Happy Friday!!!

  This is the last Friday of September 2012. For those of us in New England, it signals the start of winter. Most of us have set aside this weekend to pack away Summer and take out the warm clothes. I have already used my jacket, and the wood stove is keeping us nice and cozy.
   The leaves have already turned brilliant shades of red, yellow and orange, and are now falling in preparation of hibernation. We are planning which trees we'll tap in the spring for yummy (real) maple syrup.
  My son spent part of the afternoon splashing in puddles that will soon freeze over. The screen house will also be taken down tomorrow. It was a terrific Summer, and this is one of the first times I am not looking forward to the Autumn change. Could be because I got a cold this week. or, just missing the days I could sit outside in the yard and listen to the gentle chirps of birds in  the neighborhood.
  Front steps are decorated with pumpkins, mums, and corn stalks. Blue jays have returned and pierce the air with their wretched screeches. We haven't put up a bird feeder yet, mostly because the last one rusted thoroughly through. But, there have been bear sightings in town and I don't want to lure them to the yard with all the kids around here(unless they really are pushing my buttons. (jk))
  Columbus Day weekend is in two weeks, which is when I plan to return to see my family in RI. My Grandma turns 95 this week and we want to have a party for her. She still lives on her own, and is very independent. She has slowed down a bit, but insists on doing as much as she can on her own.
Another thing I plan to do that weekend is go to the 33rd annual Autumnfest in the town I'm from. I always look forward to it because I went there every year when it began until I moved to NH, and try going as often as I can. There will be a parade, fireworks,music, food, and rides. Lots of things for us to do!
   One thing I am looking forward to is our friend who traveled to Ca. just became engaged and is moving back to NH. I feel sorry she didn't get to stay long, but she did get there and saw what it's like. I give her major kudos for following her dream :) They will be planning their wedding and the rest of their life together <3
   So, this season brings changes, for better or worse. I will seek God to lead me in His path so there will be less chance of me stepping in poo .
  I hope you have a great Autumn and write me a note as to what you plan on doing these next few weeks :)
Thanks,
'Love and blessings,
Lori LC

Post From: Cindy's Random Thoughts: Everyday Matters Bible For Women

Cindy's Random Thoughts: Everyday Matters Bible For Women: Recently I was given the opportunity to read and review a new Bible that has been geared toward women. This New Living Translation is wr...

DarkRoom, book review

Cover of darkroom, by Joshua Graham

 "After scattering her mother's ashes in Vietnam, photojournalist Xandra Carrick comes home to New York to rebuild her life and career. When she experiences supernatural visions that reveal atrocities perpetrated by American soldiers during the Vietnam War, she finds herself entangled in a forty-year-old conspiracy that could bring the nation into political turmoil.

Launching headlong into a quest to learn the truth from her father, Peter Carrick, a Pulitzer Prize Laureate who served as an embedded photographer during the war, Xandra confronts him about a dark secret he has kept—one that has devastated their family.

Her investigations lead her to her departed mother's journal, which tell of love, spiritual awakening, and surviving the fall of Saigon.

Pursued across the continent, Xandra comes face-to-face with powerful forces that will stop at nothing to prevent her from revealing the truth. But not before government agencies arrest her for murder, domestic terrorism and an assassination attempt on the newly elected president of the United States." (excerpt from darkroom fb page)



 My review:
   The one word that comes to mind when describing Darkroom is riveting!
 The search for truth about past events, are coming into view through Xandra's photos, and could cost her her life, as well as those who are trying to protect her.
You're not sure who to trust and are kept wondering what is going to happen next.
  There are a few surprises, especially at the end.
If you like suspense,plots, some romance, and an all around good story, I recommend darkroom, by Joshua Graham.

https://www.facebook.com/Darkroom.Graham

Another really good book by Joshua Graham, which I also recommend: 
Beyond Justice
* Amazon #1 Bestseller 
*Winner of the 2011 International Book Awards
* Listed in Suspense Magazine's Best of 2010

 http://www.amazon.com/Joshua-Graham

or, visit his website at:
http://joshua-graham.com/

Spider Brains, book review

Spider Brains

 Sp(e)ider Brains, A Love Story is written by Susan Wingate.

   The story is about a teenage girl, Susie Speider, who is struggling to get through high school after losing her dad to a car wreck. Her penchant for learning words had me smiling, because I have always enjoyed adding unusual words to my vocabulary. Susie is also struggling with ADHD, new meds, and a teacher who seems to relish crushing her at every opportunity.
  When she tries getting a closer look at a spider one night, it bites her on the finger. What happens next is a web of fantastic events, such as her nightly jaunts with her cat to the teacher's house(where she meets a boy spider), new neighbors that seem odd to Susie, and an awesome spider project that the teacher finds horrifying because she is terrified of all things arachnid. Susie gives credit to her new spider powers for being able to focus, but her mom is worried Susie really believes she's a spider.
   I think the book was a really good read. It is well written and kept me interested to the end.
  I recommend this book to all who enjoy a story about relationships, loss, rebuilding, (and a little revenge)
 You can learn more about this book at:
https://www.facebook.com/SpiderBrainsALoveStory?ref=stream
and
http://susanwingate.wordpress.com/

My day on 9/11/2001..

   My day started as any other, with dropping off my kids at school before heading to work. While at work, my daughter's school nurse called to ask if I could pick her up because she was feeling sick. I picked her up and brought her home to rest on the couch.While scanning channels for a show she could watch, I noticed a news bulletin about one of the Twin Towers being on fire. They still hadn't known the cause.
 My husband was also home getting ready to leave for work. He reached out and took my hand.and we watched in wonder at what was happening. I was glad he was by my side.
  Not long after, the second tower was hit! We were shocked and stunned!  WHAT!? How could this happen?! No words could describe the fear and confusion we felt. Reports of other airplanes being hijacked and used to create human bombs against the United States of America started coming in. When the Pentagon was hit, I realized how calculated and broad the scope of the attacks were.We sat in shock, unable to comprehend what was unfolding minute by minute.  Our country was under attack and thousands of innocent lives were taken. I couldn't tear myself from watching the reports. It didn't seem real to see planes flown into high profile buildings or crashed on purpose. I wanted to know why. What could make people hate me so much that they were killing my countrymen.Some footage showed panicked victims trying to flee the burning towers by jumping. Only one is known to have survived. The smoke and pandemonium was awful. When the first tower fell, our jaws dropped. It looked like it imploded. Would the other one also fall? would it topple over and crush everyone on the block, or implode like the first? When it also fell straight down, we were surprised and gasped at how huge the plume of rubble and dust flew up and around.

“Freedom itself was attacked this morning by a faceless coward and freedom will be defended.” “We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail,” George W. Bush

WE WILL RISE AND REBUILD

. We knew America was about to change, for better or worse.
   When my husband left for work, he found there was no cell phone service. No way of getting in touch besides a pay phone. All air traffic was halted. Life and the comfort zone we felt were forever changed.
As for those involved in the rescue efforts, as one quote posted on a memorial states:
 All gave some.
Some gave all.
We will not forget!

God bless America.