Apr13

AUTHOR VOICE

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AUTHOR VOICE

(Catalogue Article Submission to Red Tuque Books)

 WRITING with VOICE

by Mary Laudien

During my career as an educator/principal, I was innovative in structuring and implementing Writers’ Workshop in West Vancouver schools. The success that the students experienced by taking risks and realizing their potential as writers was brought home years later, when one of my earlier Grade One classes held a Grade 12 graduation party with their parents, and invited my former teaching partner and I to attend. The families wanted to acknowledge that they recognized how their confident children/learners had been so successfully launched in their school careers and were all anticipating exciting post secondary plans for their future. Writers’ Workshop was a powerful tool to bring … Read the rest

Apr12

TENDER TUESDAYS

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TENDER TUESDAYS

I have decided to share tender stories on Tuesdays with my readers.  This doesn’t mean they won’t have humor and a bit of cheek, but most of all, hopefully they’ll  touch you personally.

TENDER TUESDAYS will be a series of posts that will start with sharing post installments of Seniors Caring for Seniors. Enough time has elapsed since the passing of my father-in-law, that one feels compelled to write about the humorous, tender moments experienced with this 93 year old that is so dearly missed.

With people living longer these days, there’s a new phenomenon occurring within society where life expectancy for healthy people to exceed expectations has become the norm. Celebrating one’s 100th birthday is now an everyday … Read the rest

Apr7

AUTHORS in BLOOM BLOG HOP

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AUTHORS in BLOOM BLOG HOP

5th Annual Authors in Bloom Blog Hop

Thursday April 7th – Saturday 16th 2016

10 Days of Giveaways-Gardening Tips-Recipes-and More!

Dianne Venetta_AIB Logo_2015

 Plus a GRAND PRIZE you’ll be digging to win!

The 5th Annual AUTHORS in BLOOM is finally here!  I’m so excited to welcome you to FUN HAPPENS! As you realize, not all authors are particularly great gardeners or cooks, but we do our best to leave you a little something… My recipe is simple and delicious. It’s a raspberry pie that when heated and served with a scoop of ice cream, makes for a yummy ending to a lovely dinner.

FRESH RASPBERRY PIE (from Thrifty’s Fresh Summer Magazine)

Prep Time 20 minutes (You like it already, right?)

Cooking Time: 50-55 … Read the rest

Apr4

5th Annual Authors in Bloom Blog Hop

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5th Annual Authors in Bloom Blog Hop

 http://diannevenetta.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/DianneVenetta_AIB-Logo_2015-250x250.jpg

Thurs., April 7- Sat., April 16th

10 Days of Giveaways- Gardening Tips-Recipes- And MORE!

PLUS a GRAND PRIZE YOU’ll be DIGGING TO WIN!!

This is a reminder that the annual Authors in Bloom Blog Hop is scheduled to begin April 7th at 6:00am EST and the tour will continue for  10 days. This gives readers the opportunity to visit 5 or 6 sites per day.

How does it work? 

All 57 authors participating will post their giveaway, gardening tip, recipe or both on their website, beginning April 7th and leaving their contest open through the 16th.  You will have 10 days to enter each individual author contest and then submit your entry for the grand prize!!  To win … Read the rest

Mar6

Downton Abbey Series Finale Tonight

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Downton Abbey Series Finale Tonight

downton-abbey2

It’s time for Downton Abbey fans to say goodbye to the Crawleys’ aristocratic chronicles of this British historical drama!  We’ll miss the series’ characters of whom we’ve all grown so fond. Sunday evenings will become void as we miss the anticipated delight of immersing ourselves into their lives each Sunday night on PBS! Haven’t we all loved the family dynamics, the historical social change process, the setting, and the fashions of this bygone era? The friendship, loyalties, secrets, and realistic family issues have been the core of keeping us glued to this gripping dramatic series.  Many have ordered the DVD’s of the entire 6 seasons and will no doubt revisit them again. Keep your kleenex box handy, as the trailers … Read the rest

Mar4

WORLD BOOK DAY

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WORLD BOOK DAY

World Book DayCelebrations for WORLD BOOK DAY are happening today in schools everywhere.  Students arrived in class dressed up as their favorite character and enjoying author visits, as well as sharing their own books published through Writers’ Workshop.  It’s an opportunity to inspire enthusiasm for one’s favorite titles and create awareness of the diverse and worthwhile reads out there.

No longer an educator participating in these school celebrations, I chose to share a book review of an eBook that was recently written by a woman while undergoing breast cancer and extended preventative surgery.  Tanyia Pelham was motivated to  write, HEARTS of the PRAIRIE PAST, as she convalesced and reminisced about her youth in the 70’s,  living on a ranch situated near … Read the rest

Feb22

Say Your Name

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Say Your Name

Say Your Name

One is constantly barraged with requests to “SAY YOUR NAME”. The problem is that some of us have had a few name changes over the years, and on a distracted day, one could inadvertently blurt out one of those previous names… I’m saving those stories for another post!

My first “change of name” experience happened on the first day of school.  The teacher was confronted with 2 MARY LYNNE students.  She made an on the spot judgement call, announcing that I would be MARY from that day forth, and the other little girl would be LYNNE.  It stuck.  I lost my dual name that day and never looked back. Albeit, my mom continued … Read the rest

Feb18

Accepting Mindfulness

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Accepting Mindfulness

There’s a lot of discussion about “mindfulness” in the self-help and educational sectors these days.  It’s something that started to develop within me through journal writing after an unexpected divorce in the early 90’s.  Smacked with the realization that I was in complete control of myself and life’s choices, the written reflections enabled me to focus on my goals and well-being. It became apparent, early in the days when “mindfulness” wasn’t actually a common term, that one had to seize the day and try to make the most of it through one’s choices. It’s not a skill one masters.  Often times, one’s “mindfulness” is contradictory and completely messy! I have taught myself to wake up each day and look forward … Read the rest

Feb11

LEARN to SAIL the HARD WAY

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LEARN to SAIL the HARD WAY

A Book Review:

LEARN to SAIL the HARD WAY!

               -written by Don Watmough

                     -illustrations by Dave Alavoine

 

Anyone who is a boater will get a kick out of Evergreen Pacific’s latest release. The book is a chaotic and hilarious tale of a novice sailor who bungles his way through purchasing the perfect boat (NOT!), learning to sail it through numerous mishaps, while simultaneously entertaining the “sea gods” above with the mayhem in his wake. Dave Alavoine’s illustrations, (the cartoonist for Pacific Yachting Magazine’s, COCKPIT CONFESSIONS), capture the humor of the nautical follies experienced by Skip and his mate, Muffy. The final part of LEARN to SAIL the HARD WAY addresses the mistakes made by rookie … Read the rest