Tag Archives: helping others

Do you expect rewards? Watch this moving video.

The video I am sharing with you today actually brought tears to my eyes.  How often do we expect recognition for the things we do for others when the better thing is to simply be kind and thoughtful with no expectation of reward? Just knowing someone has been blessed through us should be its own reward.

Perhaps this video is food for thought.

Do you have anything to share about something good that came from your kindness? Perhaps you like to do kind things anonymously?

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂

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Hillsong music, and Helping one another

A rambling post …

Here it is Sunday again. Weather-wise it has been like a late summer day – but it is supposed to warm again this coming week. I appreciate the summer so much; it’s far too short for me.

My spirit longs for particular music sometimes, right now being one of those times. Here is a link to Hillsong so you can enjoy the music I’m listening to as I’m writing this post.

Life continues on with its caregiving challenges (almost 3 1/2 years now!) – some days make me appreciate the good ones so much more. If it weren’t for the help we are getting my sister and I could not have managed all this as long as we have.

As you know, one of my goals is to write children’s books, or even any writing for myself would be good right now! Last month a friend and I were discussing our mutual desire to write, and I suggested a challenge. From that conversation we are now both writing – actually, we are writing together although long distance – one writes, the other adds to it and sends it back … and so on and so on. This effort is challenging us and helping to release our creative (writing) energy. Have you tried anything like that?

Now for the burning question:
How are you enjoying my blog; is it helpful to you?

I’ve been looking into ways I can help you more. Since I’m interested in helping promote your books (the ones I agree to read and review) and others I think you might like or should know about, you know I have a new page for that purpose: BUY THE BOOK!  On that page I’m in the process of adding a few more things – both for writers and for readers.

As you can imagine, I spend a lot of my available time reading books, updating my blog and writing posts. (and I enjoy it all!) When I upgraded my blog to better suit my needs it meant I’d have to pay for its hosting. (WordPress is very reasonable or I wouldn’t have done it.) After much consideration, I recently decided to look into affiliation which will bring in a very small percentage for any sales made through your clicks from the links I have here on my site. It will help me pay for my blog as it is, so is a way you can help me, too, if you want to.

The affiliations I chose are ones I think are of the most benefit to you as writers and readers. Once all the techie stuff is worked out you will be able to click to great things not only at Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, and WritersDigestShop, but also at Christianbook, Chapters.indigo, CafePress, and Vista Print. When I get them all set up you will find them through BUY THE BOOK! and on my Writers’ Helps page. Exciting!

Now I must grab some time to read more of the book I am going to review soon. So many books — so little time!  🙂

Please tell me what you think of what I’m doing here on my blog. I appreciate hearing from you.

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂

 

 

 

Book Review: A Dragon’s Work is Never Done – by Stephanie Barrett

A Dragon's Work is Never DoneBook: A Dragon’s Work is Never Done
Author: Stephanie Barrett
Illustrator: Taryn Dufault
Publisher: Stephanie Barrett
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Date: August 28, 2012
Genre: children’s picture book
Pages: 64
Price: under $10 paper; under $3.00 Kindle
My Rating: A delightfully fun story to capture the imagination
 

What a delightful diversion from novel-reading! I enjoy a good picture book, and this one fits the bill.

Six-year-old Alfie is busy playing with his train set one afternoon when his mother interrupted him to come wash his hands and sit at the table to eat his lunch. She had prepared for him a ham and cheese sandwich slathered with mustard, and she warned him to take small bites and chew carefully. But, Alfie took a “great big whopping bite” and … ohhhh … spicy hot! When he took a deep breath of air out came smoke, just like smoke from a dragon’s nostrils, followed by flames when he burped! He had toasted the top of his cheese and ham sandwich!

The author, Stephanie Barrett, built such a fun story from there. The kitchen in which Alfie was sitting changed, with grass and tree branches growing out of everywhere and right up through the ceiling and out the roof. He was sitting in a forest. When Alfie looked up he saw dragons flying across the sky!

Now, what child wouldn’t love to meet a friendly dragon? Even now I think I would love it. But this adventure was for Alfie, and what an exciting adventure he had! He learned to fly, and helped a dragon scare a princess, guard treasure, and many other interesting things. The dragon always received payment from the people he helped, but I won’t dish out that spoiler.  🙂

A Dragon’s Work is Never Done is not the usual 32-page picture book, so it is a little long for young readers but should keep them interested easily. The marvellous illustrations by Taryn Dufault complement the story with wonderful visuals. 

An added highlight is at the end of the book. There is a Florida postal address with an invitation to write to Marty (the dragon) or Alfie. From reviews I’ve read they do send handwritten replies to the children who write to them. Imagine a letter from a dragon; how cool is that!

A Dragon’s Work is Never Done is the first book in the Alfie’s Sandwich Series. Book two has since been released.

You can find A Dragon’s Work is Never Done listed on my BUY THE BOOK! page.

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂