People say dogs don't have feelings. People say dogs don't have a soul. Watch this video and you will say HOGWASH!
Enjoy!
Dog sees daddy after he has been gone for 6 months
Have a wonderful day and may everyone treat you as if you are the only person in the world.
R. K. Avery
www.rkaverybooks.com
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Can you spell S-C-A-M?
As an author with a very public email address, I get my share of freaky and odd emails. Lately though, I must have gotten on some list because I have had three very similar emails. Each girl is around the same age and each girl is alone due to the death of her parents, allegedly killed in cold blood. Read on as I have copied and pasted directly from my email:
This was received on Saturday, June 15th.
Hello My Dearest,
How was your day? Mine was a little bit cool over here in Dakar Senegal. My name is Sylvia Konowa. I'm 24 years old still single and never married. I am from Liberia in West Africa and presently, I am residing in the orphanage/refugee camp here in Dakar Senegal, as a result of the civil war going on in my country. I was a first year student of law at the university before the incident that led me into this situation of living in the camp.
My late father, Late Dr. Martins P. Konowa was the personal adviser to the former head of states, also a successful business man import and exporter of Cocoa during his life time, before the rebels attacked my house one early morning killing my mother and father. Equally, my mother was a senior lecturer at the university before her death, it's only me that is alive now because I am the only child to my parents and I managed to make my way with the help of UN to near by country Senegal, where I am living now.
I would like to know more about you. Your likes and dislikes, as I love cooking, handball, singing, karaoke, reading, etc. Your hobbies and what you are doing presently, I will tell more about myself in my next email.
My favorite language is English. Meanwhile I will like you to call me from 12:30 noon to 4:30 pm. The Cardinal Office telephone number is ................. Please when you call ask of Miss Sylvia Konowa from Liberia and tell him that you want to speak with me he will send for me in the hostel.
Thanks I am hoping to hear from you soonest.
Yours faithfully,
Sylvia
This one was received on Thursday, June 20th
Hello my Dear,
How are you doing, i hope you are in good condition of health. My name is Miss Aicha Sy, let me write you my biography. I was born in Sierra Leone in West Africa, I am a single girl of 26 years and I do not have kids but I am presently living in Dakar-Senegal under the church refugee camp, which is neighboring country to my country due to the civil ware and crisis in my country Sierra Leone.
My late father was a politician in Sierra Leone before the rebels attacked our house one early morning and killed my father and my mother together with my only brother in cold blood. It was only me that is alive because I was in the school outside my village during the incident, now and I managed to make my way to near by country Senegal where I am living now as a refugee camp, they killed my father and my mother together with my only brother in cold blood because my father refused to support their selfish interest in political matters, here is like someone been in the prison, i need to leave out from here and i need a sincere person who can help me and lead me to a new life.
I would like to know more about you before going into details to discuss some important matter with you about my life secret. What is your age? your job? your likes and dislikes? your hobbies? I really want to have a good relationship with you, once again a relationship of deep feeling that will construct a mutual understanding between both of us.
In my next email I will tell you more about my self and there is one secret i will like to share with you and also give you the telephone number you will use to call me. I need to see your picture and looking at your face will only give me joy and happiness.
I wish you happy day,
Sincerely in love,
Miss Aicha Sy
Finally, this was received on Friday, July 19th
Hello friend,
How are you doing together with your job over there in your country? Hope you had a nice day and that the atmosphere over there in your country is very nice today. Mine was a little bit warm over here in Senegal.
My name is Cynthia, I am 23 years but age doesn't matter in a real relationship. I am from Somalia Eastern Africa, 5.4 ft tall, fair in complexion, single (never married) presently i am residing here in Senegal due to the death of my parents that died in cool blood in one morning the rebel attack on our house one early morning due to the political crisis that is going on in my country. Now i am the only one that is alive. I run for my life in a near by country here in Senegal.
My late father's name is Dr. Kawasil Denson, he was managing director of Denson Industries Ltd in Mogadishu the capital city in my country before the death of my parent in cool blood. Now I managed to make my way to a near by country Senegal where I am living now in an orphanage home under a Reverend father's care who am using his computer to send these messages to you. I would like to know more about you. Your likes and dislikes, your hobbies and what you are doing presently. I will tell you more about myself in my next message. Please contact me directly through my private email address .......
Hoping to hear from you soonest, i wish you the very best of good Luck
yours forever,
Cynthia Kawasil
While I like getting emails, be careful what you wish for because things are not always what they seem. Hmmm, that would make a great book :)
Yours,
R. K. Avery
www.rkaverybooks.com
This was received on Saturday, June 15th.
Hello My Dearest,
How was your day? Mine was a little bit cool over here in Dakar Senegal. My name is Sylvia Konowa. I'm 24 years old still single and never married. I am from Liberia in West Africa and presently, I am residing in the orphanage/refugee camp here in Dakar Senegal, as a result of the civil war going on in my country. I was a first year student of law at the university before the incident that led me into this situation of living in the camp.
My late father, Late Dr. Martins P. Konowa was the personal adviser to the former head of states, also a successful business man import and exporter of Cocoa during his life time, before the rebels attacked my house one early morning killing my mother and father. Equally, my mother was a senior lecturer at the university before her death, it's only me that is alive now because I am the only child to my parents and I managed to make my way with the help of UN to near by country Senegal, where I am living now.
I would like to know more about you. Your likes and dislikes, as I love cooking, handball, singing, karaoke, reading, etc. Your hobbies and what you are doing presently, I will tell more about myself in my next email.
My favorite language is English. Meanwhile I will like you to call me from 12:30 noon to 4:30 pm. The Cardinal Office telephone number is ................. Please when you call ask of Miss Sylvia Konowa from Liberia and tell him that you want to speak with me he will send for me in the hostel.
Thanks I am hoping to hear from you soonest.
Yours faithfully,
Sylvia
This one was received on Thursday, June 20th
Hello my Dear,
How are you doing, i hope you are in good condition of health. My name is Miss Aicha Sy, let me write you my biography. I was born in Sierra Leone in West Africa, I am a single girl of 26 years and I do not have kids but I am presently living in Dakar-Senegal under the church refugee camp, which is neighboring country to my country due to the civil ware and crisis in my country Sierra Leone.
My late father was a politician in Sierra Leone before the rebels attacked our house one early morning and killed my father and my mother together with my only brother in cold blood. It was only me that is alive because I was in the school outside my village during the incident, now and I managed to make my way to near by country Senegal where I am living now as a refugee camp, they killed my father and my mother together with my only brother in cold blood because my father refused to support their selfish interest in political matters, here is like someone been in the prison, i need to leave out from here and i need a sincere person who can help me and lead me to a new life.
I would like to know more about you before going into details to discuss some important matter with you about my life secret. What is your age? your job? your likes and dislikes? your hobbies? I really want to have a good relationship with you, once again a relationship of deep feeling that will construct a mutual understanding between both of us.
In my next email I will tell you more about my self and there is one secret i will like to share with you and also give you the telephone number you will use to call me. I need to see your picture and looking at your face will only give me joy and happiness.
I wish you happy day,
Sincerely in love,
Miss Aicha Sy
Finally, this was received on Friday, July 19th
Hello friend,
How are you doing together with your job over there in your country? Hope you had a nice day and that the atmosphere over there in your country is very nice today. Mine was a little bit warm over here in Senegal.
My name is Cynthia, I am 23 years but age doesn't matter in a real relationship. I am from Somalia Eastern Africa, 5.4 ft tall, fair in complexion, single (never married) presently i am residing here in Senegal due to the death of my parents that died in cool blood in one morning the rebel attack on our house one early morning due to the political crisis that is going on in my country. Now i am the only one that is alive. I run for my life in a near by country here in Senegal.
My late father's name is Dr. Kawasil Denson, he was managing director of Denson Industries Ltd in Mogadishu the capital city in my country before the death of my parent in cool blood. Now I managed to make my way to a near by country Senegal where I am living now in an orphanage home under a Reverend father's care who am using his computer to send these messages to you. I would like to know more about you. Your likes and dislikes, your hobbies and what you are doing presently. I will tell you more about myself in my next message. Please contact me directly through my private email address .......
Hoping to hear from you soonest, i wish you the very best of good Luck
yours forever,
Cynthia Kawasil
While I like getting emails, be careful what you wish for because things are not always what they seem. Hmmm, that would make a great book :)
Yours,
R. K. Avery
www.rkaverybooks.com
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
It's Worth a Share
I saw this years ago and it touched me then and it touches me still. Please pass along. It's worth sharing.
As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. However, that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.
Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. In addition, Teddy could be unpleasant.
It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F" at the top of his papers.
At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.
Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners... he is a joy to be around."
His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle."
His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken."
Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class."
By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to." After the children left, she cried for at least an hour.
On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets."
A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.
Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in life.
Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he had ever had in his whole life.
Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer.... The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.
The story does not end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he had met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit at the wedding in the place that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom.
Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.
They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, "Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference."
Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you."
Warm someone's heart today. . . pass this along. I love this story so very much, I cry every time I read it. Just try to make a difference in someone's life today.
Random acts of kindness, I think they call it?
"Believe in Angels, then return the favor."
R. K. Avery
Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. In addition, Teddy could be unpleasant.
It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F" at the top of his papers.
At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.
Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners... he is a joy to be around."
His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle."
His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken."
Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class."
By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to." After the children left, she cried for at least an hour.
On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets."
A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.
Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in life.
Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he had ever had in his whole life.
Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer.... The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.
The story does not end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he had met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit at the wedding in the place that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom.
Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.
They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, "Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference."
Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you."
Warm someone's heart today. . . pass this along. I love this story so very much, I cry every time I read it. Just try to make a difference in someone's life today.
Random acts of kindness, I think they call it?
"Believe in Angels, then return the favor."
R. K. Avery
Monday, July 22, 2013
Traffic Woes
They say here in northeast Ohio we have two seasons; winter and road construction. It used to be that winter seemed like it lasted for several months, now I'm beginning to think road construction is the longest season.
There is a main road that goes east to west in my area that has been closed since April 1, 2012. Sadly, it was not an April Fools Day joke. They are building a railroad bridge which was badly needed. My city is a train haven. Last I heard we have 140 trains go through every day, two of which are Amtrak passenger trains. The tracks are far enough from me that the sound doesn't hinder my life; I kinda like hearing a train whistle blowing off in the distance, it's very soothing. But getting caught by a train on your way to work is not fun. I used to count the cars but that made me a little nauseous so now I just sit and play on my phone.
Since the road has been closed, a detour route was established which adds 10 - 15 minutes onto my daily commute to and from work. One of the other roads that also runs east to west, which was used as an alternate, is now closed indefinitely. A 100-year-old railroad bridge started loosing some of it's bricks and mortar on the underside and one fell on and damaged a vehicle. While the railroad company decides what to do with it, it is still used for train traffic but no one can go underneath.
Another road that goes east to west is typically so congested, it takes twice as long to get half as far. Did you get that? Twice as long to get half as far. So I finally decided to take the last and final road that goes east to west to find my way to work. Believe it or not it was down to one lane. They were trimming trees to get them off of the power lines. Seriously? Who plans these things? Four out of four roads closed or limited access. Have the traffic Gods spoken? Should I just stay home?
Have a great Monday and plan extra time. No telling what might get in your way!
R. K. Avery
www.rkaverybooks.com
There is a main road that goes east to west in my area that has been closed since April 1, 2012. Sadly, it was not an April Fools Day joke. They are building a railroad bridge which was badly needed. My city is a train haven. Last I heard we have 140 trains go through every day, two of which are Amtrak passenger trains. The tracks are far enough from me that the sound doesn't hinder my life; I kinda like hearing a train whistle blowing off in the distance, it's very soothing. But getting caught by a train on your way to work is not fun. I used to count the cars but that made me a little nauseous so now I just sit and play on my phone.
Since the road has been closed, a detour route was established which adds 10 - 15 minutes onto my daily commute to and from work. One of the other roads that also runs east to west, which was used as an alternate, is now closed indefinitely. A 100-year-old railroad bridge started loosing some of it's bricks and mortar on the underside and one fell on and damaged a vehicle. While the railroad company decides what to do with it, it is still used for train traffic but no one can go underneath.
Another road that goes east to west is typically so congested, it takes twice as long to get half as far. Did you get that? Twice as long to get half as far. So I finally decided to take the last and final road that goes east to west to find my way to work. Believe it or not it was down to one lane. They were trimming trees to get them off of the power lines. Seriously? Who plans these things? Four out of four roads closed or limited access. Have the traffic Gods spoken? Should I just stay home?
Have a great Monday and plan extra time. No telling what might get in your way!
R. K. Avery
www.rkaverybooks.com
Friday, July 19, 2013
To swear or not to swear...
As a writer, I often analyze things to see if they make sense. I can't even read a book anymore without pointing out the flaws. But one thing that continues to stump me are bad words, or I guess what you would call swear words.
All words are just a combination of letters so what makes some of them bad and others not? Is it the tone in which you use them that makes them bad? If that's the case, there are hundreds of bad words that people use everyday that are in a category by themselves.
For instance, lets take the F word. If you use it followed by the word You, that is a horrible insulting thing to say. So instead of saying that, what if you say Screw You. Does that make the word "Screw" equally as bad? Or what about this, many times people use the F word as an adjective. Here is an example: "I looked all over the f-ing place and couldn't find it." Now-a-days people use the word friggin in place of the F word. "I looked all over the friggin place and couldn't find it." Same sentence, same tone, same message. Why is one considered a bad word and the other is not?
Let's take another word. The word hell. If you are a Christian and you believe in God, both heaven and hell are very real places. Most of us hope to go to heaven someday and live our lives as such. I know I do. Yet if you take the word hell and use it in this context, "What the hell?" It turns into a bad word.
I am not an advocate of using swear words. I have told my children many times, people who constantly rely on the use of profanity are just showing their ignorance because they don't know how to convey their thoughts and feelings in any other way.
We do not swear at my house. It was how both me and my husband were raised and it's how we are raising our children. I'm not saying I'm perfect and the occasional word might come out when I'm angry but for the most part, I don't use foul language and I don't like when others do either.
One of the ten commandments clearly states: Do not take the name of the Lord in vain. This is one of the rules I live by. I hope you do as well.
Peace to you.
R. K. Avery
www.rkaverybooks.com
All words are just a combination of letters so what makes some of them bad and others not? Is it the tone in which you use them that makes them bad? If that's the case, there are hundreds of bad words that people use everyday that are in a category by themselves.
For instance, lets take the F word. If you use it followed by the word You, that is a horrible insulting thing to say. So instead of saying that, what if you say Screw You. Does that make the word "Screw" equally as bad? Or what about this, many times people use the F word as an adjective. Here is an example: "I looked all over the f-ing place and couldn't find it." Now-a-days people use the word friggin in place of the F word. "I looked all over the friggin place and couldn't find it." Same sentence, same tone, same message. Why is one considered a bad word and the other is not?
Let's take another word. The word hell. If you are a Christian and you believe in God, both heaven and hell are very real places. Most of us hope to go to heaven someday and live our lives as such. I know I do. Yet if you take the word hell and use it in this context, "What the hell?" It turns into a bad word.
I am not an advocate of using swear words. I have told my children many times, people who constantly rely on the use of profanity are just showing their ignorance because they don't know how to convey their thoughts and feelings in any other way.
We do not swear at my house. It was how both me and my husband were raised and it's how we are raising our children. I'm not saying I'm perfect and the occasional word might come out when I'm angry but for the most part, I don't use foul language and I don't like when others do either.
One of the ten commandments clearly states: Do not take the name of the Lord in vain. This is one of the rules I live by. I hope you do as well.
Peace to you.
R. K. Avery
www.rkaverybooks.com
Thursday, July 18, 2013
If only life had a DO OVER button
This is a true story from Friday, May 10th. I found it in my archives and wanted to share.
My day started off at 5:45 when the alarm went off and I rolled over and decided I was taking the day off -- sinus headache was killing me. Ten minutes later the house phone rang, which I did not answer because I thought my husband would pick it up.
Two minutes later someone was knocking on the door which I got up to answer. It was our next door neighbor. She is a nurse at my son's school and had graciously offered to give him a ride since it was the day of the class field trip and he had to be at the school at 6:15 for their trip to Washington DC. My husband decided to take him to breakfast and then drop him off at the school. Somehow, they never thought it was important to let the neighbor know.
So I opened the door to tell her my husband had taken him and Princess gets out. She is half beagle, a very fast runner, and when she hears the voices in her head shouting "Run Forrest Run", she does. I go out the door in my PJ's to catch her. She is bouncing around me like it's the most fun game in the world. My head feels like it's half way between a brain tumor and an aneurysm. I am finally close enough to grab her collar and when I turn around to go back in, I have locked myself out of the house. No biggie. We go to the garage, key in the code, and we finally get back in to hear the house phone ringing again.
It is my husband asking if I would like a cup of coffee from McDonalds. If course I would. He informs me he has not fed the dogs which we do every morning. We hang up and I go to send a text message to my boss and another gal I was supposed to have lunch with. After that I go back into the kitchen and start getting the four plates ready for the dogs.
Princess is a pig and eats her food like a refugee so I have to put her plate in the small powder room off the kitchen to prevent her from eating everyone else's. I have her plate of food and she is following me, jumping all excited, and our other dog, Mali decides she doesn't like this so she attacks her. Mostly just noise but I'm still trying to break it up as dog food is flying everywhere. Finally I grab Mali by the collar and Princess lunges at her, missing her but instead bites the calf on my right leg. No blood but seven teeth marks and a huge bruise that hurt really bad. Here's a picture a few days after the initial bite.
My day started off at 5:45 when the alarm went off and I rolled over and decided I was taking the day off -- sinus headache was killing me. Ten minutes later the house phone rang, which I did not answer because I thought my husband would pick it up.
Two minutes later someone was knocking on the door which I got up to answer. It was our next door neighbor. She is a nurse at my son's school and had graciously offered to give him a ride since it was the day of the class field trip and he had to be at the school at 6:15 for their trip to Washington DC. My husband decided to take him to breakfast and then drop him off at the school. Somehow, they never thought it was important to let the neighbor know.
So I opened the door to tell her my husband had taken him and Princess gets out. She is half beagle, a very fast runner, and when she hears the voices in her head shouting "Run Forrest Run", she does. I go out the door in my PJ's to catch her. She is bouncing around me like it's the most fun game in the world. My head feels like it's half way between a brain tumor and an aneurysm. I am finally close enough to grab her collar and when I turn around to go back in, I have locked myself out of the house. No biggie. We go to the garage, key in the code, and we finally get back in to hear the house phone ringing again.
It is my husband asking if I would like a cup of coffee from McDonalds. If course I would. He informs me he has not fed the dogs which we do every morning. We hang up and I go to send a text message to my boss and another gal I was supposed to have lunch with. After that I go back into the kitchen and start getting the four plates ready for the dogs.
Princess is a pig and eats her food like a refugee so I have to put her plate in the small powder room off the kitchen to prevent her from eating everyone else's. I have her plate of food and she is following me, jumping all excited, and our other dog, Mali decides she doesn't like this so she attacks her. Mostly just noise but I'm still trying to break it up as dog food is flying everywhere. Finally I grab Mali by the collar and Princess lunges at her, missing her but instead bites the calf on my right leg. No blood but seven teeth marks and a huge bruise that hurt really bad. Here's a picture a few days after the initial bite.
Finally I get Princess in the powder room with what's left of her food and the other three are eating in the kitchen. I sit down to rest, head still pounding. My husband comes in with my coffee and a breakfast burrito. I sigh, open the wrapper and start to eat while he goes outside to carry the trash to the curb. A minute later he comes in and says he needs my help as one of the trash bags broke open and he didn't know and drug it all the way down the driveway, leaving a trail of trash behind him. I grab a broom and the dust pan and go out to clean up the driveway. I came back in, took some pain pills and went back to bed.
Where's the button for a do over when you need it?
R. K. Avery
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
The Dream Job
I am working every available minute on the rewrites and edits for book #3, Reflection in the Mirror. Last night I went and had a mani/pedi and while they were working on my toes, I was working on my book. Of course when they were doing my nails, I had to put it down but that didn't stop me from thinking about it. I went with blue this time but still with sparkles, I love my sparkles :)
It's funny how you can write something and it sounds and looks really good. You put it aside for a couple a months and then go back and reread it and you wonder what you were thinking; you see several situations that make no sense, and even me, the writer, loses track of who is speaking. And the typos! Goodness!
But I promised Kathie I would have it to her by the middle of July and my goal is to get it there by Friday. I cannot wait to see what type of book cover they come up. Her team of graphic artists is so talented, I am in aww. So, onward I go. Working my real job and then working my dream job. I much prefer the dream job.
Have a great day everyone. Hopefully it won't rain today but I saw a funny post on Facebook. It said, "What are you complaining about? It's only rained twice this summer. Once for 18 days and another time for 12 days." That's about the truth :)
R. K. Avery
www.rkaverybooks.com
But I promised Kathie I would have it to her by the middle of July and my goal is to get it there by Friday. I cannot wait to see what type of book cover they come up. Her team of graphic artists is so talented, I am in aww. So, onward I go. Working my real job and then working my dream job. I much prefer the dream job.
Have a great day everyone. Hopefully it won't rain today but I saw a funny post on Facebook. It said, "What are you complaining about? It's only rained twice this summer. Once for 18 days and another time for 12 days." That's about the truth :)
R. K. Avery
www.rkaverybooks.com
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Facebook is a wonderful tool. You can get information out to a large variety of people that Facebook has termed your "friends", but when you think about it, it is also a very odd tool. Where else can you publicly poke someone and get away with it?
I have two Facebook accounts. One as myself and the other is just for R. K. Avery. R. K. Avery has more friends than I do, many whom she does not know. (I think of her as another person separate from myself.)
Many of my high school classmates have reached out and it's nice to catch up with them, to hear stories about their lives or see pictures of their kids or grandkids. It makes you miss the good old days, and then it makes you realize how some people will never grow up.
It's also interesting that you are always notified when someone wants to be your friend yet if someone decides they have had enough, they drop off your friends list and you never know until several months later when you realize you haven't seen any posts from that person in a while. Then you wonder why. Did you say something that offended them? Did they just close out their account all together? Are they still alive?
About a year or so ago a "group" was created just for my high school graduating class. Several posts went back and forth discussing all our classmates that have already passed, which is very sad. Someone commented a gal I graduated with had passed away. Moments later there was a message from her: "I am alive and well."
Like I said, Facebook is wonderful but also very odd.
Don't even get me started on twitter :)
R. K. Avery
www.rkaverybooks.com
I have two Facebook accounts. One as myself and the other is just for R. K. Avery. R. K. Avery has more friends than I do, many whom she does not know. (I think of her as another person separate from myself.)
Many of my high school classmates have reached out and it's nice to catch up with them, to hear stories about their lives or see pictures of their kids or grandkids. It makes you miss the good old days, and then it makes you realize how some people will never grow up.
It's also interesting that you are always notified when someone wants to be your friend yet if someone decides they have had enough, they drop off your friends list and you never know until several months later when you realize you haven't seen any posts from that person in a while. Then you wonder why. Did you say something that offended them? Did they just close out their account all together? Are they still alive?
About a year or so ago a "group" was created just for my high school graduating class. Several posts went back and forth discussing all our classmates that have already passed, which is very sad. Someone commented a gal I graduated with had passed away. Moments later there was a message from her: "I am alive and well."
Like I said, Facebook is wonderful but also very odd.
Don't even get me started on twitter :)
R. K. Avery
www.rkaverybooks.com
Monday, July 15, 2013
Weekends
Weekends -- us 9 to 5 people live for our weekends. I usually return to work on a Monday morning feeling refreshed and ready to hit the ground running but that's not the case today. My weekend was gone in a blink of an eye and I was so busy, I feel like I didn't even have any time off.
In the summer my employer is nice enough to allow staff to work 4 ten hour days in order to have an extra day off during the week. I decided to take advantage of this offer (this makes the 3rd or 4th time I've done this). Getting up at 4:30 during the week is not all that great but when that fifth day rolls around and you get to sleep in, ahhhhh, it's all worth it.
Usually on my day off I like to do something fun. I sleep in, take my son to breakfast, then we go see a movie or do some shopping. If he doesn't want to hang out with me, I will go get a mani/pedi or something else to pamper myself. Oh, and a nap. There's always time for a nap. It is glorious.
However, this weekend was different. Friday was spend doing yard work; mowing, trimming, weeding, getting sun burned. I'm not as young as I used to be and my muscles are definately saying, "What in the world??"
Satuday our dog escaped around 9 AM. She shot out the door like a bullet and was gone. Of course this happened when we were already running late for an appt. No time to look for her, we left hoping when we came home she would be at the door waiting for us. No such luck. Eight hours later, still no sign of her. Finally around 7:30 we got a call that someone found her. She's not walking all that great. I'm not sure if she's just sore from running around for over ten hours or if there is actually something wrong. My daughter is taking her to the vet today.
Sunday, I spent with my sister, my only sister. Her husband (who would be my brother-in-law) is terminally ill. He has been diagnosed with pancreatic and liver cancer. He's my age -- which means he is young. He's been at the Cleveland Clinic for 3 weeks and they finally released him yesterday. So I drove my sister down to get him. He was supposed to be released at 11 AM but around 3 PM, we finally left the hospital with him. It is so sad to see a once vibrant man a shell of his former self. He has lost so much weight, he looks like a skeleton with skin. It was upsetting to see him in that condition. I just pray that he is pain free and my sister has the strength to cope.
But now that I look back on it, I wouldn't change any of it. Sure I wish Princess wouldn't have gotten out but I spent countless hours driving around the neighborhood with my daughter, telling her everything was going to be alright. She needed me and I was there for her. Sure, I wish my brother-in-law was healthy but I spent countless hours with my sister which I rarely have the time to do. She needed me and I was there for her. Sometimes it's the hurdles and curve balls that make us appreciate life.
God Bless and have a wonderful week. Friday is almost here and I feel a nap calling my name :)
R. K. Avery
www.rkaverybooks.com
In the summer my employer is nice enough to allow staff to work 4 ten hour days in order to have an extra day off during the week. I decided to take advantage of this offer (this makes the 3rd or 4th time I've done this). Getting up at 4:30 during the week is not all that great but when that fifth day rolls around and you get to sleep in, ahhhhh, it's all worth it.
Usually on my day off I like to do something fun. I sleep in, take my son to breakfast, then we go see a movie or do some shopping. If he doesn't want to hang out with me, I will go get a mani/pedi or something else to pamper myself. Oh, and a nap. There's always time for a nap. It is glorious.
However, this weekend was different. Friday was spend doing yard work; mowing, trimming, weeding, getting sun burned. I'm not as young as I used to be and my muscles are definately saying, "What in the world??"
Satuday our dog escaped around 9 AM. She shot out the door like a bullet and was gone. Of course this happened when we were already running late for an appt. No time to look for her, we left hoping when we came home she would be at the door waiting for us. No such luck. Eight hours later, still no sign of her. Finally around 7:30 we got a call that someone found her. She's not walking all that great. I'm not sure if she's just sore from running around for over ten hours or if there is actually something wrong. My daughter is taking her to the vet today.
Sunday, I spent with my sister, my only sister. Her husband (who would be my brother-in-law) is terminally ill. He has been diagnosed with pancreatic and liver cancer. He's my age -- which means he is young. He's been at the Cleveland Clinic for 3 weeks and they finally released him yesterday. So I drove my sister down to get him. He was supposed to be released at 11 AM but around 3 PM, we finally left the hospital with him. It is so sad to see a once vibrant man a shell of his former self. He has lost so much weight, he looks like a skeleton with skin. It was upsetting to see him in that condition. I just pray that he is pain free and my sister has the strength to cope.
But now that I look back on it, I wouldn't change any of it. Sure I wish Princess wouldn't have gotten out but I spent countless hours driving around the neighborhood with my daughter, telling her everything was going to be alright. She needed me and I was there for her. Sure, I wish my brother-in-law was healthy but I spent countless hours with my sister which I rarely have the time to do. She needed me and I was there for her. Sometimes it's the hurdles and curve balls that make us appreciate life.
God Bless and have a wonderful week. Friday is almost here and I feel a nap calling my name :)
R. K. Avery
www.rkaverybooks.com
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Rain Rain Go Away
This is a picture of one of the intersections here in Ohio (I copied it from Facebook). It seems like it has rained everyday for the past month, even though I know it hasn't. It's almost mid-July. By this time we are usually looking at brown grass and wishing for rain. Not so this year.
I actually enjoy the rain. I find it very soothing and it makes me want to stay indoors and nap. Not really fond of thunder and lightning but it doesn't scare me. Without it we wouldn't have electricity :) Surprisingly my dogs are not afraid of it. They bark only because they don't understand. They don't, however, like going outside to do their business :(
On my drive home yesterday, on the same road, there are six traffic lights in a half mile stretch. Every other one was out -- I mean completely out. When the lights are not working at all, people don't know how to drive so the police were there directing traffic. This is a picture out my office window. Water had gathered on one section of the street and it was fun watching cars plow through it.
Well, as we trek on, just remember God promised never to flood the earth again, and Noah started building the ark before it started raining. What faith!
Have a great day!
R. K. Avery
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Hats, hats and more hats
Sometimes I sit and think about all the different hats I wear. Here are just a few: wife, mother, daughter, daughter-in-law, niece, aunt, great aunt, cousin, employee, employer, neighbor, committee member, resident, citizen and friend. I'm sure there are more "titles" but in addition to those, I am an Accountant, Author and I manage and run a household. It's just mind boggling all the different roles we play on a daily basis, roles that we don't even think about.
Whatever your role in life just remember -- somedays you may not feel like getting out of bed, somedays you may feel that no one cares, somedays you may feel like nothing but you are everything to someone.
One day you will just be a memory for some people. Try and make it a good one.
R. K. Avery
www.rkaverybooks.com
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Oops, they did it again
Well, they did it again. A surprise waiting in my in box this morning. Brighton Publishing has created a book trailer for my second book, Not My Mother's Son. The music is downright chilling and if you haven't read the book yet, hopefully this will get you in the mood.
Here is a brief synopsis:
Book Trailer for Not My Mother's Son
Here is a brief synopsis:
Devious. Conniving. Deceitful. Insidious. David Miller thought he knew his mother. He thought kidnapping three children was the most appalling and horrendous thing any human being could do and she couldn’t possibly do anything more monstrous. He thought there was nothing else she could do or say that would astound him. How wrong he was.
After Beatrice Miller, David’s serial kidnapping mother, is sentenced to thirty years, David Miller moves to Phoenix , Arizona
Hesitant at first but after reading his mothers journal, David is determined to mend their dysfunctional relationship. Every time David visits Bea in prison, she comes across as deranged insisting people are trying to kill her. She ends each brief encounter with a chilling statement, “Remember David, things aren’t always what they seem.” What does that mean?
As word about the foundation spreads, the services the Never Give Up are requested time-and-time-again to help where other agencies have failed. That is, until the police come knocking on David’s door and arrest him, taking him back to Bunting Valley, North Dakota, for the murder of a newborn baby boy.
Forced to shut down Never Give Up, David is amazed at how quickly the entire world turns their back on him. The trial begins and his mother’s testimony is the only thing that can save him. Telling the truth is as foreign to Beatrice Miller as giving up drugs is to an addict. As everyone in the courtroom holds their breath, you will too…remember, things are not always what they seem.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Tall Ships
On Saturday my family and I went to the Port of Cleveland to see the tall ships. These come into port usually once a year for a few days. To stand beside of these massive ships and look at all their beauty is simply breathtaking. Using your imagination, you can picture pirates on board as the sea and surf splash over the side in search of the next great treasure.
After waiting in line for an hour, we were able to board one of the ships and walk around. Even though the living quarters were closed off, I got to stand by the helm with the Lake Erie breeze blowing in my face. Tall and beautiful, it was a visual history lesson. We are lucky to have the Great Lakes at our doorstep. The largest body of fresh water in the world, it sure doesn't get the credit it deserves. I'm so glad we went.
After waiting in line for an hour, we were able to board one of the ships and walk around. Even though the living quarters were closed off, I got to stand by the helm with the Lake Erie breeze blowing in my face. Tall and beautiful, it was a visual history lesson. We are lucky to have the Great Lakes at our doorstep. The largest body of fresh water in the world, it sure doesn't get the credit it deserves. I'm so glad we went.
Friday, July 5, 2013
Growing Up
Unfortunately my son has inherited my eyesight. He is near sighted and each year when he goes for a check up, his vision is a little worse than it was last time. They say this will level out when he is in his twenties and I know it did for me. I got my first pair of contacts when I was in the 9th grade and wore them until I had LASIK surgery in 1999. Since my son will be entering the 9th grade in the fall, he asked for his first pair of contacts.
He is very stylish and has the Justin Bieber hairdo, at least that's what I call it, the one where he constantly swings his head to fluff up his bangs, which are way too long. He had to go today for his first contact fitting so the technician requested we bring a headband because she wanted his hair up and off of his face. I took the opportunity to take full advantage of the situation. I looked around the house and found the perfect headband -- hot pink with peace signs all over it.
I took pictures the entire time to document this epic event -- and to embarrass him later when he gets a girlfriend. After all, that's what mom's are for : )
He is very stylish and has the Justin Bieber hairdo, at least that's what I call it, the one where he constantly swings his head to fluff up his bangs, which are way too long. He had to go today for his first contact fitting so the technician requested we bring a headband because she wanted his hair up and off of his face. I took the opportunity to take full advantage of the situation. I looked around the house and found the perfect headband -- hot pink with peace signs all over it.
I took pictures the entire time to document this epic event -- and to embarrass him later when he gets a girlfriend. After all, that's what mom's are for : )
R. K. Avery
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Happy Birthday America
Tomorrow is the 4th of July, the day we celebrate the birthday of our great country. On July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was adopted declaring our independence from Great Britian. On July 3rd, John Adams wrote the following to his wife Abigail:
"The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."
~ Adams Family Papers. Massachusetts Historical Society
Of course he was off a couple days as Independence Day is actually on July 4th, the date on the Declaration of Independence, instead of July 2nd, the date it was approved behind closed doors, but he had the right idea. For many generations we have celebrated with picnics, reunions, parades, fireworks, fairs, concerts and other fun events.
Have a wonderful and safe Fourth of July. God continue to bless the USA.
R. K. Avery
www.rkaverybooks.com
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
When you think you are having a bad day...
This happened to me a while ago but I still remember it like it was yesterday.
My son, who was about 13 at the time, was in the bathroom taking a shower. He had the shower curtain pulled shut and I knocked on the door because I needed to brush my teeth. I asked him if I could come in and brush my teeth. He said I could so I entered the steamy bathroom.
I realized the last time I brushed my teeth I was in the shower and had left my toothbrush in there. I do this sometimes to save time in the morning, plus I like brushing my teeth with hot water. So I asked my son to hand me my toothbrush. A moment later his hand popped up over the curtain with my toothbrush.
I grabbed it, went to the sink, applied toothpaste and started brushing. About half way through I looked in the mirror and could see the reflection of the shower and there, on the ledge was MY TOOTHBRUSH. He had handed me the toothbrush I use for cleaning the tub.
So, when you think you are having a bad day, just remember this, Scrubbing Bubbles may get your teeth clean but it leaves a horrible after taste.
Have a great day everyone :)
R. K. Avery
www.rkaverybooks.com
My son, who was about 13 at the time, was in the bathroom taking a shower. He had the shower curtain pulled shut and I knocked on the door because I needed to brush my teeth. I asked him if I could come in and brush my teeth. He said I could so I entered the steamy bathroom.
I realized the last time I brushed my teeth I was in the shower and had left my toothbrush in there. I do this sometimes to save time in the morning, plus I like brushing my teeth with hot water. So I asked my son to hand me my toothbrush. A moment later his hand popped up over the curtain with my toothbrush.
I grabbed it, went to the sink, applied toothpaste and started brushing. About half way through I looked in the mirror and could see the reflection of the shower and there, on the ledge was MY TOOTHBRUSH. He had handed me the toothbrush I use for cleaning the tub.
So, when you think you are having a bad day, just remember this, Scrubbing Bubbles may get your teeth clean but it leaves a horrible after taste.
Have a great day everyone :)
R. K. Avery
www.rkaverybooks.com
Monday, July 1, 2013
Death
Last Monday when I came in to work (I have a day job as an Accountant), I found out a man I had worked with for the last 10 years had passed away the Friday before. When something like this happens, it almost seems surreal, like you just expect the person to come walking in any minute and things will go on as they always have. I still expect to hear his voice or bump into him in the elevator. It's just hard to imagine that he is gone -- actually gone and we won't see him or hear his laughter again.
That's the funny thing about death. It comes when it wants and even though you may be ready for it, the people around you are never ready for it. Bob was only 54 years old. The closer I get to 54, the younger that seems. He was such a wonderful person, always smiling and joking. I don't think I ever saw him in a bad mood or when he didn't have a kind word to say.
He left behind two boys, both in their early twenties. They don't know me and I don't know them but I do want them to know their dad will be sorely missed. He was a great guy and I am proud to say he was my friend.
R. K. Avery
www.rkaverybooks.com
That's the funny thing about death. It comes when it wants and even though you may be ready for it, the people around you are never ready for it. Bob was only 54 years old. The closer I get to 54, the younger that seems. He was such a wonderful person, always smiling and joking. I don't think I ever saw him in a bad mood or when he didn't have a kind word to say.
He left behind two boys, both in their early twenties. They don't know me and I don't know them but I do want them to know their dad will be sorely missed. He was a great guy and I am proud to say he was my friend.
R. K. Avery
www.rkaverybooks.com
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