Who's Got The #Time?

Hey Everyone!

As I mentioned on Sunday, I've been looking back through the positivity blog tour I did with four fabulous ladies during June of last year.  While I was reading those old posts, something about the very first individual post struck me.  The post was written by the lovely and talented Barbara Chioffi, and if you'd like to read it in its entirety, which I recommend you do, you can find it here: Barbara's First Positivity Post.

As I said, the whole post is fantastic, but the part that struck me most about it is where she talked about how short life is, and how certain people are worthy of having our limited time spent on them.  Barbara drew a contrast with her words between people who build others up and people who tear others down.  I'm sure most of us know people who will bend over backwards just to make a stranger smile. Just as I'm also sure most of us know at least one person who will say or do anything or step on anyone just to gain a tiny advantage.

Since we do have such a small amount of time on this Earth, wouldn't it behoove us to be selective about who we spend that time with?  I don't know about you, but I'd rather spend my time with people who just want others to be happy and well than people who are always seeking a way to get ahead.  And yet, it often seems as if the troublemakers in our lives are the ones who monopolize our time.

There are probably a lot of reasons for this, but I think most of them probably boil down to the fact that those are the people who make the most noise.  They do dramatic things to gain attention, and it works.  I'm sure that you can, as I can, think of people like that right off the top of your head.

So, perhaps the thing to do moving forward is to stop rewarding bad behavior?  Instead of giving attention to those who hurt others and trying to reason with the unreasonable, we should shun such individuals altogether.  That way, we'll have more time to devote to the people in our lives who deserve it.

#Thoughts & #Reflections From An Underworlder

Hey Everyone,

Tomorrow is an important day in the Democratic primary elections in the US.  In honor of it, I thought I'd share a look at Petri's world, a world ruled by corporations...

Excerpt from Rainbow Dreams:
Many of the residents of Upworld were sensitive about having dealings with underworlders. The society of Upworld was extremely stratified, with an enormous gap between the lowest levels and the highest levels of income. People who lived on the lower rungs of the Upworld salary ladder were usually only a paycheck or two away from becoming underworlders themselves.

Trying to fit in better, Petri surreptitiously observed those around her and tried to ape their mannerisms. One thing she couldn't help but notice was that quite a few of her fellow pedestrians had the same sort of obvious, artificial augmentation as Per Mirna had for his eyes. Almost all of even the low-level jobs that Upworld citizens did required the tech to facilitate interfacing with the computer systems they used. It was possible to camouflage the enhancements of course, and even create them out of organic tissue. Most executives at least concealed their accessories, and many used the biotech instead of the straight tech. But those types of cosmetic upgrades were expensive, so most junior employees made do with the less sophisticated models.

Residents of Under City weren't allowed to possess that kind of tech, so anyone who lost their Upworld citizenship had their tech augmentation removed. Petri had seen people in Under City missing eyes, ears, hands, arms, legs, and other body parts. She knew that sometimes it was because they had sold part of themselves to the grinders, but now she realized that some of them were probably also people who had lost their tech. It hadn't occurred to her before because almost no one who was low enough in rank to have to use the unconcealed tech would willingly travel to the underworld.

The companies that ran the Upworld government made sure to keep the majority of the populace on the margins of survival. They needed a small, relatively stable, and educated pool from which to draw employees who they could work to death, but they also needed to maintain control. Making sure that most people were entirely occupied with making ends meet was the easiest way to keep them from pursuing a more equitable distribution of power. Any remaining energy the drones might have, the companies strove to get them to focus on investing in the belief that they were better off than the underworlders. If any citizen did have the temerity to show the slightest hint of disloyalty to or rebellion from the companies, that person would immediately be banished from Upworld and relegated to the slums of Under City.

This culture of conformity and fanatical devotion to the companies resulted in a tendency among the rank and file of Upworld to resent any effort from the underworlders to improve their situation. After all, their one comfort in life came from the fact that there was someone else who was worse off than them. Without that, it was hard for many of them to face the emptiness of their existence. So they clung to their perceived superiority fiercely, and did everything in their power to protect it.

Rainbow Dreams

#Positivity...A #Year #Later

Hey Everyone!! :-)

I'm not sure how many of you know this, or remember, but last June Savannah Morgan, Barbara Chioffi, Jen Winters, Susan Ricci, Julie Nicholls, and I got together and conspired to write a month's worth of positive blog posts.  It was a great experience, and I think it's worth taking a look at again.  The first post of the month was authored by all five of us, and I'll post it below for you to read.  If you'd like to read the whole series, you can find it in chronological order here:

June 2015 Positivity Blog Tour

How it all began...

Indie authors Jen Winters, Susan Ricci, Julie Nicholls, Savannah Morgan, Mistral Dawn, and Barbara Chioffi have come together for June to give you a month's worth of positive thoughts. Each of these authors has their reasons for doing this, but they all hope to make your month a little brighter.

Hey everyone! I'm Jen Winters, a paranormal romance writer, who does mom things including homeschooling. I'm so pleased to be a part of this blog tour because I get to bring exciting news from positive sources and being part of the indie world of romance writer's has been the very best experience for me. The women who are participating in this month's tour have been wonders of light in my life and I get to be with them all month long! So get ready! We are going to bring you into a better place this month!

Happy June, everyone! I’m Susan Jean Ricci, an Indie author who loves reading every genre out there, but pens humorous, contemporary romances dubbed the Cindy’s Crusades Series. I’ve recently published a novella in the Blush genre called My Sexy Chef, the first in a new series, and a complete change of pace for me. I’m excited to be participating in Positivity Month with these fabulously talented authors, because we all share a common interest - humanity has much to be grateful for, but sometimes that’s forgotten. Perhaps a few gentle reminders about those blessings, via our posts, will lighten people’s hearts or help them overcome a challenge they’re facing on a daily basis. Please join us so we may bring you joy if there’s sorrow, or maybe just a chuckle or two.

Hi, I’m Julie Nicholls, the owner of Fallen Angel’s blog and I’m here with my fellow authors in the Positivity Blog tour because having being stuck in a negative rut and stressed, I know that being positive helps me get through the rough days. So you’re probably wondering what craziness I’m going to spout about? Something quite simple, but effective. So come and join me and I’ll give you a reason to smile.

I’m Savannah Morgan, and I write in several different genres. I’m the author of the Sapphire Spring Series, which are my erotic contemporary titles. I also have a contemporary suspense series that just came out called Deadly Flowers. And finally, I write a little PNR as well. You might have heard of my Touch of the Irish: A Collection of Erotic Fantasies. I decided to participate in this project for two main reasons. First, I know what negativity can do to a person. I also know what the power of positive thinking can do for a individual. Secondly, I’ve been noticing a rather nasty trend of negative thinking, hateful posts, and people suffering from severe depression on social media. I’m proud to be involved in something geared to change that. We all have moments when it’s hard to pull ourselves out of the mire. It is at those moments we need to come together as a community and show the one suffering there is a better way. My hope for this project is for it to reach enough to make a difference, and be seen by those who want to take up the banner and do their own positive posting.

I'm Mistral Dawn and I'm the author of fantasy, romance novels Taken By The Huntsman and Bound By The Summer Prince. I decided to participate in this project because I've noticed a lot of negative things happening lately. I've heard some people speak unkindly to others, and I've seen things that hurt my heart. My hope is that this project might help reverse that negative trend somewhat, and bring a little happiness to our readers. If even one person smiles I'd consider that a triumph. :-)

Hello, my name is Barbara Chioffi and I am a 73-year old retired music teacher. I live with my hubby, son, and ten cats- yes, ten. I've been writing most of my life...family stories and poems, most recently, romance. I can't help but think of how blessed I've been to make the acquaintance of so many authors, each with their own brand of craziness. I've never read as much as I have recently and have experienced laughter, tears, frustration, fear, and romance, lots of romance. As my circle grows, learning from these talents has helped enhance my own writing. And that is as it should be...helping each other, giving each other confidence...not backbiting and using other writers to promote yourself. I've noticed that more than I would like to mention, and perhaps, that is why this introvert has decided to become a part of this positive blog tour. In the learning process, I've stepped on a few toes, as I imagine others might have, but only from inexperience. It's simple...trust yourself enough to allow others to shine a little and don't step on their light. It will only diminish your own in the end.

So there are some wonderful reasons for wanting to participate in this little project. For the rest of the month, one author per day (with four free days during the month) will post about their thoughts for that day, and the rest of them will post the link to that author's blog. That way all of you fine folks will have the opportunity to visit some new blogs, and maybe discover some fun new reads along with your positive thoughts for the day. Hopefully you readers will have as much fun with this as the authors!! Happy reading everyone, and have a great June!! :-)


Links for the Blogs Participating In The Tour:
Jen Winters Is An Indie Author
Susan Ricci's Blog
Fallen Angels
Savannah's Thought Garden
Reveries From Barb

#Spring Into #Reading $180 #Cash #Grand #Prize #Giveaway!! :-)

Hey Everyone!! :-)

Guess what!! I have another exciting giveaway to tell you about!! :-)  It's free to enter, there are over 100 prizes, and the grand prize is $180 cash payable through PayPal!! :-)  Now isn't that worth taking a few minutes to check out? ;-)   Here are all the details:


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you so much for stopping by today!  And don't forget to check back tomorrow for the next installment of Mistral Dawn's Musings! :-)

#Animal #Rescuer's #Guide To #Staying ( #Relatively ) #Sane! #Free! :-)

Hey Everyone!! :-)

Just a reminder, for those who haven't checked it out yet, I've collected all my animal rescue/care posts together and published them as a small book.  If you'd like, you can download the book for free from Amazon, Smashwords, B&N, Kobo, and iTunes.

Amazon

Smashwords

iTunes

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Thanks for stopping in today, and don't forget to check back tomorrow for the next installment of Mistral Dawn's Musings! :-)

#APC #Spotlight: Fallowgrave: The #Past Is Not #Dead By T. E. Hodden!

Hey Everyone!! :-)

Today I've got T. E. Hodden in my spotlight. T. E. is an active and supportive member of the Authors-Professionals Co-op Facebook group, as well as a prolific author! :-)  His book, Fallowgrave, is a supernatural, horror, thriller novel that has gotten several really good reviews.  You can read the synopsis below:

The past does not die easy, in the town of Fallowgrave.

Years ago May thought she was in love with the charming and handsome Devin. But the sticky heat of summer drew out jealousy, rage, and a moment of madness. Devin stained his hands in the blood of tragedy.

Now he lays dying, and he calls May to him, with the daughter he has never known. He reaches out with an offer to set right some of his many mistakes.

Flint Markham, the new preacher, is trying to outrun the tragedies of his own past. Ken, an ex cop, is sent to watch over Markham, to keep him to a strict regime, and contain the shadows that haunt him.

Something else is coming to Fallowgrave. Something ancient and undying. Something that can see your deepest desires and twisting them to your worst nightmares.

Sound interesting?  Good! You can get your copy here:

Thank you so much for stopping by today, and don't forget to check back tomorrow for the next installment of Mistral Dawn's Musings! :-)

#Agent Thoth's #Personal Log: Day Seven

Hey Everyone!! :-)

Agent Thoth is back today and he's got a little more to report than last time. ;-)

Department for the Preservation and Confirmation of Intelligent Life (DPCIL)

Agent Thoth's Personal Log

Day Seven:

I believe my suspicions that my hominid-servant isn't as simple as she tries to pretend have been born out.  The hominid language is rather simplistic.  I lack the vocal cord and mouth structures necessary to reproduce the sounds, but it only took me a few hours to decode the communication enough to follow their conversations. I overheard my hominid-servant tell a fellow hominid that, "cats have nine lives." 

Since, as you know, DPCIL agents are assigned to this station for varying lengths of time with a maximum of 40 planetary orbits of the local star, and are allowed to return a maximum of nine times, it seems that, somehow, these creatures have learned about our duty assignment rotations and the limits associated with them.  As they should not be aware of our investigations at all, and their knowledge of our work will almost certainly affect our results, I will attempt to find out how much they have learned about us.  Perhaps the damage is not too widespread and we will be able to contain the leak.

As I stated in my last entry, I feel the canids on this planet deserve more attention than we have been giving them.  I know most agents consider them mindless drones under the control of the hominids, but I believe there is more to the picture.

For instance, I noticed that the canids are the ones who dictate the exercise schedule and that they lead the hominids through their exercise.  In fact, the hominid often seems quite reluctant to engage in exercise, and the canid is forced to provide repeated encouragement and prodding before the hominid will comply.  To me, this seems to indicate that the canid has a greater understanding of the necessity of physical conditioning and the role it plays in an organism's overall well-being.

Perhaps this is just the case with the hominid and canid who have been assigned to me, but this phenomenon does seem to suggest that perhaps the canids are the ones who are in charge.  At least in some aspects of the relationship.