~SLEEPING WITH THE DOGS~

A Literary Review of Thema Math & Music

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 13:10:00 +0000

My short story "Lenny's Gold" appears in the new edition of Thema Math & Music.

The following is a literary review from Magazine Stand/ NewPages.com

THEMA’s autumn 2010 issue, Math & Music, explores the relationships between the intertwined disciplines of mathematics and music, whether it’s a harpist trying to find-tune her harp to mathematical precision with an exuberant child distracting her, as in Cheryl Walsh’s “Unequal Temperaments,” or a card shark obsessed with numbers, as in “Counting Cards,” by Stephen Leonard, or a mathematical genius explaining the magical connection between math and music to a clueless colleague, as in “Ones and Half-Notes,” by Edgar Newgate. In these pages of THEMA, the stories and poems all add up to make music in the written word.

To order the book, please visit THEMA's website.

I'm sorry for the delay in blogging, but I am glad to be back and thank you for sticking with me!

SHARING THE LOVE: BLIND CAT "LUCY" NEEDS A HOME

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 13:34:00 +0000

~SHARING THE LOVE FOR THE LOST~

Lucy Needs A Home!

Lucy is a spayed five-year-old (~DOB 6/2005) domestic longhair. She has great markings, a beautiful ruff around her neck and tufts between her toes - declawed in front.She was a runaway, rescued last fall and her original home was never found. She's blind, probably since birth, but gets around well once she learns her space. She won't jump up on anything if she can't reach the top while standing on her hind legs - a chair or bed is about her limit (her favorite perch is a padded chair).

She's quiet, affectionate without being demanding, and she's playful with the right toy (something plushy that makes a bit of noise is best). She doesn't chase toys but is very good at batting at and wrestling with dangling toys. She relies heavily on her sense of smell and taste so she likes to lick your fingers and will give affectionate nips.

Her blindness means she is a "special needs" cat. She should be an only pet; she feels threatened by other cats (how she gets along with dogs is unknown). She's only being given up for adoption because there's another cat in her current home that she won't accept. A stable and quiet household without young children would be best. It takes her a while to learn a new place - she'll stick to one room at first and it may take a few weeks before she's confident in a new home.

Lucy loves to be brushed and her beautiful coat requires brief brushing once or twice a day to help avoid hairballs. She's currently fed the hairball control IAMS dry cat food. She is also given Petromalt, a toothpaste-like dietary lubricant in a tube. About 3/4" every other day allows Lucy to pass hairballs. It's fish flavored so she thinks it's a treat.

Let's show Lucy some love! If you can help, please pass this info/blog to people who might be interested in bringing Lucy into their family. You can contact me through this blog, or Michael Holmes at the information below.

Michael Holmes
holmes.cmd@gmail.com
765-285-0138

A SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY/RANDOM THOUGHTS

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Wed, 12 May 2010 20:54:00 +0000

RANDOM THOUGHTS & REFLECTIONS

I am so proud of my kids! They are the true blessings in my life. I have just returned from a trip to Colorado to attend my son Dustin's graduation from Naropa University. He graduated with a 3.9 grade average and earned two degrees. One in Writing and another in Environmental Studies. He has worked so hard for everything he has, and for everything he will become. He has grown into an outstanding young man with capabilities far beyond my imagination. You can visit Dustin's blog and sample his writing at this link. Animal Verse .

     Dustin and his wife Emily are expecting their first child in August- a baby boy. I am absolutely thrilled with the idea that I'm going to be a Grandmother!
   My daughter Brittny, whom I wrote about in the Chicken Soup For The Soul book, has grown into an amazing young woman. She is intelligent, mature and wonderful. Brittny knows who she is and knows what she wants out of life...and I couldn't be more proud of her!
   Our local newspaper, The Anderson Herald Bulletin, interviewed me for a Mother's Day story about the Chicken Soup Book and mentioned Sleeping With The Dogs, the book and the blog. You can read the article here:The Anderson Herald Bulletin   It's time to get back to writing and blogging...Janine

Contest Winners Announced

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 09:09:00 +0000

Thank you for your participation and support. I wish I could give everyone a copy of the book, Chicken Soup For The Soul: Thanks Mom-but I only had 2 to give away. The winners names are :

Carla Groves

Vanessa Pinto

Books will ship this week!

If you wish to purchase a copy of the book at a great price, see Amazon link below.

I haven't been on the computer much this week due to being sick, but will be back soon.

Chicken Soup For The Soul Thanks Mom Book Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 12:18:00 +0000

Just a reminder~I will be giving away 2 brand new copies of the book Chicken Soup For The Soul, Thanks Mom. The giveaway ends April 16th 2010. To enter, subscribe or follow this blog, and leave a comment on one of the posts. Names will be drawn at random. Winners notified by email and posted on the blog.

A FREE GIFT FOR MOM!

I have been reading my copy of the book and it is a great read with many heartwarming, wonderful stories. The perfect way to honor your mother this Mother's Day. Please visit Chicken Soup For The Soul's website for more inspiring books.

CAT HURLED OVER FENCE ~STOP ANIMAL CRUELTY MONTH

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 16:48:00 +0000

Excerpt Adapted From The Journals Of Rhonda Estes...

Christmas Eve

December 24, 2009

Today was a day full of tears. A large declawed cat was tossed over the fence like a bag of trash. Garbage that someone didn't want anymore. A toy they were bored with and no longer needed...

His fur dangled from the barbed wire at the top of the fence and blood seeped from the small wound near his mouth. The group of shelter dogs that were out for their potty break attacked.

Our wonderful staff was able to secure the traumatized feline and get him to safety...

April is designated as Prevention For The Cruelty To Animals Month

~How You Can Help~

Please help spread awareness by donating to your favorite charity. Volunteering at your local Animal Shelter or Humane Society.
Adopt and love a shelter pet.

Go Orange For The Animals with ASPCA.

Visit/support animal welfare organizations on the web.

Fool's Day, Facebook and Poe

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 15:25:00 +0000

I fell for it.

I took a quiz on Facebook titled "Which Crazy Writer Are You?"

Then it went on to describe: Writers tend to be an eccentric bunch. They drink too much, act out in public, have substance-abuse problems, have unique personal lives, and often expire before their prime. They also have very distinct personalities. Take this quiz to find out which writer you are most like!

Like a fool, (and it was April Fool's Day) I took the quiz, found my results, and was delighted to find that they equal me to Edgar Allen Poe.

Until I read the results of the test:

~You are unquestionably brilliant, but you have some issues that only long, intensive bouts of therapy can cure. You are obsessed with ideas of claustrophobia, and you tend to describe these situations in terms that sound suspiciously like a womb; you also are likely to ...marry your 13 year-old cousins. No wonder guilt is a main theme of your writing - Freud would have a field day with you! Unfortunately, you're much more likely to self-medicate with opium and alcohol than to seek help; it's hard to describe your mommy issues when you're lying in a Providence, RI, gutter.

OUCH!

Okay, maybe Poe and I have nothing in common after all. He was brilliant, that much I know. He never would have taken a Facebook quiz, that much I know. And this shot of Tequila tastes damn good going down, that much I do know...
Have a great day, everybody!

WRITING DEADLINES, LINKS, SUBMISSIONS, THEMES

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 12:55:00 +0000

The following magazines/websites are accepting poetry and fiction submissions with an April deadline. Please visit the links for additional info:

Pill Hill Press Theme: Halloween mysteries Deadline: April15, 2010
Ecotone Theme: Sex and/or Death Deadline: April 15, 2010
The Other Journal Theme: The Food Issue Deadline: April 15, 2010
The Oleander Review Theme: Open Deadline: April 15, 2010

SNM Horror Magazine Theme: May Monstrosities Deadline: April 20, 2010

Flashquake Theme: Open Deadline: April 20 2010

A great website/blog to visit: Dream Of Things

Don't forget to enter my book giveaway! The contest runs until April 16, 2010. Just subscribe/follow the blog, and leave a comment. All current followers are already entered into the random drawing.
Prizes: Two copies of Chicken Soup For The Soul, Thanks Mom
I am a contributing author and my story "Lasting Impressions" begins on page 210.

Chicken Soup For The Soul

Visit their website, they have many book projects in the works!

Abby And Longfellow: A Wordless Day

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 14:34:00 +0000

The Poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow died exactly 128 years ago. His poetry illuminated hidden truths in nature, ourselves, and the world around us. He wrote with style, grace and lyrical beauty. He arranged language on paper into living, breathing morsels of thought. And he made it look easy!

For me, words can be so confusing! Grammar haunts me. Spit and polish, edits and rewrites. I've been struggling all week with a problematic chapter of Sleeping With The Dogs; so when my niece Tiffany called and asked me to babysit Abby yesterday, I gladly accepted.
Abby is a little over a year old and her vocabulary is limited to few words. Ha, a sunny, wordless day! I shoved aside my writing projects, donned a sweater, and took Abby for a walk. Sentence structure be damned! We're going to learn about the mysteries of nature...Longfellow style. I wanted to teach Abby about the murmuring pines, the rocky trails, the shady groves...but it didn't go exactly as planned.

We were half way across the yard when she giggled and held up her foot. Dog poop. So I cleaned her shoe, and we walked to the pines. They didn't murmur. In fact, they looked a little deformed. The pine has one trunk but two heads. No matter. Abby looked completely fascinated as she touched the needles, rubbed the bark.

We continued our journey to the driveway. We played a game where Abby picks up every rock she see's and hands them to me. I say "thank you" and secretly deposit the rocks back into the driveway. We were half way down the blacktop lane when I realized she had secretly deposited one into her mouth. When I asked her if she was eating rocks, she simply opened her mouth and let the rock roll off her tongue onto the road. She tried the same thing a little later with a dead worm but I stopped her before she put it in to her mouth. I had to wonder if this was what Longfellow was talking about when he illuminated those hidden truths in nature and in ourselves.
To make a long story short, our adventure consisted of very few words...but lot's of shrieks and laughter.... until we reached the end of the lane and it was time to go home. I gently turned Abby around, pointed her in the right direction and said, "Let's walk this way." She stopped walking and stared at my feet. I took a step, she took a step. She stared at my feet again. Then it dawned on me, Abby was waiting for me to show her how I wanted her to walk, not where. I swear, words can be so confusing!

Disclaimer-This post is a rough draft. No editing has been done. No spit, no polish!

TWO FREE BOOK GIVEAWAYS~ CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL: THANKS MOM

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:48:00 +0000

I am giving away two free copies of the book Chicken Soup For The Soul:Thanks Mom

~The perfect gift for your mom on Mother's Day, May 9th!

~ CONTEST RULES~

1. Follow publicly or subscribe to this blog by email so I can contact you if you are a winner.

2. Leave a comment and/or sign the guestbook/email me.

3. Two winners will be drawn at random.

4. Contest closes April 16, 2010.

5. Winners notified by email and announced on the blog.

When did you last say “Thanks Mom”?

Chicken Soup for the Soul and Joan Lunden share stories of gratitude about moms COS COB, Conn. –

Moms are exceptional multi-taskers—there is no end to the many ways they support us and the sacrifices they make for us. Unfortunately, the way we express our gratitude to our moms often starts and ends with a card and flowers. We need to be better at saying thanks to our mothers. They spend every day of our lives earning our praise. After numerous New York Times bestselling books for mothers, Chicken Soup for the Soul took a different approach with Chicken Soup for the Soul: Thanks Mom (Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing, LLC, March 2010, 978-1-935096-45-0, $14.95). Instead of collecting stories from moms, the company collected 101 Stories of Gratitude, Love, and Good Times about moms written by their children of all ages. From best-selling authors like Brad Meltzer and Jacquelyn Mitchard to younger contributors such as 12-year-old Kiashaye Leonard, the stories discuss lessons learned, role models and the tremendous impact mothers have on their children. Joining Chicken Soup for the Soul in thanking moms everywhere is television legend Joan Lunden, who wrote the foreword for the book. Joan, the mother of seven children, including three grown-up daughters and two sets of young twins, tells the fascinating story of how her own inspiring mother raised her and her brother after their father died in a plane crash. Joan is one of the most visible moms in America. And even she likes to hear ―thanks,‖ saying, ―It‘s important for moms to know that their children and husbands are grateful.‖ ―That is one of the reasons I am so excited about this terrific Chicken Soup for the Soul book for moms of all ages,‖ Lunden continues. ―I‘ve always loved [this] series, and this book speaks to me in particular, as I am passionate about this subject – moms need to know they are appreciated, that they do make a difference, that their children really are listening and learning important life skills and attitudes from them.. And most importantly… these children, whether sixteen or sixty, love and respect their moms despite the fact that some of them can‘t clean, some of them can‘t cook, some of them weren‘t always there … yes, these moms are not ‗perfect,‘ but they are perfect for their children! It‘s OK to not be everything and be everywhere; you don‘t need to be ‗the perfect mom‘.‖ We all learn different lessons from our moms. Desiree Amadeo learned through her mom‘s Multiple Sclerosis that completing any task, no matter how trivial it may seem, is a stepping stone to a larger goal. Brad Meltzer writes about how his mom singlehandedly made his book a bestseller and taught him that even though she is no longer with him, she lives on through his love. ―I don‘t care where she is – my mother is always there for me,‖ Meltzer says in his story titled, ―What My Mother Gave Me Before She Died,‖ ―Her love is a gift.‖ Popular author Wendy Walker, who co-authored Chicken Soup for the Soul: Power Moms, is the co-author of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Thanks Mom with Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Thanks Mom (Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and Wendy Walker) releases in March 2010. Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing, LLC, publishes all the latest titles in the famous Chicken Soup for the Soul book series which are distributed through Simon and Schuster, Inc. Since 1993, books in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series have sold more than 112 million copies, with titles translated into more than 40 languages. Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing also licenses the right to use its famous trademark to high quality licensees through IMG, the world's premier licensing agent. The company is currently implementing a plan to expand into all media, is working with TV networks on several TV shows and is developing a major Internet presence dedicated to life improvement, emotional support and inspiration. In 2007, USA Today named Chicken Soup for the Soul one of the five most memorable and impactful books in the last quarter century. For more information visit: www.chickensoup.com.

Enter now and good luck!

Be sure to check out my story "Lasting Impressions" on page 210.

Thanks, Janine

RHONDA'S HILARIOUS CALL TO ACTION

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 01:25:00 +0000

I could hear the panic in her voice the minute I answered the call.

"Guess what? I'm moving in," my cousin, Rhonda Estes, blurted into the phone. I held my breath, wondering if she meant she was moving in with me. Our conversations always began like that, with her asking "Guess what?" and then rolling right on into it, whatever it was.

"We're out of money," she continued, " and I'm concerned about the animals so I'm locking myself inside the kennels for 30 days to raise funds."

Rhonda, the adoption coordinator at the Madison County Humane Society in Anderson, Ind., had faced closure before when their former treasurer, now incarcerated, embezzled $65,000.00 from the non-profit organization. They were still reeling from the blow.

"Animal Shelters and Humane Societies across the nation are struggling to survive and many are closing their doors," I pointed out, "it's a tough economy right now."

"I know, but I refuse to give up," Rhonda said, "I'm moving my air mattress in tomorrow and I just wanted to let you know where I'll be."

"So how many dogs will you be sleeping with?" I asked.

"125."

Rhonda laughed. We both laughed. I wished her luck and we hung up the phone.

On December 8, my cousin followed her heart and voluntarily imprisoned herself inside the kennels for a month. She lived on TV dinners heated in the microwave, bathed in a large tub normally reserved for the dogs, and slept on a leaky air mattress until someone donated a roll away cot. She faced cold nights in a drafty building that had no TV reception, and gave up the comforts that most of us take for granted. Her goal was to raise $10,000.00 to keep the shelter open and find forever homes for the strays. With the help of the community, she exceeded that goal. Rhonda raised a record $31,300.00 in 30 days.

"The outpouring of love and support from the community has been overwhelming," she said, blinking back tears as she tells me about the kindness she received from strangers.

Mrs. Fritts, a teacher at Zionsville Middle School in Zionsville, Ind., encouraged her sixth grade students to get involved. They wrote letters to Rhonda, thanking her for saving the animals. They bought a leash and collar, and took up donations, raising $139.00 for the shelter.

"The letters from the children were a blessing," Rhonda said, "they were the best gifts I have ever received. I am going to visit the class to share pictures and stories, and thank them in person."

Although the lock-in caused Rhonda to miss Christmas with her family, she held an Open House with Santa for her canine cohorts on December 19. He brought presents, and had a photo session with the visitors and the animals. Many people dropped off donations and supplies for the shelter, and some just came to visit.

On Christmas Eve, as she was heading back to the kennel area to bed down with the dogs for the night, she heard a knock on the front door. When she answered it, she found a family standing on the stoop holding steaming trays of food.

"Turkey, stuffing, candy and fudge--complete strangers brought Christmas dinner to me," she said. "Working in a shelter, you see horrific abuse done to animals, but this experience has opened my eye's to the love, the compassion in people. It's been humbling and inspiring."

Rhonda kept a daily journal of her adventures from the inside as a reminder of those blessings.

"The dogs are fun to be with," she said, "and I think they loved having me here. The nightly howling sessions were a hoot. One dog, usually Mattie, would utter a low howl, and one by one, cage by cage, we had a whole concert going on. I didn't get much sleep, but the sacrifice was a small one."

According to Rhonda, who has worked at the Madison County Humane Society since 1995, it takes about $20,000.00 a month to run the no-kill shelter and they rely strictly on donations.

"We have a small staff with big hearts, and our volunteers are always ready to go that extra mile. Without them, we would be lost. If we close, what will happen to the animals? Some of them, like the dogs from the puppy mills are just starting to trust people. We will struggle, like others, but I refuse to give up."

Rhonda was released from her beloved prison on January 8, and I'm sure she's already planning her next fund raiser. She called the other day and I let the answering machine pick up.

"Guess what? I'm shaving my head," she blurted into the phone. And then she rolled right on into it.

SLEEPING WITH THE DOGS

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:08:00 +0000

SLEEPING WITH THE DOGS

One Woman's Quest To Save The Animals

I am currently collaborating on a book based on the journals of Rhonda Estes, Adoption Coordinator at the Madison County Humane Society in Anderson, Indiana. The no-kill shelter, home to more than 125 animals, was facing closure due to a previous theft and worsening economic conditions.

      On December 8, 2009, Rhonda Estes followed her heart and voluntarily imprisoned herself inside the kennels for 30 days. She survived on TV dinners heated in the microwave, bathed in a large tub normally reserved for the dogs, and slept on a leaky air mattress until someone donated a roll away cot. She faced cold nights in a drafty building that had no TV reception, and gave up the comforts--and the Holidays with her family-- that most of us take for granted.
     Her goal was to raise $10,000.00 to keep the shelter open and find forever homes for the strays. With the help of the community, she exceeded that goal. Rhonda raised a record $31,300.00 in 30 days. Amazing results for her second time in lock-down!
     On April 7, 2008 she moved in to the shelter to raise money for the animals due to the theft of $65,000.00 from their former treasure-now incarcerated-Rhonda raised $23,000.00 during her 30 day stint on the inside.
   We hope the book will make you laugh, cry, thump your chest, bang your fists, and motivate you to action. Rhonda Estes connected with the animals in an amazing, heartwarming way--this is their story.

You can visit the Madison County Humane Society at the following link:

Madison County Humane Society

PUBLISHING UPDATES

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:00:00 +0000

Chicken Soup for the Soul, Thanks Mom edition will be in bookstores March 23, 2010. Look for my story, "Lasting Impressions".

My fictional story "Lenny's Gold" will appear in the Oct., 2010 issue of Thema, Math and Music.

My first erotic romance story is currently featured in a national magazine under a pen name.

Working on the book proposal, Sleeping With The Dogs-One Woman's Quest To Save The Animals!

Thema

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:27:00 +0000

My story, "Lenny's Gold" has been accepted with Thema for the upcoming issue Math & Music. It will appear in October, 2010. Thema is a theme related literary magazine with a different premise for each issue. My first published fiction story, Fairy-Feet Liar appeared in the Autumn 2003 edition, An Unlikely Alliance. Please visit their website and be sure to order back issues and/or subscribe to this awesome literary journal.

George R. Durgan~A Biography

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:05:00 +0000

After "Sleeping With The Dogs" is published:
I will be working on a biography of the infamous Mayor of Lafayette, Indiana. George Richard Durgan, also known as "The Dandy Little Mayor," he was the city's longest serving chief executive. He later became elected to Congress. Durgan was accused of everything from winking at poker games,(held in the basement of the courthouse), to losing thousands of dollars in city funds. He was also instrumental in opposing the KKK. My ancestor was, to say the least, a very colorful character.

Chicken Soup For The Soul Series

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:42:00 +0000

My story, "Lasting Impressions" has been accepted for inclusion in the Chicken Soup for the Soul Edition, Thank You Mom. It will be out March 23, 2010. Please buy a copy from the publisher or your local bookstore.