Frances Writes

Harry Potter and the Power of the Poisoned Keyboard…

noreply@blogger.com (Frances) — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 22:21:00 +0000

Ok, I’ll ’fess up. I’m a Harry Potter freak. I positively love the fantasy series. I’ve read each of the books, at least once, and listened to them countless times in audio format. (I like to imagine that I’m multi-tasking, and audio helps with that illusion.)

For me, J.K. Rowling has caught the essence of much that I treasure in her lively tales of a boy’s coming of age: the nature of the evil that we all face in this world, and the absolute necessity of resisting it; courage and humor in the face of adversity; honor, in doing that which is right, not that which is expedient; and that freedom is worth fighting for.

Similarly to C. S. Lewis, in his Chronicles of Narnia series, Ms. Rowling has covered the great themes of life: friendship and loyalty; life and death; but, most importantly, that love transcends all. And she has done so with an exuberance and honesty which children of all ages recognize and respond to. Ah, the joy…I’d be willing to step through the Wardrobe, or onto the Hogwart’s Express in a heartbeat… But I digress!

Not the so with the films! (Best Minerva McGonagall beady-eyed glare).

Last night, my roommate (a shout out and a thank you!) brought home the DVD of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 from the local Library. It had just arrived, and she knew that I had recently watched Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. It’s nice to watch sequels concurrently. I found both movies to be perfect examples of, “Just because you can do something, doesn’t necessarily mean that you should do it.”

I enjoyed everything about the first three movies immensely. They retained the sense of wonder, humor and joy of the books, and I thought their casting, scripting, and pacing to be splendid. As with the books, I fell in love with the movie characters. It’s been some time since I viewed Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, so I won’t comment here. I don’t think that I’ve seen Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, so again I won’t comment. Since I have watched Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1, I am allowed to pontificate. Both movies are hampered by lack of love, lack of chemistry, lack of humor, and most fatally, they lacked pacing. They dragged!

I acknowledge that the latter books of the series become increasingly darker as Harry matures and confronts ever more dangerous situations. That’s life. It’s to be expected. It happens for all of us. However, where each book contained multiple ‘laugh out loud’ passages…regrettably most had been edited from the movie scripts. Both movies were overloaded with wiz-bang special effects that completely overshadowed the characters and their stories. For me, both the acting and the writing were stiff and wooden. The spark was gone, gone, gone….Harry Potter, you’ve lost that lovin’ feeling… I sincerely hope your producers find it again in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2. It will be a cryin’ shame if such a wonderful series concludes on a movie downer.

Note to future writers and producers: People watch movies and read books because they’ve fallen in love with the characters, and because the plot lines are good…not because of special effects! Ms. Rowling not only didn’t forget this in her books, she succeeded brilliantly. So, writers and producers, get your priorities in order. Focus on the primary elements of character and plot line. Keep special effects in its proper role as a supporting tool. When special effects upstage the story line and the characters, we all lose. Character is everything…both in fiction and in real life.

Happy Viewing, and God bless,

Frances

Who is actually back writing again.

P.S. For those of you who might be looking for good audio editions of the Harry Potter stories, may I suggest those narrated by Steven Fry as being superb. I find Mr. Fry’s command of character accents to be amazing, and his ability to convey the ‘ridiculous’ to be…slyly entertaining! In short, everything that the latter movies are not!

The New Orleans School Voucher Program

noreply@blogger.com (Frances) — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:26:00 +0000

I love the city of New Orleans. It's been a second home to me since my first trip there 62 years ago... which I really "do" remember! I have watched New Orleans go from a vibrant, world-class, commercial center, the largest port in the World, to a bureaucratically moribund excuse for a third-world banana republic. I lived there for 10 years during the 1980s, and loved every minute of that time. I also cried as I watched it's deterioration. Deterioration of a city ALWAYS, AND WITHOUT EXCEPTION, begins with the abdication of control of the local educational system by parents to the federal government.

Then came the collateral, flooding damage of the failed levees after Hurrican Katrina... and please remeber that Hurrican Katrina DID NOT hit New Orleans... it hit THE MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST! The infrastructure of Eastern New Orleans, including the existing bureaucratic, educational system, was esentially destroyed by corruption... and the parents, who have remained or returned to the city, have had to step forward and take their God ordained responsibility for their children's education. I am so happy for and proud of them.

This video will explain why I have more hope (that is, hope with real basis) for the future of my beloved second home. God bless the parents and teachers who are fighting for excellence in education for their children, the hope of the city and nation.

Frances

NewsBusted 8/20/10

noreply@blogger.com (Frances) — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:12:00 +0000

Good morning everyone. I couldn't resist passing on a little snark when there are so many opportunities out there. Clear your mind. Start your Monday with a laugh.

Never take anybody's word for the truth. Do your own homework. Verify!

Frances ;-D

My Secret Garden: How Doeth It Grow?

noreply@blogger.com (Frances) — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 12:35:00 +0000

Like a jungle, of course!

But, I don't EVER remember my Secret Garden being as beautiful as it's been this Summer. No exceptions.

I intended to write about my July/August garden last year, but time and direction prevented me. I've been writing elsewhere, and, even this time, it's taken me several weeks to put this post together. Anyway, I am NOT going to let the days slip away again. It'll be yet another year before my garden reminds me to write about it if I don't do so now. Even now these beautiful blooms are fading. However, it will only be a few weeks before the next wave of color begins. Enjoy.

To understand my "justifiable" (cough, cough) pride, you must be aware that an immutable Law of the Universe is that Summer in the South is hot as Blazes, humid as a steam bath, and rain is never dependable. There are very few plants which can survive, let alone bloom, under these stresses, with zero pampering. After the day lilies, during the first two weeks of June, there simply isn't much happening in the Southern Garden. By July, the crepe myrtles are almost the only thing still blooming... but not in my garden. The rains came when needed this year, and we have been the beneficiaries of God's bounty. Beautiful flowers during the day and heavenly fragrances to enjoy during late night constitutionals with Pasha Zack and Harem Kitty Maxie.

Long, long ago, I started collecting heirloom plants for each month. I wanted color throughout the year... the gaudier, the better. My idea was that if a plant had survived and thrived for a hundred or more years, and had been passed down through my family or friends' families, I'd give them an opportunity... they could root hog or die! They rooted. They thrived. And recently I received the gardener's greatest accolade. A friend came down my drive and exclaimed, "It's a wonderland!" What more could I ask?
　
Generally in order of appearance, these are the bloomers in my July/August garden: Crepe Myrtle; Garden Phlox; Lycoris Squamigira (aka Naked Lady Lily); Philippine Lily; Cashmere Bouquet; Confederate Jasmine; Pink and Blue Buddlieas, New Gold Lantana and Homestead Verbena. July/August is all pink, white, yellow and purple, and the butterflys and birds have been going crazy.

Happy writing, and gardening.

God bless,

Frances

Who will eventually return to writing Science Fiction Romance...

I promise!
　
　
　

Happy Independence Day!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Frances) — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 14:45:00 +0000

I wish you all a wonderful Independence Day Celebration. On this day, do something radical. Re-read the Declaration of Independence. Then, thank God for the wisdom, courage, and devotion to Almighty God of our Founding Fathers. They were truly a "light unto the World".

In Congress, July 4, 1776.

A Declaration

By the Representatives of theUnited states of America,

In general Congress assembled.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. –Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the legislative powers, incapable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large for their exercise; the state remaining in the meantime exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states; for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands.

He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers.

He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies without the consent of our legislature.

He has affected to render the military independent of and superior to civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by mock trial, from punishment for any murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these states:

For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing taxes on us without our consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury:

For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended offenses:

For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging its boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule in these colonies:

For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our governments:

For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection and waging war against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow citizens taken captive on the high seas to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare, is undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms: our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have we been wanting in attention to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends.

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.

New Hampshire: Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton
Massachusetts: John Hancock, Samual Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry
Rhode Island: Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery
Connecticut: Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott
New York: William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris
New Jersey: Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark
Pennsylvania: Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross
Delaware: Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean
Maryland: Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton
Virginia: George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton
North Carolina: William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn
South Carolina: Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton
Georgia: Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton
Source: The Pennsylvania Packet, July 8, 1776

Let us never forget that this document is the most complete embodiment of what it means to be an American. Our fore fathers made this contract with God that they and their descendents would be responsible to the God of the Universe as individual citizens, and would hold their government responsible to God and the citizens. If we have not done so, we can only ask God for forgiveness, do our best to return to His ways, and ask Him to honor His promise,

"If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." - II Chronicles 7:14

God bless

Frances

The Greatest Scam in the History of the World...or "The Sky is Falling"

noreply@blogger.com (Frances) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 23:41:00 +0000

Science and politics seem to be inextricably entwined... because science is rarely fully understood by most people, and consequently, is often feared, even if subconsciously. Politicians find this lack of understanding and supposed fear to be ready made tools to gain power… for power is the one thing above all others that any politician desires. "The Climate is CHANGING! Oh my! Oh my! Panic! Panic! PANIC! But, never fear, WE, the smiling politicians can save you. Trust us. We’re the experts. Just do as we say. Give us your freedom. "We" know what’s best for you."

Pollution arouses passions, yes; but, being lied to arouses even more passions. Case in point: the recent exposure of the falsified data from the IPCC on supposed anthropogenic global warming. As it turns out, there hasn’t been any warming of the Earth in over ten years. We are actually in a cooling cycle. They LIED! The data was deliberately FALSIFIED!

Oh, but what about that horrible CO2 that humans create, and Carbon Trading we need to save the World? CO2 hasn’t changed in a long time, and is less now than it was in the past. Claiming that there is more was just a political lie to gain power. Actually the more CO2 you have in the atmosphere, the better the plants grow. It’s called photosynthesis. We need it. And as to the Carbon Trading, let me tell you a secret. I was a commodity trader for many years. Carbon Trading is simply a grand scale commodity trading scam to transfer money from your pocket into the pockets of dishonest politicians… arguably the greatest scam yet in the history of the world. As with every good mystery...follow the money!

Writers, if you want something serious to write about, write about corruption, and the hero who exposes it, and defends truth. Our government has excellent examples of the corruption. If you want accurate scientific information, go to: CFACT. The scientists and researchers at CFACT are under the aegis of Lord Christopher Monckton, 3rd Viscount Monckton of Brenchly. He is one of the World’s great mathematicians, a real genius, and he nailed the Global Warming Creeps because he also has a cast iron pair, and is willing to go to the wall for the truth! He's the real hero!

If anyone would like for me to supply specific scientific sources, let me know. I can’t promise to be timely, but I will get back to you.

Freedom is Colorblind (open up your eyes)

noreply@blogger.com (Frances) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 15:15:00 +0000

America has had a complicated racial history... nothing's perfect, after all. It would be impossibe to be otherwise with people from all over the globe coming here to pursue their unique "American Dream". That's what has made America different.

As in everything, there have always been those who would seek to divide and profit from the differences, both real and imagined, of others. However, thankfully, there have also always been those who saw character rather than color. That is what this video is about. Americans are reawakening to their common rights and duties as citizens.

The only color that Freedom knows is RED, WHITE, AND BLUE! I am so proud of all my patrot friends. Some of you, I happen to know your color...but most I have no idea, and I don't care...YOU ARE MY FRIEND...AND YOU ARE A PATRIOT!!!

God bless,

Frances

Writing to Awaken Her Country

BREAKING NEWS! Hawaii Elections Official: Obama not born here! JUNE 10, ...

noreply@blogger.com (Frances) — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 00:07:00 +0000

The Constitution of the United States of America says:

"No person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution[1791], shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty-five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States."

NATURAL BORN means that the Presidential Candidate must have been born to parents who were BOTH American citizens, and the candidate must have been born within the territory of the United States. BOTH parents were to be American citizens to prevent any dual loyalties. This is not the case with the man now occupying the Oval Office of the White House. Beyond question, his declared father was a Kenyan citizen and therefore a British citizen, thus causing the present occupier of the Oval Office to have multiple citizenship and consequently disqualifying him for the office he is holding. This is not open for debate. It is established FACT. On the basis of American/Kenyan/British citizenship of his parents... Barack Hussein Obama was NOT eligable to run for the office he now occupies. He is a usurper.

The media and officials of BOTH parties had to have known this. For them to have concealed this information from the public domain is ELECTION FRAUD and is a FELONY. This is the biggest CRIMINAL FRAUD which has ever been perpetrated on the people America and of the World.

In this video, a former Hawaii Elections Official reports that, in his official capicity, he looked in the Hawaii Department of Records for the "long form" Birth Certificate, which should include the name of the hospital and attending physician of the present occupant of the Oval Office. He catagorically states, "IT DOESN'T EXIST!" There is only a short form "Certificate of Live Birth" which has been posted to the internet, and is legally different from the "long from" Birth Certificate. The "live birth" on the "short form" can take place anywhere on Earth, and consequently the short form "Certificate of Live Birth" is NOT LEGAL in even the Hawaiian courts.

This is the Hawaiian legal statute regarding Certificates of Live Birth:

“[§338-17.8] Certificates for children born out of State. [emphasis mine]

(a) Upon application of an adult or the legal parents of a minor child, the director of health shall issue a birth certificate for such adult or minor, provided that proof has been submitted to the director of health that the legal parents of such individual while living without the Territory or State of Hawaii had declared the Territory or State of Hawaii as their legal residence for at least one year immediately preceding the birth or adoption of such child.

(b) Proof of legal residency shall be submitted to the director of health in any manner that the director shall deem appropriate. The director of health may also adopt any rules pursuant to chapter 91 that he or she may deem necessary or proper to prevent fraudulent applications for birth certificates and to require any further information or proof of events necessary for completion of a birth certificate.

(c) The fee for each application for registration shall be established by rule adopted pursuant to chapter 91. [L 1982, c 182, §1]”
See the actual Statute on the Hawaii Government website

Do you understand that?

As long as an adult can walk into Hawaii’s version of the Department of Records and provide proof that they are a legal resident of Hawaii one year preceeding the birth, the document is issued.

The child, on the other hand, could have been born in Hawaii, Kenya, or a back-alley in Budapest. (Thanks to Tom O'Halloran)

Pray for America. Pray for the World.

Frances Drake

Today is the NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER...

noreply@blogger.com (Frances) — Thu, 06 May 2010 16:36:00 +0000

Today is the NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER...as must be every day henceforth... IF we are to survive. For the first time in U.S. history we are facing the destruction of every freedom which we hold dear.

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." — Ephesians 6:12

Our Father in Heaven,

This is our fault. We have not been vigilant. We have lost our first love, and committed every sin known to man or to You. Forgive us, Lord. Cleanse us and our nation. Bring us back to You. Make us the people and nation which You meant us to be. From the depths of our souls we cry to You... Bring us back to You! Put Your Spirit in us to pray without ceasing... to listen and hear what You want us to do... and give us Your Strength to then do as You command...Without reservation,

In Jesus' Name I pray.

“And My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NASB

Elections of November 2008: Reprise

noreply@blogger.com (Frances) — Thu, 06 May 2010 13:44:00 +0000

As I am sure that you are aware, I am an unashamed patriot. I love my country desperately. But it is a country in distress. That is the symbolism of the upside down flag which you see above. The literal meaning of the upside down flag is "Save Our Souls". Perhaps you have heard the term as "SOS". Today is our National Day of Prayer...but more on that in a few minutes. First I would like to revisit November 5, 2008, so that you may understand the source of the distress.

Voting, the Rule of Law, and Election Post-mortem

America is a country under law. I'm proud of that. It has just gone through one of the unique processes in the history of world politics. It has decided to have a complete change in its government, without a single shot being fired. We do this every four years. There has been a hard fought election campaign and record voter turnout. People have exercised their right... and their duty to vote. We can all only hope that we've voted wisely, for ultimately we are responsible for the government which we choose.

The American government was designed with multiple layers of checks and balances. The three different branches of the government, the Executive, the Legislative, and the Judicial, are designed to serve as restraints upon each other... in an ideal situation. The two main political parties, along with the minor parties, prevent any one group from gaining total control over the rest of the populace... in an ideal situation.

We are not now going to have an ideal situation. This would be the case no mater the winning party. The caution that we face is that one political party can now control almost all legislation and appointments with little restraint. Regardless of anyone’s political belief, this is not good for the future of our country, or the world. Other countries have had similar situations, and none have been happy for long.

Voters, of America and the entire World, it is imperative that we understand the issues of our governments, and inform our representatives of how we think that they should vote and conduct themselves. Then we must hold them accountable.

This is the reason that I haven't been active on Frances Writes. I have been informing myself of the consequences of our new administration's actions, and informing as many others as God has given me the power to do so. My Friends, America did NOT choose wisely. The administration which was elected has systematically set about destroying everything which has made America a "light to the World". Inspite of an overwhelming disaproval of the voters for this disasterous course, the administration has ignored our wishes.

The American Dream is in danger...and with it, the rest of the World is in DANGER!

God bless you all,

Frances Drake

Writing to Save My Country
If you want to know more please join me at,
Frances Drake on Facebook

A Blessed Passover To My Jewish Friends...Let Freedom Ring!

noreply@blogger.com (Frances) — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 23:23:00 +0000

As of sunset this evening, one of the world's great religions will begin observing possibly the oldest feast to freedom that we know of, Pesach, or as is more commonly known, Passover.

For almost four thousand years the Jews of the world have been asking, "Why is this night different from all other nights?" It is the night on which they remember the joy of gaining their freedom after four hundred years of slavery to Egypt, and the sorrow of the cost of that freedom to their former masters. Freedom is never free.

Through these people, the world has been given the inestimable gifts of the concepts of freedom with responsibility, and the rule of just law rather than the rule of might. We can only say, thank you to our Jewish friends.

Happy Passover
Let Freedom Ring
Shalom aleichem

Frances

Wishing You a Happy and Blessed Resurrection Sunday...

noreply@blogger.com (Frances) — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 16:26:00 +0000

Good Morning My Friends.

Joy to the World! Resurrection Sunday is the most joyful day of the year for a Christian. It is the celebration of the guarantee that we will live forever with the God who loves us enough to die for our freedom. My post last Easter gives a full explanation of what this means and how you can experience it for yourself. Please accept my invitation to read and think about this here:

Frances Writes: He Is Risen

This morning I want to share with you a video of one of my favorit hymns, CHRIST THE LORD HAS RISEN TODAY. Now, this is the way that this should be sung. May God be with you all.

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He Is Risen.

Frances

Wishing you every blessing.

noreply@blogger.com (Frances) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:49:00 +0000

Let us give thanks to God for the great and fragil gift of FREEDOM which He has bestowed upon this nation. Let us never let its light go out of the World. God bless and keep you all.

Frances
Maranatha

What's Been Happening...

noreply@blogger.com (Frances) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:04:00 +0000

I have been some kind of busy since last posting, and am going to have to play catch-up. You know... with getting a new phone line to replace the one that the lightning melted. That's still not completely finished. We're going to have to talk to Ma Bell, aka AT&T, about finishing hooking up the new line and removing the temporary one. The new line had to be buried because of my all my trees. At least we got that far. Your guess is as good as mine to finishing the connection.

Also, the old power adaptor for the computer indeed did succumb to the effects of the lightning strike. Evidently the wires were so weaked that they simply broke... at the most inconvenient moment, of course. However, the Lord has provided, and all the bills are being paid. It's been keeping up with the e-mails and online communications which has been killing me. :-)

As for the Lord providing, my church has a crew of men who handle emergencies. They were my angels. Here they are, repairing the roof. Because of their unselfish generosity, I was able to afford it.

And look what a beautiful job that they did. This is Christian love in action. I cannot thank them enough. God bless them, and may we all learn from their example.

Due to recent current events, I've been applying my writing to other areas than to the Science Fiction Romance which is the book of my heart. Pray that I may be able to eventually return to my labor of love. The Supreme Poodle Pasha Zackery still rules, and his HaremKitty MaxiCat followes him everywhere... At the moment, it's my lap. With both of them and the computer, the lap's rather crowded.

Happy Writing and God be with you,

Frances

Writing to inform my friends of what is happening in our nation.

AWOL for the Last Couple of Weeks...

noreply@blogger.com (Frances) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:56:00 +0000

This is my "excuse for being AWOL for the last two weeks. I have been living in "interesting times", as the Chinese say.

First, the plumbing backed up, roots in the drains with accompanying exorbitant bill.

Next, lightening struck near the house, throwing all the breakers, overloaded the computer's adapter, discharging the computer's battery, frying the phone line and the computer's modem. I tried flipping the breakers. Nothing happened. Hence, called the electricians, who came and flipped them making them work and also leaving exorbitant bill. Why the circuits worked for them and not me... go figure.

Ordered new adaptor for computer. Wrong one came in. Called the manufacturer..."Why don't you try the old one again since it's been sitting for a week." Hey, it worked! But, no dial tone... modem fried. Modems in laptops can't be replaced because they are part of the mother board. (**&^#! Got new external modem, with its accompanying exorbitant bill. Worked in the shop. Got home and hitched 'er up. ERROR! Black screen of death. Called computer shop back. "We're sorry, but he's gone home for the weekend." (^%$#!

Took the computer and external modem back to the shop yesterday morning. Everything worked fine. I tell you that inanimate objects are out to get us!

Then after all that, a tree limb, weighing several tons, falls on my office/studio/carport, and I have that to repair and pay for.

The last 15 days have definitely been "interesting". If I disappear again, it's because I can't pay the phone bill. On top of that, I have over a thousand e-mails staring at me. As I told one of my friends, "This has been one of those time when I've thought of the verse in the Bible where it says, "In all things give thanks, for this is the will of Christ Jesus concerning you." Well, as I stood there looking at the destruction, I said, "God, I just want you to know that it's taking all the faith I've got to give thanks, so please show me something to be thankful about." I am so thankful that He has a sense of humor because lightening hasn't struck me....yet. LOL

"Interesting" sucks!

Non Illegitimati Carborundum!

Frances

Writing Science Fiction Romance

Real Love in a Real Future

2009 PRISM Awards...

noreply@blogger.com (Frances) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 23:39:00 +0000

The Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal chapter of RWA is pleased to announce the final placements in the 2009 Prism Contest.

Dark Paranormal:

First Place: Mona Lisa Craving by Sunny

Second Place: Immortals: The Redeeming by Jennifer Ashley

Third Place: Hotter After Midnight by Cynthia Eden

Light Paranormal:

First Place: Wicked Game by Jeri Smith-Ready

Second Place:La Vida Vampire by Nancy Haddock

Third Place: The Trouble with Moonlight by Donna MacMeans

Erotica:

First Place: Siren Singing by Isabo Kelly

Second Place:Carnal Desires by Crystal Jordan

Third Place: A Mermaid's Kiss by Joey W. Hill

Fantasy:

First Place: The Dragon Master by Allyson James

Second Place:Dragonborn by Jade Lee

Third Place: King of Sword & Sky by C.L. Wilson

Novella:

First Place: "Dark Nest" by Leanna Renee Hieber

Second Place: "Kung Fu Shoes!" by Jade Lee in These Boots were Made forStomping

Third Place: "The Spacetime Pool" by Catherine Asaro in Analog Science Factand Fiction magazine

Futuristic:

First Place: Shades of Dark by Linnea Sinclair

Second Place:Fallen by Claire Delacroix

Third Place: Moonstruck by Susan Grant

Time Travel:

First Place: Twist by Colby Hodge

Second Place:A Sexy Time of It by Cara Summers

Third Place: Madman's Dance by Jana G. Oliver

Young Adult:

First Place: Sleepless by Terri Clark

Second Place:CHOSEN: A House of Night Novel by P.C. Cast

Third Place: Cave of Terror by Amber Dawn Bell

Best First Book:

La Vida Vampire by Nancy Haddock

Best of the Best:

The Dragon Master by Jennifer Ashley w/a Allyson James

Congratulations to all who placed, and a big thank you to all who entered,all who judged, and to the FF&P board for making it all possible.

Jennette Heikes & Theresa Kovian,

FF&P Prism Contest Coordinators

******

And congratulations to all of my friends who won, and who have been such an encouragement for my writing. Thank you. I hope that I can get to know the rest of you soon. You did well.

Frances

Writing Science Fiction Romance

Real Love in a Real Future

My Secret Garden – July 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Frances) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:54:00 +0000

How doth my garden grow? Until day before yesterday... it didn’t! Don't take this picture seriously. I just loved the kitschyness of it.

After a spring of rain, rain, rain, jungle, jungle, jungle, we’ve gone for over two months with less than ½ inch of water from heaven...which we have now gotten... yes, day before yesterday! Flowers, basically, had stopped; and, their leaves wilted and turned brown. Even the grass stopped growing, and I haven’t had to mow in weeks. Last night it poured and we're expecting more later. Hurrah! Just so long as it doesn't storm violently. Such are the vagaries of summer gardens of the Deep South. If we can't eat it, and it isn’t watered by God, it doesn’t grow. On my hill...it is root hog or die.

Except...we did water the vegetable garden which my roommate and I planted in my patio. I have success to report in this department. Well, qualified success. The Supreme Poodle Pasha Zackery, MaxieHaremKitty, and catnip have done their work. They have been ferocious defenders of the growing larder (they both like lasanga). This year, the deer haven’t gotten fat at our table’s expense. Houston, we have tomatoes. The watermelon, squash, cucumber and eggplant have been busts. Never made it off the launch pad. But there have been other problems in our organic garden.

First, it was the roly-polies. They are those tiny grey crustaceans which roll up into a ball when you touch them and are supposed to clean up dead leaves. Except, they decided that tiny new plants, dianthus in particular, were gourmet provinder! Sorry, the dianthus had to go... and the roly-polies returned to their proper duties.

Next, it has been the Tomato Horn Worms. They’re about the size of your little finger, and are truly voracious

MONSTERS. My roommate calls them the “pedophiles of the garden”. She says Horn Worms like ‘em “young and tender”. Yes, I know, vulgar, but she did give me permission to use the phrase. It isn’t a patch on what she really said the morning she found the top growth eaten off of all our tomato plants, so thank your lucky stars for my tender sensibilities in not repeating her exact words. Picking these worms off the plants over several days and spraying the plants with a Pears soap solution did the trick. The plants are now recovering and continuing to produce. We hear that pure diatomaceous earth works on both roly-polies and horn worms. Oh, well, next year!

Last night we had the first real rain since May. Everything has perked back up. The cashmere bouquet and summer phlox are no longer wilted, but are beginning to bloom again. The confederate jasmine has also started blooming once more. The daylilies are all rebloomers, but will take some time to recover. The next flowers to bloom on my garden calendar are the Philippine Lilies and the Naked Lady Lilies. I’ll post pictures as they open.

Happy writing, happy gardening,

Frances

Gardening and Writing Science Fiction Romance
Real Love in a Real Future

P.S. I haven't forgotten about History, Part III!

I'm Guest Blogging...Come for a Visit!

noreply@blogger.com (Frances) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 02:05:00 +0000

If you've never been to The Galaxy Express, you're in for a treat. Heather Massey has created the absolutely, greatest spot on the web for Science Fiction Romance fans to get the latest news and to simply have fun.

I'm going to be guest blogging at The Galaxy Express, tomorrow, Sunday, July 12. Please stop in for a visit. Heather asked me to blog on "Parallel Universe", and she is having some awesome articles from terrific bloggers.

Actually, she named the week of guest blogging "Parallel Universe"; but, being the literal clone of my mother, I took her at her word and wrote on...you guessed it..."Parallel Universes." *G*

Happy reading and writing,
　
Frances Drake

Writing Science Fiction Romance

Real Love in a Real Future

Happy Fourth of July, 2009...

noreply@blogger.com (Frances) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:05:00 +0000

This has been around for some time, but it is always worth remembering. Thank you American Liberty Alliance for reminding me. Remember that clicking on the picture will give you the full size.

As we go into Independence Day weekend, it's important to remember the sacrifice behind this great and Historic day.

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.

They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton. At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson Jr, noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over his home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The Redcoats jailed his wife, and she died within a few months. John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart.

Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates.

Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild-eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on theprotection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."

They gave you and me a free and independent America. The history books never told you a lot about what happened in the Revolutionary War. We didn't fight just the British. We were British subjects at that time and we fought our own government! Some of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn't. So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid.

Remember: freedom is never free!

***************

Whatever you're doing this weekend, be that a Tea Party (click here for a location near you) or just time with friends and family... remember the sacrifice our founding fathers made. The American Liberty Alliance wishes you a very safe and Happy Independence Day!

For Liberty,

Eric OdomExecutive Director American Liberty Alliance

***************

My post on History, Part III will be online next week.

Frances

History, Part II

noreply@blogger.com (Frances) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 21:16:00 +0000

One of the more enjoyable things that I did, last week, was to cross index what I was reading about the ancient Mesopotamian empires with timeline reference books and the Bible. It's a really cool exercise, and I got a far better insight into the people and events which I had only read about in...well, let’s not go there.

Case in point: During the week, I also watched the movie, the 300. I know, you’re snickering because it’s based on a comic book; but, it is “sort of” about real events in a real time. Besides, it was fun. So cut me some slack already. I’ll admit it. I was enjoying the eye candy. However, I also happened to remember something that I hadn’t thought of for many years, and wouldn’t have now if it weren’t for the cross indexing which I’d been doing.

Did you ever wonder why Xerxes, King of the Persian Empire, went after those poor little Greeks? There is always a reason. Stop and think about it, and while you’re at it, check out the crazy costume. Think that the real Xerxes would’ve been caught dead in that get up? I don’t think so. LOL

Anyway, Xerxes had the world by the tail. He had the best of everything: money, power, taxes, trade routes, taxes, people, taxes, lands, money. You get the picture. Why would he ever go half way across the world to mess with some mean, freedom loving, hairy, smelly Greek savages, who hadn’t been out of their caves for more than a few weeks by Persian standards. The Greeks had nothing which the Persians needed or even really wanted. So far, I haven’t found where history gives us sufficient reason for the wealthy, urbane Xerxes to whoop up on the Greek hillbillies. This simply never made sense to me. The economics of supplying his army, by itself, gives me a headache.

So I decided to play my favorite game, “What If?” What reason could possibly pull Xerxes out of his cities and palaces and make him go to a far off land to attack some nobodies? But first, I had to get inside Xerxes’ brain.

When I started connecting the dots from my various reference books, and linked them to what I was finding in the Bible, I came up with what I think might be a plausible reason for a potentate to suddenly travel a great distance just to beat up on a bunch of squabbling rustics.

I think that it would make a pretty good plot point for a novel.

“To be continued,” she said laughing maniacally. *VEG*

Come back for a visit, and happy reading and writing,

Frances

Writing Science Fiction Romance

Real Love in a Real Future

Sick Computers... Life Without Them and History, Part I

noreply@blogger.com (Frances) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:22:00 +0000

First let me tell you why I've been AWOL. My computer had been giving me fits for two months; and after first consulting the phone company and having all my lines checked; then, calling the manufacturer and running tests; it was concluded that the baby had to go to the doctor. My hard drive was failing very s.l..0...w....l.....y. Good news! We got to it in time. No data was lost. I still have all of my research and my Work in Progress, undamaged.

Whatever would I do with myself while the baby was in the 'puter hospital?

I had fun! Obviously, I worked on my research for my Science Fiction Romance WIP by studying ancient Sumer, Assyria, and Babylonia. My primary interests were their laws and customs and how I could adapt them to the alien culture which I have been creating. Did you know that they have found the world’s oldest joke book in one of the Sumerian libraries? As you can tell, I'm easily diverted. Six thousand year old jokes, from a civilization, foreign in both time and space, and humor still revolved around the digestive tract and sex. The same tasteless jokes that eleven year olds are still telling. Who’d a thunk it? Technology changes. People don't. Or have they?

Happy imagining. Life Without Them and History, Part II coming soon. Now, I only have about a thousand e-mails to catch up on. ARRRGH!

Frances

Writing Science Fiction Romance

Real Love in a Real Future

How Doth My Secret... Jungle Grow?

noreply@blogger.com (Frances) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 19:01:00 +0000

Err, ah, I meant my garden... It’s supposed to be a garden? Isn’t it?

June is the month of unbridled growth in the US Deep South and I can’t keep up with it! Never have, and probably never will. I might as well face facts. The grass is going to remain above my knees this month. Perhaps I can catch up next month.

The overwhelming color in my garden is VIRULENT JUNGLE GREEN! Of course there are other colors too. Lots of other colors! I have many aims in my garden: twelve months of bloom; gaudy color; good smell; feed the birds; feed the butterflies; and above all... be able to survive without any effort from me!

Remember that if you want to see a larger version of any of the pictures, simply click on the picture.

New Gold Lantana attracts butterflies and humming birds. Be careful of lantanas, because the berries are extremely poisonous. This variety has almost no berries. It was developed at Mississippi State University and exceptionally well suited to mid-latitude growing zones. It’s a good, hardy plant.

Homestead Purple Verbena also attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Very hardy. Mow it after its first bloom and it will bloom again.

Butterfly Weed, also known as Pleurisy Root by herbalists, is... you got it... loved by butterflies and hummingbirds. Slow starter, but very hardy after established. The North American Indians used a tea from its roots as an expectorant.

Multiple Daylilies, old fashioned orange (single and double), yellow, pink, peach, orange, bright red, deep black red, purple, and all sorts of multi-colors. With new hybridizing, they come in almost every color, are fragrant, and the band ought to play ruffles and flourishes in their honor.

Oakleaf Hydrangea, wild, all through my woods. A very large, stately shrub.

Old Fashioned, Heirloom Hydrangea, you know, the type that your great grandmother had, and were used to decorate for your grade school graduation. They can be anywhere from blue to purple to pink, depending upon how the mood strikes them.

Buddleias, both pink and blue, have a wonderful, delicate fragrance, and of course... are loved by butterflies and hummingbirds.

Gardenia fragrance can be almost overwhelming, so I recommend not planting them too close to the house. They can get pretty large and need pruning... which for me is a pain. However, the cuttings root easily. I love them.

Magnolia Grandiflora, wonderful, lemony fragrance, and I just found a new tree growing on my hill this spring. Whoopee! I need all of these large evergreen trees that I can get.

Cashmere Bouquet can be a spectacular garden THUG. It’s decided to take over one of my beds and... everyone loves it! I guess I’ll let it stay. The flowers were used for the perfume and soap which our grandmothers loved. The flowers do smell wonderful. However, don’t mess with the leaves. They stink worse than a skunk!

White Yarrow is a lovely white light in a deep green jungle. Before the advent of modern medicine, its leaves were used to stop bleeding.

My roommate decided to engage in biological warfare for the vegetable garden. Besides planting the garden in the patio under the bedroom window, so that the Supreme Poodle Pasha Zackery can guard it, and he has been diligent, she has planted catnip among the tomatoes, peppers and squash. Now, Her Serene Highness Maxine, the royal Harem Kitty, has taken up residence in the middle of our vegetable garden. No one, but no one is allowed to approach her catnip. Heaven help the deer this year.

After days and days of rain, it has been an absolutely gorgeous day here. I wish the same for you.

Happy gardening, happy reading, and happy writing,

Frances

Writing Science Fiction Romance
Real Love in a Real Future

Change Is Good...

noreply@blogger.com (Frances) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:45:00 +0000

I hope!

I've enjoyed the Reflection Nebula, NGC 1435, as my blog header since December. However, it's June now, and I feel the overwhelming urge to rearrange the furniture. MORE COLOR! Therefore, I'm replacing "Reflection" with the Fox Fur Nebula, from the NGC 2264 region of the Monoceros (Unicorn) constellation. Click on the picture below for a larger view. I use it as my screen saver. Thank you NASA and Hubble!

Monoceros is just to the south of Orion and Gemini, winter constellations, and just below the star Procyon (click on the Labels below the post for maps). If you decide to start looking for it, now, during the early Summer, the only way you might be able to see it is to look low in the West, for a brief time after sunset. Sorry about that!

I just decided to make the header more colorful. There are so many beautiful astronomy pictures available, so get used to change. It's the X-chromosome, ya know.

;-D

I hope that you like it.

Frances

Writing Science Fiction Romance

Real Love in a Real Future

My Followers...

noreply@blogger.com (Frances) — Thu, 28 May 2009 16:55:00 +0000

I just want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who follow my blog. Please accept this bouquet from me. It's very important for me to know you. I follow almost all of your blogs. When I don't know (or can't remember... CRS Syndrome, you understand?) where we've met, it leaves a hole for me. If we haven't talked, please go to my Profile page and e-mail me. I'd love to know more about you.

Loving talking to you all,

Frances

Writing Science Fiction Romance

Real Love in a Real Future

A Memorial Day Prayer...

noreply@blogger.com (Frances) — Mon, 25 May 2009 01:42:00 +0000

Hear, O Soldier who sleeps!

O Soldier who faithfully awaits the final trumpet

of your Commander-in-Chief!

Hear O Soldier who sleeps!

We honor you for defending us and the freedoms

which we hold dear.

Remember as you dream, O Soldier,

That there are those who still honor your sacrifice...

and your Commander-in-Chief.

The Meaning of Memorial Day

If you have the inclination, and would like to help our servicemen and women, and their families, the following links are all highly rated by charity watchdog organizations:

National Military Family Association
Fisher House ~ helping military families

Frances

Writing Science Fiction Romance
Real Love in a Real Future