FREE BOOK TAKES YOU TO BOCA CHICA

When Elon Musk’s space rocket blew up last week, it was pretty upsetting for the folks near Boca Chica Village. It rained dust, sand and debris all over everything within 100 miles or more in South Texas. Not too many years ago, my husband and I used to hang out on the beach at Boca Chica. It was wild, upspoiled and utterly exhilarating. Still in a pristine state, there wasn’t even a public restroom. But there were plenty of sand dunes where you could go when nature called. We loved that place so much that I used it as a setting for a dramatic episode toward the end of my novel, “Chasing Their Losses” . Would you like to know what that sleepy village was like before it morphed into the SpaceX Space Station? If so, I’m offering a free kindle book that takes you to Boca Chica. The offer starts today, May 3 through May 4. Get it on amazon @ http://amzn.to/2cLBl0Y

Here’s a brief synopsis:

Will the haunting power of first love lead to Cara Mackenzie’s destruction? At 31, she’s back home from Miami, starting a new career as nutrition director of Sycamore Hospital. While in a blossoming romance with Dr. John Drakos, she runs into her former lover, the suave and sexy Tony Cabella. Soon, she’s drawn into a dangerous web of dirty secrets and lies.

When Tony’s stepson vanishes under her watch, Cara must fight for her life, her reputation, and her career.

The police think Dr. Drakos’ jealousy could have provided a motive for the kidnapping. But unanswered questions suggest a conspiracy. Who shot Tony when he and Cara met in secret, and why won’t he call the police?

At the heart of this novel are four damaged people: John and Cara, whose intense relationship is clouded by painful memories and fear of commitment; Tony and his second wife, Gail, who gave up everything for passion and desire, only to find disillusion and heartbreak.

As the tragic events spin out of control, the heart thumping suspense builds, with twists and turns that take you from the verdant farmland and sparkling waterfalls of Indiana to the vast, lawless sand dunes and nude beaches of South Texas. One of the most pivotal scenes in the novel takes place in Boca Chica, now the epicenter of Elon Musk’s SpaceX project.

Get Chasing Their Losses just in time for Mother’s Day: CHASING THEIR LOSSES : Free Kindle Book available on Amazon today and tomorrow @ http://amzn.to/2cLBl0Y

January 31, 2023

BE SWEET TO YOUR FEET

Most young girls start taking care of their faces before they’re old enough to vote. Why? Because the first thing a young man looks at when he sees a girl is her face. There are creams for dry skin, oily skin, pimples, rashes, eczema—you name it, there’s a tube of something for it. Then we move down to the hands, because red, dry hands are bothersome and unattractive. Pretty hands are a must for the beauty conscious. But the last thing most of worry about is our feet. Who looks at them? Consequently, feet take a beating from the day we start walking, even though we expect them to perform effortlessly without any attention at all. That needs to stop. Valentines Day is coming, and it’s time to be sweet to your feet.

Start with a foot bath. for 20 minutes, twice a week. All you need is a plastic tub wide enough to accommodate both feet. Fill it up to your ankles with warm water, and maybe add some Epsom salts. . Afterwards, use a pumice stone to remove dead skin. Before you put on your socks, massage the balls of your feet gently , and rub in some lotion. Did you know that a foot massage relieves stress and anxiety? It also improves circulation, reduces irritation, and helps transport oxygen through the body.

If you want to get fancy, order a heated footbath online, or buy one at the store. However, you shouldn’t use a heated bath if you’re a diabetic , because it can burn your feet and cause blisters.

Most of us use hand cream every day. Why not foot cream? Our feet get tired and itchy and sore. They can use some loving care, too. At least twice a day , massage your feet with lotion. However, don’t rub the cream between your toes because you don’t want to create a moist place for fungal infections to invade.

One of the kindest things you can give your feet is a professional pedicure Let’s face it, pedicures are pricey. The average working woman can’t afford to spend hundreds of dollars a year getting her toenails painted. But if a special occasion is coming up, or you’re simply feeling down and out, a trip to the nail salon will lift your spirits and vastly improve the appearance of your feet. Not to mention the soothing warmth of a foot massage.

Be sweet to your feet this Valentine’s Day!

August 14, 2022August 14, 2022

MONEY TRUMPS DIVERSITY IN “THE BOYS.”

We don’t usually watch Chick Lit on Netflix, but To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before got so much hype in the media that we wanted to see it. The movie was supposed to be a “charming, sweet love story,” that ”paints a beautiful picture of diverse congruity.” Which means, it has the standard, cliché characters that you expect. Asian girls. A gay black boy. And then, of course, the white boy with a single mom. If you live in a small midwestern town, these might be relatable characters. However, in this mythical town somewhere in Oregon, all the characters appear to be rich. The Korean girl with an American name (Sara Jean) has a Daddy who’s an obstetrician probably making at least $400,000 a year. Oddly enough, all of the kids in the entire high school have no problem applying to expensive private colleges like Stanford or New York University. No one’s going to Oregon State or Ivy Tech..

If you live in a small midwestern town where the average income is around $53,000 a year, it’s difficult to feel much empathy for these characters. Most middle class college students are working their way through school with part time jobs and student loans. I daresay none of them would be deciding between New York University and Stanford University, at $70,000 a year. They feel fortunate to be attending a state university, and even that’s often a stretch, financially.

Back to the Netflix series. The upper class Asian girl wants to attend Stanford so that she can live with her white boyfriend. There’s never a discussion about part time jobs, scholarships or student loans. Money is no object. They just want to cohabitate their way through four years of college and maybe get married and live happily ever after. It doesn’t matter what they’re majoring in, because whatever they do, they won’t have to worry about the size of their paychecks after graduation, or paying off student loans.

It’s bothersome that this movie doesn’t depict the real world, where only wealthy kids manage to rise above racial discrimination. As an example, do the Obama girls feel shunned by mainstream society? Are their romantic partners limited to men of their own race? Of course not. Their father is rich and famous. However, the black janitor’s daughter in Podunk, NE is probably not going to prom with a blond doctor’s son. The reality is that people usually end up marrying within their own socio-economic class.

I’m not sure how this film depicts diverse congruity—whatever that means. In fact, it’s a story about privileged rich kids. Money trumps diversity in “To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before.”

June 23, 2022June 23, 2022

DAMNED IF THEY DO OR DON’T

Most everyone has someone in their life that they really don’t like. Sometimes, there’s a good reason. Like a co worker who back stabbed you, or a relative who bad mouths you. I’m not a psychologist, but I’m sure that there are thousands of reasons why we dislike a certain person. Consequently, it seems they can’t do anything right. Sometimes, we’re the dislikee-or the person disliked. We may sense the hostility, or not realize that a certain person doesn’t wish us well. Nevertheless, you can rest assured that nothing you can do will change their mind. You can volunteer in Africa, or give a million dollars to their alma mater. Doesn’t matter. No matter what you do, their opinion of you will remain the same. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle are a perfect example of this phenomenon. No matter where they go, someone is going to criticize them. They’re damned if they do and damned if they don’t.

If they had stayed too long at the Queen’s platinum jubilee, they would have been accused of trying to steal the spotlight. However when they decided to leave early, the critics accused them of snubbing the Queen. They can’t win.

The Meghan haters declared from the git go that she was nothing but a gold digger. That seems pretty insulting to Prince Harry, who happens to be quite a hunk. To me, a gold digger is a young woman who marries an older unattractive man, simply because he’s rich. Harry is young, charming and personable. Therefore, I would imagine he could have attracted a pretty wife even without his royal title.

Apparently, the English consider Harry to be an ungrateful traitor to the crown. He was supposed to spend his life attending boring ceremonies and playing second fiddle to the future king, his brother William. What’s so terrible about deciding he didn’t want to do that? How many American men leave home at a certain age, and strike out on their own?

They said he trashed the monarchy with his Oprah interview. I can’t see where he trashed anyone. He didn’t criticize prince Charles for ruining his own mother’s life. Didn’t accuse anyone in the royal family of doing anything illegal or unsavory. He simply explained why he wanted to leave England and start a new life in America.

Right now, they are doing what any sensible people in that same position would do. Ignore the critics who can’t be pleased, and go on with their own lives. They’ve done the best they can. They aren’t hurting anyone. If English broadcaster Piers Morgan dislikes Harry and Meghan, it’s on him. Because they’re damned if they do, and damned if they don’t.

August 16, 2021August 16, 2021

CROSS COUNTRY MEET INSPIRES HOPE

According to recent polls, nearly 80% of Americans are feeling fearful and angry. The issues that provoke these feelings are the coronavirus pandemic, the economic downturn, the Afghanistan retreat, and civil unrest spreading across America’s cities. Last year at this time, we thought things would be better by the summer of 2021. But they’re not. We thought the vaccine would take us back to normal. Trouble is, half of our citizens refuse to get vaccinated, so we’re back to the crisis level. Hospitals are filling up once again with cases of the delta strain. After a year and a half of misery, we’re discouraged, and worried how it’s all going to affect our grandkids . But yesterday, I felt an emotion I hadn’t experienced for a long time. Seeing my grandsons running their hearts out at cross country filled me with optimism. Attending a state wide cross country meet inspires hope.

These boys and girls have been in lockdown at a time when they should have been going to class, attending parties, seeing their friends and having a carefree teenage life. The only thing I can compare it to is my own teenage years following World War II. Although we weren’t so isolated, we grew up scared. I remember waking up at night, hearing the sound of a distant train, worried that the Germans were coming. Our brothers, fathers, uncles and cousins went to war and often didn’t come back.. Some of them endured torture in Japanese prison camps. No wonder we became the “silent generation.”

Silent generation characteristics included interpersonal respect, self sacrifice, determination and most importantly, resilience. Those same characteristics are required to participate in cross country.

Cross Country Meet Inspires Hope. Our children are resilient. — Cross Country Meet Inspires Hope. Our children are emerging from the pandemic strong and resilient.

Yesterday, thousands of boys and girls throughout Indiana raced across the grass , and returned covered with sweat. Some of them did very well and came in close to the top. However, others came in toward the end. But here’s the thing. I was in a place where I could watch them returning from the race. There was an incredible camaraderie and affection in the air. Slower runners congratulated those who’d made better time. There didn’t seem to be many winners or losers. Kids walked with their arms around each other. Parents and grandparents glowed with pride. The sun was shining, It was a beautiful day filled with the joy, love, and hope.

I predict the “covid” generation will share some of the same characteristics of the silent generation. The previous “me” generations had everything handed to them, and didn’t have to worry about going to war. Generally speaking, they were spoiled and unappreciative of what they had. My grandchildren know that life is unpredictable, and they have learned to deal with that. In some ways, they are more mature than their parents were at the same age. These are the children who will grow up to lead our country in the years to come. And the lessons they have learned will serve this nation well.

Want to feel hopeful again? Come out for a high school cross country meet.

July 23, 2021July 23, 2021

DID YOU DODGE A BULLET?

It happens to everyone, sooner or later. Someone or something lets you down, dashes your hopes and dreams. You may get over it quickly, after a long while, or not at all. But the truth is, when things don’t turn out the way we expect, it’s often a blessing in disguise. Did you dodge a bullet yesterday, last month, or years ago?

The first example that comes to mind is a failed relationship. Someone you love, decides that they don’t love you. It may happen gradually, over years. Or you’re totally blindsided. One moment you’re happy and content , the next minute you’re getting dumped. Unless you got married right out of high school, you’ve probably experienced at least one episode like this. And yet, when it’s finally over, and you’ve gone on with your life, you realize the person wasn’t right for you at all.

Here’s how the urban dictionary defines Dodged a Bullet: “When you come close to dating a person but for whatever reason it falls through, and then later find out that person is batshit crazy, you’ve dodged a bullet..

Ok, the person wasn’t crazy, so that doesn’t apply. . But you may look back and realize you actually had nothing much in common, or the one you loved was emotionally abusive. It may take a long time, but you finally realize it would never have worked out well.

The next big downer is getting turned down for a job. When you’ve written a great resume, and sat through a seemingly positive interview, you’re confident you’ll be offered a position.

And then, you hear nothing back. Or you receive a tersely written letter that they’re sorry to inform you—you didn’t get the job. And they don’t even leave the door open, asking you to keep on applying. This is almost more of a blow to your self esteem than the failed relationship. What did you say or do wrong? Was there spinach on your teeth? Doggedly, you keep trying, not getting your hopes up again after the next interview. And all of a sudden, you land a dream job with a great organization. After you’ve settled down, you look back and feel immensely grateful that you got turned down after that first job interview. . It wasn’t about you—it was on them. Their loss. Ha Ha.

Did a business deal fall through? Someone stand you up for an important meeting? Miss a plane that ended up six hours on the tarmac? . The next time you’re feeling upset about a rejection or missed opportunity, remember this: You may have dodged a bullet.

May 12, 2021May 12, 2021

OH NO–NOT BILL GATES!

Why do we assume that intellectuals and geniuses seldom give much thought to sex? Animals have sex. Even plants have sex. It’s a basic, instinctual process, requiring little or no intelligence. If not controlled, it can cause disastrous consequences like STDs and unwanted pregnancy. Therefore, many regard sex as shameful and dirty. The Catholic Church doesn’t think very highly of sex. As a result, they require celibacy in their priests. We all know how that’s worked out. Nevertheless, we still assume that brilliant and/or spiritual people have their minds on loftier pursuits. That’s why our initial reaction to the Bill and Melinda Gates divorce was, ” Oh no–not Bill Gates!” Turns out he’s more interested in sex than we imagined.

After watching a television interview with Bill and Melinda Gates about a year ago, I had the feeling things weren’t going too well in that marriage. It was all about their devotion to some worthy cause . However, I noticed Melinda kept upstaging Bill, answering questions for him, and taking up more space in the interview. Surprisingly, he seemed amused at her effort to outshine him, and made no effort to assert himself.

Now, we’ve learned that he was a friend of the notorious pedophile/billionaire Epstein, who committed suicide in prison. Bill’s biographer also revealed that in his bachelor days, he enjoyed nude pool parties with strippers. And, while married to Melinda, he hit on female journalists who interviewed him. Oh no–not Bill! Yes, it seems the super-human god-like hero we admired was just like any other horny male. Except, his money and position helped cover it up. Newspapers, politicians, and charities weren’t about to jeopardize the benefits that he sent their way.

Then, of course, we have the strange looking CEO of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, who left his smart pretty wife for a gaudy glamor girl who bragged about the nude pictures he texted her. Let’s see. Who do we have left? Jack Dorsey of Twitter is single, and Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook seems to be in a pretty solid marriage. Elon Musk , owner of Tesla, has a baby Momma, and says he has Asperger’s. You just never know. These are the men who have a major influence on our elections because they are rich, famous, and very smart. But should we really respect their opinions and allow them to shape our society?