SLATE:
A story of faith, temptation, and sacrifice.
I just discovered today that Amazon has put this book on a super sale at 52% off. The paperback normally sells for $7.99, but right now is on sale for $3.81. Amazon has their own funny way of figuring prices, but I don’t ask questions. I just take advantage of them when they do it.
The E-book edition is $0.99.
I just published another book of my dad’s messages from God’s Word. Although he is now in Heaven being rewarded for his 70 + years of faithful ministry, he wanted his teaching to continue to bless people. In keeping with that wish, I have tried to continue publishing works by him, so that they are still available world-wide. This particular book is unique, in that it contains, not only anointed messages from the Word, but also two of my dad’s inspirational short stories. Both of these stories are based loosely on some of his experiences as a Marine during World War II, and are uplifting and encouraging. The book is available in paperback currently, but will also be out as an e-book next month.
You can check out the details and purchase a copy on Amazon.
Samples of products from my art shop featuring some of my most recent artwork. Just enjoy the pictures — or get one of these fun products for yourself at this link:
Art-by-Ahyoka/Redbubble.
I’m still working on my coffee poetry book, and I’m thinking about including this poem in the mix. I’m not sure yet, because I’m not positive it’s clear and understandable. If any of you who read it on here have an opinion about whether the point is clear — or confusing — let me know in the comments. Thanks. And — hopefully — you’ll enjoy it.
A CUP OF JOSEPH DANIELS???
I heard the story this way,
And perhaps it’s mostly true:
That way back when, in World War I,
Coffee’s popularity grew.
It seems a Joseph Daniels,
Navy Secretary then,
Made efforts strong to change some things
And bolster moral men.
He instituted new rules
So Navy guys would think,
And contemplate the consequence
Of inebriating drink.
Banned alcohol consumption,
And, naturally, that led
To stewards brewing coffee more
For sailors to drink instead.
According to the legend,
This mark the guys did toe,
But much disgruntled at their loss,
Nicknamed their coffee “Joe.”
I’m working on a new coffee poetry book. It will include a little more than poems though. I think I’ll use several of the coffee photos and quotes that I used in my coffee lovers journal and intersperse them between the poems. I’ll have to see how the plan works out. Right now, I think it is destined to be more of a “coffee table” book [no pun intended :)] with full color inside. I have loads of coffee poems already written of course, but I have to write some new ones as well. Today, I thought I’d share one of the newest — hot off the press, so to speak.
MY BEVERAGE OF CHOICE
I have a great respect for milk and tea,
And I drink both of them occasion’ly.
I’m not a snob, though some may think me so;
It’s just that I’ve a favorite drink called ‘Joe.’
It’s quite a nickname, that, and quite a tale
Of how it came about, but truth to tell,
That story isn’t pertinent to this rhyme,
So I will share it all another time.
For now, I’d like to focus on my cup.
Its freshly-brewed aroma lifts me up.
The coffee’s hot and black and medium roast.
To celebrate, I’ll make a tasty toast:
To coffee, life’s elixir, piping hot ⸺
The energizing drink that hits the spot.
But comforting as well; it soothes my soul.
My beverage of choice: it wins the poll.
All of my regular readers know how much I LOVE the Smoky Mountains. And recently I created a design using one of my watercolors of the Smokies. That design is available now on several different products from my art shop, so I thought you might enjoy seeing some samples. If you love the Smokies as much as I do, you can find these products and lots more — and make a purchase — at this link: Art-by-Ahyoka/Redubble.
Life gets so busy, and I’m finding it harder and harder to post on the website the way I used to. I miss it. And I decided today that it has been entirely too long since I have written some cinquain — or since I have written about coffee. So I decided to combine the two subjects and here’s what I came up with.
PICK-ME-UP
I need
A pick-me-up.
And I know what will work:
A cup of fragrant, fresh-brewed joy —
Coffee!
It’s great
At any time.
One cup won’t be enough.
I feel inspired to brew up a
Full pot.
YES!
🙂
I came across a new challenge today — well, new to me. It’s hosted by Jim Adams on his WordPress site at this link. The challenge is to write a story or poem based on the theme “Better Left Unsaid.” So I’ve let my poet muse have sway and posted my response below.
BETTER LEFT UNSAID
I could have told him how I felt
About the lies he’d told behind my back.
I could have spoken out and said
That he a basic moral code did lack.
I could have talked to mutual friends,
And told them scores of ugly things of him.
And when I’d finished, they’d have said
They were inclined to believe all of them.
But once I’d had revenge on him,
What would the outcome be inside of me?
My sinking to his level so
Would mean I was as vile of heart as he.
But if I leave those thoughts unsaid,
I’ll rise above them, so I’ll remain free.
I’ve been a little too busy to post much this whole past week, and I just realized that I never did put up any more samples from my new art shop. So I thought I’d take the time today to at least put up some photos of a few more varieties of products available. I’ve added several more art pieces to the collection, and I will continue to add more. So periodically, I’ll post about the newest things out there. Most of the designs are available on scores of different products, but I’m just throwing out a sample.
Also, I’m sending out a great big THANK YOU! to all of you who have been so encouraging and supportive. If you haven’t visited my shop yet but would like to, here’s the link: Art-by-Ahyoka/Redbubble. Be sure and click the heart beside any designs you really like, and follow me to get quick updates about new products.
Selma Martin has been giving us a weekly challenge called “Espresso,” in which she calls on us to share a “morsel of wisdom” to encourage the hearts of our readers. This week the theme on her site seemed to be about “doing the right thing,” so I decided to share a maxim born out of my own heart — and one that I try to live by in all the aspects of my life:
When life gets tough, resort to the doggy wisdom that never fails:
Join Selma’s “Espresso Moments” challenge at this link.
The Happy Wordcrafter 