Delighted to have my essay “A Catwalk to Nowhere” published in the Spring/Summer 2021 Edition of Tiferet Journal! I hope you’ll consider subscribing to this literary journal!
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I wanted to make more of the lion and lamb juxtaposition this month by sharing a Bible quote many of us “remember,” but guess what I discovered! We misremembered, or perhaps were misinformed. ‘Twas not the lion that snuggled up with the lamb, but rather, “The [big bad] wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. – Isaiah 11:6 KJV“–I found this correction on several sites including the William Branham Historical Research page.
In any case, the idea that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb is strictly secular, although Jesus and astrology are mentioned in this piece about folk wisdom in The Paris Review (do check out the gorgeous painting in this article).
Let’s blame our misremembering on several things: aging, folklore, and Daylight Saving Time. Boy, do I hate that lost hour. Isn’t it about time to feed this outdated practice to the lions?
By the way, my friend John Stewart shared his favorite comment about the lion/lamb/kid “actual” quotation: “The leopard may lie down with the kid, but the kid won’t get much sleep.”
HA! Indeed! We did experience a lionish day here in Colorado this weekend, which was not surprising–or shouldn’t have been a surprise to anyone–and I did something I haven’t done in a very long time. I closed my computer, snuggled on my couch under a fuzzy blanket, and read for hours. I also made a discovery. Truman Capote is why I haven’t been discovered yet as an author. Yes, I’ll blame it all on him. How had I never read Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Three Stories before this weekend? It’s been in my book collection for decades! How am I supposed to compete with him?
It’s just not fair. What film producers do with works of art is also unfair. After reading the plot of the 1961 film starring Audrey Hepburn, I don’t think I want to watch it. If you’ve only seen the movie, I would strongly suggest you read Capote’s original.
And now, I’ll step off my soapbox and greet The Ides of March with enthusiasm! The sun is shining, the snow is melting, and wait! Are those lambs bleating in the distance?
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February is a month during which we honor Black History and consume too many “I love you, here’s a box of candy” chocolates. It’s the shortest month, even in a Leap Year. In some geographic locations, it’s the tipping-point month between winter and spring. It’s the month in which New Year’s resolutions are conveniently forgotten. It’s the month with the weird ‘r’ we rarely pronounce, and if we do, we feel just a bit pretentious. Feb ruuuuuuuuuu ary!
According to a post in The Conversation, “While January takes its name from Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and endings, February comes from the word februum (purification) and februa, the rites or instruments used for purification. These formed part of preparations for the coming of Spring in the northern hemisphere.” Click on The Conversation link to discover more bizarre rituals we never learned about in grade school!
Spring is coming. As I look out onto the disaster of a yard slowly sluffing off snow–the beautiful sugary coating that has heretofore hidden months of duck detritus–my thoughts take me to the garden beyond. Mike has great plans for our garden this year: more raised beds, an efficient watering system, trellises, and a place to sit while our ducks pluck bugs and weeds. I’m excited. Yes, there will be lots of work to do before we can reap our rewards, but there is joy in the planning and the anticipation.
Spring is in the air, and so is hopefulness. The planet has endured a year like no other, and there are signs of healing. I hope this newsletter finds you prepared to continue the vigilance needed to stop the spread of the persistent pandemic, and even more prepared to welcome the surprises that spring will soon reveal (soooooo much duck “stuff” under our snow)! I hope you’ve found ways to learn new things, read more books, and reevaluate how you will choose to fill your days.
And PLEASE (as always) post some positive reviews on Amazon for authors of books you’ve enjoyed, and tell your friends about them!
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Happy Valentine’s Day!
Hugs and kisses (but only with a mask)!
I’m working on a new science fiction series! (Photo Credit: Elise Sunday)
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Don’t judge me! Or do. It’s all okay. As this most insane year comes to an end, my goal is to find something beautiful and something to make me laugh every day. If I can make you laugh . . . or smile . . . too, then what I’ve done was worth doing!
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Check out the many multi-genre offerings from award-winning author Laurel McHargue HERE!
If you enjoy an author’s work, would you let them know by taking a few minutes to leave a review? Positive reviews on Amazon and Goodreads are important…and so very appreciated…by indie authors (like me)! Thank you!
In honor of those looking for a quick, fun, unique “escape” this holiday season, co-authors Laurel McHargue and Nadine Collier are offering their book Peace by Piece: 10 Lessons from a Jigsaw Puzzle! as a free Kindle download from November 25 through November 29. They hope you will enjoy this jigsaw-inspired self-help book and will find humor and helpful suggestions for ways to cope with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. (If you enjoy this free gift, please share with a friend and post a quick review on Amazon!)
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Listen to my episode to hear how a misunderstanding led to hilarity during this year’s unsuccessful hunting season!
For more stories about the magnificence of the Colorado outdoors and the struggles I’ve endured while hunting with my husband, check out my book Hunt for Red Meat (love stories)!
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The 2,000-piece “monster” I talk about in the book! So many memorable lessons!
Mark Lumb hosts this interview with Nadine and me about our new book! FUN!
Show Notes with Links:
Mark Lumb, creator of the Jigsaw Chill Zone Facebook page and YouTube channel, interviewed Nadine and me about our entertaining new book Peace by Piece: 10 Lessons from a Jigsaw Puzzle! Please follow Mark and share his links with anyone you know who enjoys puzzling. Mark’s YouTube channel showcases time-lapse photography of puzzle completions set to original music…very peaceful!
You may pre-order the Kindle version now, and the paperback version on September 7th! Our book is entertaining and informative with lessons about: patience and persistence, time, walking away, the sum of our parts, the little things, asking for help, focusing, seeking a different perspective, looking below the surface, and celebrating!
You’ll discover far more than 10 lessons in this relatable book!
You do NOT have to be a puzzler to enjoy our book!
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We hope you will enjoy this “lite” life lessons book! It’s based on my experience completing my very first monster jigsaw puzzle, and every chapter ends with reflections from Nadine based on her years of experience as a licensed professional counselor! There’s something for everyone in this book, and you don’t need to be a puzzler to enjoy it!
Pre-order the e-version today! Both e-version and paperback will be available by Labor Day, so stay tuned for updates!
This is the puzzle that started the discussion about writing a book! It’s a CEACO brand 2,000-piece monster called “Coastal Escape,” and it proved to be a worthy challenge!NO TOUCHING!
If you enjoy my podcast episodes, you might enjoy my books!
If you enjoyed this episode and others, please subscribe to Alligator Preserves on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and tell your friends about it! I’d love it if you “liked” the episodes you listen to, and I’d love it even more if you’d post a quick comment!
If you enjoyed this episode and others, please subscribe to Alligator Preserves on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and tell your friends about it! I’d love it if you “liked” the episodes you listen to, and I’d love it even more if you’d post a quick comment!
70 little videos of 5 little ducklings…and counting!
Some may say I’ve lost my marbles, but in the process, I’ve gained five tiny Khaki Campbell peepers! I recently decided that since I won’t be traveling for the far-foreseeable future, I might as well embrace the idea of creating a homestead on our new property.
I ordered five female Khaki Campbells from Murray McMurray Hatchery for eggs and entertainment, and I’ve learned soooo much already about how to raise happy, healthy ducks. Now I’d like to share what I’ve learned and continue to learn with you!
Thanks for visiting, and remember to wash your hands (both because of coronavirus and after handling birds!) Oh, and I’ll still be creating new episodes on my podcast Alligator Preserves, so stay in touch and subscribe!
Stay safe!
NO TOUCHING!
If you enjoy my podcast episodes, you might enjoy my books!
If you enjoyed this episode and others, please subscribe to Alligator Preserves on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and tell your friends about it! I’d love it if you “liked” the episodes you listen to, and I’d love it even more if you’d post a quick comment!
