#inspiration

#GrannySays: Be Like the Rain Lilies

/ Marcia / 40 Comments

About ten years ago, Mark dug up a small  Zephyr Lily, also called a Rain Lily, from a big, weedy patch along a roadside ditch and brought it home for my garden.  Over the years, I’ve enjoyed the way the lily blooms after a rain, then often disappears completely. In fact, for the last two years or so, I figured it had finally died. No sign of stems or blooms in all those months. Then we had a monster thunderstorm Friday afternoon, and yesterday, I  saw a few stems popping up. This morning, I was greeted by the pale pink splendor of my rain lilies celebrating Friday’s downpour.  

Often the lilies will bloom within 24 hours of a rain, but I suspect they really had languished, and it took a bit longer to work their way to the surface this time. Still, they persevered, and I have gorgeous pink flowers now.

Oh, sure they’ll only last a day or two, but isn’t that what makes them special? That they wait patiently for rainy days, and then shoot straight up in a display of glory? That speaks to me, and I believe there’s a lesson to be learned from this little wildflower.

The lilies show me that with determination and the right attitude, we can face drought or monsoon, and still prevail.  I don’t know about you, but I feel empowered when I see the Miracle of the Rain Lilies. Over and over, throughout the seasons, it reminds me of what we can do once we decide on our course. It’s all in our mindset. We can prevail! 

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Remember Folks:

 

#ReblogAlert – Sally Cronin’s Smorgasbord Weekly RoundUp

/ Marcia / 4 Comments

I know I say this every time, but honestly, Sally’s Weekly RoundUp is unbelievable this time! It’s always a pleasure to share these vastly entertaining and amusing posts, but this one is truly amazing. Check it out and you’ll see what I mean.  I predict you’ll enjoy the heck out of it. 🙂

You can read Sally’s Smorgasbord Weekly Round Up post HERE.

#Reblog Alert – Sally Cronin’s Smorgasbord Weekly RoundUp

/ Marcia / 7 Comments

This week, Sally Cronin’s Weekly Round-Up post is absolutely bursting at the seams with goodies of all kinds! It’s always a pleasure to share these vastly entertaining and amusing posts, and I highly recommend you stop by to check this one out. (And be SURE you don’t miss the video with the horse. I defy the hardest heart not to be touched with that one!) So what are you waiting for? Go take a look! You’ll be glad you did! 🙂

You can read Sally’s Smorgasbord Weekly Round Up post HERE.

And that’s all for now, folks! Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

#ReblogAlert – Quotes and Writing by D. L. Finn on #StoryEmpire

/ Marcia / 6 Comments

Today’s Story Empire post is from writer and blogger, D. L. Finn, and is sure to be a hit with all writers. Denise talks about the inspiration and creative power of quotes, especially about writing and from famous authors. You do NOT want to miss this one, I promise! LOVED it, and the quiz at the end, too! Thanks, Denise!

Go HERE to enjoy Denise’s post! You’ll be glad you did!

And the nomination goes to…

/ Sue Coletta / 20 Comments

I interrupt Ned’s funny and yet disturbing post for a very special announcement. Okay, I might be hyping it up a bit more than it really is. It’s not like Marcia just won Megabucks or something, but I think she’ll like it just the same.

Marcia is an– Hey, how do I change the font? I can barely see what I’m typing here!  Oh, wait…notmyglasses

Ahem. Like I was saying, Marcia is an inspirational woman. I didn’t realize just how inspirational until I read a recent interview she did, which you can find here. I’m not going to rehash the Q & A except to say that she has proven it’s never to late to chase your dreams. Her kind, gentle nature is one of the first things that draws people to her. Her sense of humor and generosity is what keeps ’em coming back for more.

To every writer who got the eye-roll when they told their parents they wanted to be a writer… Marcia proved it was possible.

To every writer who couldn’t find the courage to express themselves… Marcia showed them, ‘Yes, you can.’

To every writer who was afraid to share their words with the world… Marcia has shown them it’s okay to put yourself out there.

To every writer who feared the unknown… Marcia is a driving force that proves you can stand on your own in this crazy business of ours and end up stronger for the effort.

To every writer… Have a made my point yet?

I’m proud to call Marcia my friend. Besides, she made me all these cute little emoticon gifs that I just adore!

I’m not telling you all this to blow smoke up Marcia’s skirt, (Ned, not one word!) I’ve nominated her for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Because, honestly, I can’t think of anyone else who deserves it more. Okay, I did nominate fourteen other people, but that was only  because I had to.  I didn’t make up the rules!

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On bended knee, it is with great honor that I present this award to you, Marcia. From the bottom of my heart I wish you huge success in your endeavors.

To accept this award go here: http://bit.ly/1BCNBWT, and then follow the rules.

If I’ve sparked your interest about Marica and her books let me tell you about them…

A Boy Named Rabbit

“Evil’s comin’, boy…comin’ fast. Look for the man with eyes like winter skies, and hair like a crow’s wing. He’s the one you gotta find.”

The remote mountain wilderness of North Carolina swallowed up the ten-year-old boy as he made his way down from the primitive camp where his grandparents had kept him hidden all his life. His dying grandmother, gifted with The Sight, set him on a quest to find the Good People, and though he is filled with fear and wary of civilization, Rabbit is determined to keep his promise to her. When he crosses paths with Sarah and MacKenzie Cole, neither their lives, nor his, are ever the same again.

The extraordinary little boy called Rabbit has the power to change the world for everyone he meets, and the resourcefulness to save himself from the one person his grandparents had hoped would never find him. His dangerous and bittersweet journey will touch you in unexpected ways, and once you’ve let Rabbit into your heart, you’ll never forget him.

Boxed Set: Wake-Robin Ridge & A Boy Named Rabbit

“A PHONE RINGING AT 2:00 A.M. never means anything good. Calls at 2:00 A.M. are bad news . . . Someone has died. Someone is hurt. Or someone needs help.”

On a bitter cold January night in 1965, death came calling at an isolated little cabin on Wake-Robin Ridge. Now, nearly 50 years later, librarian Sarah Gray has quit her job and moved into the same cabin, hoping the peace and quiet of her woodland retreat will allow her to concentrate on writing her first novel. Instead she finds herself distracted by her only neighbor, the enigmatic and reclusive, but very good-looking, MacKenzie Cole, who lives on top of the mountain with his Irish wolfhound as his sole companion.

As their tentative friendship grows, Sarah learns the truth about the heartbreaking secret causing Mac to hide from the world. But before the two can sort out their feelings for each other, they find themselves plunged into a night of terror neither could have anticipated. Now they must unravel the horrifying events of that murder so long ago. In doing so, they discover that the only thing stronger than a hatred that will not die is a heart willing to sacrifice everything for another.

A story of evil trumped by the power of love and redemption, Wake-Robin Ridge will transport you to the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and introduce you to characters you won’t soon forget.

WWR box set graphic1

 

Well, what are you waiting for? Click the links and grab your copy now.

 

Susan-ColettaSue Coletta writes crime fiction, blogs at www.crimewriterblog.com and various other places.

You can find her on Twitter SueColetta1.

Don’t let the smile fool you, though.

If you cross her she won’t hesitate to turn you into a character and murder you in unspeakable ways.