A Tribute to Bamberg

Posted on

My Hubby’s first post was Bamberg, when he was 17, in the mid-1980s. He absolutely loved the town and the people. We hope to visit somday, to see how much it has changed since then.

tink'swife's avatarBrook and the Beagle

When I got here, I heard that Bamberg was the “best kept secret of the army.”  This phrase gets thrown around quite a bit, but this time, I’m pretty sure it’s true.  Sadly, this post’s glory days have gone by, and we’re farewelling a place that’s been home, for sure, but also a dream.

To those of you who never got to walk up to the “nature area” by the elementary school and look toward the city only to see Altenburg Castle lit up at night, I’m sorry.

I’m sorry for those of you who will never celebrate the city’s oldest living quarters and a church by watching people joust on the Regnitz River.  I’m sorry you’ll miss out on one euro scoop of gelato while marveling at the Rathaus and laughing about the 3-D foot  coming out of the wall.  I’m sorry you won’t peer into the Dom any…

View original post 385 more words

An author regroups.

Posted on

Rosanna Leo is one of my favorite authors, BECAUSE she writes the stories that speak to her heart. Her novels speak to me, because her heroines are women I would want as friends. They are independent, strong, intelligent, confident, nerdy and adoringly unaware of their own sexiness. Her heroes are pantydroppingly strong, sexy, intelligent and unafraid to be challenged by their women. And, the stories themselves are hot, smexy, at times bittersweet and poignant, but ALWAYS entertaining.

Additionally, most of her characters are women and men. OVER 30…..GASP!! They have life experience, baggage, and yes, continue to be sexual beings. Rosanna writes about women like herself. Women like me. We NEED her voice in the contemporary and paranormal erotic romance community.

So, if you have not read her books, please march on over to Amazon and download them. They are perfect for an afternoon stuck in the.school carline, a stormy day at home, or a pamper-me day at the spa.

Rosanna Leo's avatarRosanna Leo

I’ve been wanting to write this post for some time. Not to air my dirty laundry, but because I’m a believer in the philosophy “in with the good, out with the bad.” Although I consider myself a positive person, I feel it’s important to acknowledge the bad stuff, get it out there, and move on. So this is me, getting it out there in the hopes of leaving it behind.

2015 was a disappointment for me, in terms of writing success and parts of my personal life. There. I’ve acknowledged it.

Surprised? After all, I had four releases in 2015. Count ’em. Four novels.

It was also a year in which my sales dropped considerably. When I do the math, it’s not encouraging. Of those four books, I was convinced three of them would have done well. These were books that spoke to my heart, perhaps more than others have…

View original post 423 more words

Reassurance for Anyone Opting Out of Botox

Posted on

“You aren’t ugly. Societal messaging is.” X 100,000,000

Right. On. August. Right on!

I believe in adults doing any body modifications they want to, as long as they understand the risks/repercussions and does not harm anyone else. Inherent in that, is the right to NOT do anything to themselves, for the same reasons.

No one has the right, even if they think they “know best,” to shame another human being. I am always astounded when “well-meaning” people make comments on or about others’ appearance.

To the “well-meander” I say, bless your hearts, in my best Southern G.R.I.T.s tone. In other words, be nice or be quiet.

August McLaughlin's avatarGirl Boner

Trust me, I get it. In a photo of yourself, you notice lines where there used to be smoothness, or deep crevices in place of faint lines. (“When did that happen?!?”) Meanwhile, continually more women are opting to freeze their facial muscles with Botox—and similar procedures—and regarding every crease that appears, society seems to scream, “Erase!” 

Now in my late 30s, I’ve lived in some of the most looks-centric places in the world, worked extensively in fashion and film and struggled with a severe eating disorder I’ve thankfully moved past. I now spend most of my time in the field of women’s empowerment. While my path hasn’t made me immune to “anti-aging” pressure, it has given me some helpful tools and perspective.

There's beauty and depth in aging. There’s beauty and depth in aging.

First, an important point: I am not out to shun anyone who chooses cosmetic procedures. I promise. Whatever a woman decides to do to her body or appearance…

View original post 571 more words

New Season of “The Bachelor” Or Bring Back the Mini-Horse

Posted on

The premier of the latest installment of the craytastic Bachelor/Bachelorette franchise aired tonight and it was fabulous.   Ben, who, at about 25 should avoid, TV dating shows, was looking for his future wife/stalker.

Two standouts were Mandi, Kooky Dentist with a huge rose hat, and Lace….yes, Lace.  I cannot make this stuff up.  Lace seems like she will be the resident paranoid schizophrenic with delusions of love, and Mandi is simply odd.

One notable early dismissal went to  Huey, the mini-horse, who had more game than the entire field of contestants combined.   If I were Ben, I would have chosen mini-horse, high-fived Chris Harrison, and walked off into the sunset.  Spoiler alert: Ben sent Huey home.

Here’s the recap  The Bachelor Recap: A Unicorn, A Tiny Pony, and Ben Higgins — America’s Sweetheart – http://ti.me/1Sw2rpZ

So Long 2015, and Hello 2016, You Sexy Beast

Posted on

With little fanfare, as I almost slept through midnight, 2016 arrived.  2015 had its share of blessings and challenges, but was a good year.  2016 brings with it another Presidential campaign, one that will determine whether We The People are living up to the aspirational words on The Statue of Liberty, or not.  I have great hope that inclusion and tolerance will triumph over hate.

My toast for all of you, is to have greater health, prosperity, joy and love..and CHOCOLATE, this year. Namaste.

image

Another Perspective on Depression from Jessie Lane’s Blog

Posted on

Jessie Lane, candidly shares her journey through depression, and her post spoke to me. 

Depression is a constant companion, we learn to live with and manage.  Mine manifested itself as Gray Cloud of Numbness, and now I have many more sunny days, as well as rainy days, because the fog has lifted.

All I hope to do is shed light into the darkness by sharing my, and other’s journeys.  We really are in this together, regardless of what the disease tells us.

2016: Let’s Be Real & Loving! – http://wp.me/p2D2vz-Kp

Joshua Dubois: What the President secretly did at Sandy Hook Elementary School

Posted on

I’ve admired President Obama most during difficult times, as he remains strongly stoic and offers words and hugs of comfort.

His legacy will be one of compassion and understanding.

Vox Populi's avatarVox Populi

Below is an excerpt from The President’s Devotional by Joshua Dubois, the former head of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. He’s recounting events that occurred Sunday, December 16, 2012 — two days after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, when 20-year-old Adam Lanza fatally shot 20 children and 6 adult staff members. Dubois had gotten word the day before that the President wanted to meet with the families of the victims:

I left early to help the advance team—the hardworking folks who handle logistics for every event—set things up, and I arrived at the local high school where the meetings and memorial service would take place. We prepared seven or eight classrooms for the families of the slain children and teachers, two or three families to a classroom, placing water and tissues and snacks in each one. Honestly, we didn’t know how…

View original post 450 more words

R.I.P. Scott

Posted on

Scott Weiland, Kurt Cobain and I were born the same year. When I was in grad school, I briefly met Kurt, when he was playing the “college radio” circuit. He was very shy, soft-spoken and I only remember how angst-filled his voice sounded.

I never had the opportunity to see Scott Weiland live, although his music made me smile. 

Another bright light has been extinguished. Goodnight and Godspeed, Scott.  May Your soul be at peace and may you know how much joy your music brought to so many people. 

Comments from Strangers

Posted on Updated on

I always enjoy judgmental comments from strangers, who know nothing about me, and feel a need to “understand” and “explain” my comments.  I’m almost 50 years old and your opinions are neither requested, nor welcomed. 

Please run your own life, and stay out of mine. FFS.

On a much brighter note, former-Sgt. and I celebrated 17 years of married bliss today, although we’ve been together almost 20.  Each time another random internet “person” makes a comment, I’m reminded of how wonderful my life is, with Hubby and our four K9 kids.

I’m feeling very blessed tonight.