quote

by Carol1 Comment
Every once in a while I like to share a quote I've found about a boardgame. Today's is from The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente. "Death, I don't know what to do." Death climbed up into her lap, sitting primly on her knee, which had already begun to darken and wither. "It's very brave of you to admit that. Most knightly folk I happen by bluster and force me to play chess with them. I don't even like chess! For stategy Wrackglummer and even Go are much superior. And it's the wrong metaphor entirely. Death is not a checkmate . . . it is more like a carnival trick. You cannot win, no matter how you move your Queen." "I've only ever played chess with my mother. I wouldn't feel right,playing with you." "I cheat, anyway. When their backs are turned, I move the pieces."  (pg. 149, ARC)...
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Make a Difference

by Carol6 Comments
According to the American Red Cross, a pint of blood can save up to three lives. I didn't need to know the statistics to know that donating blood is a good thing, a way to help others that really, in all truthfulness doesn't take much time, energy, or money. So why had I never donated blood before? I'm a wuss and a scaredy-cat. Every year our VBS supports a charity and this year it was the Red Cross. The kids brought in donations, heard about all the work the Red Cross does, from blood donations to disaster relief, and encouraged to tell their parents about a blood drive that was held at our church on Thursday of that week. So, I was already going to be there, Amber would get a prize, I figured I should do it. I do have to thank two wonderful women at our church who told me what to expect, and really gave me the kick...
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“The Healer”

by Carol13 Comments
The Healer 362 words Shayne hated the sounds of battle, the clashing of swords, the war cries of the men, the groans of the injured. She stood on the hillside, away from the clearing. If the spies were speaking true. the Duke's men would be passing by here midday, heading toward the castle, but the men behind her would be waiting, ready to protect the kingdom. She could feel their excitement, tinged with apprehension and even some fear. She knew too, that seeing her here on the battlefield would give them hope and courage. As a young woman she shouldn't be near the combat. As a single woman, she should be wary of the fighters, roughened, violent men. As a princess, she should be safe at home in the castle. But as a healer, she could be nowhere else. When the skirmish was over she had a purpose. Just a touch could stop the pain, heal the wounds. The dead were beyond her...
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Thursday’s Tale: The Star Maiden

by Carol6 Comments
Image credit: First People As you can guess from the beautiful image above, "The Star Maiden" is a Native American story, from the Shawnee tribe. It's a shame, really, that I'm more familiar with European fairy tales than I am with stories whose origins are in my own country. One day, a skilled warrior, Waupee the White Hawk walked farther in the forest than he ever had and came to a large grass-covered plain with a ring in it, as if made by feet walking around and around, but no path led to the ring or away from it. He decided to hide and watch, hoping to see who made the circle. Soon, he heard sweet music and a basket descended from the sky, carrying twelve lovely maidens. The girls danced gracefully around the magic circle, and while they were all beautiful, the youngest captured Waupee's heart. He rushed from his hiding place to hold the girl, but the sister were quicker. Frightened,...
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