A Writer’s Responsibility – Edie Melson
1
06, 2022
30
05, 2022
Memorial Day and TAPS
On Memorial Day, I’m reminded of my days living on military bases and hearing TAPS played from the base speaker at the day’s end. We stopped what we were doing and stood at attention. The day had ended.
Hearing TAPS at military funerals always brings a tear to my eyes. I agree with Master Sergeant Jari A Villanueva, USAF:
“There is something singularly beautiful and appropriate in the music of this wonderful call. Its strains are melancholy, yet full of rest and peace. Its echoes linger in the heart long after its tones have ceased to vibrate in the air.”
There are no “official” words to Taps. These are the most popular and the ones that run through my head when the bugler plays.
Day is done,
gone the sun,
From the hills,
from the lake,
From the skies.
All is well,
safely rest,
God is nigh.
Go to sleep,
peaceful sleep,
May the soldier
or sailor,
God keep.
On the land
or the deep,
Safe in sleep.
Love, good night,
Must thou go,
When the day,
And the night
Need thee so?
All is well.
Speedeth all
To their rest.
Fades the light;
And afar
Goeth day,
And the stars
Shineth bright,
Fare thee well;
Day has gone,
Night is on.
Thanks and praise,
For our days,
‘Neath the sun,
Neath the stars,
‘Neath the sky,
As we go,
This we know,
God is nigh.
Today, along with the hot dogs, hamburgers, and swimming we associate with Memorial Day, let’s honor and remember those who have gone before.
27
05, 2022
Center of the Universe
Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara
This is the curl in the back of my grandson’s hair and for the last week, it has been the center of the universe.
A universe I was part of for his last week as an only child, the last days where the earth revolved around him.
He was blissfully unaware of the fact that he would soon become a big brother.
I played the part of doting Grandma well. We had fruit snacks for breakfast making it the best day ever.
Until the trash truck came just as we arrived home after a grocery pickup.
We played in water and drew with chalk. (He may be a lefty which thrills his great grandfather)
We blew bubbles (notice the freshly bathed fire truck) and went to the library.
It was a fantastic week!
Then his life changed. The universe got bigger with one baby brother. It was nice while it lasted. 
Now Alex will learn that the center of the universe is big enough for two boys – at least in Grandma’s eyes.
25
05, 2022
23
05, 2022
Memorial Day and Weddings
I’m so excited that Memorial Day is on May 30 this year. There’s a good reason.
That was the official date (1868-1970) until Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act to create three-day holidays and the last Monday in May became the day to celebrate Memorial Day.
An obscure fact I realize, but there’s a reason for remembering it. Many, many years ago hubby-dear and I chose Memorial Day for our wedding ceremony.
Back then we were financially strapped students from equally financially strapped families. Plus, time off from work for a wedding or honeymoon was out of the question. That particular year Memorial Day fell on Thursday, May 30 which meant an extra day off work for us and our families.
To save more expense, I wore my mother’s wedding dress, which she’d worn twenty-five years earlier.
My mother is in the dress in the picture top left. I’m in the picture below her wearing the dress, and the larger picture is our daughter in the dress for her wedding, twenty-five years later.
Every year Memorial Day changes. Celebrating our wedding anniversary doesn’t. This year, we get to honor family members we’ve lost in service and celebrate our marriage at the same time.
20
05, 2022
Ducks and Water
A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara
A friend of ours recently asked us to hatch ducks for them. They have a large pond and several of their ducks had disappeared.
We set an incubator full of duck eggs but there was a malfunction and only five ducklings hatched.
Ducklings are very cute – once they dry off. What amazes me about ducklings is how they are attracted to water from the time they hatch.
Rachel put water in their tub for them to drink but they all insisted on getting in it.
She quickly realized they needed more room so she moved them to the bathtub for a quick swim.
Now they are out with the big ducks. The first thing they did was find the mud puddle. Ducks are attracted to water wherever it is.
18
05, 2022
After the Bookstore closes
No Wednesday quote today. Instead here’s a fun video about what happens when the bookstore closes.
16
05, 2022
How to Write An Online Book Review
Book reports were my favorite thing when I was in school. First, because I got to read books, and second because I got to tell others about what I’d read.
Today I call my book reports reviews.
I’m constantly giving oral book reports in the form of “Have you read such and such?” and/or posting written reviews for the books I love on social media and at e-retailers where I’ve purchased the book.
As an author, I know how important reviews are for the authors. And, really, who doesn’t like to hear they’ve done a good job?
Plus, in the crazy world of online shopping, reviews help authors get recognized and ultimately can lead to sales.
Unsure how to write a review? It isn’t difficult.
A review doesn’t have to be lengthy or detailed like those book reports we did for school. There’s not going to be a grade. Even a sentence or two can convey your thoughts about a book.
“This story was well-told. I fell in love with the hero on the first page.”
“Always pleased with stories by this author.”
Reviews, also like book reports, also don’t have to be all glowing. You can say something like,
“So disappointed. Not up to her/his usual standard.”
“Predictable, but still a good read.”
Let me encourage you to post an online book review. It’s not hard. Here’s a HOW-TO using one of my books on Amazon.
STEP 1:
Sign in and Search for the book page on Amazon.
STEP 2:
Click on the stars or where it says ratings.
STEP 3:
That will move you down the page to the reviews.
STEP #4:
Click on the box that says write a customer review. That will open the review writing page.
STEP #5
-Click the number of stars you’re giving and then fill in the blank boxes
-When you finish, click submit.
STEP #6
Wait for Amazon to send you an email that your review has been posted and check out your book report on the book’s sales page.
You can do it. Go make an author smile.
13
05, 2022
Favorite Sounds
A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara
For years, one of my favorite sounds has been the rustling of pages as people at church open their Bibles to find the passage being used in the sermon. Nowadays, many people use digital media for the Bibles so there is no sound. In fact, some preachers have gone from saying “Open your Bibles” to “open your Bible app.”
I am not a fan. I still use a physical Bible and rustle the pages.
This morning Beekeeper Brian and I were working at our plot in the community garden, and I discovered a new favorite sound.
It is the sound of the wind blowing through the corn stalks. We have planted several rows of corn along with squash, beans, and peppers.
As I was pulling the weeds from around the peppers, I heard the most wonderful rustling. I stood up to see the corn gently swaying in the breeze. It was a very peaceful sound that made me smile.
I considered making a video of it but I’ve discovered videos never quite look or sound like the real thing. Instead, I took a selfie with the corn to remind me of the moment.
I will be back to work in the garden. Weeds are relentless. I just can’t be guaranteed the wind will be blowing.
Fortunately, I have the sound of the corn stalks rustling recorded in my head. I smile each time I think of it.
11
05, 2022
Adjusting Your Aim – W. Clement Stone
Snappa.com