While this is an excellent merge of magic with some type of computer activity, I found it too involved with "show" and very short on substance. There really isn't a story. I normally choose cat books just from a personal love, but this one left me with no real emotions.
If you want to discover a way to use the computer to help tell your stories, this is a good possibility. However, even then, there were size adjustments for the cat that should have been made to make it more believable and less amateurish. Good start of a good thing...just needs work and some creativity in story to consider it a book for anybody to read and enjoy...
Nuriel Kaplan has convinced the individual to whom he is pitching his book... and she is willing to listen... “All right, Nouriel. Tell me about your mystery.” “It’s not my mystery. It’s much bigger than me. You have no idea how big, or what it involves.” “And what does it involve?” “Everything. It involves everything, and it explains everything…everything that’s happened, that’s happening, and everything that’s going to happen.” “What do you mean?” “Behind September 11…” “How could an ancient mystery possibly have anything to do with September 11?” “An ancient mystery behind everything from 9/11 to the economy…to the housing boom…to the war in Iraq…to the collapse of Wall Street. Everything in precise detail.” And it’s not only a mystery, it’s a message, an alarm.” “An alarm?” she asked. “An alarm of what?” “Of warning.” “To whom?” “America.” “Why?” “When you hear it,” he said, “you’ll understand why.”
~~~
OK, how good are you at listening to information, say, in a lecture? I consider myself a good listener; you may not. You may be more into talking yourself and making your own decisions. Neither is wrong--my only thought is--how can you possibly know enough upon which to make informed decisions if you don't listen (or read...).
Nouriel was a good listener, but he was very impatient at first. Kinda like the woman to whom he was now trying to tell the story... But for Nouriel, he slowly began to understand that, for this, he was not going to be in control. He was going to have to accept the pace established or just not be able to participate. Somehow he knew he must...
You see, Nouriel had been approached by a man...who has not given him his name. Of course, I thought he could be an angel, a prophet from the far past, or even God... The book indicated he was middle-eastern looking... But..for this discussion, I thought of Morgan Freeman, in his movie playing God... This kind of look came to mind as I was reading... You know, like, I am talking to you...and I'm the great "I Am" so just listen, would you??!
Anyway, it was made quite clear that it didn't matter how the message was being given to Nouriel--he did accept that he'd been chosen, apparently-- but, rather, that
The Message
was the important thing...
This is how it began...
He reached into his coat pocket, laid his closed hand down on the table, then opened it. In the middle of his palm was a small object of reddish, golden-brown clay, circular and about two inches in diameter. “It all began with this.” He handed it to her. She began examining it. The more she looked at it, the more intrigued she became. It was covered with what appeared to be ancient inscriptions. “It all began with this.” “And what is it?” “It’s a seal,” he answered. “It’s the first seal.”
~~~
As you may know, seals were used in ancient times to authenticate normally an official document. [The seals used here are illustratively used only to split out each seal given.]
Kaplan was a journalist and explained that the writings was a form of ancient Hebrew. The seal was from Judah, important because it referred to ancient times when God spoke directly to Israel through various people or symbols, but they needed some type of authorization to be heard... Many prophets were persecuted...many others would listen... The first seal had been sent to him, but he didn't know the sender...until one day he met the man who had the same seal...for identity, of course...
“‘A seal,’ he said, ‘bears witness to a message that it’s authentic or that it’s of great importance.’ “‘But what would that have to do with me?’ I asked. ‘I don’t have anything to do with messages of great importance.’ “‘Maybe you do and just don’t know it.’ “‘You’re very mystical, you know.’ “‘Or maybe,’ he said, ‘you’re about to receive one.’ “‘What do you mean?’ “‘A message of great importance,’ he replied. His left hand had been resting on his lap for the entire length of the conversation…closed. That’s when he opened it. In the middle of his palm was a seal.” It was the same seal... You know, I've never really been good with anything not related in "plain talk" but of course many ancient stories are in parable or other forms... This was no different... Nouriel was doing exactly what I would do--getting frustrated because this man kept turning the point of the conversation back to Nouriel, who, of course, like us, hadn't a clue what was going on...In fact, he was so frustrated that he decided to leave... but not before hearing that this was "the time..." telling Nouriel when he asked what he meant:
“A good question, but he never answered it.
Instead, he turned his gaze back to the distance ahead and continued speaking. ‘It’s the appointed time, but not for an ancient nation.
It’s time for the word to be given…for the mystery to be revealed…for the message to go forth. It’s the appointed time—but not for an ancient nation.’”
“This has nothing to do with me,”
“Then why were you given the seal?” he asked.
“Who are you?” I countered. He didn’t answer that but just looked at me. It was a silence as intense as anything else that took place
~~~
Whew! Nuriel just turned and left him standing there! I truthfully don't know what I would have done... But there was no peace for Nuriel. What was he supposed to do? Was this real? Could it be? Who was that man? Should he listen to him? What if he wanted something from him that he couldn't give... He didn't think he even wanted to see him again...
But then there was the seal he still held in his hand... And, in some ways, maybe he did want to know more...
One of the issues that I noticed in Sundown by Judith Harway was that the author had lived with parents who had no need or desire to teach their children about any formal religion. What readers will see are remnants of atheism, Catholicism, Jewish--and non-definitive spirituality all becoming part of the Daughter's life as she went through the time she shared when her mother's was diagnosed with Alzheimer's... The book is not in any real way based upon religion except as it affects the author...
I bring this up only because, as you know, I have a Christian background and training and have found music often a comforting expression of my feelings. So, I am merely adding my personal thoughts for the entire family of this and others who have lived with an individual suffering from Alzheimer's. This book is powerfully written and has an excellent format of presentation for issues, with a Table of Contents which will allow a quick check on an issue when needed. To me this is important because if you have this disease in your family, I highly recommend you consider it as a must-read addition to your personal library. I think it would be referred to as individual needs develop for specific information.
I read this book slowly, often stopping to ponder and consider how I felt about the material presented. In fact, I became so involved that I had a nightmare about my mother having this disease, while living with me, and that due to some disaster, I woke up with men coming through our home and my hurriedly trying to help Mom cover herself--apparently she had decided she didn't like wearing clothing at night--LOL and my shame for both her and me as I tried to cover her and hide her body from all those men's eyes... Strange, how our dreams reflect our own fears...
The author openly admits that she is already preparing for herself, given that there are indications that Alzheimer's is hereditary... But how do you really prepare for losing your memories?
Sundown
a daughter's memoir of Alzheimer's care
By Judith Harway
Near the end of Mom's life, my sister loaded an iPod with dozens of songs from the thirties and forties, songs our mother would remember hearing and singing. Sitting in one or another dim institutional room, I'd encourage my mother to recall songs she loved, hoping I could find them on the playlist. Once when I was slow to locate "The Rose of Tralee," her attention wandered; as the first line of the song finally rang in the gloom.--
"The pale moon was rising above the green mountain"-- her hands flew to her throat.
"Am I singing?" she cried in alarm.
This is how I discovered "Bel Mir Bistu Schein," Mom's favorite song from her college years.
Composed in the 30s for a Yiddish musical, the tun was new to me; my mother, however, wanted to hear it again and again, the way a three year old will clamor for repetitions of a favorite storybook. "Bel Mir Bistu Schein," which means "To me, You are Beautiful," became a hit with English lyrics, though it never lost the Yiddith title or refrain. The words are cloying and Mom was at a loss to keep up with the jaunty rendition on the iPod. Still, in my mind it was the anthem of her final days. It jingled in my head when I couldn't fall asleep, and I'd still be hearing it when I awoke to return to her side, as if my mother's voice kept singing all night inside me. Back at Cascia Hall, after she had largely fallen silent, she still would sit in the Broda chair with her eyes closed and her right hand conducting with an invisible baton, slurring along with the music:
"Bel mir Bistu Schein..."
~~~
April, 2010. It is the last spring of my mother's life, although I do not know that as we drive together down Milwaukee's lakefront on a perfect afternoon. The spring sun lavishes its gold touch on the water, gilds the sweep of Bradford Beach, steeps budding trees along the bluffs in honeyed light. Because Mom always forgets to bring along her heavy, wraparound sunglasses these days, she's wearing the cheap pair I keep in my glove compartment, and still, she covers her eyes beneath both hands...
I catch sight of a stand of lilacs... "Look, Mom," my voice is rising. "Look at the lilacs" In truth the lilacs are kind of ratty, but I really want her to open her eyes and notice something. "Look at those lilacs--they're beautiful!" Eyes closed, Mom intones. "Beautiful, When lilacs last in the dooryeard bloom'd... That's a poem about Lincoln's death. Do you know it?"
I'm delighted by this old, deep memory surfacing: as a girl, my mother learned many classic poems by heart and held them dear. The sound track of my own childhood memories is rich with the sweet lilt of her voices reciting Keats and Wordsworth, then rising into her favorite turn-of-the-century parlor songs as my sister and I drowsed ...
I swallow Whitman's name. It is enough that she remembered the first line. I slowly finish the tercet as she mumbles along on this perfect afternoon:
When lilacs last in the dooryard bloom'd,
And the great star early droop'd in the western sky in the night.
I mourn'd, and yet shall mourn with ever returning spring...
~~~
This is a book that must be experienced, not reviewed... Each reader will certainly respond to it differently, although I hope it doesn't result in a nightmare like it did me... But, I really wasn't surprised...at my age, most consider what "way" by which he or she will die... That's natural... But, in the case of Alzheimer's, there is an extra burden that is just not present with other diseases. One of the most severe results is that your loved one will not even know who you are... Try to consider how it would be for you to have a loved one look at you as a pleasant visitor, but with no recognition of the love you feel for that individual. To me, it is undoubtedly my worst fear, although there is no evidence of its being in my family that I am aware of...
Another devastating effect is that there is a loss of acting in an appropriate manner--a manner that would never occur if that individual understood what she or he was saying. Becoming rude, using unnatural language, and extremely hurtful statements by individuals can only be disregarded--if at all possible--since they have no awareness that they are being inappropriate... Harway includes many examples of these embarrassments. But for a very important reason! Her mother cannot be held accountable for her actions, her words... yet she discovered that many hospital employees are unwilling or unable to not have the patient's care being affected! It was very apparent after reading this book, that it is important to learn how your loved one is being cared for in any given institution!
The poem closes with: I read somewhere that Alzheimer's, the cruelest disease, is crueler still to those who suffered most in childhood. My heart breaks to see my mother locked inside her memory. But Holocaust survivors her age spend their waning years confined behind barbed wire, starving and aching for their parents, drawing death into their lungs with every breath. For my young mother, running barefoot down a sloping field of daisies, I give thanks. ~~~
One significant point I appreciated was Harway's sharing about "Sins of Memory." It is important for all to realize that, although we think our own memories are excellent, often that is not the case. She shares a story about her sister giving her a pillow, saying that she thought she would appreciate it more. She claimed her mother had made it. Judith never felt the need to tell her sister that she, herself, had made the pillow... Too often, we need to realize that when there is confusion in memory, it just might be that our own memories are at fault. She points out that "Memory...can be a troublemaker" then provides a long poem about what that means as it relates to her mother. While Judith is the primary caregiver, her father is almost obsessive in wanting to be responsible, even though he is no longer able. But, in the end, he is unable to make decisions even, for how to handle her cremains... Harway had much to handle with the required caregiving she has done. That's why this book is so important. She has done an excellent, intelligent presentation, at the same time it is sensitive, humorous when possible, and, most importantly, totally open in her willingness to share her feelings during a very distressful time. I consider this a must-read, exceptional book for those who both professionally deal with Alzheimer's patients as well as for any family or friend who has a relative with this disease. I would also highly recommend that if you have the potential of this disease through heredity, please do yourself a favor and read this book... GABixlerReviews
Judith Harway's books of poetry include All That is Left, a finalist for the Eric Hoffer Award, and two chapbooks, Swimming in the Sky and The Memory Box. She is Professor of Writing and Humanities at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, a two-time recipient of the Wisconsin Arts Board literature fellowship, and a widely published poet and essayist. She and her husband, musician Dan Armstrong, make their home in the Milwaukee area, with three rescued dogs who have happily replaced their grown children.
T. J. McMahon of the Bible Prophecy Blog's A Matter of Critical Discernment sets up a good counter opinion for this book which should be a good beginning as we review The Harbinger. Remember this is not a review...merely my reading and providing info as I see it...and maybe even start a discussion... I believe McMahon has done an excellent presentation on this book and hopefully you'll read his opposing thoughts...
Here's the first para to help you decide whether you want to read:
The Harbinger is a novel that is becoming very popular among both Christians and non-Christians, even reaching the top of the New York Times best-seller list at this writing. What makes it worthy of review, like other books that we have addressed is that it offers an important opportunity for believers to exercise critical discernment. In this case, author Jonathan Cahn believes that he has discovered prophetic signs from God that are found in the Old Testament and directly apply to the United States, referring in particular to the events surrounding the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Because The Harbinger is a fictional novel with a large dose of nonfiction added (Scripture), this critique involves two aspects: 1) a personal, subjective opinion, and 2) a more objective consideration of the author’s application of Scripture in his novel.
I do not profess to have the gift of discernment. I do believe that I have a gift for reading and understanding fiction. There may be a difference between McMahon and someone like myself just because that. I will be reading it as fiction, but I will also be looking at it as an individual who has a passion for understanding God's actions...and those who write it as fiction.
By the way for whatever reason my Book Reader's Heaven Blog publishing activity has been changed. This Blog has not been! Followed by a lot of ????? LOL! I expect, however, that this discussion will indeed need to be under my "Just My Personal Opinion Blog, which is also my adult blog... I had hoped to work on The Harbinger from BRH...but...
Anyway...
Let's take a look at the cover first...
Subtitle: The Ancient Mystery that Holds the Secret of America's Future!
Wow, that's a knock-out statement in my opinion...and you all know that I have an interest in all this, right?
My first prophetic book was the Late Great Planet Earth.
This was the first, real, time when I started getting interested in matching people's opinion about God, The Second Coming, etc... This book, BTW, was published as nonfiction...
But, you know, I was never fanatical about any actions or words created by writers... I do believe that if "this" ever happens, that nobody will know it is happening until
It does...
But just for info, if you want to find out what Hal Lindsay was saying, here's a vid of info...
It's been a long time since I believed anybody was going to write a book that would explain all of the questions I've always had!!! With that in mind, I read a book of fiction, like I would read any book of fiction. If it inspires me, I'll tell you why...If I considered it outrageous, I'll tell you why...
AN ANCIENT MYSTERY that holds the secret of America’s future.”
“Yes."
"What would I think?”
“Yes, what would you think?”
“I’d think it was a plot for a movie. Is that it? Is that what you’re presenting…a movie manuscript?”
“No.”
“A plot for a novel?”
“No.”“Then what?”
He was silent. “Then what?” she repeated.
He paused to carefully consider what he was about to say and how to say it. Her reputation among those in media was that of a woman who neither wasted her time nor indulged those who did. She was not known to suffer fools gladly. The discussion could meet an abrupt end at any given moment and there would be no second chance with her. The fact that there had even been a meeting in the first place, that she had even agreed to it, and that he was now sitting in her office, high above the streets of Manhattan, was nothing short of a miracle—and he knew it. He had only one concern—the message. It didn’t even occur to him to remove his black leather overcoat, nor had anyone offered to remove it for him. Leaning forward in his chair, he gave her his answer, slowly, cautiously, carefully deliberating every word. “An ancient mystery…that holds the secret of America’sfuture…and on which its future hangs. And it’s not fiction—it’s real.” She was quiet. At first, he took the silence as a positive sign, an indication that he was getting through.
But then she spoke and quickly dispelled the notion. “An Indiana Jones movie,” she said. “An ancient mystery hidden for thousands of years under the sands of the Middle East…but now revealed…and upon it hangs the fate of the entire world!” Her flippancy provoked him to become all the more resolute.
“But it’s not fiction,” he repeated.
“It’s “What would I say?” she asked.
“Yes, what would you say?”
“I’d say you were crazy.”
“Perhaps I am,” he said with a slight smile. “Nevertheless…it’s real.”
“If you’re not crazy, then you’re joking…or you’re doing this all for dramatic effect…part of a presentation. But you can’t be serious.”
“But I am serious.”
~~~
Although the author potentially has the credentials for a nonfiction book (haven't done a search yet), I was gratified that he chose to write it as fiction. A couple of reasons comes to mind...he is making no claim that it is more than fictional even if some might believe it has some basis of truth. He writes about what he personally has studied and feels is happening in America... much like many writers are doing these days...If you see him, you can sense his personal feelings about what's he doing and that he believes what he's written. Many warn about False Prophets...In making this book fiction, I think he has made it clear that he does not call himself a prophet of God, even though he's writing prophetically... as he has come to believe it. But by calling it fiction, individuals of all religions can read the book and not feel that he is speaking on behalf of any major religion... Yes, these are all assumptions at this point...we'll see if I still feel the same when finished! LOL
The above excerpt made me think of a couple of people playing the roles...My first and only pick for the female receiving the pitch is Oprah... Can't you see her listening to this pitch? LOL And, of course, right now, I'm thinking that it is the author who is presenting...we'll see...
Some of you may have picked up that I've finally found a computer after months of searching and testing. Was I surprised to learn that no longer do you get a bunch of programs as we once did on a computer. Nor do you get a completely new computer with all necessary components! I used my present screen and speakers, so I now have a cannibalized computer from ASUS, Dell and Acer... Geesh! So I purchased an Office package and got talked into a protection package... I admit that everything was sounding fine as I talked to the staff at the store... The software was added at the store, including the protection package. I paid extra to have it delivered and set up to expedite my use. This time, the software and installation/set-up created the nightmare... Not only did I demand to have the protection package removed--it slowed the machine down more than my old one had been! And the staffing activities had me at a high emotional state... Do you know what I mean by that? Well, after experiencing Job Burnout, I am still on medication and no longer have control of my emotions--I will either cry or scream, depending upon the circumstances... The thing that amazed me though after it was all over, was that when I had been working, a major responsibility was to maintain effective personal relations with people...which I did until it reached a point that the volume of work and management actions caused me to lose control. Yet, when I tried to talk to sales reps about my problems, admittedly being upset, I got remarks that my manner of communication was offensive to that individual...They would hang up on me! OK, ultimately I apologized to the General Manager of the store who had to get involved and he quickly said I did not need to apologize... But, you know, it's kinda ironic that I handled myself professionally, many times dealing with opinionated and distressed people...and considered it part of my job... only to find that todays employees do not know the meaning of patience and empathy! At one point I stopped and said, "I thought the customer was always right..." because I couldn't believe what I was being told... Anyway, I'm writing this because this is the second day I've not been unable to create my blog. That first day, I noticed that a routine page had been reformatted...so I knew programming had been done for some reason... Since then I've lost material, tried to cut and paste to use, tried to restore previous screens...nothing is working as it was before "the day" I saw different screens... Which means I'm getting behind...and a key issue for reviewing is that if you don't review fairly quickly, you forget your personal response and what you wanted to say!!! With a paperback, I've marked it in specific ways for important and less important material...as you know there is no way to do this with an ebook... If I am lucky enough to pick up key words from a book description I can do a search. But there .ares many books that do not have an effective blurb...
You know, I have been working with computers from the early 60s! Can you imagine that I've seen the evolution from mainframe systems into personal computers and now all the various devices that include so many that you feel like you can never make the right choice, or that if you purchase it, it won't be outdated before the equipment has aged enough to need to be replaced... And not once during all those years have I been frustration-free from using them! Don't get me wrong, I love computers and their capability. My frustration has always been with the people related to using them in any way. When I used a mainframe, the main issue was being able to obtain priority in getting work done, since the programming activity was done centrally... Then it was the decision-makers who couldn't or wouldn't make a decision and stick with it for a reasonable length of time....So I learned to use ADABASE Systems, Tif, Nomad...and many more as I personally was involved in the evolution of mainframe to PC, plus a couple of total facilities management systems, one of which I designed myself, and discover they never get implement... Employees just keep starting over and over and over and over...No wonder other countries are gaining a better reputation for quality than America has had in recent years.
Now, I believe the customer is being shafted due to the corporate competition to bring out the newest and greatest. Do they think we are even able to take the time to try to keep up with which is best? Companies are producing small low-powered computers and trying to pass them off as desktops... If you've never had a computer before, you would never know that these computers are so bad that you can't type at a reasonable rate of speed without blowing the system because they can't keep up with professional users. I am not taking any new books for the foreseeable future. I have 4 books for which I need to create reviews...plus many more to read...and like I said, if you don't review quickly after you've read a book, you lose the "flavor" of the experience as you finished reading... So I'm even hesitant to start reading a new book given my present computer problems. The only thing I can think of for me is to move backwards to a simply narrative review much like this article...Dull and boring, kinda, isn't it???
This is an official publication of what I am now doing...re reviewing e-books... Please realize that any other file other than an officially purchased copyrighted copy is NOT a simple issue for a REVIEWER... Here's a email I just sent out... Please consider it a duplicate for anybody who is asking me to take other than a gifted Kindle... The Requester... Sorry, but I am not sure I understand the confusion. Mobi format is the kindle format. I supplied you with that. I can easily be transferred to your kindle. Here's what I responded:
Let's just forget this, sorry. A mobi file means that I must take a file and move it to my Kindle...which leaves a file on my computer which automatically leaves a copy to be later deleted...Then in order to do my review without having a real inability to use the kindle for review activity, (I must first use the note marker which is very cumbersome, than try to find what I wanted to use by sorting through an extensive list, etc.) I must use a PC version on my computer, which allows me to copy some of the stuff...but then it is another copy which must be deleted, because the Kindle will not accept a mobi file as a true file, but rather is listed in a different section of the Kindle...means it is the user's responsibility for finding it once it has been moved into Kindle...It also will not load into the PC version since it is not a purchased copy and is not part of my online library, so I have to go out find it in the original transfer, open it from there to use and then have to later delete in this location too.
I apologize in advance since I lost my entire file yesterday because of computer formatting programming... This is NOT an easy transfer... of a Mobi file...
Now multiply it by hundreds of books... I have previously taken them and am finding I cannot keep up and am losing track of ebooks very quickly just because I have taken some other format other than a copyrighted version which is in my online library...
Again, sorry
Glenda.
For the foreseeable future, I will only accept print copies and not very many at a time. NO electronic files other than a gifted actual purchase to go into my Kindle online library will be accepted. Recently I did a review for an individual who while thanking me declared it had been a year after it had been submitted...Hey, I have published that print copies are given priority. And, if you would, please remember that I have no obligation to review your book. I truly try, but when a requester has made the process 10 times more work than with a print version, I have to do something in response if I accept it. NOW I am no longer accepting...Period... ONLY print copies for the foreseeable future. And if you haven't seen your review of an ecopy, I have also published notices that you should double check...I have been able to immediately act when an author has taken responsibility for ensuring his/her book has been handled... Again, also I have published notices, but, if you haven't heard from me regarding taking a book within the week, please assume that I will not be reviewing... Also, again, please do not send unsolicited books to me for review... By the way, I am moving toward the time when I will no longer accept new requests for reviews. When and if that happens depends upoon a willingness of individuals to understand that I am just one person and my requests continue to be overwhelming. I seriously don't know whether to laugh because my Blog is popular, or cry because I'm being inundated with what is extra work when I'm asked to take electronic versions... Kindle White
Package (more evidence on computers!) For the most part, I've been happy with my Kindle White... The light really helps improve reading and I do enjoy traveling with it with the ability to have multiple books in a slThe wim p For a reviewer it really doesn't do the job...that is, for someone who reads constantly with the need to share thoughts about the book. Note that those notes would probably be quite different that if you just wanted to highlight a few comments to keep for yourself). (starting over) The way you do this is by highlighting notes--at least that is the only way I've discovered to do it. Highlighting works, but when you want to use the material for a review...you must scroll through notes to try to find it...remember most books do not paginate in Kindle and even if you did, there's no way to guess approximately where you read it and go to that location easily. Using screen touch has worked for most reading--when you move ahead. But if you want to go back a page or more...you may or may not be able to get there. I have just decided to use the location designation and guesstimate. So I check out where I am and think how much I should go back to try to find the location earlier...It is just guessing. Sometimes I've gone too far; sometimes not far enough... When that happens you really need to start over with the Go To location activity. Ok, I admit I turn pages down in books--hey, they're my books right? But that doesn't work when you're reading electronically. Unless I'm reading a very short book, I've found I don't get into the book like I do with printed books, marking quickly and then proceeding on... If you have to stop and physically code notes into the machine, you automatically are detracting from your reading. I recognize that this may not be an issue for other fiction readers...but, like I felt with the new computers, people who are using this new equipment as part of their professional lives find themselves adjusting to the equipment rather than that equipment assisting in that work. Of course that's just my personal opinion, of course. GABixlerReviews
This has been an interesting weekend. I had just finished a book by Lauren Carr and was still smiling...but didn't feel like starting a new book, so I turned on the TV, which I rarely watch these days...surfing through the channels to try to find something. I was disgusted that there were so many programs that just are not worth watching...worse though, is that they are...
Well, I'll come back to that sometime...
Through serendipity, I found a site that was talking about a book... The Harbinger... and stopped to listen about what it was... Then I went to my Kindle, ordered it, and started to read immediately.
You see, the book has been out several years, but I'd never heard of it. Many others I am sure will say the same...we haven't "looked" at the appropriate Internet sites, or on the right TV channels, or we've not been at any local place where somebody might ask, "Have you read The Harbinger?!" There are already 5000 reviews for this book on Amazon already, so I don't intend to do my usual...
I'll going to try a "read-along... Why? Because I've been lucky to have visitors from all over the world. And people all over the world need to know what is being said about America... A major reason I do my blog is because I was at one time posting my reviews at AllVoices...an online newspaper... But as many of you know, I've expanded way beyond the norm for reviews... The reason is because of one of the comments I received at that site... I don't remember the exact words, but the idea that came across to me was that, because of my review, this man would know about a book that he would have no opportunity to purchase and read... But with the way I wrote my review, he could learn much about what people were reading...
It is my belief that this is an important book for the world, not just for America. So, I'm going to do essentially what I do with all books, but much slower and only a small part of the book at a time. If I whet your interest and you are immediately interested, then you too might go out and buy it. But if you are not in a position to do that, or just would enjoy a more independent interpretation of what will undoubtedly be a significant book in the world today, I hope you may read this book along with me...
I started to look through the author's site and got involved immediately...but I decided I'd get to know too much about the book before I read and reacted to it personally. But I did want to share a portion of a page on his site that covers one of my important concerns for today's America
The Disappearance of ‘Under God’
In the days and weeks after 9/11, one could hear or see the words “God bless America” almost everywhere. And yet in the years since 9/11, the words “God” and “Under God” have increasingly been under attack or, worse, hidden away from American culture. It was not long after 9/11 that a case arose challenging the words “under God,” in the pledges of Allegiance. A federal judge in California ruled that the words “under God” in such a pledge were unconstitutional.
In more recent days, other controversies rose around the same issue. The president was addressing a Congressional Caucus and quoted from the Declaration of Independence. He stated
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men
are created equal, that all men are created equal,
endowed with certain inalienable rights: life liberty
and the pursuit of happiness.” If interested, click over to finish this startling article!
One day this week, I'll begin to share what I've read so far...I hope you spend some time with me...
We can't all look like Kim Novak and other beautiful actresses...but we can still appreciate the love lives they experienced...
If a fantasy is yours...who would play in it? Here's my choices! Remember who was dancing with Kim in this movie???
..She stood just five feet and four inches and had over the years put on a little weight, but she carried it well and still had curves in all the right places. Her shoulder length auburn hair framed a round but very pretty face and stunning hazel eyes. She was clothed in a little black dress that came to just above the knee, dark colored hold-ups and high heel open toed shoes. And at this present moment she was draped over the bed in an apparent swoon, the scenario being that she had had one too many and passed out in a bedroom while a party was in full swing.
Barry had put on some music in the sitting room and had just appeared at the bedroom door as a party goer who was looking for the loo and had walked in on the unconscious woman. Jane had arranged herself so that she was laying on her back, one one leg drawn up, so up, so that her dress had ridden up to reveal her hold-ups. Barry at first played the part of a hesitant male, torn between lust and the possibility of discovery. But soon found his emotions getting the better of him. From looking and peeking he quickly progressed to smoothing a hand up a nylon clad leg, taking the bottom of the little dress with it. The maneuvre brought to light a pair of skimpy see through knickers, as well as a ’drunken’moan of delight from the prone female ’party goer’. Encouraged, the naughty male ‘party goer’proceeded to slide the knickers off over her thighs , and discarded them on the bedroom floor. He then trailed a finger slowly back up the one of the now open legs, towards a shaven delight...
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Sex Stories for a Mature Woman
By Karl Lancaster
Having just finished a complete erotic novel, I thought I'd follow with an anthology--which is the long-time format for many erotic stories--i.e., short stories that essentially provides one scene and then moves on to another entirely new story. I think you have to decide personally which you prefer, but I will say that this was a fun book with several delightful, naughty stories. The book I received had a simply beautiful cover--I wish I could have shared it, because what has been used certainly here doesn't give the book the cover it deserves, in my opinion.
The book begins with a short prelude from the writer about "The Idea." I was not sure whether this was also fiction, but I appreciate the setup for the stories which essentially was that a married couple, whose children were now gone, had found that they had more time to enjoy the part of their lives which was delayed, or interrupted...or was just too tedious after a hard day of working...you know what I mean, right? Well, this couple decided to role play and the excerpt is part of the first story provided.
It was during the aftermath that each explored how they felt about what had happened... They didn't know where they were going with it...but as long as they both knew what was happening, they'd go from there. To me, role playing can be just as much fun as actually following through and doing some of the scenarios. Again, that's a personal decision, but I believe this author has given readers a number of options for consideration. Check with your spouse to see if she wants to read it together...
A recent NY Times article said that the first question about getting a massage was whether you wanted a male or female masseuse. In "Relaxing Moments" two women were vacationing together and had scheduled massages, but one withdrew and went to their room instead... Meanwhile Susan went on to have her very first massage...not knowing what or how it was done... Why not pretend you're at the same resort...here's some of what Barbara might be experiencing...
Then he almost absently minded let her legs fall as he took a step back and zipped himself up. He took a deep breath, looked at her and winked and said, 'No extra charge lady, shut now, you dress, goodnight'. Turned and left.
Leaving her wondering if this was a typical Turkish massage or not?
~~~
By the time the cab arrived any idea this would be a largely platonic evening had fled, and they jumped in to the vehicle both breathless and eager to be on they’re way! And almost before the cab had pulled away from the kerb they had turned to face each other and pressed their eager lips against each others. Dianne was acutely aware of how passionate both of them was getting as well as how much leg was now on show. And during a brief release from the kissing, when Matt nuzzled her neck instead and she let her head loll back she caught a glimpse of the taxi drivers eyes watching her in the mirror. She suddenly realized that her legs had fallen apart and that Matt had his hand between her thighs and was squeezing the soft flesh of one leg. Her eyes were almost closed and she stole a secret glance at the driver and could see he had adjusted the mirror. When she glanced down she knew that her dress was so high he must be looking at her thong which, wouldn’t have been such a problem had it not been see through...
~~~
In addition to the individual stories above, "Holiday Dare," "The Club," and "The Drive are provided for your pleasure." I've seen other versions of the last one, but this story has been expanded. In fact, all the stories invite readers to stay through to the finish, you might say...
I think the part that I liked best was that in most of the stories, if there was a partner, they talked about it extensively, pros and cons, before deciding whether they wanted to proceed. In this way, I don't mean to imply that there is anything therapeutic about the book--rather that it may help couples to consider how they might bring about discussions on their sexual appetites, attitudes, etc. After all, it really is "all in the mind," don't you think?
The other thing I appreciated was that the writer has written it for age-appropriate females... Women just do not appreciate men going after girls or young adults. This writer has taken the time, except for one thing, to study, discuss, and, probably try out what happens in each and every story...
The one thing he didn't take the time to check out? Unless, of course, he has invented a new word...
she gasped as he pushed a finger in to her now very wet virgina. And now she let herself go and pressed her hips up towards the invading digit.
The man who had had his face between her legs shot bolt upright and in almost one smooth move buried his cock in her wet virgina...
I tried to find a pic of a virgina, but you wouldn't believe what came up on the search! As I was reading, I decided it was a merge between virgin and vagina...but, gee, if you're going to write erotica...especially for women...you really, gotta, please...learn how to spell the parts...LOL Forgive me, I just couldn't let that pass! Shall we say...AWKWARD!
If you're into it, like I said, this is a fun, enjoyable romp for those who enjoy talking about sex when we are old enough...like...ah, mature! LOL
GABixlerReviews
A Mature Woman Fan...
Karl Lancaster is an only child born in Paddington London England in 1955 to working class parents. He went to an average secondary modern school and later held down several very uninspiring jobs. In his late teens Karl took up aikido and gained his black belt by the time he was 22. Later he took up ju jutsu, iaido, jodo and kobudo. In his forties he joined the Metropolitan Police and also took up kung fu. By his fifties he had become a trainer at the Metropolitan Police College in Hendon London and had also become world, European and UK champion in kung fu. These days Karl teaches first aid and tai chi as a freelance trainer, writes and dabbles in the antique market. He lives with his wife Trisha and two sons in Romford Essex UK.
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