Archives for April 2012

I realize my blog takes twists and turns and I really wanted to thank those subscribers who remain loyal.  It really depends on what I’m researching for my books as to my content, but it will never be revealed on my blog as it is written in to what I’m currently writing about.  For those of you who were interested in my blog on Dr Daryl Bem, this post may tweak your curiousity.  Perhaps you’ve heard of Bertrand Russell who wrote  a book, c1957, entitled Why I am Not a Christian.  Basically, he claims that once our body and brain die, that is all there is.  However, a Montreal neurosurgeon named Mario Beauregard, wrote a book c2007 entitled The Spiritual Brain.  He claims, from a neuroscientist’s point of view, that the soul does exist beyond the physical body’s death.  In fact, he is insisting on a new scientific framework for studying our existence:  life, death and the nature of the soul.  In addition, Ervin Laszlo, c2004, wrote Science and the Akashic Field:  An Integral Theory of Everything.  He states that we have an ‘energybody’ that is an integral part of the planet’s etheric body.   Though ‘consciousness’ is not fully understood at this point, it does not vanish when the function of the brain or body cease.  And finally, Tom Harpur, c2011, wrote a book entitled There is Life After Death supporting this theory.  It is his article in our local Packet and Times that brought this to my attention.  Thank you Mr. Harpur!  Something for us all to ponder, analyze, research, or talk about at our next family function.

I grew up watching Dick Clark’s TV dance show called American Bandstand.  My two sisters and I would dance through the entire show, copying the moves of the teens dancing their feet off.  We would laugh! Did you know he was a pioneer in introducing African American performers, and others, to teen audiences around the world?  🙂 I am saddened that Mr. Clark died, albeit he was 82 years old.  But, too young in my eyes.  What will we do for New Year’s Rockin’ Eve this year?  Rest in Peace, Dick Clark.

Friggatriskaidekaphobia!  It causes panic attacks.  No I am not swearing at you!  It means the fear of Friday the 13th.  There is a lot of discussion on exactly where does this superstition come from.  It can be founded perhaps in religious references – Christ was crucified on a Friday, King Philip IV of France had the Knights Templar arrested on Friday, Oct. 13, 1307, Ancient Romans weren’t huge fans of 13 either believing that witches gathered in groups of 12, and a 13th person joining them would be the devil.   For me, personally, I have only had the best of luck on Friday the 13th.  I was offered a most prestigious job, received two of my highest raises on the 13th, and always wake up happy and refreshed on this day.  Hmmm….  Living from fear and superstition is an unhappy road to travel.  I choose not to live in fear but from a place of love.  It makes the world seem much more miraculous.  But please allow me to digress –  I was not always like this.  After my parents died, nine months apart, I became reclusive, questioning why they had to die and so close to each other, why didn’t friends or family step up and provide support to me or my family, is there life after death?   Now that’s another huge topic, but in the midst of my wallowing, I decided to pick myself up and bought a Havanese puppy for our family.  It was the best thing I have ever done.  Named by our son, Justin, ‘Kobi’ is the Diminutive of Jacob meaning “may God protect” and boy has H/he opened our hearts.  We looked at friends and family differently, we laughed and communicated with one another more constructively.  Living from fear only causes pain – that I can attest to.  It’s figuring out what to do about it for yourself and others around you that make you a survivor.  How will I enjoy Friday the 13th?  Writing, laughing, feeling grateful for everyone and everything in my life, and perhaps, watching the old movies entitled Friday the 13th, c1980.  I grew up on them. 🙂

This last series of videos ends my research phase, for now, as I buckle down to continue writing the second book in the Paige Maddison Series.  My husband and I drove to Palmdale, Florida to a gator farm named Gatorama.  If you are ever in the area, it’s well worth the time spent!  Awesome to observe these magnificent, ancient, creatures.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3kUbYiZTkM&context=C450f4e4ADvjVQa1PpcFMrc98UbQDP0LUI9OkOLF20_4hjHHKFaqI=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gt_5M0BjgI&context=C41ae57fADvjVQa1PpcFMrc98UbQDP0Ha8TzTPAaN42FAYC8wBpuU=

Apparently, Stephen King was invited to the First Annual Venice Florida International Book Fair & Writers Festival today.  His name is included in the Venice Gulf Coast Living, April 2012 issue.  However, as luck would have it, Stephen was unable to committ to this well organized day.  Or, did he attend as a guest?  Authors such as Senator Bob Graham were giving seminars on how to publish, how they became published and attendees were given the opportunity to mingle and buy their books, signed no less.  Oh well.  Perhaps, Mr. King will attend the Second Annual Book Fair next year and I will be among the authors mingling with guests.

Okay, wish me luck!  We are going to Stephen King’s beach here in sunny Florida.  I hope to catch him on his daily ten or so mile hike.  Enjoying the beautiful scenery, the people, and the wildlife.  We saw a gator farm with hundreds of gators and crocs.  I’ll be posting the videos on youtube next week. 🙂