Substance of Living

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial. A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man. —Joseph Campbell, The Hero With a Thousand Faces When I was chosen to review John Blackport’s latest novel, Misfits Revolt (A Talan Revolt #4), I was excited and a little nervous.   Excited to learn a new (to me) author’s style of writing but also a new genre – fantasy.   Nervous because this author trusted me to honestly review his book. I’m thankful to say that I thoroughly enjoyed both the author’s style of writing and his story.   His hero, Rick Rivoire, is what many would call “A Man’s Man” and yet he is gentle enough so that women are attracted to him. The hero, in this case, Rick Rivoire, must face three key phases in his jou...

One of my neighbors, who was a school teacher, dropped the following off for me last week.  Not really sure where she found this but it does substantiate our earlier conversation of how difficult the English language really is. Think about this:  There are three different ways to spell a word and yet they have the same pronunciation: For, Four, Fore.  Then there is one spelling and two different pronunciations and another spelling (yet pronounced the same as the present tense but means something completely different): Read, Read, Red. Reasons Why English is Hard to Learn! The bandage was wound around the wound . The farm was used to produce produce . The dump was so full it had to refuse some refuse . He could lead if he'd get the lead out. Since there was no time like the present , he thought it was time to present the present . When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes. I did not object to the object . They were too close to the door to close it. The bu...

Did you know that Canasta means "Basket" in Spanish?  The game must get its name from the importance of the draw and discard piles. True Canasta or Hand and Foot players might disagree with me when I say that the games are very similar and interchangeable.  In fact, some games I've played, were called Canasta and the rules were more like Hand and Foot and vice versa. I guess in a round about way, what I'm trying to say is that if you know how to play one game you can easily play the other.  In fact, I like to tell people that the rules to playing cards vary as vastly as line dances depending on location. Hey! Even within the same city, a line dance can vary. If you haven't had the opportunity to play this fun and challenging game, please take an evening or more to enjoy.  Staying in and enjoying the company of family, friends, neighbors, and even your co-workers is a great way to spend an evening. Have some dinner or appetizers, socialize, and enjoy the...