Positive conversations with old and new friends. I'd love for you to join me on my back porch.

Friday, May 30, 2014

Star Wars Quote of the Week

Who's the more foolish, the fool or the fool who follows him?

Obi Wan Kenobi asks this after hiding Stormtroopers on the Millennium Falcon.

Obi-Wan Kenobi was a legendary Jedi Master who played a major role in the fate of the galaxy during the waning days of the Galactic Republic. He trained both Anakin and Luke Skywalker in the ways of the force. He helped shape the fate of the entire galaxy during his career.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Twenty-five years and counting

Tim and I got married twenty-five years ago in Athens, Georgia at The First United Methodist Church. I met Tim there the first Sunday he arrived in Athens. I was a greeter, and he walked into the building at the door where I was to welcome him. I can still remember the sun streaming in behind him, and my heart raced. He wanted to meet the preacher, and I told him how to get to the office. A little later guess who walked into my Sunday School class? I was in the singles class, so now I knew he was single. Now my heart was really racing.

After class we talked and discovered we were both from Kentucky. I won't bore you with too many more details, but it's been a great ride. Our family has grown. We've survived Tim's brain surgery and two hip replacements. We've moved six times and survived ups and downs, but through it all God has been at the center of our marriage. I am so blessed, and I hope we get to enjoy twenty-five more years together.

Friday, May 23, 2014

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday of May. It started after the Civil War as a way to honor our dead. It was originally called Decoration Day, and was first celebrated in New York in 1873. Flowers were strewn over graves of comrades who died defending our country. The South chose separate days to honor their dead until after World War I. At this time it became a holiday to honor Americans who died fighting any war.

I am so proud to be an American. I'd like to once again thank those of you who have served our country and who continue to serve. Thanks for your protection and sacrifice.







HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Introducing my friend Diane Tatum


I'd like to introduce a friend of mine, Diane Tatum.

I met Diane through a writing critique group. She writes historical fiction, and I've enjoyed reading through her stories.

Diane asked me to be part of a World Blog tour, but because of illness and vacation, I missed out. I still wanted to share a little bit about her today.

1.What is she working on?

I always have many ’irons in the fire’!

I am working on a series of novels I call “Faith Amidst the Crucible of American History”. My hero in each novel is a son of a blacksmith. (Get it, irons in the fire!)

The first book in the series is called Colonial Dream. The setting is the American Revolution. Two friends, Colin Browning and Ben Andrews, who want nothing more than to be Americans, find themselves fighting on opposites sides. Heroine Amanda Andrews Browning must learn to be a strong, independent woman as she supports herself and her child, Michael, as an embroiderer/seamstress in Colonial Williamsburg while the men are at war. I am editing it in response to a “not a rejection/not a contract” letter. Prayers are greatly appreciated as I groom this project to receive that coveted contract.

The second book in this series, Transforming Bitterness Into Joy, is the one I am actively creating/writing/critiquing on Scribes. This book is a Beauty and the Beast type story set in 1809-1810. Michael, son of Colonial Dream couple Amanda and Colin Browning, has had to raise his younger siblings after the death of his parents when he was 17. He has had to set aside any personal life for 12 years as a result, working his father’s forge to support them. Heroine Susannah, daughter of the new pastor at the church founded by his Uncle Ben Andrews, finds herself serving him after she encourages Michael’s youngest sister to elope. She is determined to play matchmaker for Michael, with her friend Rachel, to help him out of his bitter loneliness. Of course, Susannah becomes the perfect match for him.

The third book is the series, A Time to Choose, is set during the Civil War. Andrew Browning, blacksmith and officer in the Union Army, is assigned to protect and guide Lincoln. Maggie is an Northern abolitionist, Harvard-educated newspaper columnist. Terrors come into their lives as she writes about the war effort, runs a stop on the Underground Railroad, becomes a target for Andrews’s revengeful ex-fiancee, and teaches reading to emancipated refugees. The setting for this story is Lincoln’s White House and Washington, DC.

The fourth book in the series will involve Lincoln Browning, son of Andrew and Maggie, who takes his blacksmithing skills into the new industry as an inventor.


2) How does your work differ from others of its genre?

My series is reminiscent of John Jakes' Americans series. The big thing that sets it apart from other historical romance is that my characters are Christians who seek to live their faith amidst the struggles of life. How do Christians be involved in God’s plan for their lives? What happens when that plan seems to be falling apart? Like us, they must deal with the setbacks, heartaches, and dreams knowing that God is still present in their lives and works everything together for an ultimate good.

3) Why do you write what you do?

The first question should be “Why do I write?” I have always had an avid fascination with story. I began writing stories, a play, and a compendium of Dark Shadows supernatural beings in 6th grade. My friends and I spun imaginary tales with our teen idols, writing extensive notes to one another. My first published book is Gold Earrings. I wrote the short story that became the novel in high school. I constantly have ideas for new works. While I was teaching middle school, I would write the scenes that were playing in my head, all that I knew, and save them on the computer. I guess I write because I am compelled to write.

3 1/2)Why do you write Christian historical romance?

Again, I am compelled to write about characters who need and long for love. These characters have varying levels of relationship with God. I believe God meant for us to be in relationship, with Him, with friends, with family, and with a spouse who helps them both become what God wants them to be. I love history! Most of our vacations involve discovering the history of the place we visit.

4) How does your writing process work?

As I said previously, the story or characters appear in my brain almost like a movie that you need to write down as it happens so you don’t lose any precious part. Or I think of an intriguing question. In Colonial Dream, I was contemplating whether rebellion against the king is sin against God. After all, scripture says that we are to obey and pray for the king because God placed him in power. Once I have the initial ideas down, then the hard part starts. I ask myself, “What comes next?” Some days that’s easy. Other days, well, it doesn’t happen. On those days I research my time period, characters, dress, holiday traditions, etc. If you check my Pinterest boards, you’ll see that I have one for each of my novels where I pin maps, places, occupations, timelines, etc. Some days I create a timeline of events in my story with actual historical events. Eventually, the novel comes together like tying up loose ends.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a great weekend!

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Armed Forces Day

Today is Armed Forces Day in the United States. I'd like to take this time to thank all of the people who put on a uniform to serve and protect our country. Thank you!


Have a great day everybody, and go fly your flag!

Star Wars Quote of the Week


Do you remember clapping during any of the movies? How about when you heard this line?

“That’s no moon, it’s a space station.”

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Show you love for America


I've been on vacation this week. I'm always drawn to the American flag, and I've noticed a lot more people in this coastal area of North Carolina fly their flags. We usually fly our American flag on holidays and the days leading up to the holiday. I've been humbled at the great show of patriotism we've seen on Southport and Oak Island.



What about you? Do you fly your flag every day?



I'm resolving to fly our flag more often this year. Thanks for stopping by.

Friday, May 9, 2014

Star Wars Quote of the Week

Here's my first Star Wars quote. It makes me smile...what about you?


“Aren’t you a little short for a stormtrooper?”


Have a great weekend!

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Patience


A couple of years ago my mother gave me a flower from her garden. Really, it was just a shoot. We planted it right away. Mom had told Tim and me it would be beautiful one day.

We water and fed it, but nothing happened. We even put a little wire fence around it to protect it from the rabbits.

The next year it came back, and we were sure it would bloom and be beautiful. Well, it got thicker but still no blooms.

We continued to care for it because we had faith in my mother. Today I walked outside with my dog and glanced over at the little plant. I stopped and urged the dog to follow me.

There before my eyes were some blooms forming. We've waited two years, and I'm so excited. We didn't give up because we believed my mother. We had patience and are being rewarded this year.


This makes me stop and consider, if I can wait on a flower's timing and enjoy the reward, how much more amazing will it be as I wait on God's timing?

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Colossians 1:11-12 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.


Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Paleo Update

I've been living the Paleo lifestyle for almost two weeks now.

No sugar, except in fruits.

I'm drinking almond milk instead of cow milk.

I went to the grocery store and shopped mainly in the produce section and the meat section. I made a short stop at the aisle with maple syrup and honey. Did you all know real maple syrup costs $22.00 for a little jug? Shocker. I didn't buy it, but I did buy a small jar of honey.

Day two and three I felt nauseous and contacted a Paleo expert. She suggested it was the toxins leaving my body and adjusting to the healthier food I was eating. A few days later I did feel better.

Here's a yummy salad I ate while out of town at a tennis match.


I've discovered eating out isn't as hard as I imagined it would be.

Monday, May 5, 2014

Happy Cinco de Mayo


Today is Cinco de Mayo. In case you're wondering...

In 1862 the Mexican army defeated France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War (1861-1867). In the US, we celebrate Mexican culture and heritage.

I've not been to Mexico, but I've been to Spain. In honor of my Hispanic friends I wanted to share a couple of pictures today.



How do you celebrate Cinco de Mayo? Each of my sons said they wanted to eat Mexican tonight.

Have a great day!

Sunday, May 4, 2014

May the 4th be with You


Today has been proclaimed Star Wars Day. I remember the seeing the first Star Wars movie at the theater in Elizabethtown, KY. I went with a group of friends. I'd never really been into science fiction, but Star Wars hooked me.

I can remember the anguish of Hans Solo being frozen in carbonite. My friends and I discussed it for days. Would he be saved? How? The thing was, we couldn't pop the next episode into a DVD player. We waited a LONG time for the next movie to be released.

I've seen every Star Wars movie at the theater. And in case you haven't heart, a new episode is coming out December 15, 2015.


In honor of this event, I'm going to post famous Star Wars' quoted periodically between now and December 15, 2015. As you can see from the picture, the cast will be some of the original characters combined with new characters.

I'm super excited, and I hope you are too!

Happy May the 4th be with You!

Author June McCrary Jacobs: ~ GREAT ESCAPES DOG-GONE DEAD BLOG TOUR ~

Author June McCrary Jacobs: ~ GREAT ESCAPES DOG-GONE DEAD BLOG TOUR ~ :   ���������������������������������� ~ GREAT ESCAPES BLOG TOUR STOP...