!!!!MOVE!!!!

I'm having a hectic period of time, moving from a house we were renting, into a house I just bought.  I have a lot less help and also not as young as I used to be, and it's taking a toll, but it will be worth it, once we're settled in.  There is a lot to reduce since the space we have is smaller, but easier to maintain.

In conjunction with moving, I'd like to tie in the newest development in my friend Soldwolf's story, Meeting the Parents.  It's a military sci-fi novel, which automatically means it's action-packed, and the characters are so endearing, I'm getting attached.  The interpersonal relationships range from interplanetary alliances & enemies, interspecies romance, and of course, the humor that goes into it all.  It's very intellectually written.  In this chapter (43), Opening Moves, an important meeting of military minds is happening, while the romantic couple is also on the lookout for a new house to call home.  The info that the hero's sister found out, $&it is getting ready to roll downhill, and a lot of strategizing is going on!  Is there a traitor or pirate lurking for the hero's betrothed's home planet?  Yikes! Big things are brewing for sure!

Advocacy & More

As the founder of Youth Voice Initiative, I get called upon often to do advocacy work, whether it's for a single parent who needs a letter written to the courts, or to speak up for a special needs child, or to help see what kinds of programs are available for various things whether it's a support group or just information in general.  It is truly rewarding to know that I can help make a difference for some people, including the lives of children.

Because of the experiences I've had, I'm also a volunteer advocate for Sexual Assault Services, and take the crisis phone to offer peer support as well as to make hospital visits for recent survivors.  It's not always easy work, but very worthwhile, because sometimes as the advocate, I might be the only one they see as being on their side.  One thing I enjoy doing, when there are small children present, whether the survivor is a child or the adult survivor brings their children in, is that I like to read age-appropriate books with them.  Reading often reduces stress and allows people to feel more normal.

In my own free time, I enjoy reading as well, and my favorite genre is Science Fiction, just because it's filled with action, technology, culture, and more.  It fascinates me.  The current story I'm reading is still a work in progress by a friend of mine, Soldwolf, called Meeting the Parents, which is a military sci-fi set in the future, where Earth is unified and has allies culturally and militarily with other humanoid type species intergalactically.  Please check previous blogs for more information, if you'd like.

Parties, Friends & Guests (Ch 33) We all like to eat. Sometimes it's nice to not have to cook, and it's even better when you have your special place with that special someone. The earth hero, Scott, even found a favorite spot on his lovely's planet that he even wants to show off to his family! But the question is, though, are the potential in-laws going to get along with each other? Or will it be a disaster? The dynamics can get interesting, so just read & find out for yourself. I just have to wonder though, where are MY Kyoto hair sticks?

Gathering Friends (Ch 34) It's fun to meet new people, especially when they're going to be important connections. While exciting and comforting, it can get overwhelming. I'm feeling the hero, who is anxious about remembering names, but fortunately, his lovely & her family are there for support. Even with his military friends, it's all about balancing work & life. I'm just wondering though, will they get to introduce Cajun cooking to these nice Tamalnii people? If this chapter doesn't tug at your heartstrings, I don't know what will.

Friends Reunited (Ch35) It's refreshing to find that even big tough guys can have a gentle soul, and how often, they could use a personal hero, too. heartwarming stuff, and when reuniting with friends, who are also formally connected, what better than hosting an official dance? And then of course, what is a dance w/o doing more party planning? So much fun stuff going for sure!

A Circle of Friends (Ch36) Everyone needs a good one of these, and I tell you, the hero and his lovely are lucky to have who they have. I'm really digging the new characters introduced, and how they get back to business on both work and personal fronts! Oh, and some huge things are brewing, so you don't want to miss out on the action!

Now, please be a dear, and click the highlighted areas, they're hyperlinks to where you need to go to read.

Memorial Day Remembrance

Happy Memorial Day to you all, especially our veterans and others who have served in various ways.  I truly appreciate you.  In appreciation of those I'm lucky enough to call friends, I'm toasting deployment coffee to you all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zudFEvTj9H0

Each year on this day, I go out to the cemetery to visit my family plot.  My maternal grandfather never served in the military, but when the WWII draft was out, he was a newlywed to my grandmother with a young child who is my Godmother.  He was given the choice, with a young family between being drafted or to work full-time at a factory to help with the war effort.  He chose to work at the factory, thus giving him 3 full-time jobs total - 1) executive at Knight Barry Abstract Company (which his father-in-law owned)  2) factory war effort and 3) a devoted family man who swore to support his family.  He's really the best grandfather anyone could possibly ask for.

The rest of the family plot includes my great grandparents (my grandmother's parents who owned the title company at one time), my great grandmother's father, my cousin (who was the above-mentioned aunt's 3-week old daughter) and my 1st son.  My grandparents are to the left.

Not too far away is my former mother and father in law, my son's paternal grandparents, who called me their other daughter until they died, and I am forever grateful.  The Greenbay Packers kitchen magnet and money clip were placed there back in 2003 (my mother in law was an avid fan) and they are still there, to cheer on today.

While we're there, we pick 2 random graves to clean, where it's obvious that there aren't any family members available to do so.  1 is always a veteran, and then at least one more.  Today, we did 2 more.  One was for a woman who's grave was completely covered over, and almost didn't recognize it as someone's grave.  The other was for a girl who died just before her 6th birthday back in 1937, and I placed a pinwheel for her (as I do for the 2 babies in my own family).  It's a quirky tradition I started...

I’d like to remember some relatives who have served and are no longer with us, whether they passed during their service or served and returned to civilian life: Great Uncle Wally Patrick - US Army in WWII. 1st stepfather John Haggard Sr - US Marines in Vietnam. Uncle Norbert “Torp” Saliscente US Navy in WWII. Others whose service is still under research...

While honoring those who gave it their all, I'd also like to give special kudos for present veterans, particularly Soldwolf, an author, who I consider a good friend that I'm fortunate to have. I'd like you to check out his story, called Meeting the Parents. It's a Military Science Fiction novel in the making, with action going in a few good directions, featuring a love relationship between an American military guy and his special interest is from a planet called Talmal, and their journeys with the intergalactic protocols, learning each other's cultures, interplanetary militaries, and of course, the humor that comes with all aspects of life. Chapters 1 - 24 are featured or highlighted here in my last blog. The characters are endearing, and you want to read about the adventures yet root for these two to succeed in their missions, both professionally and personally.

Chapter 25 - Family Meeting almost sounds tense, with the news that has to be brought to important people. Even with the best blessings, it’s still intense, though the conversation might not be with who you’re suspecting.

Chapter 26 - Lake Chat should be something romantic and private, yet the action might surprise you in some ways. Not to worry! No one gets hurt!

Chapter 27 - Pudgy Pies & Dinner has me thinking how fun it was to introduce S’Mores to my Japanese relatives several years ago, and seriously, it sounds even MORE fun to introduce these things to alien species from other dimensions!

Chapter 28 - Short Trips is action packed, and if you thought nosy neighbors are pesky, think about being tailed by some of these other guys, and hope they’re not some sort of intergalactic spies!

Reading, writing & tutoring

I am a tutor for the Racine Literacy Council.  It's fun.  They're also having a new tutor training at the end of the month.  I like tutoring, not only because you get certain perks, like treats and events, but, it's personally rewarding.  It's really neat to see how the students progress, and adult students learning English or polishing up their reading and writing skills is a really neat process to watch.  Each year, a book is written, called Life Journey where the students submit their stories.  One of the tutors is a gardener and cook, and he brings in his goodies.  Many of the students bring in homemade food from the region they came from.  So many good things going on, from chili cookoff, tutor recognition, pot lucks, cookouts, etc. it helps bond the people who are there, and I am fortunate to be a part of this.

And, of course, speaking of reading, I'd like to plug the next 4 chapters of the story Meeting the Parents, written by my friend Soldwolf.  It's a military Sci-Fi with some endearing characters and intergalactic romance where the couple went through a ton of stuff to try to make it last.  I'm getting a connection with the main female character, who is strong and badass in her own right, but still very chick.
Chapter 5 - Big Sister Interrogation 3
Chapter 6 - Big Sister Aftermath
Chapter 7 - Morning Revelations
Chapter 8 - Morning Revelations 2

Happy reading, and any likes & comments are most welcome! Just remember, the more hits this story gets, the better chance there is to get published to a real book.  Thank you in advance!