Tag Archives: Business

Sharing the Word!

Leave a comment

“Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest.”                 ~Mark Twain 

How coincidental is that? Today, I had planned to write a blog on the man who is known as our first American novelist – Mark Twain. He is one of the most well-known essayists and moralists in our country’s history! This morning, I had a few minutes to spare before my dentist appointment, and took the opportunity to take a little drive into an area of Steamboat Springs, CO that I had not previously taken the time to explore before. There the name was, on a street sign, Mark Twain. Was it an Avenue or Road or Lane? ! I dont know! I was so thrown off guard by this odd coincidence of having just composed, on paper, last night a blog based on  Mr. Twain that I can not remember which!   

Seeing this sign has changed the content of my blog. I was going to go on and on about the man who was born in 1835 and died in 1915 AKA Samuel Langhorne Clemens. His speculative ventures included silver mining, business and publishing.  His writings had appeal to young and old, alike. Although in he is known for his humor and wit, many of the essays he wrote in his final years were filled with his “venting” against power, corruption and greed.

Why his name should appear on a street sign in a place like Steamboat Springs, CO, I wonder. Perhaps it is just a subtle reminder to all that as we travel down the road of life  “to do the right thing.”

 

 This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com

Wacky, Weird Words

2 Comments

When God bestowed man with the power of language, he did not equip us with a way to know exactly how and when to use words in every context.  Therefore, fulfilling an obligation to use words in a responsible manner is easier for some individuals than others. There are appropriate words for each occasion, but finding the right words can be a challenge.

Some words are used so infrequently, that they become obsolete. I have a new computer.  Let’s put it through a rigorous test to see if it can exhume some very helpful but rarely used words to assist me with my blog writing today.

The internet is a sciniary, so it should be able to rally to the task of helping me find the right words. So useful is the worldwide web to writers in so many ways. Without it, I would need to practice the art of scoteography.  Poets seem to find words that work in the context of their writing, so very easily that I have become a musophobist. I believe that poets can’t possibly come up with all those magnificent, creative words without extra God- given gifts for language, that were not given to all individuals.

This blog is becoming somewhat naufrageous! If  I continue, it will end up a capilotade and you will call me a cumber-ground and suggest that I become a bouquinist.

Does it sound like morology to you? Well, PLEASE do not discerp unless you have linguipotence.

Enough of being inaniloguous. These words are not drogulus, they can be verified. I will deliciate by ending this blog. If you want to learn the meaning of these weird, almost obsolete words,  come on back tomorrow and I will give you a full interpretation!

In the meantime, I will go try to open some boxes of books, that are hard to get into because they have segilbond around them!

 

Keeping Us Safe

2 Comments

“Sometimes it takes risking that friendship to find a love that will endure all things.” ~  Unknown

The events of 9-11 are all so fresh in my mind. Early Saturday morning, I reached page 197 in former First Lady Laura Bush’s memoir “Speaking from the Heart.” Here begins Mrs. Bush’s recounting of all the tragic events of that horrific, fateful day.

On this 9th anniversary of  the senseless loss of thousands of Americans, I helped my fellow Kiwanians as they rescued, with nets and buckets, the majority of 2500 rubber ducks that were released and floated down the Yampa River in Steamboat Springs, CO. The Rubber Duckie Race is an annual fundraising event for the Yampa Valley Medical Center, which Kiwanis has been involved with for over twenty years now. www.kiwanis.org. This year’s proceeds will go toward purchasing a medical instrument which will detect infections, such as staph, of new patients prior to being admitted to the hospital. An important, pro-active medical device.

As I helped with this fundraiser from the sidelines, I began to think how taking pro-active steps saves lives. Had our country known just how vulnerable, we were to attack, it would have done all that it could to be pro-active on that fateful day. If  all the safety nets had been in place, perhaps several thousand lives could have been spared.

I opted to stay safely out of the waters , as I helped with this fundraising event on Saturday. I did not want to risk the chances of petite, little ole me, being carried down the rapidly rushing waters of the Yampa River. I wanted to stay safe to enjoy today. It is a day of celebration of two people who have survived the challenges  and risks of marriage for 30 years! My husband has been my safety through each and every day of it.  I am truly grateful for all that I have and feel sad for those that no longer can share anniversaries, holidays and daily living with their mates that were lost in the Twin Towers.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

An Adjustment

4 Comments

“The winds of grace are always blowing; all we need to do is raise our sails” ~ Unknown  

Ok, so I couldn’t post the blog that I really wanted to post today. I had written a blog that I really wanted to share with all our readers. It was important and it needed to be said! But the image I wanted to post came to me in a format that does not want to cooperate. 

So, rather than pout, and fuss and stew, I decided to move on and I will share what I have to say, in due time. Hopefully tomorrow I can share it, but if not, we have until August 31st to share the news. 

I have been caught a little off-guard today, since what I had planned needs to be postponed. I will follow the words of a friend who has been a mentor to me for 10 years or more. As she says, “There are no problems, only solutions.” She has set a great example in finding grace during the most trying times, and has taught me to turn to Art for fulfillment and enjoyment! 

So, that is what we will do. Join me in a moment of sharing and caring.

 This  blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

An Eagle Eye Approach

Leave a comment

“He is a great communicator and teacher. He knows how to fix things when they go wrong.” ~ Kevin Steele 

Over the past week or two, my son and I have had a running conversation about deadlines, and how they become the all consuming focus for so many writers, filmmakers and artists. 

Sometimes in the rush to meet a deadline, details that are critical to the success of a project are often overlooked. Yes, rewriting or redoing is arduous and laborious, but, it is not worth risking quality for the sake of just getting the project done and out the door. Presenting a project that is representative of your capability as a talented artist is vital. 

Before the deadline, it is wise to have someone take a hard-line objective look at the project you have been so deeply engaged in. An opinion without bias can serve you well! This step should not be ignored, nor should it be left as a final detail. Suppose there are things that need to be reworked? 

Meticulous does not mean being inflexible. It means caring and putting your very best forward. Think of it this way, what do you look for when you are at the other end? Quality, probably!

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Play it Again, Sam!

Leave a comment

“Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all others because you were born in it” ~ George Bernard Shaw

Have you ever wished you could have a “do over” – a repeat of a day, an hour,  a moment? I’d like our country’s citizens to have a “do over” of yesterday, for one moment, each and every day.  America was hard at work celebrating all things patriotic. We waved our flags, pledged our allegiance and sang “America the Beautiful.” We celebrated with baseball games, parades, barbeques and fireworks. Forgotten were the woes of stock market statistics, the high price of living, and the lackluster economy. Instead we had fun celebrating the liberties and freedoms that we so enjoy. The American spirit reigned supreme!

Don’t let the 4th of July be the only day of the year that you show your appreciation for this country of ours. Play it again, Sam, for each and everyday you are alive in this fabulous country, The United States of America – the land of independence! Every time you hear the words of our National  Anthem “the land of the free and the home of the brave,” put your hand over your heart, cause that’s where it belongs, in remembrance of our honorable countrymen who have fought the battles for us. We continue to live the dream, in a land relatively free of strife and struggle, compared to many countries around the globe. Thank, God.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Authors, Build your Whuffie!

Leave a comment

“Friendships are fragile things, and require as much handling as any other fragile and precious thing.” ~ Unknown

What’s your whuffie, you say? Why, it is the way of the world, these days! Something that all authors and business people need to include in their marketing plans.

Whuffie is built through forming relationships with communities of people on-line. By developing an audience and customer base on-line, you will build support and increase visibility for your products. That means sales of  your independently published books, cds and DVDs.

One of the best resources I have stumbled upon is “The Power of Social Networking” by Tara Hunt. www.threeriverspress.com. This book provides great stories of on-line business successes through building whuffies!

Make no mistake, building your whuffie on-line takes time. But, building a business does not happen overnight. Even after reading this book, the concept is still very foreign to many. Where do you start? Call on an expert, a company who specializes in e-marketing for independent publishers. While you are at it, you had better ask whether they handle order fulfillment for independent publishers too ! You will be needing that !

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Smell a Blog

2 Comments

“All glory comes from daring to begin.” ~ Unknown

The day of independence is almost upon us! In honor of this holiday, one of the things I have decided that I am going to do is to strike out, be bold, and add more herbs to my diet. Today, I thought I would cook up a batch of flavorful gazpacho soup in readiness for the holiday weekend.

I will begin with tomatoes, not common beefsteak tomatoes, but some juicy, ripe off the vine, heirloom tomatoes! May as well start out right and stew them up! Now comes the good part – I’ll add some of those herbs that the Indians used to keep their bodies in tune with nature and helped them maintain proper balance. Into the pot will go:

  • Basil for a little Love
  • Chives to make myself more Useful
  • Parsley for some Merriment on this 4th of July
  • Thyme – why not? I said I was going to become more independent minded and daring in my cooking!
  • Rosemary – to help me Remember the loved ones
  • Chervil – to add Serenity, and just because!
  • Garlic – I don’t think so! That won’t make me any friends!

Umm – Smells good! Can you smell it? Of course you can’t, silly me! Until some entrepreneurial soul decides to spice up the blogging world by adding smell a blog as a new feature, you won’t be able to! Rest assured, that entrepreneurial soul will not be me! I am too busy trying to make my life more fulfilling! How about you?

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Sweeten the Deal

Leave a comment

“The universe is full of magical things, patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.” ~ Eden Phillpotts

Some companies become more famous for their legendary marketing ploys than for their products. For years, Ben and Jerry’s has been the focus of attention for their accomplishments in innovative marketing and product development. Since the start up of the company, decades ago, it’s visionary leaders have tested what happens when combining business with social consciousness. The taste of sweet success for this company, has been the result.

On June 20th, Ben & Jerry’s unveiled Berry Voluntary and Brownie Chew Gooder. You can be sure the sales of these two new ice cream flavors will be closely watched and scrutinized by the company’s marketing and advertising gurus. They will be watching their target markets to see whether the sales performance of these two concoctions have the anticipated results that they expect.

Ben & Jerry’s has never waivered from their belief in the value of being a socially responsible company. The names of these two flavors leave little doubt in the minds of the consumer that volunteerism is supported and positively endorsed by this company.

Having resided in the state of origin of Ben & Jerry’s, Vermont, for over 30 years, I can attest to the fact that Ben & Jerry’s puts “their money where their mouth is.”  The promise of a free ice cream has sweetened the deal for many a volunteer or supporter of non-profit fundraising events. The company takes the cake in their stellar example of giving back to community.

Thanks, Ben & Jerry’s, for dipping into your profits to make this world a better place!

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Striking Gold

2 Comments

“The two hardest things to handle in life are failure & success.“ ~   Anonymous

I was so disappointed last night not to find on TV, the National team’s baseball game. I wanted to watch first draft pick Stephen Strasburg, make his debut as a major league pitcher. I love all stories about finding personal fulfillment in life and career paths. And Americans have had as many stories about finding success and satisfaction in our personal gifts as you could find anywhere else. It is the land of opportunity and the freedoms we enjoy in this country provide a stage on which to rise to heights unknown if you are willing to work for it.

Many immigrants have come to this country pursuing their dreams. I am always in awe of those who have left their native land behind in search for more. It is not an easy thing to do. A suitcase full of determination, vision, good work ethics, dreams and focused aspirations is what is needed for the good life in America. Demanding that all legal immigrants pack living by the laws of our Constitution in their bags, is not too much to ask, is it?

Our country’s pastures, green with opportunity, will remain healthy and productive if our laws protect the freedoms that we enjoy. Do you have a Made It in America story you can share through independent publishing?

This blog brought to you by http://www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.