tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216343612024-03-23T14:06:28.390-04:00The 'view from StonewaterI'm leaving this blog up as a place to collect my views and re-views on the arts - along with containing a record of my visits to China ... but my more active efforts now are on my blog "Connecticut for Sarah Palin" (http://hrh40.wordpress.com), which supports Governor Palin as she continues to live and lead by commonsense Constitutional principles.hrhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596988242528734544noreply@blogger.comBlogger274125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21634361.post-90903181324157339982011-05-24T22:00:00.000-04:002011-05-24T22:00:08.414-04:00Palin's Secret Weapon: New Film to Premiere in June<a href="http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2011/05/25/palins_secret_weapon_new_film_to_premiere_in_june_109949.html?sms_ss=blogger&at_xt=4ddc629929c8f461%2C0">Palin's Secret Weapon: New Film to Premiere in June</a>hrhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596988242528734544noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21634361.post-79454057715908514692011-03-31T14:11:00.003-04:002011-03-31T14:13:57.272-04:00The Middle's Heck of a Family - Today's News: Our Take | TVGuide.comNo, this isn't really a review, but it's so rare that I like a modern TV show that actually lasts beyond one season, that I thought I'd feature this great interview and video from TV Guide on the cast of "The Middle":<br /><br /><a href="http://www.tvguide.com/News/Middles-Heck-Family-1030258.aspx?rss=breakingnews&partnerid=imdb&profileid=01">The Middle's Heck of a Family - Today's News: Our Take | TVGuide.com</a><br /><br />It's on Wednesday nights at 8:00 p.m. EST if you want to check it out.<br /><br />And if you wanna' follow some of the cast on twitter:<br /><br /><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/PatriciaHeaton">Frankie Heck</a><br /><a href=" http://twitter.com/#!/charliemcdrmott">Axl Heck</a><br /><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/eden_sher">Sue Heck</a>hrhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596988242528734544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21634361.post-4743954090092190872011-03-25T09:21:00.013-04:002011-03-25T12:01:37.384-04:00"Bound by Guilt" by C.J. Darlington My Review for the blog tour<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1414340125?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1414340125"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_E0n9ICbze5kfeS7fT85a9yGGcLt2nGb85AIu_xVeSvgXaoesdnMmxwTUVqO05gzFL6jb82OA9wF5vXnnfxJkUUJ9fvL3gG77U8SD0IQo9rEHS211MTL3Niyhes7Lred8_tE/s400/bound-by-guilt-200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588008584179780994" border="0" /></a>Hi all:<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">I've finished reading</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1414340125?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1414340125"><span style="font-style: italic;">Bound by Guilt</span></a> by C.J. Darlington! And what a satisfying read it was ...<br /><br />Having <a href="http://viewfromstonewater.blogspot.com/2010/01/title-trakk-blog-tour-for-thicker-than_23.html">read and reviewed</a> Darlington's first novel <a href="http://www.cjdarlington.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Thicker than Blood,</span></a> last year, I knew she could write an emotionally compelling story about sympathetic characters firmly located in specific natural environments. But it is amazing the improvement from Book 1 to Book 2 in terms of tighter editing, smoother plotting, and confident storytelling!<br /><br />From the very first line, "Don't you ever feel guilty?", Darlington develops the twin themes of guilt and forgiveness in the lives of her main characters. It is their respective guilt in their specific circumstances that, in fact, draws their disparate plot lines together in a deftly handled mixing of theme, plot, and character.<br /><br />The novel takes place in two main locales: the world of antiquarian booksellers and the American Southwest. Many characters from the first novel are back, including sisters Christy and May, married ranchers Jan and Keith, and siblings Hunter and Abby and their father. But the main focus this time around is on newcomer, Roxie Gold, a sixteen-year-old foster child, who is now on the road in an RV with her longlost mother's cousin, Irene, and Irene's teenage son, Diego.<br /><br />No worries for readers who are not familiar with <span style="font-style: italic;">Thicker than Blood,</span> however, as all the characters receive adequate reintroductions in this new story, and their backstories are divulged only as needed to further the current conflict. Those familiar with the first story will welcome the further character development for Abby Dawson, who is left with her own guilt from the first novel.<br /><br />Roxie's guilt stems from her part in a crime committed early in the novel in which she is an unwitting accomplice to murder. If that sounds dramatic, consider that Roxie's young life has been quite Dickensian to that point, including a drugged-out mother, a major accident that left her scarred for life at age 8, multiple foster families, group homes, and more. Now that she's found a family of sorts with her mother's cousin and son, Roxie understandably hopes that happiness has found her at last.<br /><br />Sadly, continuing in Dickensian fashion, Irene is a thief, who enlists her son and foster daughter to assist her in stealing rare books from dealers across the Southwest and then reselling them online. So alas, the idyllic life on the road traveling with family in an RV is not to be for Roxie. It is when one of these robberies goes horribly wrong that the plot kicks into gear.<br /><br />Meanwhile Abby has problems of her own, including a two-week suspension from the police force after taking out her anger on not being able to visit her daughter (whose father has sole custody) in an arrest of the mayor's wife for drunk driving. Without giving away too much plot, Abby's story almost immediately gets entangled with Roxie's after the crime is committed. And Christy Williams, the main character in <span style="font-style: italic;">Thicker than Blood, </span>is also intertwined in tragic fashion. And she continues to deal with some residual guilt from her former lifestyle - though her newfound faith helps her cope with a new tragedy.<br /><br />Speaking of Christy, however, I will make one criticism of the novel, which is that Christy's response to the murder is quite underdeveloped. I realize she is not the focus of this story but is rather, serving as a bulwark for Abby this time, as May was a bulwark for Christy in the first novel. But still, I would argue that the tragic murder affects Christy more than it does Abby, and yet we see very little of her grief process or her coping mechanism. We presume her newly strengthened faith is helping her deal more peacefully with her sorrow, but we don't see it much at all. Some of her interactions with Abby, laughing at jokes while unofficially investigating the crime, came off as jarring to me.<br /><br />Other than some misfires in dealing with Christy's character this time around, Darlington shows magnificent improvement over an impressive first novel. She again ramps up the story to a dramatic, tense, and page-turning conclusion that is satisfying even as we are not left with all the answers as to what will happen next. Perhaps we'll find out in Darlington's next novel ...<br /><br />Brava!<br /><br />And bring on Book 3!<br /><br /><a href="http://titletrakkblogtours.blogspot.com/">Check out what everyone else is saying on the Blog Tour.</a>hrhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596988242528734544noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21634361.post-30753361201432931182011-03-23T11:55:00.004-04:002011-03-25T12:01:49.249-04:00"Bound by Guilt" by C.J. Darlington blog tour continuesHi all:<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">I'm still reading ...</span><br /><br />... but in the meantime <span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">check out what the other bloggers in the tour have to say</span> about <span style="font-style: italic;">Bound by Guilt:</span><br /><br />1. <a href="http://www.myfriendamysblog.com/">My Friend Amy</a><br />2. <a href="http://books-movies-chinesefood.blogspot.com/">Books, Movies & Chinese Food</a><br />3. <a href="http://backseatwriter.wordpress.com/">Backseat Writer</a><br />4. <a href="http://www.heatheraine.blogspot.com/">All Things Supernatural</a><br />5. <a href="http://andrealschultz.blogspot.com/">Andrea Schultz</a><br />6. <a href="http://www.psalm516.blogspot.com/">Finding Hope Through Fiction</a><br />7. <a href="http://www.a-fair-substitute-for-heaven.blogspot.com/">A Fair Substitute for Heaven</a><br />8. <a href="http://www.daysongreflections.com/">Daysong Reflections</a><br />9. <a href="http://mochawithlinda.blogspot.com/">Mocha With Linda</a><br />10. <a href="http://www.marydreisbach.blogspot.com/">All Are Welcome Here</a><br />11. <a href="http://berlysue.blogspot.com/">Window to My World</a><br />12. <a href="http://michellevsblog.blogspot.com/">Life in Review</a><br />13. <a href="http://juliearduini.com/">The Surrendered Scribe</a><br />14. <a href="http://onedesertrose.wordpress.com/">One Desert Rose</a><br />15. <a href="http://www.lovingheartmommy.com/">Loving Heart Mommy</a><br />16. <a href="http://heatherivester.com/">Mom 2 Mom Connection</a><br />17. <a href="http://viewfromstonewater.blogspot.com/">The View From Stone Water</a><br />18. <a href="http://deenasbooks.blogspot.com/">A Peak At My Bookshelf</a><br />19. <a href="http://www.abookloverforever.blogspot.com/">Book Lover</a><br />20. <a href="http://thoughtsofasojourner.blogspot.com/">Thoughts of a Sojourner</a><br />21. <a href="http://neveradullmoment-angie.blogspot.com/">Never A Dull Moment</a><br />22. <a href="http://charactertherapist.blogspot.com/">The Character Therapist</a><br />23. <a href="http://edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com/">Healing Hearts Book Review Blog<br /></a>24. <a href="http://www.readingtoknow.com/">Reading to Know</a><br />25. <a href="http://word-up-studies.blogspot.com/">Word Up!</a><br />26. <a href="http://www.rockymountainwriter.com/">Rocky Mountain Writer</a><br />27. <a href="http://booksandneedlepoint.blogspot.com/">Books & Needlepoint</a><br />28. <a href="http://thriftyinarkansas.blogspot.com/">Thrifty In Arkansas</a><br />29. <a href="http://reflectionsinhindsight.wordpress.com/">Reflections In Hindsight</a><br />30. <a href="http://connected2christ.com/theblog/">Connected2Christ</a><br />31. <a href="http://www.valkgal.com/">Tea Time with Valerie</a><br />32. <a href="http://ramblinroadstoeverywhere.blogspot.com/">Ramblin' Roads</a><br />33. <a href="http://supernaturalcraving.blogspot.com/">Craving the Supernatural</a><br />34. <a href="http://www.stampedwithgrace.blogspot.com/">Stamped with Grace</a><br />35. <a href="http://rebornbutterfly.wordpress.com/">Jane Austen, Chai Tea, and Me</a><br />36. <a href="http://creativemadnessmama.com/">Creative Madness Mama</a><br />37. <a href="http://www.cornhuskeracademy.blogspot.com/">Cornhusker Academy</a><br />38. <a href="http://pattyleblanc.wordpress.com/">Reading Pal</a><br />39. <a href="http://mybookaddictionandmore.wordpress.com/">My Book Addiction and More</a><br />40. <a href="http://readinnwritin.blogspot.com/">Readin N Writin with Patricia</a><br />41. <a href="http://lizasblog-liza.blogspot.com/">Blogging by Liza</a><br />42. <a href="http://www.themusingsofabookaddict.com/">The Musings of a Book Addict</a><br />43. <a href="http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/">A Christian Writer's World</a><br />44. <a href="http://clickingherheels.blogspot.com/">Clicking Her Heels</a><br />45. <a href="http://caitlinmuir.wordpress.com/">Caitlin Muir</a><br />46. <a href="http://www.pencildancer.com/">Diana Lesire Brandmeyer, Pencildancer</a><br />47. <a href="http://www.readwriterevamp.com/">Read Write Revamp</a><br />48. <a href="http://terriharr.blogspot.com/">Terri's Writing Adventures</a><br />49. <a href="http://cindylovenreviews.blogspot.com/">Cindy's Book Reviews</a><br />50. <a href="http://carol-mcclain.blogspot.com/">Character Counts</a><br />51. <a href="http://www.divinedetour.com/">Divine Detour</a><br />52. <a href="http://pinksapphire118.blogspot.com/">Pink Sapphire</a><br />53. <a href="http://deloresliesner.com/">Delores Liesner</a><br />54. <a href="http://dwellings20.blogspot.com/">Dwellings</a><br />55. <a href="http://www.heidimain.com/blog/">Heidi Main, Writer</a><br />56. <a href="http://barbjan10-barbjansblogblogspot.blogspot.com/">BarbJan10Blogs</a><br />57. <a href="http://deborahsbutterflyjourney.blogspot.com/">Butterfly Journey</a><br />58. <a href="http://janmarienewby.blogspot.com/">Write About Now</a><br />59. <a href="http://blybooks.blogspot.com/">On A Western Trail</a><br />60. <a href="http://www.deborahmpiccurelli.com/">Deborah M. Piccurelli</a><br />61. <a href="http://themommyrambles.blogspot.com/">The Mommy Rambles</a><br />62. <a href="http://christysbookblog.com/">Christy's Book Blog</a><br />63. <a href="http://www.seizethebookblog.blogspot.com/">Carpe Libris</a><br />64. <a href="http://cherylklarich.blogspot.com/">Writing Remnants</a><br />65. <a href="http://www.wordvixen.com/">WordVixen</a><br />66. <a href="http://molcotw.blogspot.com/">My Own Little Corner of the World</a><br />67. <a href="http://andreastake.blogspot.com/">Andrea's Take</a><br />68. <a href="http://www.miscmayzee.com/">Misc Mayzee</a><br />69. <a href="http://reviewsbymolly.blogspot.com/">Book Reviews by Molly</a><br />70. <a href="http://carolmoncado.wordpress.com/">Carol's Blog</a><br />71. <a href="http://beccacarter.com/">Becca's World</a><br />72. <a href="http://relzreviewz.blogspot.com/">Relz Reviewz</a><br />73. <a href="http://www.quiverfullfamily.com/">Quiverfull Family</a><br />74. <a href="http://thekoalabearwriter.blogspot.com/">The Koala Bear Writer</a><br />75. <a href="http://wynsbooks.blogspot.com/">Wyn is Reading Books</a><br />76. <a href="http://www.illuminatingfiction.com/">Illuminating Fiction</a><br />77. <a href="http://www.peekingbetweenthepages.com/">Peeking Between the Pages</a><br />78. <a href="http://www.tableforseven-julie.blogspot.com/">My 5 Monkeys</a><br />79. <a href="http://www.thebarndoor.net/">The Barn Door</a><br /><br />That should keep you busy until I finish reading and post my own thoughts!<br /><br /><a href="http://titletrakkblogtours.blogspot.com/">Check out what everyone else is saying on the Blog Tour.</a>hrhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596988242528734544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21634361.post-66560167907122678682011-03-21T08:41:00.004-04:002011-03-25T12:02:03.402-04:00"Bound By Guilt" by C.J. Darlington<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dbNvaf2PksoXn5s0_pJgQ9qJIELDNxx75x8uW9ifJ0kcYbVqI-RgYTJicG2h4dRVEAgrOEWhpKG8KhqfGrJBDiJvJof6UZQJosW-KmnsbVDJiKfMsSWVraGpZxMCHGmS13c_7w/s1600/bound-by-guilt-200.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dbNvaf2PksoXn5s0_pJgQ9qJIELDNxx75x8uW9ifJ0kcYbVqI-RgYTJicG2h4dRVEAgrOEWhpKG8KhqfGrJBDiJvJof6UZQJosW-KmnsbVDJiKfMsSWVraGpZxMCHGmS13c_7w/s320/bound-by-guilt-200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585525989678407138" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" >TitleTrakk.com Blog Tours Presents:</span><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1414340125?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1414340125"><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >Bound by Guilt</span></a><br /><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >by C.J. Darlington<br />Published by Tyndale House</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >Shuttled between foster homes, Roxi Gold will do anything to fit in. Soon she’s traveling the country stealing rare books from unsuspecting bookstores. Police officer Abby Dawson has seen the worst of society—and not just at work. One fateful night, both their lives are changed forever. One searches for justice, the other finds herself on the run. Will the power of forgiveness set them free?<br /></span><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">***I'll have more information throughout the week ...<br />including my own review!***</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >Great job! You kept me turning the pages.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">--<span style="font-weight: bold;">Francine Rivers</span>, Internationally best selling author </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >C.J. is a wonderful, talented writer . . . extraordinary . . .</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">--<span style="font-weight: bold;">Bodie Thoene</span>, best-selling author of the <span style="font-style: italic;">A.D. Chronicles</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >This one engages your senses and reaches your heart.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">--<span style="font-weight: bold;">Jerry B. Jenkins</span>, NY Times best-selling author & owner of The Christian Writers Guild</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Watch the book trailer:</span><br /></div><br /><center><strong><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" ><object width="400" height="325"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6T2bmi8nhHI?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6T2bmi8nhHI?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="325"></embed></object></span></strong></center><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLVMdq3a_Lb6YBNWODngQ_-io-79t7xt1QgI48Ldu-neqIecVWAUEIlfY4HsBg7sHsAJT4zTysNs-d7BsMHT9WjH8CfvFA4smXJRqP8QteuTBC5tYOmcstW1mSpTuBrWSF9DvKw/s1600-h/cj-standard-150.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLVMdq3a_Lb6YBNWODngQ_-io-79t7xt1QgI48Ldu-neqIecVWAUEIlfY4HsBg7sHsAJT4zTysNs-d7BsMHT9WjH8CfvFA4smXJRqP8QteuTBC5tYOmcstW1mSpTuBrWSF9DvKw/s320/cj-standard-150.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425890032675046466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">About the Author:</span><br />C. J. Darlington won the 2008 Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel contest with her first novel, <span style="font-style: italic;">Thicker Than Blood</span>. She has been in the antiquarian bookselling business for over twelve years, scouting for stores similar to the ones described in her novels before cofounding her own online bookstore. In 2006 C. J. started the Christian entertainment Web site <a href="http://www.titletrakk.com/">www.TitleTrakk.com</a> with her sister, Tracy, and has been actively promoting Christian fiction through book reviews and author interviews. A homeschool graduate, she makes her home in Pennsylvania with her family and their menagerie of dogs and cats. Visit her website <a href="http://www.cjdarlington.com/">www.cjdarlington.com</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">QUICK LINKS: </span><br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.cjdarlington.com/excerpts/thicker-than-blood-excerpt.htm">The 1st chapter of Bound by Guilt<br /></a></li><li><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?isbn=9781414340128&event=AFF&p=1137091">Buy at Christianbook.com</a></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1414340125?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1414340125">Buy at Amazon.com</a></li><li><a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000000032471658&pubid=21000000000217645">Buy at Barnes & Noble</a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1414334486?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1414334486"><br /></a></li></ul><br /></div><br /><br /><a href="http://titletrakkblogtours.blogspot.com/">Check out what everyone else is saying on the Blog Tour.</a>hrhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596988242528734544noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21634361.post-14502576232940368112010-11-05T10:41:00.000-04:002010-11-05T10:41:00.603-04:00Together<object style="background-image:url(http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/xr3sj8q5lfY/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xr3sj8q5lfY?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xr3sj8q5lfY?fs=1&hl=en_US" width="480" height="295" allowScriptAccess="never" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>hrhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596988242528734544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21634361.post-91843854811192006062010-11-05T10:34:00.000-04:002010-11-05T10:34:43.692-04:002010 Elections: The Palin Effect - HUMAN EVENTS<a href="http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=39764">2010 Elections: The Palin Effect - HUMAN EVENTS</a>hrhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596988242528734544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21634361.post-57940614613868112572010-07-12T13:06:00.010-04:002010-07-12T13:15:07.682-04:00Woman Overboard by Jo Kadlecek at Title TrakkHi all:<br /><br />I have a <a href="http://www.titletrakk.com/book-reviews/woman-overboard-review-kadlecek.htm">new review at Title Trakk</a> of Jo Kadlecek's nonfiction work <span style="font-style: italic;">Woman Overboard: How Passion Saved My Life:<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.titletrakk.com/book-reviews/woman-overboard-review-kadlecek.htm"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 356px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6c7TEGr9CRMWuaWeYS1iiOiK9svvQOz8Ds3JMS-lHriU97dGARBRFZXIljyGpc3THMwrAPIBEmsKgWzKadE45nCJOyeIBTR1Lrp1quZU0d0KIiMcZA27c8Wp07MBpJSb5URm/s400/woman-overboard-250.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493067662626779922" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here's how <a href="http://www.titletrakk.com/book-reviews/woman-overboard-review-kadlecek.htm">my review</a> begins:<br /><br /><p style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><span style=";font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:130%;" >As a big fan of author Jo Kadlecek’s<em> Lightfoot</em> trilogy about religion reporter Jonna Lightfoot Maclaughlin and who, in fact, gave a cover endorsement for the final book <em>A Minute Before Friday</em>, I was eager to read Kadlecek’s nonfiction musings in <em>Woman Overboard: How Passion Saved My Life</em>. Full disclosure leads me to confess that I am generally a bigger fan of fiction’s showing than nonfiction’s telling.</span></p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><span style=";font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:130%;" >Furthermore, I have favorite nonfiction authors and favorite fiction authors but rarely does one cross successfully to the other as far as I’m concerned. For example, I enjoy Frederick Buechner’s and, to a lesser extent, Anne Lamott’s nonfiction books. But I just don’t get their fiction. Rare examples of writers whose fiction and nonfiction are equally enjoyable for me are Madeleine L’Engle and Randy Alcorn. To that list, I can add Jo Kadlecek. At least as far as <em>Woman Overboard</em> is concerned.</span></p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><span style=";font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:130%;" >In this slim volume’s seven chapters plus prologue, epilogue, and an appended collection of “Life Preservers,” Kadlecek takes a definitive and anecdotal look at the well-lived life. Definitive in that she opens each chapter with etymologies of words, such as “adventure,” “vocation,” “suffer,” and of course, “passion,” with its close companion, “compassion.” Anecdotal in that she frames her musings with biographical anecdotes from her childhood up to the present day. In so doing, Kadlecek combines her gift for storytelling with clear-headed yet emotional brief essays on what gives life meaning, how do we find it, embrace it, and live it with passion when so much of our ordinary days seem bogged down and distracted.</span></p> <span style=";font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">I took about a week to read this less-than-200 page book, because though its chapters are brief, its revelations are not ...</span><br /><br /></span>You can read the rest <a href="http://www.titletrakk.com/book-reviews/woman-overboard-review-kadlecek.htm">here.</a><br /><br />Enjoy!<br /><br />hrh<br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><a title="data:post.title" url="data:post.url" class="addthis_button"><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border: 0pt none;" height="16" width="125" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b54873d48f94396"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->hrhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596988242528734544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21634361.post-15444797402270850752010-07-08T09:15:00.002-04:002010-07-12T13:14:53.420-04:00Mama GrizzliesHi all:<br /><br />Enjoy!<br /><br /><object height="505" width="853"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fsUVL6ciK-c&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fsUVL6ciK-c&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="505" width="853"></embed></object><br /><br />I'm off to San Diego for <a href="http://www.conservatives4palin.com/2010/07/c4p-readers-meet-up-this-weekend.html">this weekend's first C4P Meetup</a>!<br /><br />Engage!<br /><br />hrh<br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><a title="data:post.title" url="data:post.url" class="addthis_button"><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border: 0pt none;" height="16" width="125" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b54873d48f94396"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->hrhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596988242528734544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21634361.post-62022116190010794492010-06-08T14:02:00.004-04:002010-06-08T14:23:03.937-04:00The Iron Lady Returns - Margaret Thatcher at No. 10 Downing Street - Could Sarah Palin be the next Iron Lady?Hi all:<br /><br />Lovely sight:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkQSPrltkZefrxlMzdfObZnN-z6XzjbZBK387SGzCby60j3e6XXxw3QGMpzWSAKXsj0Z_DOEM_CxCXyUgUfZ6BPbAHtz_G-IgSQkUTxhtw2ISC9RbZa6lkAzM196kcOnZGcQc/s1600/Thatcher.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 381px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkQSPrltkZefrxlMzdfObZnN-z6XzjbZBK387SGzCby60j3e6XXxw3QGMpzWSAKXsj0Z_DOEM_CxCXyUgUfZ6BPbAHtz_G-IgSQkUTxhtw2ISC9RbZa6lkAzM196kcOnZGcQc/s400/Thatcher.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480465087340900482" border="0" /></a>New Tory leader David Cameron invited <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1285009/The-Iron-Ladys-No10-Maggies-visit-Downing-St-return-Tory-PM.html">Maggie Thatcher for tea.</a><br /><br />Maybe the <a href="http://www.conservatives4palin.com/">next Iron Lady?</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTiCnoFZbMy5rSTB7lUXyQWrWyqU5OwIMag1mF3TixwlEN3sDSN9-ZfCp4QD5vROYzDzQvvnzBgHFEehd9_Q4bwMmVoCOD0syVjIBldxhxQSJfpVyRGoScUHHEb0C-eoFHDh1/s1600/prespalin.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTiCnoFZbMy5rSTB7lUXyQWrWyqU5OwIMag1mF3TixwlEN3sDSN9-ZfCp4QD5vROYzDzQvvnzBgHFEehd9_Q4bwMmVoCOD0syVjIBldxhxQSJfpVyRGoScUHHEb0C-eoFHDh1/s400/prespalin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480468778954946562" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(Yes, it's photo-shopped. It's been around for about a year. Don't know who did the original.)</span><br /><br /></div>Engage!<br /><br />hrh<br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><a title="data:post.title" url="data:post.url" class="addthis_button"><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border: 0pt none;" height="16" width="125" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b54873d48f94396"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->hrhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596988242528734544noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21634361.post-50040700758234504542010-06-05T16:45:00.002-04:002010-06-05T16:47:44.330-04:00Tea Party Member Stuns Crowd!Hi all:<br /><br />Wow!<br /><br />Listen to this former Marine sing out proud!<br /><br /><object width="853" height="505"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/f9_bP219ehQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/f9_bP219ehQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="853" height="505"></embed></object><br /><br />I love how people spontaneously start standing up. I'm gonna' start blubbing ...<br /><br />Engage!<br />hrh<br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><a title="data:post.title" url="data:post.url" class="addthis_button"><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border: 0pt none;" width="125" height="16" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b54873d48f94396"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->hrhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596988242528734544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21634361.post-70003496518259698512010-06-02T14:46:00.007-04:002010-06-02T15:07:35.719-04:00Palin Endorses Murkowski's opponent: 2004 Sarah Palin on Contested PrimariesHi all:<br /><br />In <a href="http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=395277003434">Sarah Palin's Facebook today endorsing Joe Miller</a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=395277003434"> for U.S. Senate</a> against Lisa Murkowski, she declares <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Competition's Good! Joe Miller for Alaska."</span><br /><br />This is not new for Sarah Palin.<br /><br />Check out this article from 2004, back when Sarah Palin was just a hockey mom.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Contest in primary is nothing to fear</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">COMPASS:</span> Points of view from the community </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">By SARAH PALIN </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;">Published: April 16, 2004 </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;">Last Modified: April 17, 2004 at 01:57 AM </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Granted, my unapologetic passion for sports may play an exceptionable role in shaping my worldview, but I'm convinced the formula for success in the sports arena is essentially the same in the political arena. In fact, I believe all I ever really needed to know I learned on the basketball court. Thus, my zeal for competition in Alaska's primary races. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">It would be astonishing to hear anything but enthusiasm for challenges in athletics, so it's puzzling that some are discouraging competition in the selection process for party nominees to move on to the state's general election for U.S. Senate.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Competition defines and refines a person. Character is revealed. It's really nothing to be afraid of. It should be welcomed in order for you to improve as an individual and increase your team's chance of success.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Republicans are known for preaching the benefits of all kinds of competition, including in the business world, for education choices, product pricing and job opportunities in free markets, and even as the principle behind coaches choosing starting lineups. Why, then, deprecate competition when selecting political leaders?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Despite "politico experts" who claim otherwise, it's nonsensical to believe Republicans would shoot themselves in the foot by allowing primary competition. Remember, the dynamics of the new closed primaries don't let "spoilers" advance from party primaries into the general election. Wayward ammunition causes damage when politicians run negative campaigns aimed toward opponents' feet instead of shooting straight with voters. Republican primaries send victorious candidates forward via majority mandate. Pretty simple. Pretty American. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">State government spends $1.3 million on primaries so partisans can select candidates. Surely, multiple choices on the ballot help justify this expenditure. Otherwise, what's the sense in tax-funded primaries instead of automatic byes doled out through party conventions?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Competition drives you further than you can push yourself on your own. That's good! Opponents make athletes run faster, work harder, produce more; these are attributes Alaskans want in leaders. Encouraging competition is on par with coaches and teammates believing you can improve, so they advocate competition not to tear you down, but to build the best team possible.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Competitive races allow development of resourcefulness, perseverance, sportsmanship, a larger circle of acquaintances and better responsiveness to issues -- all things needed in elected officials.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Alaska craves leaders who grow stronger when up against the ropes. That's what happens in competition. Champions expose themselves to pressure, ignore fears of defeat and actually relish contests they'll face in the ring where there's no room to shirk from confrontation.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">UCLA coach John Wooden reminded his players always to place team welfare above personal desires. He stressed straightforwardness and humility and wasn't impressed with self-claims of competency and qualifications because self-aggrandizement isn't only unimpressive, it's downright annoying. Campaigns: Spare us the same annoyance by welcoming opponents, so results from a trusted selection process can honorably speak for themselves! Then doubts are erased. Victories are earned and legitimized.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">I trust that most in the party of Abraham Lincoln have the right agenda for Alaska, but we won't realize GOP-won benefits if Alaskans continue to struggle with questions concerning fairness in the candidate selection process. All the campaign funds in the world won't buy positive results if voters question the integrity of actions that give unearned, unfair advantage to anyone. So instead of fearing contests as dreaded, dangerous affairs, realize the most important thing incumbents and challengers can do to establish themselves and explain their positions is to run inspiring, open campaigns from here on out. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">For the good of Alaska's team, let's have healthy debate and voter education opportunities in upcoming races. We'll develop confidence in candidates chosen by majority vote who gain statewide experience. Candidates also benefit by gaining confidence in the public trust they earn as they move into the final round. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Competition. Yeah, it's tough. It's uncomfortable and inconvenient. But as the sports world gives constant reminders that competition makes everyone better, in this land of opportunity Alaskans deserve campaigns that make our state better too.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Sarah Palin is a former mayor of Wasilla and Republican candidate for lieutenant governor. She also was co-captain of a state champion girls basketball team at Wasilla High. She now is an enthusiastic hockey mom and very slow distance runner. Though mentioned as a possible U.S. Senate candidate, she says her chances of winning the Boston Marathon are better than her chances of GOP leadership support for a challenge to Sen. Lisa Murkowski. </span><br /><br />Engage!<br /><br />hrh<br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><a title="data:post.title" url="data:post.url" class="addthis_button"><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border: 0pt none;" width="125" height="16" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b54873d48f94396"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->hrhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596988242528734544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21634361.post-82952696559880161382010-05-15T22:14:00.002-04:002010-05-15T22:17:02.127-04:00Brewer & Palin to Obama: Do Your Job<object width="853" height="505"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lxnNeGTU8U8&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lxnNeGTU8U8&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="853" height="505"></embed></object><br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><a title="data:post.title" url="data:post.url" class="addthis_button"><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border: 0pt none ;" height="16" width="125" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b54873d48f94396"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->hrhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596988242528734544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21634361.post-72293248896663466042010-05-12T09:04:00.009-04:002010-05-12T09:14:53.039-04:00Daria Novak: The Candidate to Defeat Joe CourtneyHi all:<br /><br />First Alaska. Then Arizona. Now Connecticut.<br /><br />I'm going local with today's video, which was filmed by the cofounder of the successful "Dump Dodd" movement that has now morphed into <a href="http://www.dumpblumy.com/">"Block Blumy"</a> (Richard Blumenthal, CT AG and Dodd's hand-picked successor).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.novakforcongress.com">Daria Novak</a> is the best candidate to unseat Joe Courtney in the huge 2nd congressional district in CT, which includes 65 towns. That's right. SIXTY-FIVE TOWNS!<br /><br />Watch the vid for some glimpses of yours truly and many other CT tea partiers.<br /><br /><object width="640" height="505"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/M4ld2epWGqQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/M4ld2epWGqQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="505"></embed></object><br /><br />Engage!<br /><br />hrh<br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><a title="data:post.title" url="data:post.url" class="addthis_button"><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border: 0pt none ;" height="16" width="125" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b54873d48f94396"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->hrhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596988242528734544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21634361.post-79414097509218176682010-05-08T20:26:00.002-04:002010-05-15T22:17:52.694-04:00Governor Jan Brewer: "President Obama, No one in Arizona is Laughing"<object width="853" height="505"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NLgZ1LWLlko&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NLgZ1LWLlko&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="853" height="505"></embed></object>hrhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596988242528734544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21634361.post-47498814861245258452010-05-04T10:10:00.000-04:002010-05-04T10:11:57.874-04:00Sarah Palin's Alaska<object width="853" height="505"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3ZLqpYh9ZMk&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3ZLqpYh9ZMk&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="853" height="505"></embed></object>hrhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596988242528734544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21634361.post-81532472868884977402010-01-23T16:34:00.004-05:002010-05-12T09:14:23.421-04:00Title Trakk Blog Tour for "Thicker Than Blood" by C.J. Darlington My Day FourHi all:<br /><br />Finally! I'm sure you've been eagerly awaiting all week .... ;)<br /><br />Here's my review of this week's blog tour book <a href="http://www.cjdarlington.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Thicker than Blood.</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.cjdarlington.com/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_8Sd-Buy5Iew_-407fNz2bAiD8u0QqT96w166hdeCWgLT-e5sDDNlJ5LPymtR3xyJ9uzO5ksSWd8FDdZRo86YaNLJcwap6BstgB2xQHXEMK7kQFKAau3Ej7pMPVyA45UWuBN7w/s320/ThickerThanBlood-revised175.jpg" /></a><br /><br />If studying your craft is the key to a good novel, than debut novelist C.J. Darlington should have no trouble getting her engine going. As co-founder of Title Trakk (www.TitleTrakk.com) several years ago, Darlington has been reading, reviewing, and interviewing authors on a regular basis. And if "writing what you know" is the credo of all good writing, then Darlington's decision to write about sisters could have something to do with the fact that her Title Trakk co-founder is her sister Tracy Darlington. But lest you fear that the strained and estranged relationship of Christy and May Williams in <i>Thicker than Blood</i> bears any resemblance to the Darlingtons, your fears are quickly put to rest in the Acknowledgments where the author declares her own sister to be her "best friend."<br /><br />There's a reason why <i>Thicker than Blood</i> won the 2008 <a href="http://www.christianwritersguild.com/">Christian Writers' Guild</a> Operation First Novel award; this first-time novelist has packed her story with compelling characters, nail-biting, cringe-inducing action, and settings both intimate and majestic that would keep any moviegoer pinned in their seats if this were a film script. But in the best tradition of what makes novels such a unique art form, Darlington also delves into the heart-wrenching and mind-bending inner lives of her characters, which wouldn't translate to the big screen - but which does affect readers' own hearts and minds.<br /><br />The Williams sisters are part of a family that is torn apart by alcoholism and the early deaths of their parents. Teenagers at the time, older sister Christy is old enough to drive, and run she does, leaving little sister May in the care of their great Aunt Edna. For 15 years, the sisters' lives take completely opposite paths. They have no contact with each other, yet both never forget the sister they used to know. Even though the sisters' lives have gone down different roads, they each find themselves at crisis points when the novel begins.<br /><br />In screenplay terminology, the Inciting Incident to get the sisters back together occurs when Aunt Edna dies - and that's the only plot point I'll give away! Christy's situation, in particular, quickly devolves into chaos, and the danger in her story ratchets up to life and death levels, eventually catching May up into the web of deceit and murder. Through it all the presence of God is debated, doubted, and decisive in the lives of al involved.<br /><br />If you enjoy character-driven and well-plotted stories full of action and introspection in equal measures, if you wonder whether the family ties of God's children could ever be thicker than blood, or if you just like getting the scoop on a burgeoning new novelist, then check out C.J. Darlington's <i>Thicker than Blood.</i> You'll turn the last page feeling that reading the Williams' sisters story was time well-spent.<br /><br />Enjoy!<br /><br />hrh<br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><a title="data:post.title" url="data:post.url" class="addthis_button"><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border: 0pt none ;" height="16" width="125" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b54873d48f94396"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->hrhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596988242528734544noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21634361.post-40249264532612757612010-01-22T09:31:00.009-05:002010-01-22T09:41:29.712-05:00Title Trakk Blog Tour for "Thicker Than Blood" by C.J. Darlington Day ThreeHi all:<br /><br />It's Day Three for me 'cause I missed a few days ... I will have my review up tomorrow. But in the meantime check out <a href="http://www.titletrakk.com/author-interviews/cj-darlington-interview.htm">this great interview</a> with <span style="font-style: italic;">Thicker Than Blood</span> author C.J. Darlington:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.cjdarlington.com/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_8Sd-Buy5Iew_-407fNz2bAiD8u0QqT96w166hdeCWgLT-e5sDDNlJ5LPymtR3xyJ9uzO5ksSWd8FDdZRo86YaNLJcwap6BstgB2xQHXEMK7kQFKAau3Ej7pMPVyA45UWuBN7w/s320/ThickerThanBlood-revised175.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >C.J. Darlington's first novel, <em>Thicker Than Blood</em>, was the winner of the 2008 Christian Writers Guild's Operation First Novel contest. She is the co-founder of TitleTrakk.com. A homeschool graduate, she makes her home in Pennsylvania. When she's not writing, she's reading. Her hobbies include book and art collecting, fly fishing, painting and drawing. Visit her Web site at <a href="http://www.cjdarlington.com/">www.cjdarlington.com</a>.<br /><br /> We asked some of our faithful reviewers as well as several published authors to pose a question to C.J. They came up with some great ones! Read on...<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><br /> <strong>Deena Peterson: What sorts of things or places get you in the mood to write? Do you have a special spot in your home or community? Special writing instruments?</strong></span> <p><span style=";font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >If I get out and do things completely unrelated to writing I’m often inspired to write when I get back. Traveling is like that for me. I will see things while driving down the highway that spark ideas. Sometimes it’s just a flash, like seeing a cop on the corner stop a car, or watching a woman sitting on the sidewalk with a sad look on her face.<br /><br /> I don’t have any special place where I write—most of my writing is done on a laptop wherever I can find space. Sometimes at a foldable desk in my bedroom. Right now I’m at the dining room table with headphones and music blaring. Sometimes if I get stuck I’ll pull out my notebook and write notes in longhand.<br /><br /> <strong>Vickie McDonough: Where did you get your idea for the story [of Thicker than Blood]? </strong></span></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >The germ of an idea came from games my sister, me, and a friend of ours would play as children. We created imaginary characters and made up stories for them which we acted out. One of the characters was named Christy and would often go visit her sister May. I thought it would be neat to write their story. I also loved the concept of one of the sisters being a believer, the other still searching.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><strong>Eric Wilson: A number of your characters wrestle with deep issues. Was there a moment while writing when you experienced a catharsis of your own?</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;">Even though I write about deep issues in <em>Thicker than Blood</em> (alcoholism, abuse, abortion, etc.), I have not personally experienced them. I’m thankful for this. However, both of my parents grew up as children of alcoholics, so I was able to ask them questions about that aspect of the story. I’ve always been moved by hearing stories of hurting people discovering the Lord. Perhaps that’s why I was drawn to writing about these types of characters... </span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.titletrakk.com/author-interviews/cj-darlington-interview.htm">Continue reading here.</a></span><br /></p>Enjoy!<br /><br />hrhhrhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596988242528734544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21634361.post-90481843563969145882010-01-19T09:58:00.004-05:002010-01-19T10:06:36.977-05:00Title Trakk Blog Tour for "Thicker Than Blood" by C.J. Darlington Day TwoHi all:<br /><br />Still reading ... Tea Party meeting tonight ... so here's more information about the author of <span style="font-style:italic;">Thicker Than Blood.<br /></span><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_8Sd-Buy5Iew_-407fNz2bAiD8u0QqT96w166hdeCWgLT-e5sDDNlJ5LPymtR3xyJ9uzO5ksSWd8FDdZRo86YaNLJcwap6BstgB2xQHXEMK7kQFKAau3Ej7pMPVyA45UWuBN7w/s320/ThickerThanBlood-revised175.jpg" /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLVMdq3a_Lb6YBNWODngQ_-io-79t7xt1QgI48Ldu-neqIecVWAUEIlfY4HsBg7sHsAJT4zTysNs-d7BsMHT9WjH8CfvFA4smXJRqP8QteuTBC5tYOmcstW1mSpTuBrWSF9DvKw/s1600-h/cj-standard-150.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLVMdq3a_Lb6YBNWODngQ_-io-79t7xt1QgI48Ldu-neqIecVWAUEIlfY4HsBg7sHsAJT4zTysNs-d7BsMHT9WjH8CfvFA4smXJRqP8QteuTBC5tYOmcstW1mSpTuBrWSF9DvKw/s320/cj-standard-150.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425890032675046466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">About the Author:</span><br />C. J. began writing the story that would become <span style="font-style: italic;">Thicker than Blood</span> (her first novel) when she was a fifteen-year-old homeschool student. She has been in the antiquarian bookselling business for over a decade, scouting for stores similar to the one described in the novel<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>before cofounding her own online bookstore. <span style="font-style: italic;">Thicker than Blood</span> was the winner of the 2008 <a href="http://www.christianwritersguild.com/">Christian Writers Guild</a> Operation First Novel.<br /><br />C. J. co-founded the Christian entertainment Web site <a href="http://www.titletrakk.com/">TitleTrakk.com</a> with her sister, Tracy, and has been actively promoting Christian fiction through book reviews and author interviews. She makes her home in Pennsylvania with her family and their menagerie of dogs and cats. Visit her website <a href="http://www.cjdarlington.com/">www.cjdarlington.com</a> for more info.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">QUICK LINKS: </span><br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.cjdarlington.com/excerpts/thicker-than-blood-excerpt.htm">The 1st chapter of Thicker than Blood</a></li><li><a href="http://www.cjdarlington.com/books/thicker-than-blood/story-behind.htm">The "Story Behind the Story" of Thicker than Blood</a></li><li><a href="http://www.cjdarlington.com/books/thicker-than-blood/endorsements.htm">More endorsements from Jenny B. Jones, James Scott Bell, Susan Meissner, and more!</a></li><li><a href="http://www.titletrakk.com/author-interviews/cj-darlington-interview.htm">Our interview with C.J. at TitleTrakk.com</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?isbn=9781414334486&event=AFF&p=1137091">Buy Thicker than Blood at Christianbook.com</a></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1414334486?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1414334486">Buy Thicker than Blood at Amazon.com</a></li><li><a href="http://titletrakkblogtours.blogspot.com/2009/12/thicker-than-blood-blog-tour.html">List of the other 85+ <span style="font-style: italic;">Thicker than Blood</span> blog tour participants!</a></li></ul><br /><br />I'm really enjoying the book and can already recommend it for its great sense of place, including a used bookstore in an old barn and a Colorado cattle ranch. The characters are people that you can care for, too, which is not always the case in fiction.<br /><br />I hope to have my own full review up before the week it out ...<br /><br />Enjoy!<br /><br />hrh<br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><a title="data:post.title" url="data:post.url" class="addthis_button"><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border: 0pt none ;" width="125" height="16" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b54873d48f94396"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->hrhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596988242528734544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21634361.post-34063016471494803002010-01-18T10:29:00.006-05:002010-01-18T11:18:45.691-05:00Title Trakk Blog Tour for "Thicker Than Blood" by C.J. Darlington<span style="font-family:verdana;">Hi all:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">A back-to-my-roots sort of post today as I participate in </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.titletrakk.com/">Title Trakk</a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> co-founder C.J. Darlington's blog tour for her debut novel, </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Thicker Than Blood.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I'm still reading the well-crafted and well-placed novel - in between frequent </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.site.ct2nddistrictteapartypatriots.com/">Tea Party</a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> meetings and duties! - so today I'm going to give you a sneak preview of the book.</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_8Sd-Buy5Iew_-407fNz2bAiD8u0QqT96w166hdeCWgLT-e5sDDNlJ5LPymtR3xyJ9uzO5ksSWd8FDdZRo86YaNLJcwap6BstgB2xQHXEMK7kQFKAau3Ej7pMPVyA45UWuBN7w/s1600-h/ThickerThanBlood-revised175.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 175px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_8Sd-Buy5Iew_-407fNz2bAiD8u0QqT96w166hdeCWgLT-e5sDDNlJ5LPymtR3xyJ9uzO5ksSWd8FDdZRo86YaNLJcwap6BstgB2xQHXEMK7kQFKAau3Ej7pMPVyA45UWuBN7w/s320/ThickerThanBlood-revised175.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425891394487868162" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" >TitleTrakk.com Blog Tours Presents:</span><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1414334486?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1414334486"><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >Thicker than Blood</span></a><br /><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >by C.J. Darlington<br />Published by Tyndale House</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Winner of the<br />2008 Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel Contest!</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>Christy Williams finally has her life on track. She’s putting her past behind her and working hard to build a career as an antiquarian book buyer. But things begin to unravel when a stolen Hemingway first edition is found in her possession, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. With no one to turn to, she yearns for her estranged younger sister, May, whom she abandoned after their parents’ untimely deaths. Soon, Christy’s fleeing from her shattered dreams, her ex-boyfriend, and God. Could May’s Triple Cross Ranch be the safe haven she’s searching for? Will the sisters realize that each possesses what the other desperately needs before it’s too late?<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />And I'll leave you with the book trailer to whet your appetite for this down-to-ranch story of sibling rivalry - and love:</span><br /><center><object width="400" height="325"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Vsv14CIoCnQ&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Vsv14CIoCnQ&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="325"></embed></object></center><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">And for old times' sake, I'll sign off with my old signature:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Enjoy!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">hrh</span><br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><a title="data:post.title" url="data:post.url" class="addthis_button"><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border: 0pt none ;" width="125" height="16" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b54873d48f94396"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->hrhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596988242528734544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21634361.post-13841469360556089082010-01-18T10:25:00.003-05:002010-01-18T11:19:27.717-05:00America Rising, Part 2Hi all:<br /><br />I don't this one is as powerful as the first one because there are no flash images, just words - but it's still an important message!<br /><br /><object width="640" height="505"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/apQukuaXGs4&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/apQukuaXGs4&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="505"></embed></object><br /><br />Engage!<br /><br />hrh<br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><a title="data:post.title" url="data:post.url" class="addthis_button"><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border: 0pt none ;" width="125" height="16" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b54873d48f94396"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->hrhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596988242528734544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21634361.post-15974332621231628002010-01-12T10:07:00.002-05:002010-01-12T10:10:39.296-05:00America RisingHi all:<br /><br />I'm a bit late since this video has been making the rounds for a couple of weeks. But it's also keeps disappearing from web sites - mysteriously being pulled down by ... somebody.<br /><br />Guess who after viewing.<br /><br />But this one seems to be pretty stable.<br /><br /><object width="640" height="505"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/662R2awSwPQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/662R2awSwPQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="505"></embed></object><br /><br />Engage!<br /><br />hrhhrhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596988242528734544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21634361.post-11152871635656306582009-11-22T18:07:00.018-05:002009-11-22T18:41:19.681-05:00In Pictures: Meeting Sarah Palin in RochesterHi all:<br /><br />Enjoy some pix I drove 811 miles RT to get!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">First of all: No, I didn't camp out overnight.<br />But here are the instructions for those who did:<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDyXO8hh3qTCh0ilLCwogwhRcOOxHQ9KBRqbdtOMCgy5Htfbh_d2G2_LmWGt3QhArzKbUwV9v-_0k-ClajgdDTrHmRetwxWWoI64sOU6FFimlFFq4Er7hmpCPaLI-RhsOBwcIn/s1600/Sarah_overnight.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 373px; height: 336px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDyXO8hh3qTCh0ilLCwogwhRcOOxHQ9KBRqbdtOMCgy5Htfbh_d2G2_LmWGt3QhArzKbUwV9v-_0k-ClajgdDTrHmRetwxWWoI64sOU6FFimlFFq4Er7hmpCPaLI-RhsOBwcIn/s400/Sarah_overnight.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407069585975305810" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Question: What other politicians have people camping out<br />overnight for their book signings?<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjT4bbyIqfj5azRp55G0v4WcZajnsKhjI9dnUn_LP5SvxV7hvSySMD5mvcelLE0sS0SUMiz5DVZZ7w7nf8AtWojhO18YR1Tf8VJDoCsgOrlYm6xXEUxEMva4nJhEedyd8gJut3/s1600/Sarah_books.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjT4bbyIqfj5azRp55G0v4WcZajnsKhjI9dnUn_LP5SvxV7hvSySMD5mvcelLE0sS0SUMiz5DVZZ7w7nf8AtWojhO18YR1Tf8VJDoCsgOrlYm6xXEUxEMva4nJhEedyd8gJut3/s400/Sarah_books.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407068919831633682" border="0" /></a>Sarah's there somewhere!</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0c_kjFD99Yp8Ncajlsuc7ra4fKgxMWElQzkI_Z8kMclxYTFsvu6784zC8QCLXwSx6px7b3SwtveZ9pARWEKX3QWnuW4FdjlfhuL_IZoeoNnJnXZvwzLWrB0DrVhTM6QxAUj6s/s1600/Sarah_glasses.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0c_kjFD99Yp8Ncajlsuc7ra4fKgxMWElQzkI_Z8kMclxYTFsvu6784zC8QCLXwSx6px7b3SwtveZ9pARWEKX3QWnuW4FdjlfhuL_IZoeoNnJnXZvwzLWrB0DrVhTM6QxAUj6s/s400/Sarah_glasses.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407069190979862850" border="0" /></a>Stars in her eyes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8nAf5761v83hw0nlh9Wpa4Ensc13X1_mHtiZ7xZtf4yeHvbRuXz0FaxaklET6uxMmfXSvnyTTeFCM9Cmnlg8JPxCD6GrLUo1kLFa3nW9bMNLSvuOkzj9mvtjnj2-XE85rUQB/s1600/Sarah_signs.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8nAf5761v83hw0nlh9Wpa4Ensc13X1_mHtiZ7xZtf4yeHvbRuXz0FaxaklET6uxMmfXSvnyTTeFCM9Cmnlg8JPxCD6GrLUo1kLFa3nW9bMNLSvuOkzj9mvtjnj2-XE85rUQB/s400/Sarah_signs.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407069656487382466" border="0" /></a>Signing.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6stpnBHaFlzGW_a3p9QQgUk65YpFEDb9BG2-AmJhGuXt9cSKNdvdWxkmUclyPQeqU3tSUY_VJNMMglsRRpfmNOAUVGsJfAdG11-mbCqFaJA9aEPQph3vtyn-hDYQbCepQZiN/s1600/Sarah_Jason.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 336px; height: 341px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6stpnBHaFlzGW_a3p9QQgUk65YpFEDb9BG2-AmJhGuXt9cSKNdvdWxkmUclyPQeqU3tSUY_VJNMMglsRRpfmNOAUVGsJfAdG11-mbCqFaJA9aEPQph3vtyn-hDYQbCepQZiN/s400/Sarah_Jason.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407069377671934626" border="0" /></a>The man on the left is Jason Recher,<br />who worked with her on the 2008 campaign.<br />Looks like he still is.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5mUbaeWsWDscoVRm6F9Vp5wWQUZbcioAtHofUOOkybU_BXOdaQaMdktnSUfFeJg-Anui87TZSWYLodsTCM7pHI7LBt7AtcCohGTcSkzP8njM_TJILuRlleZ_0wRVaIqeXyfB/s1600/Sarah_exclaims.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5mUbaeWsWDscoVRm6F9Vp5wWQUZbcioAtHofUOOkybU_BXOdaQaMdktnSUfFeJg-Anui87TZSWYLodsTCM7pHI7LBt7AtcCohGTcSkzP8njM_TJILuRlleZ_0wRVaIqeXyfB/s400/Sarah_exclaims.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407069028790495330" border="0" /></a>Chatting with supporters.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDlCvLQvr7WhYbYCnT4yBkvC3QO7lw0NG-cXoFh281cmhO8Lq-Z0Tr6ZMkT2JWXN6Ma_8ZWdl-ybbwNoKcbIUJo1u6qmlRden0MXMxVs3JLXUUcEEUDWjDsc2xt4sNlo2AWC8p/s1600/Sarah_smiles.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDlCvLQvr7WhYbYCnT4yBkvC3QO7lw0NG-cXoFh281cmhO8Lq-Z0Tr6ZMkT2JWXN6Ma_8ZWdl-ybbwNoKcbIUJo1u6qmlRden0MXMxVs3JLXUUcEEUDWjDsc2xt4sNlo2AWC8p/s400/Sarah_smiles.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407069735485403026" border="0" /></a>Listening to suppporters.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnbwOima01eNmokvl6nrUoxxP1XvBZJvwHFrkWTCYYlJj8oiy4ORaCy1WwMYL8d4g9gn_LnQkmWXVkkiatIGJ_37SAUElQYesyH9jmAYTJ1aQSghyCelnuHQVaLdPNAonCk0j/s1600/Sarah_girl.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 336px; height: 396px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnbwOima01eNmokvl6nrUoxxP1XvBZJvwHFrkWTCYYlJj8oiy4ORaCy1WwMYL8d4g9gn_LnQkmWXVkkiatIGJ_37SAUElQYesyH9jmAYTJ1aQSghyCelnuHQVaLdPNAonCk0j/s400/Sarah_girl.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407069119238549490" border="0" /></a>Supporters of all ages.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYoDqWiHW7gfyHo4_bBxU_uTNLXk2Qfpcm6tsgJmKoLfFGLM3zSm2Uuzm4wPsHySkux4_KBN7y65fK8crrQ00ORhbprZZD-_zPIfReW7WcJ0MVZcrFvMmjSQYQsza75z5nupiQ/s1600/Sarah_greets.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYoDqWiHW7gfyHo4_bBxU_uTNLXk2Qfpcm6tsgJmKoLfFGLM3zSm2Uuzm4wPsHySkux4_KBN7y65fK8crrQ00ORhbprZZD-_zPIfReW7WcJ0MVZcrFvMmjSQYQsza75z5nupiQ/s400/Sarah_greets.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407069299287244866" border="0" /></a>Shaking hands.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQi5f3vRLAB_rb0apRlv4lbzx_siyFCOlrCHgSrKUUNBZs8Ba6AdJHf7eNTkA94EBerP6NwWiyjqRc-DoOZWvrC4VkOfR6lZQvb2N7yRkCpNTMuP1nQdapEfx2MLt28G69bog_/s1600/Sarah_listens.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQi5f3vRLAB_rb0apRlv4lbzx_siyFCOlrCHgSrKUUNBZs8Ba6AdJHf7eNTkA94EBerP6NwWiyjqRc-DoOZWvrC4VkOfR6lZQvb2N7yRkCpNTMuP1nQdapEfx2MLt28G69bog_/s400/Sarah_listens.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407069480644712050" border="0" /></a>Leaning in.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk4tzU6i5jJIlREO0hbYINHtSl7cHDZRiJq9Ow3hzWuzfqiDC_YGEaFhEPF1sn869ZSNK1ZV8a7QLROMLe9-OUXU4X4nNdaWyckER729tlu4aOEp9E5eiPjPnQaomt_NMfePLJ/s1600/PB215159.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk4tzU6i5jJIlREO0hbYINHtSl7cHDZRiJq9Ow3hzWuzfqiDC_YGEaFhEPF1sn869ZSNK1ZV8a7QLROMLe9-OUXU4X4nNdaWyckER729tlu4aOEp9E5eiPjPnQaomt_NMfePLJ/s400/PB215159.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407070956578885906" border="0" /></a>Here we are! Almost there. Just around the corner we'll get to meet Sarah!<br />I'm in the middle.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We had to put our cameras on a separate table because no personal pix were allowed of ourselves with Sarah. <a href="http://www.shealahcraighead.com/">Shealah Craighead</a> took pix, so I'll be checking there to see if there are any good ones of my meeting.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Engage!<br /><br />hrh<br /></div></div>hrhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596988242528734544noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21634361.post-17863751204465683312009-11-02T12:38:00.007-05:002009-11-02T12:49:21.939-05:00Factual Response to Democrat National Committee's Attack on Sarah Palin re: Health CareHi all:<br /><br />Check out this quick video fact check of the Democrat National Committee's (DNC) attack ad trying to debunk Sarah Palin's claims about the horrible health care plans currently being forced upon us Americans:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GCHsP6iXr7U&rel=0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GCHsP6iXr7U&rel=0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153); font-weight: bold;">(BTW, I thought Palin was an irrelevant, light-weight quitter? Why is the official DNC attacking a private citizen? ...)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">ACTION ITEM</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;">Join <a href="http://www.michelebachmann.com/">Congresswoman Michele Bachmann</a> and actor Jon Voight and a few thousand or so (more if you can go) this Thursday (November 5) at high noon on the West Steps of the Capitol in DC</span> to walk the halls and let our congressman and women - you know, those people we sent to DC to represent our policy preferences - that we do not want these health care plans foisted upon us.<br /><br /><a href="http://bachmann.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=152545">Click here for all the details.</a><br /><br />Engage!<br /><br />hrhhrhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596988242528734544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21634361.post-15601647397107753742009-10-30T19:47:00.003-04:002009-10-30T20:10:26.851-04:00ATTENTION: Vital Health Care Alternatives from House Minority Leader John BoehnerHi all:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=163531118434">Please listen to tomorrow's weekly GOP address. </a>Why? Well, House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi just released another health care bill from the House. And guess what?<br /><ol><li><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Abortion coverage</span> is back in.</li><li><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Coverage for illegal immigrants</span> is back in.</li><li><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Mandatory end of life counseling alongside mandates for doctors to cut spending</span> - which means they are incentivized to counsel seniors to not get the best care because it's too expensive - is back in.</li><li><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Penalties for not having health insurance</span> are back in.</li><li><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">The government "public" option</span> is back in.</li></ol><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Talk about a scary Halloween nightmare!!!</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=163531118434">So in tomorrow's weekly GOP address,</a> House Minority Leader John Boehner will outline the right way to fix the parts of health care that are broken.<br /><br />Here are my comments on the subject:<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Because, really if you think of health care as a house, the house of U.S. health care is a mansion, the best in the world. 85% of American citizens are covered, and of those people, 75% or so are happy with their care. That's pretty darn good!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">So to cover the 15% or so who want to be covered, all we need to do is finish off the basement, renovate the attic, or put in a room over the garage. We do NOT need to come in with a wrecking ball and knock the whole house down!!! Which is exactly what the Dem plan does!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Let's see:</span><br /><ul style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);"><li>Finish off the basement with <span style="font-weight: bold;">medical malpractice lawsuit reform.</span></li><li>Renovate the attic by <span style="font-weight: bold;">lifting the government restrictions on buying healthcare nationally across state lines. </span>That's how we buy automobile, life, and home insurance. The Dems say the government option is necessary for choice and competition, but it will give us only one more choice. If they would lift the barrier to buy across state lines, that would give us around 1,500 choices, which is the number of health insurance companies in America!!</li><li>Put in a room over the garage by<span style="font-weight: bold;"> incentivizing Health Savings Accounts with high deductible, low cost catastrophic health insurance policies!</span> (That's what I have and more than 13 million others across American and it's great! It's my bank account that goes with me if I leave this job. Pretax deposits, interest bearing, used for healthcare expenses.)</li></ul><br />Here's what Sarah Palin just wrote in her <a href="http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=163531118434">Facebook note:</a><br /><br /><br /><div style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);" class="note_header"><div class="byline"><div class="note_title"><span>TUNE IN TOMORROW TO HEAR A HEALTH CARE REFORM PLAN THAT WILL PROVE TO BE THE GAME CHANGER<br /></span></div><br />Today at 6:28pm<br /></div></div> <div class="note_content text_align_ltr direction_ltr clearfix"> <div><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><br />Mark my words - tomorrow is the game changer! Tune in to hear common sense solutions that bury the false accusations that conscientious members of Congress have no solutions to meet America's health care challenges. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">If you're like me, shaking your head wondering why all the miscommunication between Washington and the American people who have been saying, "Please hear what we're saying about our desire for health care reform," then tomorrow will be a refreshing time of clarity for all. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">All Americans, and especially colleagues of House Republican Leader John Boehner: please listen to tomorrow's weekly GOP national address. Rep. Boehner will highlight a common sense alternative to Speaker Pelosi's 1,990-page government takeover of health care. I urge you to watch for it. For a preview, go to: </span><a style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);" href="http://healthcare.gop.gov/" onmousedown="'UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this)," target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://HealthCare.GOP.gov</a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"> You'll hear solutions. You'll hear of real choices based on America's proven free-market principles. You'll know once and for all what the GOP and Independents have been saying all along about alternatives to another big government take over. After tomorrow, you'll know that accusations against the GOP and Independents for not providing solutions are false. Those claims are bogus. There are alternatives. Tune in to Rep. Boehner's address tomorrow to hear them. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"> I look forward to the game changer! </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"> - Sarah Palin</span><br /><br /><br />BTW, good news from at least one of Connecticut's senators: Joe Lieberman will vote with the GOP bills with public options! Thanks, Joe!<br /><br />Engage!<br /><br />hrh<br /></div></div>hrhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596988242528734544noreply@blogger.com0