The Human and Humane Self-Help Author ~ Dolores Ayotte

One of my new-found friends is about to release her second book, "Growing Up and Liking It". The cover is adorable, and I can't wait to read this book. I also thoroughly enjoyed reading her first book, "I'm Not Perfect and It's Okay", which explains through love, honesty, and a wonderful sense of humor how to have a fulfilling and happy life. Her writing flows smoothly and engages the reader right away. Her reliance upon and strong faith in God is evident throughout her book.

On her website Dolores writes about being "The Human and Humane Self-Help Author"

"My circle of healing ends here, but in essence, it has created a new beginning, as it is only one link in the gold chain of life. Now that I have found my voice, I want to share it with everyone who will hear/listen to me. I want you to know that you are not alone! Try very hard to embrace this fact, and you will start to heal. Trust me. I know that anything is possible with faith, but it takes time. Be patient and give yourself that time. When you see glimmers of light, you will have new hope, and with new hope, you will find a new and happier life." ~  Dolores Ayotte 

You can visit Dolores on her website:
http://www.doloresayotte.com   and find out more about her latest book. You may also want to visit her blog as well. It's one of my favorite's! http://doloresayotte.wordpress.com/

Adventures Along the Wayside

At the end of a very long week, I looked forward to a short day trip today with a good friend of mine. Our journey led us down through the highways and byways of East Texas. We traveled down sun streaked roads through the piney woods, and reveled in the fresh autumn air.

Our short journey led us to a little out of the way spot, down on Hwy. 64 just about smack dab in the middle between Canton and Tyler. You have to watch carefully for the small log cabin set just off the road, in fact if you happen to blink, you'll probably miss it. Although if you do, it is well worth your time to turn around and head back up 64 to Maggie's Burgers and Malts. Inside the little cabin you'll find friendly service, really good food, and a genuine relaxed atmosphere. As we sipped on our chocolate shakes and devoured our grilled chicken sandwiches and tator tots, all the heaviness of the work week seemed to slip right away.
As a misplaced East Texas girl who still longs for the sight and smell of the tall, loblolly pines and stunning oaks that line the East Texas hillsides, the view surrounding this little cabin was quite stunning. We gazed out the window admiring the beautiful countryside, and talked about how nice it would be to have a little place nearby and raise donkeys. Don't ask me why, it's just a dream we've been spinning at work when the pressures of the day fall too heavily on our shoulders.
After lunch, we drove back to Canton to walk around the First Monday Trade Days Old Mill Marketplace. The air was cool and pleasant, the shoppers were relaxed and unhurried, and the shopkeepers friendly. We wandered around on "the mountain", and then came back to the long "mill" shops. As we wandered through the rows, we saw a lot of changes since the last trip we'd made to Canton. It was obvious that the recession had finally made it's way to this small town and it's traditionally crowded first Monday trade days. The usually bustling buildings were surprising quiet, and many of the vendors we'd expected to see were no longer there. This change left me a little sad actually, and I hope next month there will be a resurgence of folks strolling through the Christmas shops at the Old Mill Marketplace. It is always on my list as a special place to find unique gifts for family and friends. Finally, as we strolled through the last two building, we both spotted an item we wanted. Mine was spontaneous, while my friend's had been a planned search for a specific item from the beginning of our journey.
As the day wore down, we headed back to the car and home. It's always hard for me to leave the East Texas area, but the day's purpose had been accomplished. We'd shaken off the dust of a hard week and found the relaxation we'd both sought in the quiet, peaceful atmosphere of East Texas.

The Versatile Bloggers Award: Creative One59

Susan,
Thank you for your award. Here's a little information about me. I've been married eight years to a wonderful and loving man, I have five children, eleven grands and three great grands. I am a published author, artist, original design hand made jewelry maker. I'm currently taking a writers course with Long Ridge Writers group. I am a true believer in God because he is the master of my fate, and my all and all. I am a genuine people person and have attracted many new friends on hubpages, I also have writings on Helium.com, Triond, My Lot,etc.

I am also too wordy at times, like you I always have a lot to say. I am a good listener and lite weight problem solver.My Husband and I will be mvoing to Casa Grande, Arizona in the spring of 2011.
May God continue to bless you and yours. Godspeed. creativeone59

Thought for Today

• What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life - to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories. ~George Eliot

• Our most basic instinct is not for survival but for family.  Most of us would give our own life for the survival of a family member, yet we lead our daily life too often as if we take our family for granted.  ~Paul Pearshall

THE VERSATILE BLOGGER’S AWARD -October 23,2010

THE VERSATILE BLOGGER’S AWARD -October 23,2010

Here’s the rules:

1. thank the person who sent you the award

2. share 7 things about yourself

3. grant the award to 15 blogs you like.

 

Fantastic! What a wonderful way to honor and share our favorite blogs! Thank you so much Dolores for including me in your list of favorites! I feel extremely honored! You have so much talent and such a lovely blog, mine pales in comparison!

Let's see, seven things about myself...

1. I'm married to my best friend, Alex. Together we have 5 wonderfully, special  children and three fabulous grandsons.

2. I'm an author and a teacher. My goal is to become a full time author and a mentor in the classroom. 

3. I believe all things are possible through my belief in God. He has shown me many times in my life that if I wait upon him, what I need will be forthcoming.

4. I have made many, many new friends since my novel Moon Dance was published January 27th, 2010. I treasure my friendships with both my forever friends and my new friends. As I learned in Camp Fire Girls many years ago... make new friends, but keep the old...one is silver and the other gold. 

5. I'm often too wordy! At least that's what a college English professor told me once. Could have something to do with my writing style, could just be my natural tendency to "talk to others" through my writing.

6. I've been told I'm a good listener...I do at least try to be!

7. Seven should be something really special... let's see...My husband, several friends and I are traveling to Wales next summer! I'm so excited to be returning to my ancestral homeland!

Now drum roll please...

I am passing on the torch as it were to some of my favorite blogs, which now have the honor of THE VERSATILE BLOGGER'S AWARD. And the winners are:

http://doloresayotte.wordpress.com/

http://hubpages.com/profile/ladyjane1

http://hubpages.com/profile/creativeone59

http://forestwalkart.blogspot.com/


http://loriamoore.blogspot.com/

http://visualpoetryrenegade.blogspot.com/

http://barbarajrobinson.blogspot.com/

http://hubpages.com/profile/creativeone59

http://hubpages.com/profile/K9keystrokes

http://ohdrat.blogspot.com/2010/10/finished-it-finally.html

http://hubpages.com/profile/ahorseback

http://accordingtothebook.blogspot.com/

http://authorkathyeberly.blogspot.com/

http://susanjreinhardt.blogspot.com/ 

http://zette.blogspot.com/

http://terrycordingley.blogspot.com/

Autumn

I think autumn is definitely my favorite season. As the temperatures in Texas start to drop from those long days of heatstroke, depressingly hot summer days, it's as if a renewal has filled my being. A lightness is in my step that's been missing for several months. Autumn draws me outside for long walks in the cool evenings, or just lazing and reading/napping on my backporch with the fan creating a gentle breeze that washes over me ever so slightly, and draws the cool, comforting autumn air over me.
Even my pets seem so much more active and happy during autumn. My 51/2 year old Shiba Inu starts playing like a puppy again, the three year old, and even the cat join in with romps through the house and in the backyard. Every leaf or crab apple that falls from the trees is a new adventure for them to investigate and maybe even bury because digging in the dirt can bring such joy to the dogs.And oh my, when the squirrel decides to come for a visit and taunt them, they could not be more thrilled.  

I have nothing against springtime. I love this season as well, but springtime doesn't offer the treat of knowing there are cooler days to come. Springtime ushers in those long hot days of summer in Texas, while autumn, on the other hand promises mild, delightful days for several months, with only a few really cold days thrown in sparingly as winter approaches and takes over. Autumn temperatures in Texas dwindle slowly and last throughout most of the winter. Usually, only when spring approaches do we have those really severe cold snaps that often frighten our poor little plants back into the earth after they've thought February was just the right time to come on out and play in their colorful dresses. There they stand in all their glory,  dancing in the March breezes and singing silent songs that touch my heart with joy. And then, of all things, we have an ice or snow storm that chases them away.
Autumn in Texas may lack a lot of the color changes that you can see up north ( which I truly enjoy). but it does offer the promise of a mild winter when a cozy sweater and jeans are all you need to keep you warm and toasty.
Autumn also offers the joy of crunching through leaves, the smell of disturbed earth when I plant bulbs in hopes they will blossom in the spring, the joy of taking long walks in the cool evening air, and the promise of "fireplace" weather not far off in the future.
Today was the first day I really felt that tingling of an actual autumn day. It was lovely and I will cherish the memory as I sit inside at work tomorrow...ummm today...and I'll hope for another beautiful, cool autumn evening to explore and enjoy.
Blessings always,

Susan

Thought for today

A catless writer is almost inconceivable.  It's a perverse taste, really, since it would be easier to write with a herd of buffalo in the room than even one cat; they make nests in the notes and bite the end of the pen and walk on the typewriter keys.  ~Barbara Holland

Jill's First Flight to Lee, MA

Jill's First Flight to Lee, MA

Wishes & Dreams

Hi all,
As an author of Christian historical romance, I have a special request for all of you. Our school is participating in a service learning project for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital from October 11th -November 11th. I am donating 40% of all my book sales during this time to St. Jude. Our students participate in the St. Jude Math-a-Thon each year, and even though we are a Title 1 school, our students have raised over $33,000. for St. Jude in the last 10 years. I know there are many schools that raise this much in one year alone, but most of our students live at or below the poverty level, so it is amazing to me how much they truly care and give of themselves. This year 139 students have chosen to forgo their prizes and donate 100% of their donations to St. Jude. You can order a signed copy of my book by e-mailing me at moondance2010@att.net and 40% of this sale will be donated to St. Jude Hospital. You can also donate directly to our school at mathathon.org by selecting Berry Elementary School in Arlington TX 76010.

On another note, for those of you new to my blog, I've included a couple of recent reviews of Moon Dance ~ a novel

* Susan K. Earl’s characters in Moon Dance were so vividly described that I found myself wanting to go back a page or two to see a picture of a previous scene, but that scene was only in my mind! It was almost like watching a movie of these two poor families who were brought together by their children’s love for each other. Both families lived their faith in God and shared that faith with others. The time setting of the Great Depression allowed us to learn how the families coped during hard times and how they relied on neighborly love and God. The lessons taught in this beautifully written romance can and should be lessons we are teaching today in our families. — Linda Duff Niemeir, Co-Author, Sharecropping in North Louisiana: A Family’s Struggle Through the Great Depression

    * I loved this book…It has great character development and a great story that kept my interest, in fact, I couldn’t put it down- I read it in one night! The love story is sweet, and how the characters dealt with hard, lifelike problems was touching to me. I really enjoyed it! ~ Jennifer Neher

You can learn more about me and my writing on my website http://susanearl.tatepublishing.net and at: http://hubpages.com/hub/Moon-Dance-Author-on-How-I-Wrote-My-Novel. I hope you'll check out all my hubs while you're there. Happy reading! 

Please retweet, repost, share this with all your friends :)

Mask - Amarillo Christian Living | Examiner.com

Mask - Amarillo Christian Living | Examiner.com

Follow That Blog !!

I'd love to have you follow my blog, please join me and discover a little about me and the way my thoughts flow. Sometimes thought provoking, sometimes scattered, and definitely not an everyday thing, but sometimes you may find thoughts, ideas, or stories you may enjoy.
So step on over, sit a spell, and take a moment to read my blogs. Nothin' fancy, but I'd love to have you join me and share your thoughts as well! If you have a story or site to share, e-mail me at moondance2010@att.net and I'll be happy to post your stories, poems, interests on my blogger page. Until then...
                                                                                                                      Blessings,
                                                                                                                           Susan

Starry Starry Night

Thought for Today

• Ideals are like stars:  you will not succeed in touching them with your hands, but like the seafaring man on the desert of waters, you choose them as your guides, and following them you reach your destiny.  ~Carl Schurz

• Don't aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally.  ~David Frost

• Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate.  ~Sandra Boynton