THANK YOU LESLIE MALONE!

i just got to note from leslie malone of live love laugh with leslie to tell me i won...this:

i am so excited to try this product after reading so much about it!

my friend, ms leslie has not one but 2 blogs. this one is that is all about things she reviews and gives away to other and another, laugh with leslie, where she shares all the other giveaways she has found that you might be interested in. now i ask you, is this a nice lady or what?! give both her sites a visit, you'll be glad you did!

A Lucky Child A Memoir of Surviving Auschwitz as a Young Boy

Where can I purchase this bookDownload Cover ImageRead an Excerpt

I must first thank Anna Balasi of Hachette Book Group for allowing me the privilege of reading the remarkable story of Thomas Buergenthal. The following is how Hachette described the book:

Thomas Buergenthal, now a Judge in the International Court of Justice in The Hague, tells his astonishing experiences as a young boy in his memoir A LUCKY CHILD. He arrived at Auschwitz at age 10 after surviving two ghettos and a labor camp. Separated first from his mother and then his father, Buergenthal managed by his wits and some remarkable strokes of luck to survive on his own. Almost two years after his liberation, Buergenthal was miraculously reunited with his mother and in 1951 arrived in the U.S. to start a new life.

A lot of people might skip a forward or preface of a book because they want to get right "into the story". Don't you do it! The forward is written by writer, Nobel Peace Prize Winner and Holocaust survivor, Elie Wiesel. His words have weight. As are those in Thomas' preface to the story of Tommy, the child. A child who one day will turn responsibility for his survival back to his mother as he returns to being a child. Not a vengeful child, but a thoughtful one.

"...I began to think it was important that individuals like Nansen and the rest of us who had been subjected to terrible suffering at the hands of the Germans treat them with humanity...simply because our experience should have taught us to empathize with human beings in need, regardless of who they were. ..."

Part of me was afraid to read this book. Afraid to see what horrors he had been subjected to. Mr. Buergenthal wrote his story in such a way that my fears proved groundless as he did not dramatize them. It was like he was telling me the story as he would his children. A story that needs telling, needs remembering, but does not need to give us nightmares.

A Lucky Child is a good book about a bad time but Thomas will hold your hand as he tells you of Tommy's life during those times.

I won a Michael Buble' cd/dvd!

michael buble'. miss knotty introduced him to me and it was love at first listen! then i saw him on craig furgerson and found out he has a really good sense of humor! now, now i have his cd/dvd. how cool is this??

who do i have to thank for this? louise bishop of mom start. go visit her soon and see what you find that you might like to have. i have been following her for ever so long. i always like to see what she has going on. you will too!

Spirit of the Snake by Mark Engerbretson

This is what author Mark Engerbretson has to say about his book:

Spirit of the Snake is the story of Buck Landers, a Civil War veteran who leaves Tennessee for Texas after four long years of death, having seen and done too much.

He has become cold, hard and calloused, the lines of age crossing his young face. In Texas, he meets a young lady, one who offers the promise of a future. But she loses her life to men of no morals, no conscience and Landers is left to die.

He recovers and pursues the men to exact his revenge and become known as a gunfighter. The memory of his loss haunts him, but an encounter with thieves, a snake bite and the curative powers of an Indian medicine man change his life forever, allowing him to break from the past.

The history of North Central Texas is one of great danger and great opportunity – Landers sees much of it.

It is available through Amazon.com, Target.com or unlimitedpublishing.com

This is the second book to be published ... the first was The Golden Amulet, a western with a little different twist. Published by Unlimited Publishing, it is available on Amazon and unlimitedpublishing.com.

For either autographed book, e-mail markeng@nsb-pklake.com.

I have one problem with this book. It needs a map at the front of the book. Why? Because I kept having to pull up maps on my computer and some folk might not have one close by. You see, this book is based on reality of locations. (I went to school in Denton and almost froze to death at Possum Kingdom when a blue northern blew through.)

Other than that, I loved this book. I think it would appeal to any body who loves westerns or is interested in what it was like in Texas after the civil war. Our hero meets friendly Indians, Texas Police (the Texas Rangers had not reformed yet), simple people trying to survive, "polecats and skunks", historical ranchers who had to deal with cattle rustlers as well as waring Indians, and the terrain with its weather. Or those who just want to read a good cowboy yarn, go pick up this book. You'll like the different characters as well the different situations they find themselves in. (If you are as curious as I, you'll want to have a map handy and check out the Indians and some of the folks he references.)

I want now to read his first book and hope he comes out with the next one soon. It's fun to read a Texas tail by a Texan!

this is exciting!

bindu grandhi, the flexible cook, is the wife of dr. grandhi of circle of souls, has her own book out! i want to win it after checking out her site and looking at a recipe for carrot phirni. if she can get me to eat more veggies, she will get points! what was fun was, after reading the recipe, at the bottom the the page, was a video where she demonstrated how to make the dish!

ok, i bet you now want to enter too, right? ok. i'll share. head over to the wishing penny. follow all her instructions and it could be your's, well, if i get the other copy. (while you are there, check out what else she has going on. she usually has lots of good things going on!)

whatever you do, don't miss the visit mrs. grandhi's site. check out some recipes and look for the videos.

Thursday Thunks!

Welcome to the August 13th version of Thursday Thunks!
(which we always seem to post on Wednesday)
Where we make you think a little bit before you blog!
This week we will answer some crazy questions brought to you by
Kimber, the number 4812 and the color of storm clouds.

1. Hypothetical question- you are in a building with famous works of art, old manuscripts of famous novels, and original sheet music fromfamous composers. The building is on fire and looks to be completely destroyed. Do you grab any of the famous works before fleeing, and if so what? no, that would be stealing but if the manager/owner asked me to carry something out for her/him. i would and give it to him/her outside.

2. In August 1969, the Manson family went on a 2 night killing spree. Do you think 40 years later they have paid for their crimes? no.

3. Power Outage! What's the longest you have been without power? 4 freezing days around one new year/s. that is when you discover the value of having 2 fondu pots, one for soup and one for hot water for tea! and o, the joy of flannel sheets, a duvet, and a down filled jacket.

4. Just bought a new tazer gun. Will you let it be tested it on you to see if it works, and how it feels to be tazered? no. and i didn't "just bought it" and "him" can take it right back to the store he got it from!

5. A neighbor's mail was delivered to you. In it is a magazine not wrapped in plastic. Is it ok for you to flip through it before giving it to the neighbor? Do you tell them you looked through it? i don't think.

6. If I went through your purse/wallet right now, what all would I find in there? i've not one single clue. i know the keys are not in there because "him" has lost his again and "borrowed" mine...for a week now.

7. Have you been living under a rock? no, there are worms and things under there! yuck!

8. Tell us something crazy you did this week. i am not crazy, i just look this way. other than that, talk to the hand.

in the mail

in the mail, i got the cd version of carrie fisher's book, wishful drinking, and a hard copy of michelle paver's book oath breaker. these were from my lovely, loving friend, mimosa.

and my picture arrived. you know the one, ballooning by robin maria pedrero.

.

look what i won

first things first. i have to thank royal reviews for this book. after you read what she posted, you will understand why i wanted it. go here to read it. and, while you are there, look to see what else she has up for giveaway! she has good taste in books. well, i think so. could be because she reviews so many of the books i like!

in celebration of my 64th year on earth

well, it worked for a while. i still haven't figured out how to get videos in here and make them stay. so we are back to "click on it if you want to see it". so i give you: Ode to Forgetfulness

i won a book: seduce me

this is what i won from my friend, bridget at readaholic. yes, she is one of the ladies i awarded. i have to admit, i do like entering her contests. you might want to also. so thank you bridget. you know i will be back.

now don't you worry, after i read it, i will give my unsolicited opinion.

Fielding Grey is a treasure seeker with a taste for danger and experienced women. His latest mission: wrest Pandora's fabled box from a notorious criminal mastermind. Not in the job description: save an innocent damsel in distress.

A bookish miss, Esme Worthington has favored dusty tomes over society balls, and thrilling tales over flirtations. But when two scoundrels break into her home, she is thrust into a real-life adventure. Pursued and suddenly possessing the forbidden box, Esme can't resist peeking inside. Under the spell of Pandora's seductive curse, she's soon offering herself to Fielding – body and soul. With her reluctant rescuer determined to resist her charms, can the two outwit an enemy who will stop at nothing to seize their precious prize?

Project Lifesaver

once upon another lifetime (40 years ago), i met a little girl with autism. i also met some kids that were severely retarded. all of them could have used this product. please read her posting and share the knowledge. you never know who will need to read this.

The Bon Bon Gazette: Project Lifesaver keeps my Autistic child safe

i just have to show you one more

i just have to show you one more.

yes, it's another one by robin maria pedrero. now aren't you glad i did? this is my birthday month present to myself. getting to look at this beautiful picture and see all the "little" things in it. what do you see besides the pretty tea lady?

how nice is this

i was awarded the humane award from kayla of the electric element. it make me feel good that someone thinks i deserve this.

Here are the rules for this particular award:

Include the award logo in your blog and or post.

done

Nominate as many blogs as you like.

i hate this rule. how do i answer? all the people i follow in whatever way i have found to follow? too many. let me try to pick one from each umbrella:

books: j kay book blog...i like her reviews and her giveaways...probably because she likes so many of the ones i like.

giveaways: bridget she has two blogs...readaholic and freebies 4 me and you. the last one is lots of links to blogs where other people are giving things away.

travel: i would rather be knitting ...i don't know her name but i have been following her for a time as she travels around as a teacher. she writes so well and takes the greatest pictures!

knitting: shepherd susie...a real live shepard with such lovely animals and yarn webcam and well, again, if you follow me, you know i follow her. there is so much to read and see at her site.

photography: joanna who i first met on ravelry. i so love her photography. if you follow her through the link on her name, you will see her 365 challenge.

general: diane of dk mommy spot. if you have followed me for a while, you know she is into some fun stuff and very adventurous.

Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.

did it

Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

next task.

Share the love and link this post to the person from whom you received your award.

did it

my picture.

i tried but i just had to get a copy of this. do you see a baby's face in the clouds. i do.

I like pictures

ok, who else has oooood and awwwwwd? this is from robin of Robin Maria Pedrero. her work is being sponsered on the electric element. as a giveaway. if you like robin's stuff, you ought to go enter this giveaway.

i won another book: Stand the Storm

Breena Clarke.

i won this book and i am so happy i did! bridget always finds the best books to review at her blog, readaholic. in fact bridget likes giveaway so much she has 2 blogs. the second on is called freebied for me and u. that site is just to help us connect other people's giveaways. see, i told you this was a nice lady. you really should visit both sites.

now to share with you why i wanted to read this book...i read the following:

FULL DESCRIPTION

Even though former slaves Annie Coats and her son Gabriel have managed to buy their freedom, their lives are still marked by constant struggle and sacrifice--to the extent that Annie secretly recalls her days on the plantation with fondness. Washington's Georgetown neighborhood, where the Coatses are seeking to build their new lives--with Gabriel, a tailor, producing uniforms for soldiers and fine suits for pompous politicians, and Annie, a seamstress and laundress, catering to the nearby brothels and stately homes--is supposed to be a safe haven, a "promised land" for former slaves, but is effectively a frontier town, gritty and dangerous, with no laws protecting black people. In fact, the city's own emancipation efforts in 1862 serve only to compromise the Coats family's status, putting Gabriel's three young daughters (each of them born free of free parents) at risk of becoming the property of the Coatses' former master. The remarkable emotional energy with which the Coatses rise their daily battles--as they negotiate with their former owner, as they assist other former slaves en route to freedom, as they prepare for the encroaching war, and as they struggle to love each other enough--is what fuels this novel and makes its tragic denoument so devastating.

i can't wait for my copy to arrive! after i read it. i have to put in my two cents after reading. i want everyone to have a shelf of "to be read" as big as mine or bigger.

Fill-Ins: Serendipity

1. tea is my favorite summertime drink.

2. My favorite John Hughes movies is i had to look him up to find out my favorite is The Breakfast Club

3. my puppies' fur is something I love to touch.

4. The full moon is something i would like to get a really good picture of.

5. it;s hot, i think if am melting right now.

6. When daylight fades i love to watch the sunset.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to cooling off. tomorrow my plans include finishing spirit of the snake, and Sunday, I want ti write a review of it.

Thursday Thunks-Much Ado About Nothing

Welcome to the August 6th version of Thursday Thunks!
(which we always seem to post on Wednesday)

Where we make you think a little bit before you blog!
This week we will answer some crazy questions brought to you by Berleen, the number 1 and the color of the crap under your shoe.

1. What the hell were you thinking?
that if i keep reading all the book reviews and getting the books i want, i will have as much yarn as i do books and no time to get to them all...like my yarn...translation...i don't always think.

2. The tornado sirens go off in your neighborhood - what do you do?
they sure are slow. oscar warned us an hour ago.

3. Give us a recipe.
take a girl and her two dogs, add a boy...what'd ya get? me, a dh, and more dogs...well some of them passed and had to be replaced.

4. It's the middle of the night, there isnt a car in sight and you are stuck at a red light that just won't change.... how long do you wait until you run it?

back up, move to the right hand lane wait a second to see if there is anything coming, turn right. it's legal to turn right on red in texas after coming to a complete stop.

5. When was the last time you got all dressed up fancy-like? Where did you go?
i don't remember.

6. Have you ever had a mole removed?
don't think so...no need, have had enough stuff removed already, thank you kindly.

7. Are you in an area of record highs or record lows for the temps this summer? Are you lucky and stuck in the middle where it's somewhat normal?
no, i'm in texas. i also think weather men who tell you the "heat index" should be shot at dawn. i mean there is only so much you can take off before you get arrested for indecent behavior.

8. When was the last time you changed your furnace filter?
i don't have a furnace. i'm in texas. i do have a heater/ac unit. i changed it in the old house. now it is the responsibility of dh.

9. What's your favorite type of frog?
weeeelll, i did like the legs of them for dinner at the french room....so i would have to go with segmented.

10. If you were to go on America's Got Talent, what would you do for your talent? (and choosing not to go is not an option....)
telling stupid animal jokes.

11. Have you ever been on a rooftop of a building?
not that i recall. wait a moment ... we did go to the top of reunion tower...never mind, that doesn't count... it's called atop reunion tower but it really isn't.

12. What is the first website you go to each day when you sit down at your computer, other than your email?
the first one that shows up in my email that looks interesting.

What’s the most serious book you’ve read recently? (I figure it’s easier than asking your most serious boook ever, because, well, it’s recent!)
i am adding this question because it was the next email to follow. circle of souls was serious.

I asked and he answered. A Q&A with Dr. Preetham Grandhi

before we start, i want you, the readers, to know that where you see text underscored, there are links to what Dr. Grandhi is referring to ...well, come on, i know you guys are a nosey as i am. i'm just saving you some time.

why did you decide to write a book?

One day I suddenly had a story in my head and decided to put it on paper. I had never done anything like this before. I always wanted to make movies but couldn't get to Hollywood. Hopefully now one day I can.

(i hope you get there too. this would be a good movie.)
why this book and where did the inspiration come from?

It was a few months post 9/11, and I was looking at the biographies of the people who had lost their lives. I began to wonder if there was a larger meaning to their lives. All of a sudden, a story flashed into my mind, and I quickly wrote it on a piece of paper. I knew then that I needed to write a story that was larger than life. It needed to communicate the essence that there is a bigger purpose and meaning to our passage on earth.

I knew that in order to capture and convey such a message, the book needed to be captivating, interesting, and thrilling. I realized that a story based on the work I do would be the right place to begin. I am a child psychiatrist and had just started a new job. During my fellowship, I worked with children with numerous psychosocial issues and had many life stories to tell. It was at that moment that I decided I could write a book that would capture all these thoughts. That was how A Circle of Souls was born.

what do you coworkers think of the book?

They all liked it and were very appreciative. The book is dedicated to the children and staff on the unit I work with.

is our doctor/hero based on you and your dealings with children?

Yes, it is. Everything about that is a part of a real experience in some way or another.

i have the feeling that your have an interest in folklore/legends. am
i right? if so, where does that come from?

I grew up in India reading a lot of folklore and the epics of Ramayana and the Mahabharata. There are great stories to read full of adventure and life lessons.

besides the story, is there a sub message you are trying to send? like

what children's units are like or how interagencies work or can work
together (like docs and cops) for the best of all concerned. or was
that just an added bonus i got?

I wanted to share with the world what it would be like to be a child psychiatrist and how the current field is, including all the benefits and pitfalls. There are hundreds of people out there who do such wonderful work with children and their families.

do you still work the ungodly hours described in the book? if so, i am
surprised you ever got the book out in 5 years!

No, I still work a lot but I go do bed early. No more night calls.

'bet the family is glad of that!

can you think of any question(s) i have not asked? and will you answer it/them?

This book will keep you on the edge until the very end and will leave you thinking about the larger sense of individual purpose and destiny.

Sandy, if you get a chance download Universal Sense the Blueprint for Success, I am sure you will like it. Its free.

words to a book lover with a small budget's heart. thank you, sir, for your time and what i can see will become a lengthening of my "to be read list."