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I’M BACK…REALLY, I AM.

karenringalls19 Comments

I truly thought after my previous blog, I would be faithfully writing a blog post at least every week. Well, life had other plans! We have traveled to Minnesota twice and Arizona once from April 29 through June 6! A lot of time in airports, going through TSA, and hopping from one house or hotel to another.

The good news is I got caught up on a lot of reading. Here are some of the books and my reviews:

THE MAN IN THE CORNER BOOTH by Verwayne Greenhoe:

This is a short story about a kind waitress who provides food for an elderly gentleman. She is an example of how we should all treat others less fortunate than ourselves. The message is one of love and caring for another without any expectations in return.

COMPULSION by Verwayne Greenhos

This story is based on a true case of the murders of women for sexual gratification. The man stalks his prey of prostitutes primarily. His trademark is to stab them with a screwdriver, remove their clothing, and then fold it neatly in a pile next to their naked bodies.
He is a mild-mannered, successful businessman, and married to a woman whom he claims to love. It is an interesting read if you like murder and crime stories.

I WOULDN’T BE SURPRISED by D.L. Finn

This is a short but fun story that will leave you with a few chills and thrills. Based on the “what if” game, the main characters find themselves in the midst of unusual events. I like thrillers so it was a perfect read for me.

THE VANISHED BOY by Harmony Kent

If you like suspenseful stories, you will love this book. When Carole’s teenage son disappears, she learns about him that she never knew. She saw the world of teenagers that was unfamiliar.
This is a definite page-turner. Put your feet up, grab your coffee or tea, and plan to read the day or night away.

An important announcement will be coming out soon! My completed manuscript is with the Fresh Ink Group. and I am anxiously awaiting the final proof, and then publication! Gary Geez and Lauren Smith have been incredibly helpful, patient, and kind.

Just to give you a very short glimpse into the book: it is a biography about my good friend and ovarian cancer sister, Carol Tucker. She has two adopted sons with special needs in addition to her two biological adult-children. Her remarkable story as a mother, a teacher, a founder and principal of a school for those with Autistic Spectrum Disorder is educational, inspiring, and a resource for other parents.

GREAT OR small EXPECTATIONS

karenringalls14 Comments

Charles Dickens’ book, “Great Expectations,” is one of my favorite books. Through the life of Pip, the reader experiences the lessons of having expectations of oneself and others.

Expectations come from those placed on us by others, from what we expect of others, or what we expect of ourselves. A parent raises a child with expectations of certain behaviors. An employer has certain job expectations from each employee.

Expectations become problematic when we only focus on how things “should” be and how the people around us “should” act and feel. When we place too many “should’s” on ourselves, we can become depressed and lose sight of who we truly are.

If we lived in a perfect world, expectations would only be for ourselves and based on our inner gifts and personalities. However, the world and people are not perfect.

I recently turned 80-years-old, and I unfairly expected my family to “surprise” me with a celebration. How very wrong and unfair that was. I was thinking of me, not them, not Covid, not the costs, and so forth.

Just like Pip, I had an important lesson to learn.

God taught me to appreciate the fact that I had metaphorically 80 candles on the cake; be grateful for each person in my life, and celebrate the love and well-being of each friend and family member.

As it turns out, I had a wonderful birthday celebrating it with friends one evening before the big day. I received birthday cards with personal messages that touched me deeply. Several of my gynecologic cancer sisters and their care partners surprised me at a luncheon with gifts, cards, a cake, and a birthday tiara placed on my head.

The best way to avoid having expectations of others and unfair ones for ourselves, is to focus on our dreams. Have goals, take the steps to achieve, while keeping our eyes on the dream. As so beautifully said:

MY MOM TAUGHT ME…

karenringalls21 Comments

Here is a list of things my mom taught me:

EAT EVERYTHING ON YOUR PLATE:  Sorry, I will absolutely not eat the green peppers.

MAKE YOUR BED EVERY DAY: In college, I threw the blanket up, but there was no time to mess with the bedspread.

CLEAN ALL DISHES AND PUT THEM AWAY BEFORE GOING TO BED: So, my now empty bowl of ice cream can’t sit in the sink overnight?

ALWAYS HAVE SOME DIMES WRAPPED IN A HANKIE HIDDEN IN YOUR BRA: I did do that while growing up in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Now, I have my cell phone in a purse or pocket, NOT IN MY BRA.

STAND AND SIT STRAIGHT: I do try to stand straight, but slouching in the big, easy chair is too hard to resist

.

MOST IMPORTANT LESSON:

ALWAYS WEAR UNDERWEAR THAT HAS NO HOLES OR TEARS!

WHAT DID YOUR MOTHER TEACH YOU?

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

A TRILOGY THAT IS…

karenringalls20 Comments

EXCITING, CAPTIVATING, SPINE-TINGLING, JOYFUL, SAD, AND SO MUCH MORE.

VASHTI QUIROZ-VEGA has written three books about good versus evil. The first in the trilogy, “The Fall of Lilith”, starts with the rebellion by Lucifer and Lilith along with other angels against God.

In “Son of the Serpent” Dracul, who is Satan’s son, meets up with Lilith, the most evil of the fallen angels. Dracul seeks both goodness and vengeance.

“Rise of Gadreel” is the final story in the trilogy. The fight to defeat Satan is led by a former fallen angel, Gadreel, and her four comrades. Is Satan defeated? I will not spoil the ending.

The author’s three books are superbly written. Each character is described in such detail that it is easy for the reader to “know” and remember them. The scenes come alive and the reader is there in every fight, reunion of friends or family, and feels the sorrow, pain, and joy experienced by each character.

Five stars are not enough stars! 

https://vashtiqvega.wordpress.com/
@VashtiQV
https://www.amazon.com/Vashti-Quiroz-Vega/e/B00GTXG5W4/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

I’M BACK!

karenringalls25 Comments

No, I’m not Arnold Schwarzenegger, who as a cyborg assassinator, declared “I’ll be back.” He retuned again and again.

Nor am I General Douglas MacArthur, who promised the people of the Philippines that he would return, which he did two years later.

Napoleon Bonaparte promised his friends and followers he would return to France after being exiled on the Isle of Elba for ten months...and he did return. No, I am not him.

I’M TALKING ABOUT LITTLE OLD ME!

I’M BACK!

I have been working long and hard on a manuscript, therefore many things were put aside. Unfortunately, my blog was one such activity that went to the “to do” list, but rarely got done.

I was neglectful in supporting my fellow authors, my cancer sisters and care partners, nor have I promoted social causes and events.

My time and energy with my family has not always been there. Time with friends has been less.

The manuscript is now with the publisher (FRESH INK GROUP).

There will be more announcements about the new book coming out soon. It is a biography about a remarkable woman and her two adopted sons who have special needs.

The key words are: Autism Spectrum Disorder, adoption, charter school for autism, miracles, amazing brain, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and exceptional parents.

My thanks to each of you for your support, patience, and understanding. I am here for you, my followers. I am here for you, my fellow authors. I am here for you, my cancer sisters and brothers. I am here for you, my family and friends. I’M BACK!

FICTION IN A FLASH CHALLENGE 2021. WEEK #39. #IARTG #FlashFiction #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts @pursoot

karenringalls22 Comments

This week’s challenge brought out thoughts about memories and birthdays. I thought about my years on this earth, riding through it like a ferris wheel. And, I though Of people who have rode my ferris wheel of life briefly or for a long time. There are those who taught me lessons, some caused me to fear, with others I shared laughter, or joined in love.

Here is the photo prompt for this week.

Courtesy of Amanda Cottrell
LIFE IS LIKE A FERRIS WHEEL
AGE
IS JUST
A SIMPLE NUMBER
THAT EACH YEAR INCREASES
NO MATTER WHAT I DO
THE SKIN THINS AND WRINKLES APPEAR
BUT THE LIGHTS OF MY BEING GLOW
MAKING MY LIFE LIKE THE TURNING FERRIS WHEEL
EACH DAY SPINNING INTO THE NEXT ONE
 ONLY STOPPING TO SAY HELLO, FAREWELL
 TO PEOPLE JOINING OR LEAVING
 MY WHEEL OF LIFE
FOR EIGHTY YEARS,
WHAT A
RIDE!

I chose this design for my poem for two reasons: I wanted it to start at one word, go to eight words and then back to one. Our first birthday is “one”. Then each sentence represents ten years…to 80…and then back to one…reflecting back on my 80 years in ten year increments. The first half is about coming to the age of 80 and my physical and spiritual changes. The second half reflecting on those who have been a part of my life.

THE HEART…DID YOU KNOW? PART II.

karenringalls8 Comments

I welcome you to today’s blog which I hope will give you some interesting information to help your health AND to celebrate certain people.

On my blog dated Feb. 13, I shared about the “Broken Heart” syndrome. This condition actually can occur from a stressful situation which causes muscle weakness in the left ventricle of the heart.

Research has also shown that 1 in 6 people who have this syndrome had cancer . Those cancers are breast, lung, internal sex organs, and the skin. The exact correlation is still being investigated. These patients were more likely to pass away within five years compared to those with broken heart syndrome who did not have cancer.

Some of the larger medical institutions have now developed cardio-oncology departments for closer observation and treatment for such patients.

Through my 13 years of being a cancer survivor, I have not met anyone who has had this phenomenon (to my knowledge). However, it is important for everyone, the survivor and his/her care partner, to be aware of this condition.

Which brings me to those who are care partners (caregivers or caretakers). February is the month honoring those who are silent heroes and heroines. I prefer the title care partner because I see the relationship as one of partnering: asking, saying, listening, responding.

SONY DSC

I am deeply grateful for my husband, Jim, who has been my care partner every minute of this unplanned journey with ovarian cancer.

My book, Outshine: An Ovarian Cancer Memoir is available at no cost from now and until March 14. It is important that every woman know about this cancer which is called as the silent killer. If you want a copy of the book, please send me your name and address at kareningalls1941@gmail.com.

FICTION IN A FLASH CHALLENGE 2021. WEEK #37. #IARTG #FlashFiction #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts @pursoot

karenringalls26 Comments

Welcome to my blog this week. Each week, Suzanne Burke provides an opportunity for anyone to write a poem, short story, or one-liner based on that photo. All are welcome to join in on the fun. I invite you to go to Ms. Burke’s website and learn about the flash fiction challenges, her books, and who she is a person and an award-winning author. https://sooozburkeauthor.wordpress.com/

When I saw the photo prompt below, I immediately thought about “knock-knock” jokes which I loved when I was a kid. Well, I guess I am still a kid because I came up with some corny jokes. Now you possibly will giggle or laugh, shake your head or raise your eyebrows, or think “that’s a good one,” or give me some credit for even trying!

Did you know that the origin of such jokes might go back to William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth? That is the theory given in Wikipedia, which I shall not dispute.

SOME CORNY KNOCK KNOCK JOKES

KNOCK. KNOCK
WHO'S THERE?
SOOOZ 
SOOOZ WHO?
SOOOZING IN  BED

KNOCK, KNOCK
WHO'S THERE?
MARK
MARK WHO?
MARKING MY SPOT WITH AN X

KNOCK, KNOCK
WHO'S THERE?
JACQUIE
JACQUIE WHO?
JACQUIEING UP MY CAR

KNOCK, KNOCK
WHO'S THERE?
MAE
MAE WHO?
MAEBE, I SHOULD STOP WRITING THESE JOKES!

THESE KNOCK-KNOCK JOKES WERE A FUN WAY TO PLAY AROUND WITH NAMES. THANKS TO SOOOZ BURKE, MARK BIERMAN, JACQUIE BIGGAR, AND MAE CLAIR FOR BEING A PART OF THIS “FICTION IN A FLASH CHALLENGE”.

I NOW CHALLENGE EACH OF YOU TO COME UP WITH A KNOCK-KNOCK JOKE BASED ON YOUR FIRST OR LAST NAME. I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO READING THEM.

THE HEART…DID YOU KNOW?

karenringalls16 Comments

Welcome to my blog where you might learn something new, be inspired, or be entertained. Tomorrow is Feb. 14, and we all know that is Valentine’s Day. The heart is its symbol because there is the long-standing relationship of the heart with emotions, including love.

But do you know about the “Broken Heart Syndrome”? There are phrases that speak to this syndrome: you broke my heart, my heart is broken, or the shattering of a heart when being broken is the loudest quiet ever. The “Broken Heart Syndrome” occurs when a shocking experience suddenly occurs. It may be extremely good news such as winning a lot of money, or bad news of a death, financial loss, or a diagnosis.

The heart balloons out into an apical form due to the left ventricle filling with blood. The rest of the heart functions normally. The event feels like a heart attack, rarely fatal, and it occurs in women more than men over the age of 50.

Courtesy of The Wall Street Journal

In 1990, this syndrome was first diagnosed in Japan. The medical field is still doing studies to understand this phenomenon. When one says, I love you so much I think my heart will burst, realize it truly can make your heart swell.

Debbie Reynolds passed away one day after her daughter, Carrie Fischer died. Johnny Cash died a few months after his wife did, and former British Prime Minister James Callaghan died of heart and kidney failure in March 2005, just 11 days after his wife Audrey passed away.

The purpose of this information is not to bring sadness, but two things can be learned: both negative and positive stressful events can have strong influences on our bodies, especially the heart. Secondly, the strength of one’s love for another is powerful and beautiful. Such love has a positive influence on everyone around a couple deeply in love.

Courtesy of Joshua Hehe

My wish is for you to celebrate the meaning of Valentine’s Day every day. Let those around you know how much you love them, from your heart send out love to everyone, and let your heart be open to receive love from others.

FICTION IN A FLASH CHALLENGE 2021. WEEK #35. #IARTG #FlashFiction #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts @pursoot

karenringalls12 Comments

WELCOME TO TODAY’S BLOG. I AM GLAD YOU ARE HERE. The month of February is all about LOVE. In the week’s ahead, each blog will be about love: of self, others, heart health, care partners, and God’s love.

Each week Suzanne Burke offers a photo prompt from which anyone is invited to write a short story, poem, or one-liner. Everyone is welcome to join in on the fun. Let your creativity juices flow!

As soon as I saw this photo, my eyes were drawn to the image between the man and woman. To me, it was God’s spirit.

When I met my husband, I felt God’s arms drawing us closer together. When I looked into his eyes, I knew he was someone very special. When I passed by him and touched his shoulder, there was an incredible energy that went through me. We are one and know God is always present.

Suzanne Burke is an award-winning author and I encourage you to go to her website and learn about her and her wonderful books. https://sooozburkeauthor.wordpress.com/

How has love impacted your life? Has God been a part of your love relationships? Do you remember your first kiss? What is your love story?