Book Review "I Chose You" by Carmen Leal

 

Purchase a copy on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Bookshop.org.

 I love this book for two reasons. Well more than two reasons but I'm just listing two. First it is a wonderful collection of dog stories, those kind that fill you with love, make you smile, and some will break your heart. We've all been there. Rescue dogs are the best. Who saved who? I currently have five Chihuahuas all from my local shelters, older dogs that needed a home as much as I needed them. Over the course of fifteen years since I became a widow, rescue dogs have mended my heart and brought me joy beyond words. First they were bigger dogs, but as I aged I needed smaller dogs I could pick up. I will admit Chihuahuas while small are a mafia when in numbers and there is never a dull moment in my house. The second reason I love this book is that I have a story in it, too! Miss  April in Paris, a hunting dog that joined my pack in 2010 and sadly left me a few years ago. Carmen was so gracious to include April's story. I can't recommend this book enough for dog lovers and actually for just the great writing in it. Happy stories and sad stories but owning a dog is full of joy and pain as they never live long enough.

“I Chose You” is organized into sections titled “We Are Family,” “Rescue Me,” “Smile,” "You Are So Beautiful,” “Somebody to Love,” "What I Did for Love,” “Something Good,” "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive,” “Tears in Heaven,”  “Where You Lead," and “Top Six Reasons to Adopt a Rescue Dog.” 

If you missed Carmen's initial interview on The Muffin that kicked off her blog tour link here and read all the wonderful things she has to say plus links to future stops. An amazing women with a huge heart. 

About the author Carmen Leal

Carmen Leal is a storyteller and the author of multiple books, articles, devotionals, and human-interest stories. Carmen relocated from Hawaii to Oshkosh, yes, there is a story behind the move, and has become an awesome dog mom. Carmen and her husband have become reluctant gardeners and know a crazy amount about Wisconsin weeds. She is the mother of two sons, two incredible grandsons, and Coconut, the best imperfectly perfect rescue dog in the world. 

Find Carman online:

http://carmenleal.com/blog

https://wagawaypublishing.com/interviews (more to come)

https://www.facebook.com/Rescuemoredogs

https://www.facebook.com/carmen.leal.794

Hope and Fortune Children's Book by Marissa Banez

 

                                                                         

I'm reviewing this charming children's book as part of the author's blog tour with WOW! Women On Writing. I jumped at the chance to participate because I love children's books and this one is delightful. Its message inspires children and adults who find difficulty being a bit different from others in today's world. Plus, I love the gorgeous illustrations.  A win-win.

The story is about a young girl named Esperanza (her name means hope) who chases a butterfly into the Fabled Fairy Forest. Once in the forest the butterfuly disappears leaving Esperanza lost and scared. The Golden Tree wanted to help her and so he said:

Deep into the Fabled Fairy Forest you should go 

To learn everything you need to know.

Sometimes we all need someone for guidance.

It's scary but we don't need to suffer in silence.

So find the twelve Fortune Fairies at all cost.

They will help you to never again feel lost.

                                                        

From there the story continues with Esperanza encountering twelve diverse, multi-cultural fairies that gift Esperanza with their hope, wisdom, virture, and courage. 

Below is a list of all the stops on the author's tour with WOW! And in case you missed her initial interview  on The Muffin you can link to it here.

About the author:

A first-generation immigrant to the U.S. from the Philippines, Marissa Banez is a graduate of Princeton University and a lawyer licensed to practice in New York, California, and New Jersey. She has published legal articles for the prestigious New York Law Journal and the American Bar Association, but her true passion is in her children's stories. She currently lives in New York City with her husband and daughter. In her free time, Marissa likes to travel, design and make clothes, cook, binge-watch Star Trek shows and Korean dramas, and occasionally strum a guitar.

She is currently working on her second book, Hues and Harmony (How the Singing Rainbow Butterfly Got Her Colors), a story about mixed or multiracial children, self-discovery, and respect for others as told through the life and adventures of a caterpillar. It is scheduled for publication on July 20, 2023.

You can find her online at: Her Website, Facebook, Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Goodreads

 

 

Thinking of Spring

 Borrowed this illustration from the web. It made me smile and reminded me spring is coming. I love seed catalogs, especially vintage ones, but reading them is about all I do. I wish I wanted to plant from seed. My late husband always planted seeds in the garden, his spots. Sunflowers and morning glories mostly. He was a patient man. Me? I've got to buy plants to put in the soil. Instant gratification? Yes, I admit it. I love to plant something that is ready to bloom, waiting is hard to do. Especially when the first signs of warm weather creep in I want to see color in my yard. As I type this and look out my french doors, daffodils are in bloom. They come back every year on their own. I'm worried a cold snap will come and they will leave. But for now, they remind me of all the beautiful flowers that will return this year (flowers planted by the previous owners of my house) and have me looking at photos on Instagram of beaufitul gardens, wondering what plants will I buy, bursting with buds, to plant on my patio. Perhaps I'll try a bit of patience and remember that big guy who loved morning glories and sunflowers and buy a few seed packs to see if I have any green in my thumb.

The Ultimate Brag Book About Yourself by Marla J. Albertie Review

 

Amazon

I'm reviewing this book as part of the author's blog tour with WOW! Women On Writing. It is a unique concept as it is more of a journal to get you thinking about all the positive things about yourself. A small introduction by the author followed by a hundred questions for you to answer. There are 216 blank lined pages with a topic at the top. Some of the pages are blank lines while others have numbers on the lines to make you work harder to think about multiple answers. While this book is for any time of the year, I loved getting my review copy as the new year started. We all make those resolutions trying to think what changes will make the upcoming year better. This book makes you realize you are pretty cool as you are then goes further to help you plan what's next. Simple? Yes and No. I put on my thinking cap and answered some of the questions and surprised myself. At times we all doubt who we are, what we contribute to the world around us. In all the hurried craziness of life we get lost. I loved finding out so many happy things about myself. Some of the questions in the 100 questions include: 10 strengths of mine are, 10 "me time" things I do for self-care, 20 things I am super great at, 10 things that make me smile, 10 accomplishments I am proud of, my 15 favorite memories, 10 things I'm obsessed with, 10 things I learned from my parents. The list goes on to 100 questions with plenty of room for you to jot down all your answers. I love journaling, writing, and this book is a lovely place to keep my thoughts and create new ideas. A perfect book for yourself or to give as a gift. I'm keeping my copy on my bedside table and at night answering a question or two before I turn out the lights. My dreams will be full of positive thoughts thanks to this sweet book.

About the author, Marla J. Albertie:

Marla believes life is a journey and we can create the life we want. She is the owner and founder of TruthSpeaksGroup LLC, a multi-media company that creates strategies and solutions  for work/life integration/harmony. She is also the founder of MJA Notary Services, LLC, MJA Publishing LLC, and JEMA Holdings LLC, and being the founder of I/O for Teens Inc is her greatest work yet. Marla's mantra is to #TeachTrainEducate working women who desire to understand their truth and live a life of success defined on their own terms. To learn more about the author link to her interview on WOW's The Muffin which kicked off her blog tour and will also give links to her upcoming tour stops.

Eye Strengthening Exercises for Writers - Author Marla J. Albertie WOW! Blog Tour

Today meet author Marla J. Albertie who has written a fun and amazing book The Ultimate Brag Book About Yourself  that asks you to reflect on 100 questions about “how awesome you are.” I'll be reviewing this book and talking more about Marla on February 5th right here on my blog. So stop back by.

Marla is on blog tour with WOW! Women On Writing and I'm excited to share her guest post with you.  I never thought about eye strengthening exercises. I do know some days after I've been on the computer I feel like my eyes are crossed and my vision blurred. You can bet I'm going to try her suggestions below. You should, too!

    Eye Strengthening Exercises for Writers (Okay, yes, these exercises are for anyone, not just writers.)

By Marla J. Albertie

               Do you have weak eye muscles? This is common among us writers out there, trust me I understand.

I write and look at my computer a lot (as many writers do), therefore my eyes often get tired. I asked my ophthalmologist for tips to strengthen my eye muscles. Here is what I learned to help fellow writers.

*Disclaimer: I am not an eye doctor. Please see your eye doctor if you have a serious condition. These are simple eye exercises anyone can do to strengthen their eyes*

Here are two eye exercises to build strength:

Exercise One

Look up

Look up and left

Look up and right

Look left

Look right

Look down

Look down and right

Look down and left

Repeat 2–3 times daily

Exercise Two

Hold your arms out to the side (like the wings of an airplane) with your thumbs up. Keep your head straight and look straight ahead. While keeping your head still, move your eyes to the far left and right trying to look at your thumbs. Repeat 2–3 times daily.

Do these daily and you will build your eye strength and your 80-year-old self will thank you.

More about the author and her book!

Purchase a copy of the book on Amazon or get an autographed copy off the author's website. You can also add it to Goodreads.

Marla believes life is a journey and we all can create the life we want so why not; you only live this life once. She has a passion to see growth in peoples’ lives and wants others to pay it forward.

See her original interview on The Muffin and follow the links for her month-long tour with WOW!

 Main Site: truthspeaksgroup.com

Follow her as a writer on Medium

Subscribe to her blog: www.theworkingwoman.co

Take a course at Truth Speaks Academy

Subscribe to my talk show on YouTube: https://youtu.be/faUFIqU8pHs

Instagram: TruthSpeaksGroup

Twitter: TruthSpeaksGroup

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlajalbertie/

Remembering Kurt Vonnegut

 Go into the arts. I'm not kidding. The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable. Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven's sake. Sing in the shower. Dance to the radio. Tell stories. Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem. Do it as well as you possibly can. You will get an enormous reward. You will have created something. ~Kurt Vonnegut

(Book: A Man Without a Country)

Member's Show Monroe-Walton Center for The Arts

 I have three paintings in the MWCA member's art show. The artwork in this show is fabulous. You need to stop by and see the show. Link to MWCA's Facebook Page, like it, and keep in the flow of all the wonderful shows, classes, meetings, events, etc.  Link here to like and get all the scoop on what an art center can offer.

My work:

Dove

                                                                       Pink Jungle

                                                                     Blackbird Garden

I like to visit thrift shops and pick up vintage cardboard framed prints. Like to paint my own images and voila, it's already framed. The first two paintings were on recycled framed prints. The last one on a canvas and in an old Victorian frame. Recycle, recycle, recycle. I never paint over someone else's original work. I honor their paintings - good or bad - as original art. Most of the time a piece will wind up in my personal collection of art by other artists.