Meaningful Visits From A Bluebird and Flicker Woodpecker

A few days ago I had the most amazing experience. A brilliant Bluebird flew past my office window and sat in the Red Maple tree we planted in honor of our youngest grandson’s birth. A few day’s later, the Bluebird flew up to my office window, hovered in the air like a humming bird staring right at me before…

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Celebrating National Library Week – “Show Me How!”

Below is fellow author, Vivian Kirkland’s Blog Post about National Library Week and her delightful, educational, fun and applicable book. “To help celebrate…and to thank libraries across the country and around the globe for all they do to help children become readers and lovers of books, we are donating 25 copies of Show Me How! Build Your…

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BrainBuzz Newsletter & Superb Customer Service

My April Brain Buzz Newsletter was sent out this morning. However, it never would have happened without the SUPERB Customer Service from four Go-Daddy team members. I was having some problems and sent an email cry for help to Raj Nijjer, who is team leader of the email marketing product. Raj promptly responded and  said, “You will get a…

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Singing Visit To The 4 Brain Color Villages – Princess Shayna Musical

Previous Post: 8. Characters’ Back-Story & Staging Scenes – Princess Shayna Musical It is hard to believe that I am sharing  the 9th Princess Shayna Musical journal entry/blog post from director Kim Woycke. Kim was concerned because the cast had been on Spring Break and the rehearsals at  Trilogy School of Performing Arts would not be…

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Gluten Free Matzo For A Joyful Passover!

Last night, I attended my Hadassah Book Club meeting, which is held in a meeting room in Sunset Foods grocery store. That might sound strange if you do not live on the North Shore of Chicago. Shopping at Sunset is not as beautiful as shopping at Harrods Food Hall in London, but the selection is amazing. After…

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Do You Have A Light Switch Personality?

Orange Brain Personalities are like a light switch… They are either on or off. Their energy level is high or low. They are having fun or they are bored. Their flush with money or they are broke. They are madly in love or they will never love again. Orange Brainers are never in the middle…

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Characters’ Back-Story & Staging Scenes – Princess Shayna Musical

Previous Post: 7. Young Song Writers Compose Original Music & Lyrics – Princess Shayna Musical I was eager to share this 8th Princess Shayna Musical journal entry/blog post from director Kim Woycke. The cast had been on Spring Break from school and the rehearsals at the Trilogy School of Performing Arts and I missed blogging about their exciting production progress.…

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Missed Opportunity For A Political Teachable Moment

This morning, I replied to a Promise of America Blog post my friend and web master, Jeff Lewis sent me. The story is re-print from an email that’s been making the rounds for the last year or so.  Jeff came across it again on another blog and thought he would pass it along for those who hadn’t…

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To Honor My Father: Constructive Living Poem

This morning, I lit a Yahrzeit Candle in memory of my father, Alexander I. Newman. 35 years ago on March 30, 1977 my father passed away from coronary heart disease that he dealt with for over 20 years. He was 4 weeks short of his 74th birthday. At the time, I was a 32 year woman, daughter, wife and mother…

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Weed Your Own Garden & Relationships

It’s Spring Clean-up in my yard and gardens. My Yellow Organized Brain has already begun feeding, water and nurturing my trees, shrubs and perennial flower beds. Amongst all the beauty of new growth are the fast growing weeds, thistle and unwanted grass, which grow everywhere I don not want them to grow. It is amazing how they grow without any special…

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Butterflies Offer Special Color Gifts

The butterflies’ arrival with our early Spring made my Blue Brain that loves nature want to share this thought-provoking quote. “Butterflies don’t know the color of their wings, but human eyes know how beautiful it is. Likewise, you don’t know how good you are, but others can see that you are special!” The same is true with adults…

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Generous “SCBWI” Children’s Book Authors

I am a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writer and Illustrators – Illinois Chapter. I joined years ago when Princess Shayna Invisible Visible Gift was published. I loved attending SCBWI-IL chapter author events, meetings and critique groups and reading the newsletter and subscribing to the Listserv. I continued my membership even though Princess Shayna…

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