Interview With Kate Buckley, Author of "Choices"

Kate Buckley has her MA in human development with a concentration in women's studies. She has facilitated support groups for middle school girls in California and New Mexico. Kate lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico with her family. "Choices," her first young adult novel, is about the difficult choices facing a teen girl after she is date raped.Tyler: Thank you, Kate, for joining me today. To begin, will you tell us a little bit about how Kara MacNeill, the main character in "Choices," gets herself into her complicated predicament?Kate: Kara is fifteen, the novel is told from her point of view. She is the only child of two conservative, over-protective parents who hold a very tight rein on her and her social life. Kara decides to defy what she calls "all the ludicrous rules" at home, her all-girls Catholic school, and her life in general. She sneaks out her bedroom window to go out with the town's star basketball player, Jake Dodson. His crowd is fast, they party hard. It's a challenge for Kara who is sheltered, naïve, and younger than all of them. She's hardly ever been allowed out at night, other than with her parents or to go to a friend's slumber party. So, she succumbs to peer pressure, particularly from Jake, to party along with his crowd. She experiments with Jell-0 shots, has way too many and puts herself in a dangerous situation with a very experienced older boy...her world pretty much unravels after that.Tyler: Despite their best intentions, do you think Kara's parents could have acted differently to prevent Kara's lying, sneaking out, and, ultimately, all the traumatic events that follow from her rebellious behavior?Kate: As a facilitator for support groups and as the mother of two, I've heard it all. What doesn't seem to work, and what causes kids to really explode in a cloud of rebellion, is poor communication, lack of respect, and the inability of some parents to slowly let their teens take more responsibility for their choices. Some parents want to "protect" their children from the big, bad world and, in my experience, this often ends up with the teens going out there with no refusal skills, no experience in speaking their minds or in defending themselves when situations call for it.Tyler: Kara is date raped after she binge drinks at a party. Why did you choose to have the rape happen in this way?Kate: Estimates vary, but research indicates that date or acquaintance rape may account for 70 percent of all sexual assaults. Because these rapes occur with someone a girl knows, someone whom she trusted, many of these violations are not reported. Often the girl blames herself for drinking or doing drugs, for putting herself in the situation, for what she was wearing, or for sneaking out. Even though she knew and believed she could trust the boy at the time, the girl believes, on some level, that she was "asking for it" and "got what she deserved." That's why I used acquaintance rape in "Choices." Needless to say, this type of assault can lead to depression and self-loathing because a girl has trusted and feels the fool. Without help and support it is almost impossible for a teen to pull herself out of this state of being. When events like these are buried they can wreak havoc on a girl's psyche and personality for many years, perhaps for her whole life. She may never learn to trust herself, she may be unable to become self-reliant, to really grow up.Tyler: When Kara's parents learn she is pregnant how do they react, and how does her relationship with them change?Kate: Well, needless to say, they are not happy. But more than that, they are shocked because they have done everything they can, and more, to keep her out of harm's way. Strict curfews, sending her to an all-girls school, conservative clothes and lots of rules. The crisis that erupts from Kara's rape/pregnancy opens up some long hidden secrets that change the family dynamic in many positive and healthy ways for all of them.Tyler: What would you say are the biggest choices Kara must make in the novel?Kate: To tell her parents that she is pregnant, to make the decision about what to do about it and to testify to help another girl who has been victimized by Jake, thus exposing what has happened to her.Tyler: Kate, what do you think is Kara's greatest learning experience in the novel?Kate: That her best allies were sitting right across the dinner table from her all along, and that being raped was not in any way her fault. Ultimately, Kara recognizes Jake's accountability.Tyler: Kate, I mentioned at the beginning of the interview that you have been involved in support groups for young girls. Would you tell us a little bit about your work?Kate: Yes. I worked with the Los Angeles Commission on Assaults Against Women in a program called TAPP: Teen Abuse Prevention Project. We went into the public schools (seventh through twelfth grades), providing information and facilitating discussions with teens about domestic violence, sexual violence, alcohol and drug use. I also worked in a Burbank middle school co-facilitating a seventh and eighth grade girl's support group for two years. Young teens don't have a long life experience, they don't know that feelings are ephemeral and can pass. They don't understand how we can help ourselves cope with life by listening to and expressing ourselves in a supportive, caring environment. I saw real changes and emotional growth happen for the girls in the group over the course of a school year. In Santa Fe, I administrated a science-based Life Skills program for three years in the public middle schools. It was amazing to me to see how many challenges these sixth through eighth graders were already handling in their young lives. The program proved to be very informative and helpful for them.Tyler: In "Choices," Kara was afraid to tell anyone about her rape until she found out she was pregnant. Even if she had not become pregnant, do you feel she should have told someone? Why do you think so many girls remain silent when they are raped, and what message would you give them?Kate: I would advise girls who have been sexually violated to seek help--from a school counselor, a parent, or other trusted adult. Don't ever keep it a secret or blame yourself. At several points in the book Kara says that she "hates" herself. Girls can have a tendency to turn their bad feelings in on themselves, and not talking about what is troubling them often leads to self-blame, depression and immobility. Culturally, girls are not encouraged to speak out, and begin to pull back from fully being themselves around age eleven. They start to worry too much about what other people think. There is still this sense that "nice" girls are caring and considerate, always supportive of others. A girl's wishful thinking that others will intuit what is going on inside of her, will understand or validate her for unexpressed feelings, is just not realistic. Acceptance, compassion and self-love have to come from within, from her own understanding of whom she is and who she is becoming. A girl's ability to make peace with a painful experience comes from being responsible for her own process and self. This is at the core of all group and individual therapeutic work. In "Choices," the support group becomes a safe haven which allows Kara to "go there," to feel accepted for who she is, not judged for what has happened to her. The group gives Kara and all the group members a protected environment to be who they are and share their deepest fears and feelings.Tyler: Kate, what were your intentions and hopes in writing this book?Kate: My intentions were to help and empower teen girls, to foster healthy relationship between teens and their parents based on love, understanding, mutual respect and open communication. I hope the novel encourages teens to think critically, that Kara's story will raise consciousness, not only about cultural mores and topical issues, but will make readers think twice before judging other's choices from the outside.Tyler: What reactions have you received from teenage girls who've read "Choices"?Kate: I've had girls from Massachusetts, California, New Mexico, Idaho, Ireland (!), New York ...a wide cross section of teens, really, have read the book and all have reacted enthusiastically, saying the story is very realistic, that they couldn't put the book down. Many have said that they could relate to the feelings of the girls in the support group, that that part of the story brought tears to their eyes. Some of them have written great reviews on Amazon and other sites. I've been asked many times whether or not "Choices" will be translated into other languages. I hope to make that happen.Tyler: Kate, I understand that Kara and her family are Catholic, and her mother is a pro-life advocate, so I can see how the ending may be controversial for some Catholic readers. Would you tell us a little bit about why you chose to have the family be Catholic, and, if it's not giving away the ending, what kind of reaction you've received from Catholic readers?Kate: A friend of mine gave it to her sister, a conservative Catholic, who lives in Staten Island, NY. Here is a quote from the review she wrote about the novel on Amazon.com "As a mother of a 16-year-old girl,"Choices" is a wonderful catalyst for parents and children to have this sometimes 'unapproachable talk' about the pressures of drinking, sex, social life and the importance of education...it's important to know that there are consequences for every action. Some aren't earth shattering and some change you forever." She loved the book and gave it to her 16-year-old daughter to read. I was surprised and very pleased by her reaction. Many friends here in Santa Fe (who were raised Catholic) have read "Choices" and been very receptive to it. Not only have they liked the book but they've commented on the balanced way it illustrates all sides of the reproductive rights issue. Readers who are neither Catholic nor Christian have related to the novel and found themselves very involved in Kara's journey.Tyler: You mentioned many girls from across the United States have read the book, and even in Ireland, and you hope to have it translated into other languages. Into which languages have you had requests for it to be translated?Kate: Mostly people have asked when it will be translated into Spanish.Tyler: Why do you think "Choices" is relevant to women in other countries and cultures, who may not be Catholic or even Christian?Kate: I think every woman on the planet can relate to sexual harassment and sexual violence issues. Most girls and women have experienced it at some level themselves, whether it be a look, a touch, an inappropriate joke, or an actual assault. This is why, I think, teen readers tell me the support group scene makes them cry. As far as Catholicism is concerned, "Choices" is more about beliefs than any specific religious faith. Catholicism is a metaphor for beliefs. "Choices" is about what can happen when you've been taught to believe a certain way all your life and then something happens which makes it personal--and suddenly, you view your beliefs from a very different perspective. And, you may find yourself changing them!Tyler: In the novel, Kara blames herself for everything and becomes depressed. There must be thousands of young women who find themselves in the same situation each year. What advice would you give to these young women?Kate: Start by reaching out for help. Find out what kind of support will work best for you and act on that. Activism empowers ... take charge of situations when you are able, do what you can to stand up for yourself and others. Girls should be encouraged to express themselves and their emotions. Talking about feelings with friends and trusted adults, journaling, reading, art, and music are all good ways to express our inner lives. Physical movement is very important: sports, yoga, walking, dance, gardening, and outdoor activities. All of these are excellent, constructive ways to express and expel suppressed anger and guilt, to release endorphins and turn negative feelings into positive, usable energy. Girls should be reading to educate themselves, to find out what their beliefs and opinions are, and talk to others about their discoveries. Having a pet, enjoying nature, and meditation are all helpful. Girls can also create a sanctuary in their rooms, to help nurture themselves. The most important thing is to take some kind of action.Tyler: Kate, as we've already mentioned, you've worked with girls in support groups. Are there any plans to have "Choices" available to young women in trouble, as part of a package or something along those lines, or part of curricula in a program to help teenage girls?Kate: Yes. Two organizations, one in Idaho and one in New York City, who work with victims of violence are using the book with their teen girl empowerment curricula. The Santa Fe Girls School may be using the book as part of its program this year, and have asked me to come in and talk with the eighth grade girls about writing. There are school counselors in New Mexico, California and Idaho who've expressed interest in doing focus groups and having me visit their sites to facilitate discussions about "Choices" with students. A group of fifty plus girls from a public high school in Albuquerque (their school has an abstinence only sex-ed program) has asked me to come and speak to them about "Choices" and the issues. Planned Parenthood and NARAL are also looking at ways they can use "Choices" in their educational materials and programs.Tyler: How, specifically, does Kara's journey in "Choices" help girls learn about navigating through the complicated challenges of high school and growing up?Kate: Too often, girls aren't thinking too clearly about risk taking and responsibility. In "Choices," Kara learns what can happen as a result of bad choices through her own difficult experiences. As readers follow the story, viewed through Kara's eyes, they hear her most intimate feelings and fears, and find out how she grows and discovers herself through those ordeals. Most importantly, they see how she changes and survives. Through the novel, teens can perceive how making a healthy choice vs. an unhealthy one can change and transform one's life, and that reframing or looking for some positive result from a bad choice can empower and strengthen a person going forward. The old story that there must be a pony somewhere in here with all this mess sort of works here. The bigger life lessons that arise in "Choices," and the way the characters who have been victimized transform their beliefs about themselves and their relationships can challenge readers to examine what they've been taught. It is my hope that readers will develop new, more investigative thinking and understanding about their culture and their participation in it. Ultimately, "Choices" is a book about beliefs and how strong love and open, respectful communication can pull a family through the most difficult crisis.Tyler: Kate, it doesn't sound like the story has a happy ending for Jake. Do you feel he is an accurate portrayal of many teenage boys today. What would you say to young men to warn them about the danger they can get into by letting their behavior get out of control?Kate: The girls who've read "Choices" think the character of Jake is very accurate! He's good looking, popular, a star athlete ... all qualities which give him a kind of celebrity status and therefore a lot of control over his peers. Kara says that he "moved in a different world from mine. The coolest of the cool world." But, keep in mind that Jake is actually a victim of the culture, too. The culture encourages Jake to use his power to his advantage, to think only of himself and winning--to "go for it." In school, boys are often educated about sexual harassment and taught that no means no, but the messages they get outside of school weigh in a lot more for them. Doing drugs and alcohol, impressing peers, being part of the partying crowd, and the need to win assist boys in forgetting what they've learned about inappropriate behaviors, about the dangers of using drugs and alcohol, and about taking responsibility for their choices.Tyler: Kate, you say you hope "Choices" will help prevent teen girls from ending up in Kara's situation. What about women who have been raped and even dealt with pregnancy as a result of rape? I understand you've actually heard from adult readers who've experienced this situation. What has their response to "Choices" been and how was reading the book helpful to them?Kate: A friend of mine, from another state, gave it to her friend to read and I received the following letter. I was very moved by this reader's letter and asked her if I can share it at book signings, etc. I assured her I'd protect her identity and she's given me permission to read it today:Dear Ms. Buckley,Many thanks to you for writing "Choices." I write to you with a grateful heart. Two years ago, in my late fifties, I recovered the memory of being raped at fourteen. I attended a Catholic girls school, had an attorney father and a sheltered home life ... so, mine was a similar tale.But, at that time, there was no one to 'tell' and so my story went underground for 40-some years. There are many things I could say, how touched I was, when the tears came, but what I most want you to know is that the night after I finished it, I had a dream: There were children in cages outdoors. Someone was coming to torture them. I stood outside the cages, with my arm around my fourteen-year-old self, comforting her and assuring her that she wouldn't be harmed.Until reading "Choices" I couldn't embody what healthy, loving parental responses were. I certainly had the intellectual understanding but a circuit hadn't been wired. Now the wiring feels more complete. So I write this note from a place of deep thanks and appreciation, from a fuller me.Woman readerOther women who've read "Choices" have told me they were surprised by how much they can still relate to fifteen-year-old Kara's story; how healing it was for the teen girl part of them that was re-awakened by reading the book.Tyler: Without giving away the ending, does Kara have hope for a happy life despite the difficulties she's experienced?Kate: Absolutely! By the last chapter, Kara has become much more empowered. She has a more open dialog with her parents, they trust her, and she's really beginning to trust herself. No longer blaming herself for what happened with Jake, Kara is starting to take responsibility for her choices. There is going to be more to the story, too. Due to popular demand and a lot of inquiries from readers and professionals, I am currently working on a new, expanded edition of "Choices" in which Kara will testify against Jake to help another girl who has been victimized by him. This edition will also reveal more about Jake, and I hope it will encourage teen boys to think about the consequences that can result from their behaviors; how the rest of their lives can be affected by one thoughtless act. Kara's family, friends, neighbors, people from her parish, and her whole community will be affected by the events that follow. Her school and personal lives will be transformed in surprising ways.Tyler: Thank you for joining me today, Kate. Before we go, would you tell our readers where they may find out more information about "Choices" and how they may buy copies?Kate: Sure. Amazon.com, iUniverse.com, bn.com ... "Choices" is available through any of the on-line bookstores. And, if they live in Santa Fe, our library and local bookstores carry it too!I will have a website up soon: katebuckleybooks.com. Readers can contact me there or at: choicesthebook@comcast.net. And, I would love to hear from them! dr seuss cat in hat history

"Mockingbird Come Home" by Stephen Wiley - Book Review

"Mockingbird Come Home" is the second book of poetry written by Stephen B. Wiley. He separates his poems into three areas of his book. The first is "Where We Live." In this part, he writes mainly about places in Vermont, New Jersey, and Florida. Each poem has its own flavor, so that you know the place he is writing about is distinctive. The second part is titled, "Who We Are." In this section he muses about his experiences surrounding youth, life, and death. In the final part, "Poems on Poetry," Mr. Wiley intersperses poems about poetry throughout the book. These poems stand out because they are typed in bold face print and placed on the opposite sides of the page of the other poems.I really enjoyed reading these works. Wiley manages to convey feelings through his poems in a few short paragraphs. He frequently touches upon nature. Having grown up back east, yet now living on the west coast, reading his poems brought back special memories that I had about living back there. He brings dimension to his poetry by making you feel like you are seeing the words, instead of just reading them.In his writings about his family, he brought smiles to my face, especially when writing about his grandchildren. His words were also very touching in writing about his parents. His words are quite heartfelt. I envision this author as being someone that can sit and contemplate on something very simple that is going on around him, such as leaves falling or birds whistling and then turn it into a beautiful poem that touches the reader.Enjoy "Mockingbird Come Home." I also think that it would be greatly appreciated as a gift. This is especially true for people who enjoy nature and family. dr seuss cat in hat book

Ask and it is Given by Abraham-Hicks - Book Review

Who is Abraham?Abraham, for those who are not familiar with them, is a group of non-physical consciousnesses that speak through Esther Hicks (by a process that some would call channelling, although they never use that term). Esther and her husband Jerry spend most of their lives travelling around the US giving seminars in which guests can ask Abraham questions about their personal situations. Abraham is refreshingly non-dogmatic, and the emphasis in their approach is on helping people to tune into their own inner guidance, rather than relying on the advice or rules of others. They have also published a number of books, which consist of Abraham's information in a pure, unedited form, written down by Esther. Abraham has become increasingly well-known over the last couple of years, as information about the law of attraction has become more mainstream.Ask and it is Given: Learning to Manifest Your Desires was published in 2004, and was Abraham-Hicks' third non-fiction book (after A New Beginning, Volumes I & II). Ask and it is Given is one of my favourite Abraham-Hicks books, and I think it is especially valuable for those who are new to Abraham, as it covers all of their basic concepts in lots of detail, but is also very clear and readable.What's in the book?Ask and it is Given starts off with a comprehensive introductory section in which Jerry and Esther explain how they came to be acquainted with Abraham, and should be of interest to anyone who is curious about how the Abraham-Hicks phenomenon began, and the process by which Esther receives information from them. However, it doesn't matter if you're sceptical about the whole non-physical/channelling aspect; the information in this book can be of value to anyone, regardless of where it comes from.After the introduction, the book is split into two major sections. The first provides general information about the role of consciousness in reality creation, and about life's basic purpose, while the second part is more practically oriented, with each chapter giving details of a specific 'process' or technique which you can use to help you to manifest your desires.The 22 chapters in the first part of the book are clearly laid out, and are very positive and uplifting in tone. Topics covered here include the general purpose of life (which is to enjoy it!); the vibrational nature of the universe and our own power as creators of our own realities; the fact that we can be, do and have everything we want; guidance for releasing inner resistance and allowing our desires to manifest quickly and easily; and, in particular, the importance of our emotional guidance system, to which we must listen if we are to align with our desires in the most effective way.In Ask and it is Given, Abraham introduces the idea of the emotional scale, which consists of 22 levels of emotion in hierarchical order (with the most negative at the bottom, and the most positive at the top). Simply put, when we feel good, we are in alignment with our desires and our 'Inner Being' (what some would call the universe, higher self, Source energy, God, etc). Abraham points out that when we are in a very negative state, it is too much of a vibrational leap to try to feel really good immediately (e.g. there's no point trying to go straight from despair or anger to joy), so it is necessary to work your way up the scale at a comfortable pace. In this way, we can change our feelings - and thus our point of attraction - in relation to any subject that is important to us.Discussion of this emotional scale forms the core of the book, and the second half of Ask and it is Given describes in detail each of the 22 processes that can be used to travel back up the emotional scale, from any starting point. Some of these processes are general in nature, and some are intended for use relative to specific topics, such as money or health. And there's no need to try to do them all - they are designed for use by people who are difference points on the emotional scale, and so not all of them will be useful in all situations; the idea is that you select the process that best matches where you are to begin with, in terms of your feelings. Abraham recommends following your inner guidance and just doing the processes(s) that intuitively feel the most appealing. There's never any need to force yourself to do something that doesn't feel good, just because it's supposedly beneficial. That's one thing I really like about Abraham's approach - theres none of the 'you've got to suffer to get results' type of mentality that one often finds in self-help and metaphysical material of this type. Personally, I've found Abraham's emotional scale and the associated processes to be enormously helpful in aligning with my desires in many areas of my life, and with just feeling better in general.Who will like it?So that is Ask and it is Given in a nutshell: you are 100% responsible for creating your reality and - as the title suggests - you get everything you ask for. Your real work is in coming into vibrational alignment with your desires, and the emotional scale and the processes help you to do this. It is a very simple book really, yet richly detailed and very readable and uplifting. Will Ask and it is Given be useful for you too? Maybe, if you're open-minded and can accept that life is about joy (not suffering, or proving worthiness, or being super-productive and hard working, or any of the other stuff society tries to make us all believe). If you're familiar with The Secret and other material on law of attraction, you might like Abraham too, particularly if you were left unsatisfied by the explanations given by these other authors. Abraham is, in my opinion, the best source of information on law of attraction and reality creation that's available, as they go into so much detail, and way beyond anything that human writers, with their more limited perspective, generally deal with (if incessant talk of 'vibrations' and 'energy' scares you off, you probably won't like Abraham!). And those who are already familiar with Abraham will love it too, as it so neatly encapsulates what they're about. Die-hard sceptics who think anything to do with law of attraction and the power of the mind is a load of bunk will hate it, but they probably won't be attracted to it anyway!I'm always a bit suspicious of reviews that have nothing bad at all to say about a product, but in this case, there really is nothing about this book that I felt was lacking. Whether you love your life, and want to keep it that way or make it even better, or you have some real 'problems' that you need to resolve, this book has the tools that can help. So if you're open-minded and willing to take total responsibility for creating your own experience, Ask and it is Given could be perfect for you. dr seuss book collection

Debt Cures Review - Is Kevin Trudeau's Latest Book A Scam?

Anyone staying up late at night has probably seen an infomercial promoting one of Kevin Trudeau's latest "cures" books - weight loss cure and natural cures. I saw the infomercial for his latest one, Debt Cures, and wanted to see what it was about. This article will highlight my experience with ordering Debt Cure$.Love him or hate him, Kevin Trudeau pushes people's buttons and gets them talking. Type in the title of one of his books and you'll see several complaints about his practices and then you'll also see some people praise his books.So I was skeptical about this new book and wanted to offer a review.I do not like ordering on the phone because the people on the other line have to try and sell you stuff related to the product you are purchasing because it is their job but when I ordered Debt Cures online I can imagine how bad it was for the people who have to call in.The book sells for $29.95 and $11.95 shipping and handling. Why so much for shipping and handling? Amazon can give you free shipping for orders over $25 so why does this book cost so much to ship?On the website, debtcures.com, it says due to higher shipping costs, higher fuel costs and inflation that they have to charge higher shipping and handling costs.Alright fine. So after I order the book, I expect to be upsold a few other items. And I was not let down. On the website, Kevin Trudeau tried to sell me 5 additional products that if you bought would add over $200 to your order. That to me does not sound like a way to get out of debt. Not off to a good start.Two weeks later the book arrives in a small box just like in one of the boxes you get from Amazon when you order some books.The infomercial states that you'll learn stuff that has never been revealed before anywhere else about the credit and lending industry. After just reading the first 2 chapters I would have to disagree. Most of the stuff he wrote about is available for free online.One of the main points of the first two chapters is that the banks, credit card companies, and the federal government are all in cahoots to try and keep you and me in debt so we can keep making them rich. This part is true. The credit card companies love it when you just make the minimum payments on your bills. They do not want you to get out of debt. They especially like it when you miss your payment or go over the limit so they can assess a hefty fee and even raise your interest rate.This is all true and can be read about on many credit related websites.He talks about the practices of the banks and credit card companies and how the government lets them get away with charging high interest rates and fees because they contribute money to their campaigns. Reading these chapter will get you mad if you are not already at how much debt you have and how the lenders try and squeeze more money out of you.Chapters 4 and 5 are where Kevin Trudeau starts to deliver on his Debt Cures promises. He offers actionable points on how to eliminate your debt, negotiate your debt down and reduce your interest rates. Some of this is also available online elsewhere but in the folksy way that Kevin talks, he makes it easy to understand and easy to take action by providing examples of what to do and say.If you have a few thousand dollars and debt and use one of these methods to lower the amount you have to pay then the cost of the book is already paid for even if you are overcharged for shipping and handling.In a follow up article, I will cover the remaining chapters of the book and point out the remaining good and not so good points.Debt Cures has a passing vote so far even though Mr. Trudeau has a less than stellar reputation. But do no let that get in the way of getting help with your debt problems. This book and others like it can provide practical solutions to lowering what you owe and getting you out of the many burdens debt can put you in. seuss book collection sets cat hat

Sacred Vow - Book Review

Can the wind of a butterfly's wing effect climate on the other side of the world? Can the love of two souls heal a great wrong in the universe? C.G. Walters' novel "Sacred Vow," offers compelling thought to consider, and a page turning delight to cherish.Ian Sarin enjoys his cup of tea but lately the ritual of it brings other delights. Visions of a woman play out in his perception, beckoning further visitation. Everything in the room must be just so, with teapot, caned chair, and Ian in place. He cannot hear her speak, but can see her mouthing words, sharing her life. Is this just a vision or is it something else? His reality soon becomes less important than the alternate one that he visits. Ian's health becomes affected and soon he needs help. While visiting an old friend in the mountains, he is introduced to Djalma, an interesting man whose presence comes into play in a large way. He will interact in Ian's life in ways he couldn't have imagined. The visions of Katerina become more intense and play out like episodes of a movie he has seen before. The question so important... why are the visits happening? The answer awaits on a scrap of paper that Ian had tucked away, a remnant of a dream, years before. He was chosen for this...but what exactly is this?Reincarnation, collective consciousness, and life purpose all play large roles in this book. It is a deeply thoughtful and provocative tale that I could not put down. I so enjoyed the read that I simultaneously couldn't wait to get to the last page but also dreaded it ending. The author evokes a great understanding of these topics and the mysteries of the universe, yet shares his perceptions in a wonderfully easy to comprehend tone. Readers will come away wonder-filled and satisfied to have read "Sacred Vow."Sacred Vowby C.G. WaltersISBN-10: 0977427145Review by Heather Froeschl dr seuss cat in hat quotes

Franklin County True Stories - Letters and Recipes From the Grapevine Book Review

Sadly, the days of family history being passed down from generation to generation are being lost. Gathering what you can of your grandparent's stories is always a good idea. The newspapers don't report everything that goes on and even if they did, the stories that pertain to your personal family might not be known to you. Discovering what has gone on in your community might be a considerable and exciting treat, and I encourage everyone to talk to their neighbors and elder residents to see what might be known. For Franklin County residents, two thoughtful authors have put down some of the verbal history for us. "Franklin County True Stories: Letters and Recipes from the Grapevine," by Edith McGhee Sigmon and Beverly Merritt is a delightful step back in time.Reminiscent of tales told to children at grandma's knee or over hot tea at the kitchen table, this little book is full of this and that and some other things too. It's an eclectic collection shared with delight and disparage of Franklin County's history. From rumors of witchcraft to the biggest feud in this area (involving a State Senator as killer no less!), and from moonshine to squirrel stew, this collection is certainly colorful. Ghost tales, murder mysteries, and family memories are accompanied by descriptions of long forgotten cemeteries, letters sent home from the front of the Civil War, and interesting tidbits from the county courthouse records. My favorite was a collection of old sayings and their meanings and the descriptions of preserving foods back in the day.Reading this book made me realize that there is an abundance of history right under our noses, literally, right under our feet, and going by the wayside. I had no idea that George Washington had been out to Franklin County, and I find it extremely interesting to learn that officially, "If you are well bred, you will not gulp your soup so audibly that you can be heard across the room, nor sop up the sauce in your plate with bits of bread." Darn!While there are typos and (true to source) misspellings to be found in this book, one can overlook them with admiration at the charm it exudes. The authors have done a fantastic job of compiling a bit of history to share before it is long forgotten. I would be remiss to not mention Beverly Merritt's other publication, "Civil War Records of Franklin County, Virginia 1861-1865." This is a compilation of articles regarding the Civil War and its affects on Franklin County, including newspaper clippings, the National Park Service records, letters sent home to family, battle dates and battlefield names, and the extensive list of records of the individual soldiers and sailors from Franklin County. Interestingly enough, an article about the dedication of the Confederate Monument at Rocky Mount (which recently was destroyed in a vehicle accident) is also included. This examination of 1861-1865, which was a monumental time in America, is a fine tribute to those who were so deeply affected. Both books are available for purchase from the authors: $25, includes postage, mail check to Edith Sigmon, 11625 Franklin Street, Ferrum, Va 24088. Beverly's Civil War collection - $45, includes postage, mail check to Beverly Merritt, 675 Carver Lee Road, Ferrum, Va 24088. For questions on both books, email at beverlym@swva.net.Franklin County True Stories: Letters and Recipes from the Grapevineby Edith McGhee Sigmon and Beverly MerrittReview by Heather Froeschl dr seuss cat in hat history

Mockingbird Come Home - A Book of Poetry - Book Review

"Poetry cannot be made of words alone." How very true, and being a poet, Stephen B. Wiley offers so much more than words in his wonderful collection, "Mockingbird Come Home." The pages here are filled with memories and moments, emotions, settings, and paintings artistically created with words."Mockingbird Come Home" is what poetry is meant to be. Depicting a moment in time, a place in the heart, he writes of "Where We Live" and "Who We Are," the two sections of the book. The "where" is about places I know personally, not that it matters, for the settings described in Vermont, Florida, and New Jersey are easily seen with the imagination, helped along with Wiley's words. From a low-water Lake Champlain to the colorful vibrancy of Key West, the memories of places he shares are more personal than postcards. The "who" is even more endearing, with tales told so eloquently of gnarled and vein mapped hands, the grandparent naps before dinner, and the poet who becomes the poem.Reading the verses of Stephen B. Wiley is a joy to be compared with spending a day in an art gallery. The admirer will see different aspects of each work of art, perhaps what the artist/poet intended, but maybe something else entirely. The joy is in the discovery. "Mockingbird Come Home" is a poetic delight of excellent work. I loved it.Mockingbird Come Home: A Book of Poetryby Stephen B. WileyISBN: 0-9766251-1-3Review by Heather Froeschl dr seuss cat in hat book