Oh My Aching Back...

I have had back problems for many years.  It started when I was just a teenager.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  We were sitting at the kitchen table and I sneezed.  Something in my lower back snapped and I was in pain for a few days; difficulty standing from a sitting position and breathing actually hurt.

Fast forward to 1994 right after my daughter was born.  Oh my goodness, the pain.  Shooting down my legs and nothing I did or didn’t do seemed to make a difference.  That was the first time I went to a chiropractor.  Dr. Bennett is a very nice man and he tried his best to get my lower back to crack to no avail.  It’s almost like it gets inflamed and swollen and the vertebrae compress and pinch a nerve or something.

Eventually the pain went away and I was back to about 95% of my old self.  If you have back problems, you know you are never 100% again.

So here it is 2013 and I've had about a dozen more backaches.  I’ve been to see doctors, specialists, chiropractors, and surgeons.  I’ve had x-rays and MRI’s.  I’ve done physical therapy – twice.  Nothing seems to help.  It just comes out of nowhere and it leaves just as easily.  When I have an episode, I try to rest and take muscle relaxers and pain pills.  I’m not sure if they actually help with the pain but they do make me very tired so I sleep through it.  In a few days, or a week, I’m back to about 90% of my old self. 

I can sympathize with anyone who has back pain; it is excruciating.  The back is one those body parts that you use no matter what you are doing.  Just this morning I drove my son to school and I had a hard time turning my head to check for traffic.  When you turn your head it pulls your back muscles and it hurts.  Picking up my leg to put on my boot hurt my back so badly.  Just rolling over in bed makes me want to cry.

So I’m at home today, trying to rest and get back to about 85% of my old self.  Each time I have an episode, it seems to chip away a little bit more of me. 

Take care,

R. K. Avery

www.rkaverybooks.com

@RKAvery1

 

Happy Veterans Day!

Today is Veterans Day, a day to reflect and honor all those who have fought for our freedom.  I don't know about you but it seems the older we get, everyone knows someone who was in the war.  Whether it is the earlier wars (WWI, WWII, Korean War, etc.) or the more recent wars (Gulf War, War in Afghanistan, etc.) we all know someone. 

My father was drafted during the Korean War.  While he was sailing across the ocean on his way to fight they received word the war had ended.  Lucky for him and lucky for me; if something happened to him, I may not be here.

My father-in-law passed away in 2006 at the funeral, my mother-in-law was given a flag which is folded and in a display case in her living room.  I am not certain which war he served but that doesn’t make it any less important.

So, in honor of this legal holiday, I decided to do a little research to find out when Veterans Day began.  When I take on a task such as this, I am reminded how horrible my memory is and I wonder if I slept through history class because some of this stuff sounds completely foreign to me. 

Anyway, here is what I found out; World War I ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919 but the war actually ended, and fighting stopped, seven months earlier when an armistice (a cease fire, a truce) went into effect on November 11, 1918.  For that reason, November 11, 1918 is known as the end of the war to end all wars.

This picture was actually taken in France at 10:58 am on November 11, 1918,

two minutes before the cease fire went into effect. 

A year later, in November, 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11^th as the first anniversary of armistice day, the war to end all wars, with the following words:  “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America…”  

It was a long time after that (May 13, 1938) that an act was approved to make November 11^th in each year a legal holiday – a day dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be celebrated and known as “Armistice Day.”  It was originally intended to honor the veterans of WWI but when WWII came along, the word Armistice was removed and replaced with the word Veterans so on June 1, 1954, November 11^th became a day to honor American Veterans of all wars.

So thank you for serving and protecting us which allows us the ability to live in the greatest nation in the world.

R. K. Avery

www.rkaverybooks.com

@RKAvery1

Daylight Savings Time

Well the first full workweek with daylight saving time is over and I must say I am exhausted!  There’s just something about coming to work in the dark and leaving the dark; it messes with your psyche.  The other night I actually went to bed at 6:36 PM.  Yes, I said 6:36 PM and the sad part is, I felt like it was midnight.  I slept all night and when the alarm went off at 5:40 AM, I didn’t want to get up.  I had almost 12 hours of sleep and I didn’t want to get up.  Darn you Daylight Savings Time.

 

So, it made me wonder why we have Daylight Savings Time. I guess it began eons ago, before electricity, when we lived our lives based on how much sunlight we had.  Making the day longer was a great way to get more done. 

During World War I, the practice became even more important when countries at war started setting their clocks back to save on coal.  Once the war ended, daylight savings time stopped, but was revived again during World War II. 

Daylight Savings Time caused widespread confusion from 1945 to 1966 for trains, buses and other industries that worked on a schedule since, in the United States, many states and localities were free to choose when and if they wanted to participate.  Congress decided to end the confusion and establish the Uniform Time Act of 1966.  

Over the years the schedule has changed several times but since the Energy Policy Act of 2005 was enacted, Daylight Savings Time always starts on the second Sunday in March and it ends on the first Sunday in November.

 

Today, more than 70 countries practice Daylight Savings Time because the thought was it would save money on electricity however studies show during Daylight Savings Time, there is a one percent increase in residential electricity.  It also messes with sleep patterns (yes it does!), seems to make people crabbier (yes it does!) and may cause heart attacks.  Really?

It’s interesting to note, in the United States Arizona and Hawaii have opted out of participating and do not have to turn their clocks back and forth. 

For all of you night owls, enjoy!  For all of the rest of us, YAWN!

R. K. Avery

www.rkaverybooks.com

@RKAvery1 

Happy Day After Marooned Without a Compass Day

Ever hear of those weird, obscure holidays that people mention but no one really celebrates?  Days like National Donut Day (I did get a free donut once so I guess you can say I celebrated), Sandwich Day, Cuddle Up Day, Bean Day, etc.  You get the picture.  Well yesterday was one of those days and we missed it!  It was Marooned Without a Compass Day.

How is your sense of direction? I am directionally challenged to say the least.  When giving me directions, don’t tell me to go west or turn and head south.  I am a 'turn left' or 'make a right turn' type of gal.  Once my husband tried to explain it to me, "West is always west.  North is always north.  If you tell someone the building is on the right side of the street, that’s fine if they always come from the same direction.  If they come the opposite way, the building would be on the left side of the street. But if you say it is on the south side of the street that holds true no matter what direction they come from".  I guess he has a point but still, it is very confusing to me. 

So I ask, are you like me?  Do you get lost easily? Do you always know where you are? If someone were to spin you around three times, would you have a hard time finding your way to the bathroom in your own home?  If any of these questions define your current state of being, then yesterday was a great holiday for you.

However, as any good Boy Scout would tell you, just navigate by the position of the sun and the stars. Use you orienteering skills. Check the trees for moss as it always grows on the shaded, north side of a tree trunk.  (Is that the right or left side of a tree trunk?)

Regardless, I hope you took advantage of this lesser known holiday and enjoyed being lost without a compass for a day.  Did you kick back and enjoy some down time?  Take a break from your busy life and relax?  So today when the sun rises to the right go in search of that mossy tree and navigate your way to work, which by the way is on the left side of the street.

Happy Day After Marooned Without a Compass Day!!!

R. K. Avery
www.rkaverybooks.com
@RKAvery1

Press Release - Book #3 - Reflection in the Mirror

Brighton Publishing signs R.K. Avery for “Reflection in the Mirror: Who is Looking Back at You?”

Saturated with suspense and intrigue, author R. K. Avery presents a tale of metaphysical mystery, “Reflection in the Mirror: Who is Looking Back at You?”—a spine-tingling journey through the paranormal world of identical twins

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) – Nov. 4, 2013 – CHANDLER (AZ) – Brighton Publishing LLC is thrilled to announce the signing of prolific novelist R. K. Avery for her third novel, Reflection in the Mirror: Who is Looking Back at You?

Author R. K. Avery once again removes the veil of disbelief and catapults her readers into the paranormal world of identical twins – Clarissa and Marissa – and their unusual empathic connection. 

Reflection in the Mirror: Who is Looking Back at You? is scheduled for eBook release in mid-2014 and will be available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other retailers nationwide.  The print version is currently slated for release in late-2014 and will be available through Ingram, the world’s largest book distributor and On-demand worldwide from the Espresso Book Machine.

For Clarissa and Marissa Wagner, life as identical twins would become more than a sisterly bond.  Soon, they would develop a uniquely personal connection – a shared experience of both thinking and feeling – a baffling link that would astound family, friends, and a variety of professionals over the course of their lives.

When Marissa disappears, though, Clarissa’s life is turned upside down.

With few leads to go on and little evidence in the case, local police are doubtful of finding the young girl alive and well.  As hours turn into days, and days eventually turn into weeks, their mother, June Wagner, fears the worst.

For Clarissa, the mirror’s reflection is now a constant reminder of a part of her that has gone missing – the other half of her soul.  But their unusual empathic connection is deep…and strong.

Soon the family enlists the help of David Miller, Rich Butler, and the Never Give Up Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to finding missing and exploited children.  As hope of finding her sister continues to wane, Clarissa’s visions begin to reveal clues that are relevant to the case…and a disturbing plot that will leave everyone wondering whose reflection is in the mirror.

“Author R. K. Avery delivers a suspense-fueled plot that ushers readers into the bold and dramatic world of the paranormal,” said Kathie McGuire, director of Brighton Publishing LLC.  “Reflection in the Mirror: Who is Looking Back at You?” offers a stinging plot with cleverly crafted characters and a refreshing look into the impact of clairvoyance and telepathy on the unseen world around us.”

R. K. Avery, a graduate of the Institute of Children’s Literature, discovered one thing during the extensive coursework – a love for writing adult fiction, especially fiction that makes readers ponder long after they’ve put the book away.  Her previous novels, Be Careful What You Wish For and Not My Mother's Son, both published by Brighton Publishing, LLC, are currently available from fine retailers everywhere.

R. K. Avery currently resides in Macedonia, Ohio, with her husband, two teenage children and four dogs. 

Happy Reading!

R. K. Avery
www.rkaverybooks.com
@RKAvery1

Searching for Suggestions -- Please!

Twitter update:  534 followers – Woot, Woot!

Last fall my daughter adopted a dog.  She was a rescue found abandoned in an apartment building.  She appears to be a Puggle.  She has the pug nose and under bite but she has the hunting instinct of a beagle.  When she first came to our house, she did not bark for several days.  She also drooled constantly always looking like she had swallowed a tennis shoe and the laces were hanging out.  My daughter decided to name her Princess although at the time, I felt Lucky would have been more fitting.  Since that time, however, I believe Sybil would be a better name.

Princess is a great dog, cute as a button, but she has some quirks.  In early January she started chasing reflections.  It was the light reflecting off the name plate on her collar.  She would chase for hours and when she got into the zone, it was as if she couldn’t hear us; she was in her own little world.  She had no desire for food or water and just spent all her waking hours chasing these reflections.  We took the tag off her collar and it seemed to help but now she chases shadows.  The morning is a busy time for her and it’s almost like these shadows are her friends.  She remembers where she saw them last and returns to the same spots.  Shortly after she started chasing the shadows, she started barking at them.  Now the barking is constant when she is “playing with her shadow friends.”  One good thing, she can hear us when we speak to her and if you spray her with water, the barking stops.  But we put up with it because we love her.

She is a very territorial female dog and likes attention.  We have another dog that is the same way and when you put two of these bull-headed, jealous, attention hogs in the same house, fighting and growling is common place.  Usually it’s just a bunch of noise but every now and then, the teeth come out looking for blood.  This past Sunday was one of those times.  Unfortunately, the only thing that got injured was my daughters arm. 

Princess can be a sweet, docile dog one minute and turn into Kujo the next.  It is the oddest thing.  Mali, always protective of her family, will throw herself into a fight for the sheer joy of it.  Any growling that takes place, you can bet you will find Mali in the middle even if she wasn’t there when it started. 

We just have to learn how to curtail the fights before they get out of hand.  Any suggestions?

Thanks much!

Arf, Arf

R. K. Avery

www.rkaverybooks.com

@RKAvery1

Taking the Train to the City

When my kids were little I would tell them we were going on an adventure and I would pack them in the car, grab the diaper bag and stroller, and off we would go. 

I would drive to a parking area about 15 miles from our home and we would catch a train that took us into the city.  The train in my area is called a Rapid, but it's very similar to the subway, the only difference is for the most part, it runs above ground.  It's about a 20 - 25 minute ride, depending on how many people climb on and off at each stop, from where you board to where to reach your destination.  We usually went on a rainy or cold day when the kids couldn't play outside.

Well, both my kids remember these adventures and this past weekend, even though they are older, we all piled into the car and took the train to a downtown shopping mall including my husband who had never gone with us before.  He would rather drive instead of take the train but there's just something about it that is very exciting to me.  You get to see sites you don't see on the highway.  You get to see people and beautiful graffiti.  There is even a small diner at one of the stops and when the train doors open, the smell of food is heavenly.

My daughter and her fiance did some Christmas shopping while the rest of us got our fill of people watching.  My son is on the lookout for a new pair of shoes so he went in and out of multiple shoe stores not finding what he wanted.  Actually, he did find want he thought he wanted but they were too tight so he didn't get them. 

We ate lunch at the food court which is nice; something to satisfy every pallet no matter how picky.  I ran into an old friend and we chatted for a bit.  It was wonderful seeing her and she is still just as beautiful as ever.

My hope is when my kids grow up and have a family of their own, they will continue to do things like this.  Something that started out as trying to find an activity to do on a rainy day has turned into a lasting memory. 

May all your memories be worthwhile.

R. K. Avery
www.rkaverybooks.com
@RKAvery1