Tag Archives: family

Following Tradition

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“Grandfathers are for loving and fixing things.” ~ Author Unknown

Oh, how sweet it is! Isn’t that the truth? Pop was the best! He loved us all so unconditionally that he even loved us when he shouldn’t have. The four of us grandchildren were the apple of his eye, the light in his day, and we knew it!

I recently joined Kiwanis International. This service organization was established in 1915, when my Grandfather was a young man in his early twenties. Several months ago, I mentioned to my Dad that I was contemplating joining this fine service organization.  He reminded me of a few things – that my Grandfather, who was a fine custom homebuilder and my uncle, who was a medical reseach doctor, both were Kiwanians. Once I was reminded of this fact, I did vaguely recall that my Grandfather had a Kiwanis plaque hanging in his office.

Many might wonder why a person would join a service organization. It is simple! I was given so much as a child, in ways that have nothing to do with material goods, that if there is some way I can give back by being involved with this great organization, it will be my pleasure!

Kiwanians are involved in all sorts of service projects which benefit children. They aid in providing for homeless children, building playgrounds, raising funds for pediatric research, mentoring disadvantaged children, and much more. Great things come out of stepping out and giving a child a chance in life! I am going to follow in my grandfather’s footsteps, because being a Kiwanian is a tradition worth following!

This short trailer will give a little insight into what Kiwanis is all about! Take just a few minutes to watch fellowship, caring and community happen!  For more information on Kiwanis International, please visit http://www.kiwanis.org.

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Ripe Retirees

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“It is not enough to have a good mind, the main thing is to use it well.” –Rene Descartes

I am living in a community filled with extremely active retirees. Not only only are they physically active, but their minds don’t miss a step either. They have all chosen to live in an active mountain community so they will continue to stay involved and engaged in life long after the generation before them would have called it quits!

Recently, the Aging Well program of the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association independently published a calendar highlighting an amazing group of retirees who lead active lives by continuing to play tennis, ice climb, ski, swim, brand cattle, volunteer and participate in other forms of vigorous sport and hobbies well into their 60s, 70s and 80s. This calendar encourages all older adults to stretch beyond what they feel they are capable of at their ages and to live fully and well at any age. For more information, visist www.agingwelltoday.com.

Within this community, I have met a wealth of highly successful retirees who lead fascinating lives. Their experiences through past careers, parenting, travel and contributions as Board members of non-profit organizations and other associations provide fodder for stories and lessons that should be shared with younger generations. Independent publishing provides an excellent opportunity for all retirees to share knowledge and wisdom with generations that will follow in their footsteps.

Writing and journaling keeps the mind active. Merely through published words, you can become a mentor to others! Think about that! It is never too late to become an aspiring writer!

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Once in a Blue Moon

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“The only thing you live to regret are the risks you didn’t take”~ Unknown

Today, I am feeling very fortunate. Since starting my company, I have had the opportunity to meet many incredible people that I would not have ordinarily met, had I not taken a risk. Among them have been extraordinarily talented artists, filmmakers, and individuals who serve their communities through the non-profit sector – all of them independent publishers. All have had similar goals – to share beauty, kindness and knowledge through their unique and creative talents.  All have been so very committed to changing our world for the better and each person is awe-inspiring in their very own way.

Tonight, as the New Year approaches, I will be taking some time to reflect on these past few years to remember some of the individuals that I have crossed paths with. Many of these individuals I have not met face to face, yet through an e-mail or a telephone conversation, they have left a mark on me. I can recall the discussions we have had about their goals and aspirations for their independent publishing companies. All have inspiring, educational or entertaining stories to tell through their books, films or music or through their commitment to a cause or a mission. All are the kinds of people you meet only once in a blue moon.

We want to hear from more of you! By posting your comments to our blogsite, we can together build a community of like-minded people who have independent thoughts, ideas and dreams to share.

Happy New Year 2010! May this coming year bring publishing success to each and every one of you!

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Classic Cinema Celebrations

“It is the little things that make life big” ~ Unknown

I need to do some quick research! In a few days from now, our son will be arriving for the Christmas holidays. Not only do I have to set in food provisions for a ravenous, 21 year old college “kid” but, I need to come up with some movies that we can all enjoy watching as a family. It is part of what we do together during the holidays.

Sometimes I wonder whether my son’s desire to be a filmmaker didn’t start with watching The Muppet Christmas Carol as a toddler. He would sit and watch it three consecutive times before he tired of it. And I plead guilty – I let him!! He was, and still is, a child with over-the-top energy and it was the only way he and I could rest.

I am going to put a little leg-work into finding a newly released independent holiday film. I know exactly where I will start my search – The Internet Movie Database www.imdb.com. Any independently produced movie you are looking for is sure to be listed in this useful database. There must be something fresh and new on the indie film scene that is destined to be a holiday classic! If not, we will pull out the old classic holiday films like Holiday Inn, White Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street and It’s a Wonderful Life.  I never tire of seeing them all.

What will be different for sure this year, is when I pass around the popcorn, I will surprise my son with a bottle of beer, too.  Ah, how kids grow. Enjoy the journey!

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A Book with a Bonus

“A quiet mind cureth all.” ~ Robert Burton

Did you know that all books come with a bonus gift that you can give to mothers of young children? That is right! It is free and it is available with all books that sit on bookstore shelves. What is the bonus, you may ask?  Time to read it alone!

I hear so many young mothers say “they would love to be able to read, if given the time.” I can relate, I have been there and sometimes, I still feel that way.  My husband is and was a very wise man. He seemed to know when I was at wit’s end with our child and all I needed was time alone to curl up in a chair with a cup of tea and sink myself into a book.  That was when he and our son planned to do something “just for guys.”

Fathers with young children – whether you are buying your wife a cookbook, the latest hot novel or a non-fiction book on women’s spirituality, child-rearing, the Arts, home decorating, architecture, gardening or a book about independent publishing, give an additional gift, time to read it Alone! Your whole family will benefit and you will be among the Wise Men!

…..psst – maybe, just maybe, the gift will be returned in kind!

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Pass it Along

“The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example.” ~ Benjamin Disraeli

Today is a day of great sadness for my family. We have lost one of my son’s most valuable mentors in life. An educator and filmmaker, and all around wonderful person. He was so compassionate that he spent his final years producing a documentary about advanced cancer “Voices from the Lived World of Illness” for the Center for Communication in Medicine. This film and study guide is now being used to educate medical students and families about the importance of good communications between patient and doctor.

He fought so hard against a cruel blood cancer, and as he fought, he taught. Communication with others came so natural to him. My son and so many other students, are recipients of all the knowledge a person could possibly share about life, teen issues, about friendship and mentorship. He was committed to teaching emerging filmmakers every thing he has ever known about the business, before he left this world.

Thankfully, he had a wonderful support system throughout his illness. Those who knew him, tried in every way they could to return the same kindness and compassion that he had shared with others.

His legacy will be the education he so generously gave to his students, and the knowledge that will be communicated to others through the documentary film he produced.

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A Smile on a Face

“We can not do great things on this Earth, only small things with great love.” ~  Mother Teresa

Things are beginning to look like Christmas here in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The town is bedecked with lights, Mt. Werner has gotten some new fallen snow, the hustle and bustle of holiday events has begun.

It has been some time since I have bought toys for “little ones.” Last week, I had a wonderful time picking out a few special gifts for children in two families. Our club, the Yampa Valley University Women, had partnered with the United Way and committed to fulfilling Christmas Wish List needs for two “adopted” families.

As I searched for a few perfect gifts for the “adopted” children on my list, a sense of nostalgia began to set in. I began to remember how special bedtime was for my son during the Christmas holidays. On his bookshelves sat a number of seasonal books that we saved all year long for Christmas reading. We couldn’t wait to revisit them year after year. Some of his favorites included:

  • The Mitten by Jan Brett
  • The Night Before Xmas (pop-up version) by Clement Clarke Moore
  • The Wild Christmas Reindeer by Jan Brett
  • The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski
  • Christmas Trolls by Jan Brett
  • How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

The images in the Jan Brett books were so bright, clear and fun to look at. Although it made me cry year after year, no book was more special than The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey. It’s message is beautiful, and it reminds us all that the simple things in life can bring out the best.  Old family friends gave this book, and many other holiday books to our son. Each Christmas, we always remembered the thoughtfulness that came from The Miller family in picking out and giving very special books to my son.

Many bookstores, such as The Northshire Bookstore in Manchester, Vermont www.northshire.com have “Christmas Book Angel” programs, to provide books for needy children. While you are doing your holiday shopping, buy a holiday book for a child you know, so they will have a book they can read Christmas after Christmas.

It’s time to make Christmas!!!

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Publishing Love Letters

“The love of  a family is life’s greatest blessing.” ~ Unknown

Desktop publishing has been used widely for families to document and share their family geneology and history. Because, let’s be honest, unless you are a member of a notable family, have accomplished something unusual in life, are a hot television personality or politician, a CEO “giant” or have an extreme story to tell, the chances are slim to none of having your book published by a traditional and major publishing house.

Many people find it important to travel to different parts of the world to discover, document and learn about their geneology, but it is not necessary. Tracing your family heritage is made simple in this digital age. Websites like Ancestry.com makes searching for relatives possible and fun.

The purpose of publishing a family history is to pass along stories of family members migrating from one geographical area to another, to teach of ancestor’s struggles and adversities, to record births and deaths, family values and ethnic lineage. A study of our ancestry helps us to identify and connect with those family members who came before us.

A common mistake is to think that only your family members would be interested in your family’s tales. Not so – I just read an independently published book called “Out of Vienna” by Ernie Weiss. www.OutofVienna.com.  The author is not personally known to me, nor is his extended family. But the recounting of his family’s eight year escape from Vienna during the Nazi occupation to the United States was fascinating.

If you are contemplating independently publishing a book about your family’s geneology – take the leap. For your relatives, a book of family history is the inheritance of a love letter written for your children and those not yet born.

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Braveheart

“When something can be read without effort, great effort has gone into it’s writing.” ~ Enrique Jardiel Poncela

Someone not too long ago made the comment to me that “I am a brave woman to bare my soul through blogging.” Her remark took me by surprise and I began to think about why people write and whether putting pen to paper is an act of bravery.

I came to the conclusion that, yes for many, writing is an act of courage. Therapeutic writing often addresses wrongdoings or failings in one’s life.  Topics of therapeutic writing can be ugly and fraught with raw emotion. Feelings of victimization, being punished or bullied, thoughts of resentment, shame, grief or frustration is often addressed in therapeutic writing. Acts of contrition are often mentioned.  Writing is cathartic and a useful tool of psychological therapy for many.

Writing a memoir takes guts too! Reflecting on one’s own life is not always easy. The act of sharing one’s own life story takes courage.  Deep reflection on one’s own life and it’s purpose often digs up unpleasant moments and times that have been pushed way back, lest they be remembered.

No, I am not a brave woman. I write because it is fun. It gets my fingers goin’ and my thoughts flowin’ and if someone likes my writing, it is all that more satisfying and fulfilling.

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Go, Venture, Explore

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It is rare to find a subject that has not been written about before. It is easy to find all kinds of knowledge on the internet. But, web browsing can not compare to spending time in a library, going up and down the aisles, reading the titles, looking at book covers. Before you know it, “gottcha!” a book will say to you. A book that you can not resist reading. It happens time after time.

Reading can take you to places you have never  been before! It is, no doubt, an escape from reality of our face paced world. What better way to de-stress, relax and visit with some different characters that we don’t hang with in every day life.

September is Library Sign-up Month! If there is a child in your life, whether it is your own child, a niece, a nephew, a grandchild or a neighbor – do them a favor! Take them to the children’s reading hour at a nearby library. You will see expressions of excitement, wonder and curiosity on children’s faces as they are being read to. It could  be your contribution to engaging a life long reader. While you are there, grab a book yourself, find a remote corner and enjoy the journey!

“The more you read,

The more you know,

The more you know,

The smarter you grow,

The smarter you grow,

The stronger your voice,

When speaking your mind,

Or making a choice.”

~ Unknown

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