Cool Water by Nancy M Bell

 

Chance's Way releases in September 2021. To find out more about Nancy's work please click on the cover. 

Water. It's something most people take for granted. Not me. I grew up in a house with a shallow well, every August it would go dry for a short period. There is nothing more heart stopping than turning on the tap and nothing comes out. The number of things we use water for without realizing it is mind blowing. Everything from washing dishes, to showers, to flushing the toilet...the list is endless.

Maybe I'm weird, but every time I  turn on the tap and water comes out give up a silent thanks to the earth who shares her life blood with me. In the shower I offer up a silent prayer of thanks for the luxury of having clean water pour over me, washing more than bodily dirt away. What would happen if the rivers ceased to flow? The lakes dry up into windblown plains? 

The sound of running taps or the pump kicking in and out will still wake me up from a sound sleep. Such are the lessons we learn in childhood. I currently live on a farm that depends on well water and I husband it carefully. I think of well water as 'living water' it is straight from the depths of the earth, cold enough to freeze my hands after a few minutes. It isn't treated or 'civilized' or 'purified' it is just what is meant to be....water. Life giving, life sustaining water.  

This summer is one of the driest and hottest we've had in many years here in southern Alberta. It's only June 28th and the grass is dry and brittle under my bare feet, the pavement hot enough to produce burns on unwary feet of humans and animals. The wide but shallow slough in the pasture is dark brown mud right now, the water gone from the surface but still lurking below waiting for a good rain to bring it back into the light.  

So, the next time you turn on a tap and water gushes forth, give a prayer of thanks and appreciate the bounty provided by nature. Fresh water is not a commodity to be traded or made money off of, regardless of what some think.  Fresh water is a give from the gods and goddesses, or God if you prefer. Not to be taken for granted and not to be taken lightly. Just for second imagine life without water...

Until next month, stay safe.  

Experiment ala Janet Lane Walters #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Mint Tea series #Opposites in Love series

 Opposites in Love

THE EXPERIMENT

 

Jude and I decided to do an experiment with my books. Since I write series, a lot of them we decided to start with one series. The Mint Tea series

 

So far, the series has done great, especially with my Amazon numbers. Murder and Mint Tea is free and what has happened is the rest of the books are being purchased. Also the number or ratings has climbed and some reviews added. Not all are great but reviews often aren’t.

 We have decided to do another series and see what we can do. The Aries Libra Connection is now free everywhere and finally hit Amazon. Now we will see what happens With this grouping.

 

With some luck they will take the same path that the Mint Tea Series ahs done. Then I will try a third time, this time with one of the fantasy series.

 

Such a nice birthday present for this 85 year old. Though as I tell the family, I am only one day older than I was yesterday.

 

My Places

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 http://bookswelove.net/

 http://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com

https://www.pinterest.com/shadyl717/

 

Buy Mark

https://bookswelove.net/walters-janet-lane/

 

 

Life by numbers, by J.C. Kavanagh

The Twisted Climb - Darkness Descends
Book 2 of the award-winning Twisted Climb series

Life.

Is it defined by your age?

By your experiences?

By your attitude? 

The Canadian Oxford Paperback Dictionary (yes, I'm a dinosaur) defines 'life' as:

1. the condition which distinguishes active animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, functional activity, and continual change preceding death

2. a) living things and their activity, b) human presence or activity, c) the human condition; existence

3. the period during which life lasts, or the period from birth to the present time or from the present time to death

There are nine more contextual definitions of the word 'life' in this dictionary. So then, what does life mean for you?

Is life for you getting up in the morning, putting in eight hours of work, taking care of kids, doing laundry, making meals, cleaning up, cleaning house, going to bed? Then repeat the next day?

Or is life a struggle - paying bills and groceries on overdraft, dealing constantly with an irritable spouse, having little or no encouragement from your boss/colleagues, and being unable to eyeball oneself in the mirror?

Well, life changes. One day it's good. One day, not so good.

In the last six months, I've been reminded of how fleeting life is. Friends and colleagues have passed away, suddenly. Young people who grew up with my children, now adults, are dying from cancer. Covid too, has claimed so many lives. 

Life is like the paint-by-number kits. Except you paint it yourself: you decide the tone, the colours and contrasts, and you decide your happiness. Your emotions. Your attitude. You pick the number, you paint it. It's what Jayden's dad tells her in The Twisted Climb series. He says, "You are the painter. Make your life a masterpiece."

Some people believe that life is defined by the number of years you've lived. I think it's defined by the number of lives you've touched. Good, bad or indifferent, we make an impact on everyone we meet and interact with.

So if there are numbers involved with life, here are my numbers to live by:

1. Smile because you can; it's contagious

2. Love. Love more. Just love.

3. Laugh, it's music for the soul

4. Be kind - to yourself

5. Be kind - to others

6. Be thankful for what you have

7. Enjoy nature's beauty and majesty

8. Gaze with awe to the heavens

9. Dream

10. Make a difference

11. Never give up

12. Be your masterpiece

J.C. Kavanagh, author of 

The Twisted Climb - Darkness Descends (Book 2) 

voted BEST Young Adult Book 2018, Critters Readers Poll and Best YA Book FINALIST at The Word Guild, Canada 

AND 

The Twisted Climb,

voted BEST Young Adult Book 2016, P&E Readers Poll

Novels for teens, young adults and adults young at heart

Email: author.j.c.kavanagh@gmail.com

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www.amazon.com/author/jckavanagh

Twitter @JCKavanagh1 (Author J.C. Kavanagh)

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