Mermaids are the new Vampires Buzz

Being the author of a different sort of mermaid tale, I do like to Google mermaids on occasion and discovered that there's a trend starting up.  It seems that mermaids are becoming popular again.

That makes this author very happy!  What can I say, I've always been a mermaid sort of girl, only my main character is half Mer and therefore the Mer call her a Merwalker; able to walk on land and swim beneath the sea.  She doesn't realize it at first.  You see, she was born with some physical challenges and thinks she's an albino with silver eyes, white hair, milky-white skin and webbed fingers and toes.  She's seventeen years old and her name is Lana Prentis.

Her father is the lighthouse keeper (Cole Prentis) for Safe Harbor Island, off the coast of North Carolina.  He's also the keeper of many secrets.  He's told Lana that her mother drowned when she was three years old and he has never allowed Lana in the water since.

It's only after Lana's P. E. Teacher (Miss Rose Perry) secretly gives Lana swimming lessons that she discovers the truth about who she really is and who her mother was as well.  Lana discovers that she has a purpose to her life and has a heritage as rich and as deep as the sea and that her future lies beneath it.

 ~~~~~

Go Mermaids!  ; )

Sheri L. Swift

Legend of the Mer

Second Campaigner Challenger

(source)
IMAGO DEI

After my divorce, you could say that my life was pretty much shattered.  My heart was lacuna and broken and I wondered if God would be able to piece me back together again.  I felt as though the miasma of my family was choking me and I never knew if I would be able stand strong on my own; not to mention that I had two toddlers and an infant to care for.

Then something amazing happened.  Nearly a year later, I succumbed to a friend’s request that we go on a double blind date.  I prayed about it and felt the time was right.  When I met the guy, I stood frozen and couldn’t help but oscitate.  To me, he was the exact image of Robert Powell from Jesus of Nazareth!  Lol! 

We talked about several events that would have put us in the same place and time and yet, we never met before.  The synchronicity of it all was amazing; how many times had we rubbed shoulders and not looked at each other.

Three months later we were engaged and six months after that we were married.  He became my best friend, husband and father to my children.

Tagged!

I stopped by Rebekah Loper's blackanddarknight and ugh, I got tagged!  Wow, there are a lot of writing games going on here!  Lol!  Okay, so now I have to tell you 10 more random things about me and also pass it along to five others.  I like Rebekah's approach; so if YOU ARE READING THIS, then you've been TAGGED!!!

TEN MORE RANDOM THINGS ABOUT ME 
1.   I used to sing in Churches and had for over twenty years before getting cancer and needed to resign.  Now my act of worship is through the written word, prayer and encouragement of others.

2.   I nearly didn't publish my book and an encounter with the Lord and a Kutless Song ~ What Faith Can Do gave me the strength to finish it and send it for copyright.  I thanked the band in the back of my book.

3.   I love taking bubble baths and this 49 something *ugh hmm* enjoys listening to the above mentioned band's (Kutless) album ~ It Is Well while I join in song!

4.   I used to love going camping in the mountains, at the lake, now I'm pretty much a *hotel* kind of girl and tell my children that I will gladly meet them at the campsite.

5.   My oldest daughter lives in California with her family and we keep in touch, but I wish she lived closer.

6.   I love to eat Mexican food, especially chips & salsa.

7.   I love to stay in my pajamas on Saturdays.

8.   I hate to admit it, but I do like sparkly jewelry, clothes; never thought I would be that kind of gal.

9.   I love to swim and don't do it as much as I would like to.

10. Love having all my kids and grands over to play board games on an autumn/winter evening.

Well, that's about it and I'm worn out for today!  Lol!  So remember, YOU'RE IT!!!  ; )

The Liebster Award

I've been given another Blog Award!  Thank you Bethany Lopez!  She's a new friend that I've made through Rachael Harrie's Third Platform-Building Campaign.

Another friend, Tia Bach, discovered that in the English-German dictionary Liebster meant dearest (or darling).  This award is intended to show love to fellow bloggers with under 200 followers. 

THE RULES

1.  Show your appreciation to the bloggers who gave you the award by linking back to them.

2.  Reveal your five picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.

3.  Post the award on your blog.

4.  Bask in the camaraderie of the most supportive people on the internet ~ other writers.

5.  And best of all ~ have bloggity fun and spread the love.

MY PICKS
1.  Catherine A. Winn 
2.  Gary Gauthier Literary Snippets
3.  Bonnie Rae, Just words...
4.  Carrie Bastyr Where I Get Wordy... 
5.  Deniz Bevin The Girdle of Melian

These are some new friends of mine that I'm getting to know.  I couldn't just read their blogs once!  Be sure to check them out when you have the time.  They are some pretty talented writers.  ; )

Blogger Awards

Wow, I've been nominated for two blog awards by the lovely Brenna Braaten of Blissfully Brenna.  If you haven't checked out her blog yet, you should!  Each award comes with instructions that are very similar.

1. Thank and link to the person who nominates you
2. Share seven random facts about you
3. Pass this Award along to 15 recently discovered blogs and let them know about it!

1. Thank and link to the person who nominates you
2. Pass this Award along to 15 recently discovered blogs and let them know about it!

 Here's my seven random facts:
1.  I love Saturdays because my husband makes me a pancake breakfast including bacon, eggs and sometimes hash browns.  I love a man that can cook!  ; )
2.  I start my mornings off with a hot cup of dark roasted coffee ~ I have a sticker on top of my computer that says, "The Caffeine made me do it!"  Lol!
3.  My grandson *Little Man* thinks I'm his buddy, not his granny, because I play and watch his movies with him when I can.
4.  I used to live in California (until the age of 33) and then my husband, kids and I moved to Virginia where we live in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
5.  I love to shop for other people, my husband wishes I would do more for myself.
6.  I love the Ocean and everything about it.
7.  This is the first time that I've been nominated for any award on my blog ~ thanks Brenna!  ; )

Since most of the blogs that I would love to nominate for the Versatile Blogger Award already have it, I'm going to combine them and give out the One Lovely Blog award also! Now they can make their way through the hoards of Write Campaigners out there. So, I'm nominating you all for both, unless you have one. Then, you just have the other. Get it?
Here's my list:
1.    Pam at 2 Encourage
2.    Brianna at Pocketful Of Playdough
3.    Coleen at Coleen Patrick
4.    An Alleged Author at An Alleged Author
5.    Jill Campbell at Me Outside The Lines
6.    Julie Hedlund at Write Up My Life
7.    Sarah Wedgbrow at Folding Fields
8.    L' Aussie at L' Aussies Wrinting Blog
9.    Doreen at Doreen Mcgettigan
10.  Tia Bach at Depression Cookies
11.  Maeve Frazier at Lollipop's Cottage
12.  Michele Helene (Verilion) at A Wanderer in Paris
13.  Debbie Dillon at Writin' 4 Him Cafe
14.  Janet Harllee at Just a Closer STUMBLE With Thee
15.  Jessica at Write. Skate. Dream.
16.  I couldn't help myself *shrugs shoulders* ~ Charity Singleton of Wide Open Spaces Wide Open Spaces with the understanding that she not respond to this until she is feeling better from her recent surgery.  Given for her encouraging blogs and for candidly sharing her courageous battle with cancer.
There are so many talented women on this blog list and I really hope that you will take the time to check them all out.  ; )

When my children got a boo boo

When my children got a boo boo, it was easy to kiss it away

I'd sing to them and rock them in my arms as they lay 

As time marched on, a distance began to grow

They no longer needed my embrace; they let me know

It was difficult to watch them make mistakes along the way

They wouldn't accept my comfort or even listen to a word I'd say

As they grew into young adults, they began to show respect

They appreciated the values taught them as they started to reflect

Now I have grandchildren with boo boos that occasionally come for my care

I rock and sing to them while I can; for these days are rare

I know my children's time will come to feel the distance, but not for awhile

I hope they'll talk to me about it; I will listen, give comfort and try not to smile

Finding Joy in the Journey: THE HEART OF A PATRIOT

Finding Joy in the Journey: THE HEART OF A PATRIOT: What is it about this Great Nation of America that stirs our hearts and evokes parents to give up their sons and daughters in service of her...

There was a FLASH of light! ; )

Living in the Blue Ridge we have some pretty severe thunder storms that produce high winds and lightning that can make the darkest night look like day.  The night sky can be such a wonder with the dark velvety blue colliding with ribbons of white.  As the lightning comes closer the brightness only intensifies.

Tuesday night was a bit different; cloudy overhead making the night pitch black.  I have a back deck light that pretty much covers the deck, but as you get to the steps its a guessing game as to which step you're taking, so I know to be careful.  Add a rambunctious beagle that has grown ten times the size we thought she would when we adopted her from our local shelter, and a woman that is blind as a bat at night and still trying to regain her strength; not too good of a mix!  Lol!

So, you guessed it; I landed right on my head on top of a concrete slab.  The amazing thing was that when I hit the bottom, I saw the brightest white flash of light I had ever seen.  I had to laugh as I tried to sit up with my beagle still tugging to get to the grass from her leash that I held in spite of my tumble.  I thought how much like a computer screen my head was; when scrambled, it went blank!  Lol!

After several hours, a CT Scan and a few X-rays, I am happy to say that there are no broken bones.  There are however, several bruises and a splitting headache.  So if I don't make it around to all the usual sites for a few days, I'm sorry and I do miss socializing with you all.  Like my computer, I hope to be up and running soon!  ; )

First Campaigner Challenge

(source)

A PEEK INTO A FAIRY TALE

The door swung open to my surprise as I walked up to my little garden shed.  Had I left it half closed yesterday? I thought.  As I got closer and stepped inside I noticed my garden pots strewn about. Then I saw something peculiar.

Just below my workbench stood open another little door.  I bent down to get a better look and froze; there before me stood a thing I had only heard about in fairy tales.  She had bright red hair unbound and curling down her back and beautiful sparkling little green eyes.  Her complexion was a creamy white with rosy red cheeks.  She wore an earthen colored garment like that of a small dress.  She gave a quirk of a smile and said, “Hello, I am glad to finally meet you.”

“Hel-lo,” I slowly said; still not believing what I saw.

“We did not wish to bother you, but your cat has been stalking us as we gather berries from your briar patch.  Please keep her from the briars for three days more.  We are collecting for the winter.”

“Sorry, I’ll do as you ask,” I said shaking my head.  She grinned and then the door swung shut.

10 Random Facts About Me

Blogger Game - 10 Random Facts About Me

Hey all! I was asked to join this blogger game where you post 10 random facts about yourself. It should be fun and help us Campaigners get to know each other. If you're playing, post a link to your blog in the comments so we can tour around and mingle with you.

Here are mine...

1.       I love dark chocolate and dark roasted coffee.

2.       I love to walk on the beach when I can (mostly Outer Banks, NC) ~ especially with my Sweetheart.

3.       I have a beagle named Talei (Fijian for precious) ~ named after one of the characters in my book.

4.       I love to read a good fiction/fantasy, but I usually finish it within 3-4 days!  Lol!

5.       I’m a lover, not a fighter ~ though I know sometimes it is necessary to defend those you love.

6.       I am a cancer survivor and because of it, I am stronger.

7.       I love a good lip moisturizer ~ Bonnie Belle.

8.       I love watching old movies/series; am currently watching Wind at my back on the Inspiration Channel.

9.       I enjoy new fiction/fantasy also, yes the Twilight saga are some of them!  Lol!

10.   I work from home ~ Writing and lead the Prayer Ministry for my Church.

 

11.       Because I can!  Lol!   I published my first novel (Legend of the Mer) that I originally wrote in my junior year of High School ~ over 30 years ago!  ; )